Re: JREF Banter, a first

[PygmyPlaidGiraffe]

Well I had to post this here as I can not access JREF Banter from the school computers or the library computers.

Access has been denied to JREF Banter.

In the more than 13 weeks I have been accessing this site that has never happened before.

Individual threads have been blocked at these computers as they allegedly pertain to hate, pornography, or allude to weapons has not really been a concern to me on a case by case basis.
World events lately have been such that talk about weapons is common. The engine used to block pornography may be too sensitive, and the use of hate words are probably not considered in context by the blocking engine. This does not irk me nor frustrate me.

My concern is that more and more threads appear to contain hate and pornography on the JREF forum as of late, and now the whole Banter Forum is off-limits to the school and library computers that I access.

Note: I have toggled off Avatars to reduce the amount of threads that are inaccessible but Avatars have no bearing on the access to the JREF Banter forum, and is a mute point.

[Supercharts]

Currently on the Banter page we have:
Rape
Nude
******
Homosexuality
Polygamy
Lesbian

[Supercharts]

Originally posted by Supercharts
Currently on the Banter page we have:
Rape
Nude
******
Homosexuality
Polygamy
Lesbian



Perhaps one of the mods could change the subject words to test if you can then access the Banter page?

Rape = McDonalds "Cheeseburger"
Nude = Hamburger sans condiments
****** = McRibs
Homosexuality = McDouble - Heavy on the mayo
Polygamy = Additional Pickle
Lesbian = Lobster Roll

[PygmyPlaidGiraffe]

Supercharts, this is exactly the reason why I have you on ignore.

I have no idea what you wrote because the block engine has blocked your posts. Even before I attempted to read your posts to this thread I had a feeling that your predictable diatribe would result in your posts being blocked.

Your contributions to the JREF Forum are intellectually stimulating, insightful, and obviously use the most effective tools and words you can master.

[Graham]

I reported your post to the mods so we'll see what they say

Graham

[Thanz]

Originally posted by PygmyPlaidGiraffe
Supercharts, this is exactly the reason why I have you on ignore.

I have no idea what you wrote because the block engine has blocked your posts. Even before I attempted to read your posts to this thread I had a feeling that your predictable diatribe would result in your posts being blocked.


I think that Supercharts may have solved your mystery. His post was simply a list of words that can currently be found on the Banter page, including N**ger, r*pe, n*de, hom****uality, l***ian, and p*lygamy

I have starred all the words in the hopes that they will not be blocked.

[PygmyPlaidGiraffe]

Originally posted by Graham
I reported your post to the mods so we'll see what they say

Graham

Thankyou Graham

much appreciated

[Nie Trink Wasser]

Originally posted by Supercharts


****** = McRibs
Homosexuality = McDouble - Heavy on the mayo
Polygamy = Additional Pickle
Lesbian = Lobster Roll


LOL !

[PygmyPlaidGiraffe]

Originally posted by Thanz

I think that Supercharts may have solved your mystery. His post was simply a list of words that can currently be found on the Banter page, including N**ger, r*pe, n*de, hom****uality, l***ian, and p*lygamy

I have starred all the words in the hopes that they will not be blocked.

Thankyou Thanz, appreciate that. I appreciate that you are not high jacking this thread to test the limits of what is allowed to be posted. I think there was a thread for that in another Forum, possibly in Totally Unconnected to the JREF Missions.

[renata]

cross post with the thread in Banter

Can somebody explain how these filters work? Do they pick up certain words, and if there are too many of them, block the entire site? Or one thread? Or one post? Is there a critical mass?

Thanks


If indeed Banter is being blocked in its entirety due to several threads, perhaps thread moving should be more aggressive. However, as I do not know what is triggering it, I have no suggestions as to the needed criterea.

[hammegk]

Alternatively Randi could conclude the JREF Forums are NOT suitable school fare.

At the current level of dross now available in all Forums, thanks to our stalwart moderation team, perhaps cancelling the Forums in entirety would do the world a favor. Adults who a year ago were posting here would then be forced to search for a more suitable, grown-up, venue.

[aerocontrols]

Originally posted by Supercharts
Currently on the Banter page we have:
*various 'bad' words here*

What was that all about, Supercharts?

[Supercharts]

Originally posted by aerocontrols


What was that all about, Supercharts?

It was a suggestion about how some institutions use programs to censor certain web sites.
This is interesting for another reason. SCOTUS reasoned yesterday that libraries can censor some sites. BUT SCOTUS also stated that the libraries must turn off censoring for a particular, specific user if they request it. [Congress voted $'s last year for libraries like they always do but included a rule that libraries had to censor certain sites].

My suggestion was to 'test' if some words 'trigger' censoring. So I initially suggested a list of words on Banter that may have set the censor program off for PPG. Thinking about it further I also suggested 'code' words to substitute.

Well, PPG first tells me I'm on her Ignore List. Then says I'm 'OK' but in a real snotty way. Then Graham explains to PPG that he/she has reported this to the Administration, Thanz then 'walks' PPG through the obvious intent of my posts so PPG then thanks Thanz and indicates that I was hijacking her thread [which is pretty lame because I didn't post a recipe, duh!]. Then Nie Trink Wasser sees the seriousness and the humor in my post, then Graham starts a thread in Banter. Hammegk misses the 'adults' from last year. Then Renata gets shaken about censorship and does a cross post. So I volunteer to test Norton 'Parental' stuff and find I'm not blocked so whatever censoring program is being used at PPG's site that ain't it.

[jj]

Originally posted by hammegk
Alternatively Randi could conclude the JREF Forums are NOT suitable school fare.

