Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site proper.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!mgnetp!ihnp4!zehntel!dual!proper!mickey From: mickey@proper.UUCP (Michael Thompson) Newsgroups: net.micro Subject: Re: BBS Confiscated, a way to avoid it! Message-ID: <1298@proper.UUCP> Date: Sat, 2-Jun-84 15:15:35 EDT Article-I.D.: proper.1298 Posted: Sat Jun 2 15:15:35 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 7-Jun-84 19:14:01 EDT References: <283@intelca.UUCP> Organization: Proper UNIX, San Leandro, CA Lines: 51 From: glen@intelca.UUCP (Glen Shires) > In college we had an operating system on one computer that scanned all > terminal I/O for cuss words. If it found one, it would warn you not to > use such language. If it found a second, it would warn you that one more > occurrence and you would be logged out and your password changed. If > it found a third, it would log you out and change your password thus > forcing you into an embarrassing discussion with your TA to get your > account back. > > Why couldn't a similar program be constructed for bulletin boards? > It could scan for suspicious words. If it found any, it could either: > > warn the person about his messages of suspicious nature > or better yet, not warn the person, but instead save the messages > in some protected area where they can only be read by > the sysop. Then they could be broadcast only after the > sysop has read them and determined they were suitable. > > The list of suspicious words could be kept in an easily updatable > dictionary. > > Granted, this solution isn't perfect as devious users could avoid > such lingo with careful wording/misspelling, but atleast it's a step. > Maybe someday an artificial intelligence program could figure out > if the MEANING and not just the wording was appropriate for BBS's. > Come on! Are you seriously suggesting automatic censoring? Look, first of all, "cuss" words are as valid a form of expression as any other. When i hear of people who can't deal with this, i immediately become livid, my blood pressure goes way up and i break out in a terrible sweat. Second of all, do you really think that your suggestion would have helped in the case we are addressing? What kind of words would such a censoring program look for? "Credit card"? "Calling card"? "AT&T"? Do you realize how many articles would have been censored from net.legal, net.consumers net.general alone! I can't claim i know of a solution, but i think that what you are suggesting is definatly a step in the wrong direction. I am sure that many of us would not even use a system that was implemented in that manner. I really hope you were kidding when you wrote that, Glen. Michael Thompson Altos Computers, Santa Clara. { The preceeding opinions may not be resold without written permission from my mother }