### Censored

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Hi folks
Something odd I've just noticed. If you type in "T W C" (without the spaces), you get three hashes (###). This is a bit awkward if you want to type in "t w center" (without spaces) or link to something over there (the link too is censored).

This appears to be retroactive, applying to posts from years ago (this one for example).

Just thought I ought to point it out

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

Intersting..... Maybe Tosa hates ### (Joke)

Thanks for the info.

[TosaInu]

CA explicity informed us that it doesn't want posts containing an explanation on how to unlock Special Edition/Pre-Order units or posting links to explanation how to/mods which unlock Special Edition/Pre-Order units.

Apparently, this information is available at the T W C.

Taking into account the official communication from CA on the matter and since the Org does not link to piracy (and apparently, it is considered as such), the Org unfortunately has to remove links to the T W C and will remove new topics about unlocking said units.

Please, keep in mind that this has nothing to do with our relationship with our fellow totalwar fans over at the totalwarcenter.

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

This is a little extreme don't you think? Couldn't you just edit out links that go to such posts as opposed to imposing a taboo on a site which many mods and the suchlike come from? This would be a compromise that would not inhibit posting ability.

It's a bit like saying we shouldn't link to Google because you can find non-forum rules stuff on it.

[Crazed Rabbit]

It sounds like they're not allowed to talk about such things over at Total War Center now:
http://www.###enter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=234656

And it seems they are taking such things seriously:
http://www.###enter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=234718

CR

[Pannonian]

As one of the moderators over there, the edict is to remove any discussion or reference to such material. I'm looking forward to being heavyhanded with anyone who protests.

[Caius]

I think that, for the sake of members not knowing this, this thread should be deleted to make sure the real reason does not go into the light and people know this.

And yes, sounds like Censorship.

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

I think that, for the sake of members not knowing this, this thread should be deleted to make sure the real reason does not go into the light and people know this.

And yes, sounds like Censorship.

There is no such thing as free speech online.

[Andres]

I believe the ### thing is already gone?

test : TWC

EDIT : Yep, it's gone.

As one of the moderators over there, the edict is to remove any discussion or reference to such material. I'm looking forward to being heavyhanded with anyone who protests.

Kudos to the twc moderation team for their quick reaction

[pevergreen]

www.twc.com

www.totalwarcenter.com

edit: alright, dunno what the issue is, must have been changed during the post I saw and now.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Is there any way to uncensor what's already been done? I notice a lot of the links still lead to ###enter.com, and just so they make sense, could we restore them?

Maybe "censoring" any ### to say "TWC" would work, although I'm not sure if the mechanics will allow it.

[Monk]

Is there any way to uncensor what's already been done? I notice a lot of the links still lead to ###enter.com, and just so they make sense, could we restore them?

Maybe "censoring" any ### to say "TWC" would work, although I'm not sure if the mechanics will allow it.

Basically there is a "bad word" list.

If it comes to the point, like we thought we had, that complete censorship is needed to ensure the survival of the .Org itself then something is added to that list. We believed TWC was promoting a mod that allows, essentially, pirating the special forces units. So TWC was added to the block list and was censored by ###. Thankfully this was not the case and the situation was resolved.

I do not believe the list could reverse the effects in the way you described, it may be a cache issue. Not all links are still broken though as observed by the Guides forum's Table of Contents. We run a link to TWC's Guide Library there and it was fixed.

[Pannonian]

Basically there is a "bad word" list.

If it comes to the point, like we thought we had, that complete censorship is needed to ensure the survival of the .Org itself then something is added to that list. We believed TWC was promoting a mod that allows, essentially, pirating the special forces units. So TWC was added to the block list and was censored by ###. Thankfully this was not the case and the situation was resolved.

TWC will almost certainly take the same line re: CA as the Org, although, because of the size of the membership (2300 active users on the other day), it may take longer to notice an issue. Once it's been noticed though, action will be taken.

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Is there any way to uncensor what's already been done? I notice a lot of the links still lead to ###enter.com, and just so they make sense, could we restore them?