At the current level of dross now available in all Forums, thanks to our stalwart moderation team, perhaps cancelling the Forums in entirety would do the world a favor. Adults who a year ago were posting here would then be forced to search for a more suitable, grown-up, venue.

Of course, you don't like having your particular dead horses flogged, do you?

I'm sure you'd be happy.

[Thanz]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by aerocontrols


What was that all about, Supercharts?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Supercharts


It was a suggestion about how some institutions use programs to censor certain web sites.
This is interesting for another reason. SCOTUS reasoned yesterday that libraries can censor some sites. BUT SCOTUS also stated that the libraries must turn off censoring for a particular, specific user if they request it. [Congress voted $'s last year for libraries like they always do but included a rule that libraries had to censor certain sites].

My suggestion was to 'test' if some words 'trigger' censoring. So I initially suggested a list of words on Banter that may have set the censor program off for PPG. Thinking about it further I also suggested 'code' words to substitute.

Well, PPG first tells me I'm on her Ignore List. Then says I'm 'OK' but in a real snotty way. Then Graham explains to PPG that he/she has reported this to the Administration, Thanz then 'walks' PPG through the obvious intent of my posts so PPG then thanks Thanz and indicates that I was hijacking her thread [which is pretty lame because I didn't post a recipe, duh!]. Then Nie Trink Wasser sees the seriousness and the humor in my post, then Graham starts a thread in Banter. Hammegk misses the 'adults' from last year. Then Renata gets shaken about censorship and does a cross post. So I volunteer to test Norton 'Parental' stuff and find I'm not blocked so whatever censoring program is being used at PPG's site that ain't it.
You do the hokey-pokey and you turn yourself around, THAT"S what its all about!

[hammegk]

Question: Iff jj was talking to me, would it be worth my time (or anyone elses') to read his comment?

[slimshady2357]

Originally posted by PygmyPlaidGiraffe


Thankyou Thanz, appreciate that. I appreciate that you are not high jacking this thread to test the limits of what is allowed to be posted. I think there was a thread for that in another Forum, possibly in Totally Unconnected to the JREF Missions.

Where is your apology to supercharts?

All he did was list words that could be found on banter currently, seems helpful to me.

Then you attack him, nice one. I see your contributions are consistently of value too :rolleyes:

Adam

[Supercharts]

"To summarize: It's OK for the Federal Government to require filters on library computers. BUT, part of the reason it is OK, is because adults are (or should be) able to turn off the filters in order to access constitutionally protected information. And Justice Kennedy left open the door to a subsequent challenge, if an individual finds themselves blocked from accessing a First Amendment protected site."

http://www.plastic.com/article.html;sid=03/06/24/02193036

[jj]

Originally posted by hammegk
Question: Iff jj was talking to me, would it be worth my time (or anyone elses') to read his comment?
More of Hammegk's campaignn to shut down that which he can not control.

[PygmyPlaidGiraffe]

Originally posted by renata
cross post with the thread in Banter

Can somebody explain how these filters work? Do they pick up certain words, and if there are too many of them, block the entire site? Or one thread? Or one post? Is there a critical mass?

Thanks


If indeed Banter is being blocked in its entirety due to several threads, perhaps thread moving should be more aggressive. However, as I do not know what is triggering it, I have no suggestions as to the needed criterea.

Thanks for the cross post renata.

Well this one is called FoolProof Internet Safe Server, don't know much about it but the block is triggered by suspect words:
I have not found it too be all that restrictive on JREF forum threads, and this is the first time it has blocked a forum. It has not blocked out other forums I visit regularly at JREF.

I don't go to Totally Unrelated Forum because I know it has been specified as a free style forum and the viewer chances viewing content that may be unsuitable for minors, and I am fine with that. I am glad there is a place for that.

I am a teacher and have reservations about refering this forum to students. Now, I think most of the students I refer to JREF would not be appalled and are mature enough to handle the diverse nature of the topics on the forums. Yet I fear that the school district, Parents committees, and voters may not unanimously agree with me refering this site to young people.

I suppose I will have to choose to not to refer this site to any students. Unfortunately I have to act in a way so that these interest groupos perceive that I am not inappropriately guiding young people to view material that can be percieved as inappropriate. These interest groups have decided that this block engine is necessary. I am not at liberty to modify it, though I can ask for a review, and see if I can get access to all JREF Forums. I doubt that a review will successful considering the binding Internet Use Agreements and the criteria that the district, schools staff and users must adhere to.

[Supercharts]

cross posted from Banter so PPG can read it.

http://www.smartstuff.com/safeserver/fpsafeserv.html

"Filtering categories include: Hate, Pornography, Gambling, Weapons, Drugs, Job Search and Stock Trading."

From the FAQ:
"Intelligent Content Recognition Technology, iCRT™ (Powered by RuleSpace) – scans each page for objectionable material. "

Evidently Banter had a page full of "Pornography" words when PPG accessed it.

[schplurg]

I own a webboard system that allows you to filter out or "auto-asterisk" any words the moderator chooses to include on the list of taboo words. That would eliminate the worry of web search engines blocking objectionable material at the JREF because the offending words would never make it onto the site.

Not saying JREF should do that, but that option does exist, and probably within this webboard system.

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by PygmyPlaidGiraffe
Well I had to post this here as I can not access JREF Banter Note: I have toggled off Avatars to reduce the amount of threads that are inaccessible but Avatars have no bearing on the access to the JREF Banter forum, and is a mute point.

That is 'moot point', not 'mute point'.