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Monarch
11-19-2006, 21:31
Hi,

Just wanted to pick a point about org's swearing policy.

I hate to pick on frogbeategg for my example but...this is in the m2tw faction guides forum, stickied thread:


the org has a strict no swearing policy, and it will be enforeced here with an iron fist. We have a widely varied membership, consisting of many ages and cultures; many members have children. Therefore a PG language level is aimed at.

Medieval 2 guides forum will only be posted in/read by people who have the game. The game is 16+.

So people are old enough to buy cigarettes, learn to drive a motorbike, but not read swearing?

:dizzy2:

The Spartan (Returns)
11-19-2006, 21:34
so you want to go to PG-13?
i guess people could say f***, b**** and etc. freely.

Kralizec
11-19-2006, 21:59
That's the age people will be able to buy the game by themselves. I honestly have no idea how well most shops enforce this age limit (if at all), but otherwise kids could and do still get the game from their parents.

Besides, other TW games are rated differently. Both my MTW and STW copy are rated 12+. If fans of these games venture in the MTW2 boards, they'd encounter language that's not appropriate for their age.

Besides, I'm sure most people here like the fact that patrons are expected to express themselves without using foul language.

The Spartan (Returns)
11-19-2006, 22:03
really its rated "T" meaning 13+ (in America)

Louis de la Ferte Ste Colombe
11-19-2006, 22:04
No thanks.

I am already hurt when I see some leet speech, I don't want swearing on top...

Louis,

econ21
11-19-2006, 22:07
It's naive to think only 16+ will play M2TW. We had a salient example of that recently, with Tibilicus winning the M2TW preview event competition and then being denied access because he was under age.

And my Euro MTW (the original) is 11+.

My 10 year old occasionally reads these forums over my shoulders and I don't particularly like telling him what a particular lewd initialisation means, for example. It's not a big deal, but it is rather ugly.

But I agree with Kralizec, the swearing band is not just to "protect the kids" but also to create a pleasant, courteous atmosphere. Swearing is fine between friends who know each other and are happy with such language. But the Org is a very different setting - a world community, in which complete strangers meet, sometimes lock horns and ideally become friends. I think the swearing ban makes that ideal outcome more likely.

The Spartan (Returns)
11-19-2006, 22:10
It's naive to think only 16+ will play M2TW. We had a salient example of that recently, with Tibilicus winning the M2TW preview event competition and then being denied access because he was under age.

And my Euro MTW (the original) is 11+.

My 10 year old occasionally reads these forums over my shoulders and I don't particularly like telling him what a particular lewd initialisation means, for example. It's not a big deal, but it is rather ugly.

But I agree with Kralizec, the swearing band is not just to "protect the kids" but also to create a pleasant, courteous atmosphere. Swearing is fine between friends who know each other and are happy with such language. But the Org is a very different setting - a world community, in which complete strangers meet, sometimes lock horns and ideally become friends. I think the swearing ban makes that ideal outcome more likely.well said.

frogbeastegg
11-19-2006, 22:11
You quoted your answer when you copied over my words :winkg:


We have a widely varied membership, consisting of many ages and cultures; many members have children. Therefore a PG language level is aimed at.

What offends one is harmless to another, and vice versa, all the more so when different cultures are meeting in the same place. M2TW may be rated 16, but RTW was only rated 12 in the UK. We have parents with young children who come and sit on their knee (or otherwise bother them) as they read our forums. We also aim for a courteous, mature atmosphere, and swearing spoils that.

I've never felt swearing to be any useful part of conversation anyway. There are so many more inventive ways of expressing those kinds of sentiments, and without dipping into crudity.

Interestingly, one of the stricter parts of the no swearing rule originated in the backroom, not one of the fluffy forums. That's the rule about blotting out the entire word with no letters left.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
11-19-2006, 22:43
Rated "T" Here, MTW2, for +13

Being 14, Almost 15 in a few months, I really don't mind Minior Swearing. With Minior, I mean Words like Hell (I am allowed to say that) and Dang. Poop is a rather strong word in my IMO,if you use it wrong, so is F.... and others. But minior swearing isn't bad when you use it in a Argument in a Civilised Way. Though You don't know if you got 8-10 year old kids reading these fourms with their Partents, it may be bad enough for the kids to ask their partents, about people shooting themselves in their nuts with a nailgun or something, and it worser for the kids to see the Letter F and MF all over the place..