This only appears to apply to posts containing the words following the censorship's introduction. All old stuff is fine.

Maybe "censoring" any ### to say "TWC" would work, although I'm not sure if the mechanics will allow it.

A quick play around with the vBulletin demo does allow this, but it would cause all other words on the list to be replaced with TWC. For example, if "dog" were censored, it would become "TWC". Likewise if "french" were censored it would become "TWCTWC". I'm not sure if anything else is censored though so this may not be a problem. Regardless, vanilla (at v3.8.1 at least) doesn't permit different words to be censored differently.

[Thermal]

I may have caused that They did have links to the special forces modification but they have took it down too, just later than the org did....

[Aradan]

Actually, we took them down 1 minute after we were asked to.

Glad to be able to spell ### again...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I kid, I kid

[Garbarsardar]

CA explicity informed us that it doesn't want posts containing an explanation on how to unlock Special Edition/Pre-Order units or posting links to explanation how to/mods which unlock Special Edition/Pre-Order units.

Apparently, this information is available at the T W C.

Taking into account the official communication from CA on the matter and since the Org does not link to piracy (and apparently, it is considered as such), the Org unfortunately has to remove links to the T W C and will remove new topics about unlocking said units.

Please, keep in mind that this has nothing to do with our relationship with our fellow totalwar fans over at the totalwarcenter.

This information was available on TWC as on every Total War site until the moment TWC requested CA's opinion on the matter and CA informed us that such threads should not be permitted until CA reaches a decision on the matter.

I am happy this was resolved without any problems for the .org.

TWC

[Tecumseh]

CA explicity informed us that it doesn't want posts containing an explanation on how to unlock Special Edition/Pre-Order units or posting links to explanation how to/mods which unlock Special Edition/Pre-Order units.
...
Taking into account the official communication from CA on the matter and since the Org does not link to piracy (and apparently, it is considered as such), the Org unfortunately has to remove links to the T W C and will remove new topics about unlocking said units.

6 extra units for extra $20,- => lame.
The above => epic LAME. 'nuff said.

(And no, it's not piracy no matter how many times you repeat it. I guess the benefits of being cozy with CA must be really great if you guys like bending over so much. Never mind having some self respect...)

[GeneralHankerchief]

Main Entry: pi·ra·cy
Pronunciation: \ˈpī-rə-sē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural pi·ra·cies
Etymology: Medieval Latin piratia, from Late Greek peirateia, from Greek peiratēs pirate
Date: 1537
1: an act of robbery on the high seas ; also : an act resembling such robbery
2: robbery on the high seas
3 a: the unauthorized use of another's production, invention, or conception especially in infringement of a copyright b: the illicit accessing of broadcast signals

[Tecumseh]

Main Entry: pi·ra·cy
Pronunciation: \ˈpī-rə-sē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural pi·ra·cies
Etymology: Medieval Latin piratia, from Late Greek peirateia, from Greek peiratēs pirate
Date: 1537
1: an act of robbery on the high seas ; also : an act resembling such robbery
2: robbery on the high seas
3 a: the unauthorized use of another's production, invention, or conception especially in infringement of a copyright b: the illicit accessing of broadcast signals

Exactly. Thanks GH, I was too lazy to go copy-paste the definition for them.

Downloading illegal copy of ETW is piracy. Changing a file in a game you purchased is not. They may not like it because of their pathetic rip-off scheme, but it's not piracy nonetheless.

[TinCow]

Unfortunately for you, ignorance of the law is no defense.

[Caius]

Downloading illegal copy of ETW is piracy. Changing a file in a game you purchased is not. They may not like it because of their pathetic rip-off scheme, but it's not piracy nonetheless.

Well, if the EULA allows you to mod, then that is not piracy.

[pevergreen]

Modding the game is fine. Modding in stuff which you should have to pay for isnt.

Another example: Mount and Blade.

Free to level 6, but you have to pay if you want more fun. You shouldn't just be able to mod the game and get the rest of it for free. They worked hard.

CA have given their position on this.