Beirut
11-20-2006, 00:59
There are a million forums on the net that allow swearing. The Org. is not one of them.

The non-swearing crowd are allowed their forums too. :bow:

Kekvit Irae
11-20-2006, 01:24
One word: civility

Adrian II
11-20-2006, 01:24
We also aim for a courteous, mature atmosphere, and swearing spoils that.Voilà. The rule is sane and sensible in and of itself. Both young and adult members and visitors need to (learn to) be able to communicate without swearing, insults or rokxor interference because it makes this forum a much better place.

EDIT

.. and it improves one's spelling

bamff
11-20-2006, 04:49
For what it is worth, I concur with the no swearing policy. As has already been said by members more articulate than myself, at the end of the day, the whole idea of this forum is to exchange ideas, suggestions, and experiences and not offend anyone in the process (or so it appeared to me).

Yes, it is true that swearing may not offend all - but it will offend some, and for that reason it should have no place here. In any case there's plenty of other ways to express one's views without stooping to swearing.

anyway that's just my crack brained view....

naut
11-20-2006, 07:08
Diction and lexical choice. Makes the Org. a better place.

Andres
11-20-2006, 09:14
In any case there's plenty of other ways to express one's views without stooping to swearing.

Couldn't have said it better. :bow:

MSB
11-20-2006, 09:53
Medieval 2 guides forum will only be posted in/read by people who have the game. The game is 16+.
Something I just witnessed on Friday:
A thirteen year old teenager boasting about his new copy of M2TW.
It has an age limit, but very rarely people actually obey it. If shops refuses to sell it to people younger than the limit then the parents go and buy it for the child. Anyway, it's viewable by anybody, not just those who have the game or are over sixteen.

And well said econ21.

The Blind King of Bohemia
11-20-2006, 11:04
I really don't mind swearing that much. I think most of the people on this forum would not take offence to it. I can honestly say i couldn't care less about swearing even if they are directed at me. If its used in moderation i have no trouble with it. I can understand coming down on constant swearing and the use of certain words but for the majority i'm not that bothered

Banquo's Ghost
11-20-2006, 12:51
There are a million forums on the net that allow swearing. The Org. is not one of them.

The non-swearing crowd are allowed their forums too. :bow:

:2thumbsup:

Precisely.

Swearing is offensive and unhelpful. I don't see that it has much to do with upsetting young people - it upsets me, and I'm ancient.

:egypt:

MSB
11-20-2006, 13:56
I really don't mind swearing that much. I think most of the people on this forum would not take offence to it. I can honestly say i couldn't care less about swearing even if they are directed at me. If its used in moderation i have no trouble with it. I can understand coming down on constant swearing and the use of certain words but for the majority i'm not that bothered
And that's from an ASSISTANT MODERATOR.

caravel
11-20-2006, 15:36
Hi,

Just wanted to pick a point about org's swearing policy.

I hate to pick on frogbeategg for my example but...this is in the m2tw faction guides forum, stickied thread:



Medieval 2 guides forum will only be posted in/read by people who have the game. The game is 16+.

So people are old enough to buy cigarettes, learn to drive a motorbike, but not read swearing?

:dizzy2:

I suppose that policy applies "across the board". All of the forums are viewable, and I suppose it would be a rather senseless move to allow swearing in the M2TW forum and change the permissions on that particular forum to force login in order to view and post. Other TW games are not 16+ rated, they are lower IIRC.

Swearing only lowers the tone and brings standards down into the gutter. There are plenty of blinged up forums like that, generally populated by morons that do nothing all day except insult each other, insult newcomers and pretend to be "gangsters". Civility costs nothing. Personally if I join a forums that I afterwards find isn't at all civil, and condones this sort of behaviour, I don't stay there long.

Some peoples idea of swearing is different to others. I suppose swearing used as a personal insult or any insulting language is worse than using the word ____ in a sentence such as "I'm ____ at this game!", though "I'm useless at this game!" sounds alot better in my opinion. Also there are some words that are not really swearing in some parts of the world that are swearing in another, so really it's probably better to avoid a particular word if there's any doubts about how it could be perceived.

At the end of the day using "leet" talk (thankfully dying out), numerous swearwords and local expressions such as "wassup", "innit" or "meh" "yeah" etc is only going to make you less easily understood, will often cause your posts to be ignored, and earn you somewhat of a, possibly unwarranted, reputation. It also appears very immature.

Andres
11-20-2006, 16:08
And that's from an ASSISTANT MODERATOR.

So?

Being an assistant mod doesn't mean he can't have a personal opinion, does it? :juggle:

LeftEyeNine
11-20-2006, 16:29
So?

Being an assistant mod doesn't mean he can't have a personal opinion, does it? :juggle:

Good point.

We are members rather than the staff moderating The Org. It's not like we are gathering at a castle every Thursday and alter the things the way we wish and enjoy ourselves in the harem later on. We are members.

Ok I should confess that at least we wished for such a gathering but, you know, we needed to be as rich as Tom Cruise to rent a castle, what's more I'd prefer conquering the world if I were that rich.

Vuk
11-20-2006, 17:13
I don't give a F&*$ in H@ll what you S@y! My 12 year old brother goes to these forums! (And you thought I had only one vote on the polls ;)).

No F^ck!ing Swearing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Andres
11-20-2006, 17:30
I don't give a ***** what you S@y! My 12 year old brother goes to these forums! (And you thought I had only one vote on the polls ;)).

No **** Swearing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fixed it for you.

Prepare yourself for a two day holiday :laugh4: ~:cheers:

Sigurd
11-20-2006, 17:35
Swearing is a weak mind's attempt to express itself forcibly.

Adrian II
11-20-2006, 17:44
At the end of the day using "leet" talk (thankfully dying out), numerous swearwords and local expressions such as "wassup", "innit" or "meh" "yeah" etc is only going to make you less easily understood, will often cause your posts to be ignored, and earn you somewhat of a, possibly unwarranted, reputation.
https://img68.imageshack.us/img68/8636/antileetspeakia0.gif (https://imageshack.us)



You have been reading a public service announcement on behalf of Adrian II ®

MSB
11-20-2006, 18:05
Swearing is a weak mind's attempt to express itself forcibly.
:yes:

The Blind King of Bohemia
11-20-2006, 21:21
And that's from an ASSISTANT MODERATOR.

Whats your point? My Opinion is my own business. It doesn't effect my duties as an AM does it?

MSB
11-20-2006, 21:29
Whats your point? My Opinion is my own business. It doesn't effect my duties as an AM does it?
It does slightly. It basically means that if somebody was to start swearing in one of your forums you would be more relaxed on the matter and perhaps just tell the individual to stop rather than warning them like another moderator would do should they find swearing on their forums. What you believe goes against the forum rules. Moderators/Assistant Moderators should believe in the rules. If they don't then what example does it set to members?

Mithrandir
11-20-2006, 21:31
Can't agree more with what has already been said :

1. Swearing is not necessary,2. it does not improve discussions 3. and does not help to create a construcive atmosphere. 4.If you don't like the rules, go somewhere else.

The Blind King of Bohemia
11-20-2006, 21:35
It does slightly. It basically means that if somebody was to start swearing in one of your forums you would be more relaxed on the matter and perhaps just tell the individual to stop rather than warning them like another moderator would do should they find swearing on their forums. What you believe goes against the forum rules. Moderators/Assistant Moderators should belive in the rules.


Who are you to lecture me about this forum? You have been here for six months and i have been around here for nearly four years. If you actually come along to the forum i moderate there is bugger all replies, a few posts a day at most so i don't really get the chance to warn anyone. If someone used consistent bad language i would tell them to stop.

Furthermore, in real life everyone uses bad language. I come from an area and home where swearing isn't frowned upon or really cared about but that doesn't effect me in anyway. On the forums as well by character is fine and i don't have problems with anyone or swear at them, anyone who knows me on here can back me up there.

Mithrandir
11-20-2006, 21:47
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, join date ,post count, choice of avatar or choice of camel doesn't matter.

MSB
11-20-2006, 21:58
or choice of camel doesn't matter.
What is it you like about camels? If you love camels you would love the mental maths tests that the maths department devises for pupils. I believe they involve a man called Ahab and his haulage firm run by: camels!

TosaInu
11-20-2006, 22:35
http://www.totalwar.org/tosa/roostr.gif