The PG rule is

Total of 168 votes


fine the way it is 50.6
out of step with CB's mature demographics; relax it a little 30.4
obsolete; get rid of it 19.0

Comments

Crossed Lines

Without some form of line and rule there will be chaos.

-- Lady Die

Just Fine

Even if I have nothing to say, it's nice looking down at chat and not having it be filled with filth.

-- Picasso

Please keep it PG!

Oh, Jon. please don't get rid of the PG rule.....
if you want to know why, just visit Verifex's RPG for 5 minutes Sunday night!!

-- Hakai

totally agree with Hakai...

I love the lack of swearing and 133t speak in chat!

Mature an profane are by no means the same thing!

-- Lochnivar

Fine as it is.

Why change it? Who needs to go outside the PG boundaries? Stand up and be counted! And let me laugh/flame/carp you!

-- QBJohnnywas

Keep It

It's fine as it is. There are enough "outliers" from that demographic as we found out last year on the "average age" survey. Besides... would there really be a reason to change it that makes any sense in a game environment like this?

-- Last Gasp

keep it!

i also voted that it is fine where it is. i like to be forced to find other ways to express myself.

-- Admindudemus

keep it

please

-- three4thsforsaken

My only problem is the fine. I occasionally slip up and I think every once in a while is perfectly okay. I don't mind having my forum posts edited by admins when I swear, but getting fined 100k for a minor slip-up?

I would also appreciate exceptions when using acronyms. While I personally never really use them, it's all too common to see "lmao" in chat, only to have the next five lines be "PG!". Kind of pathetic, and frankly I think the younger generation of CB players don't even read that as four individual words.

But maybe that's just my crazy talking.

Go ahead and fine me. Apparently that's inevitable.

/me shakes his head at the community

-- Goodfish

It makes sense, but...

Borgin, I see where you are coming from with the acronyms. The problem with that, though...is where do you draw the line? People will whine and argue, "Well he got to say that! Why did I get kicked for saying this?!"

The point I'm making is that right now, the line is pretty clear. And while, I don't mind the occasional acronym, I would rather have a clear and concise line than a gray blurry one.

-- Hakai

Get rid of it

We're all adults here. Ok, some of you may be late teens or young adults, but this is not a kiddie game. We don't need our language policed as if we were still in grade school. I'm a grown man and I don't need to be told to dumb down my language for those who think they're too sensitive to read it. It's censorship, pure and simple. If a few players go overboard with vulgarity, deal with them individually. But CB shouldn't be treated like the Disney forums.

-- Lord Bob

Yes

Get rid of it and change it a little, but keep it the same ;)

-- {cb2}Dinh

Worst RPG Ever/keep rule

Please keep it PG!
Oh, Jon. please don't get rid of the PG rule.....
if you want to know why, just visit Verifex's RPG for 5 minutes Sunday night!!

-- Hakai

-- DoS

Keep it

I think anyone who has seen the chat on any other online game will agree, there is no reason to let people make idiots of themselves.

-- Admin{CB1}Slayer333

Verifex's RPG

I've never seen Fex's RPG, but if it's as bad as you claim, it probably has to do more with immature players than a lack of censorship. I say punish the players who abuse the privilege of the forums, and let the rest of us decide how to use language responsibly.

-- Lord Bob

Keep it

I'm sorry, but I personally can't find any reason that a curse would add to conversations in any way. Lord Bob I would love to understand how you say you have to "dumb down" your speak to keep it pg. If anything adding profanity to chat will do just that. Dumb it down. I can convey any message as clearly as anyone else and it keep it pg. That doesn't make the conversation any less just because I didn't curse.

-- Soxjr

I'll say it again..

...why does anybody need to be un-PG in the forums?

I can sort of see where you're coming from LB, but really, how much better would you express yourself with the removal of the PG rule? I don't see it as censorship, unless you really need to be un-PG to say something about this game..

But otherwise what does the PG rule stop anybody saying? You only need to look at the comments on somewhere like YouTube to see what it could descend to. Or the times when we've had somebody going a bit mad on the forums or in chat. Not for me.

-- QBJohnnywas

"I say punish the players who abuse the privilege of the forums, and let the rest of us decide how to use language responsibly."

I think the governing body can decide most responsibly what should be done with my language.

-- Colonel Custard

My two cents.

Words are words. They all have equivalent worth if used to illustrate something, and are successful at that. No word is even going to make your eyes melt upon their contact. As long as insults and disrespect are kept illegal, I do not care in the least if the PG rule is abolished. This is the internet, those who play here are going to see bad words everywhere anyway. No to censorship, I say.

-- Eurynome Bartleby

KEEP.

Chat works perfectly fine the way it is. If you can't learn to keep from spewing useless garbage then you shouldn't be here. A fine is a nice smack on the hand for a mistake, which is a lot better than the !48 option for most.

It's fun as it is to walk the line of what's allowable in chat (go innuendos!) any more would be too much. I especially like the fact that even abbreviations of non-PG words aren't allowed so the whole mindset is 'clean', rather than skirting around the fact.

Go Jon for making CB PG!
And please keep it that way!

-- th00p

Responses...

"Lord Bob I would love to understand how you say you have to "dumb down" your speak to keep it pg."

If I have to tip-toe around using certain words - not phrases, not attacks, not even ideas, just simple words - because some people are offended by a collection of letters that for whatever reason they have labeled as "bad," then yes, I see that as dumbing down my language.

"I can sort of see where you're coming from LB, but really, how much better would you express yourself with the removal of the PG rule?"

Glad you asked. I was just sent a hilarious video by my co-worker that I wanted to share with you all. I couldn't post it though, because it contains the dreaded f-bomb that for some inexplicable reason, you all decided you have a right not to read here.

"I don't see it as censorship,.."

You don't see being told what you can't say as censorship? I agree that we do need rules to prevent any inflammatory things on CB. For example, racist, sexist, insulting, etc. messages should be banned. But to pretend that profanity by itself, ignoring context, is offensive on it's own is ludicrous.

I think you all should watch that episode of Penn & Teller's show, whose title I cannot say because of this ridiculous PG rule, where they rename the show to Humbug.

-- Lord Bob

Relax guys!

Everyone is uptight about chat, so much so that if you use a letter that represents a vulgar word, you are kicked instantly. I'm talking about the acronyms that are used in chat. It'd ridiculous to kick people for using a letter that represents an un PG word. After all, they aren't even using it!

Also, warnings are nice. I see it all the time when the OPs kick someone when a warning will more than work. Quite honestly, I really think the OPs should relax. Chat is about having fun, not exercising your OP powers. If someone slips up, it's no big deal! Just warn them. If they keep going, then a /kick is necessary.

Not only that, but fairness is great. Too bad it doesn't exist in chat. All the time I see unfairness in chat. Someone says something way out of line by outright insulting someone and they are not kicked, then when the person responds in kind, they are instantly kicked. I really feel like the OPs mistreat people, and it should be fixed. People make mistakes, and the OPs should realize this.

-- PearsonTritonRaveshaw

...

I wonder how certain words can be seen as garbage...I mean, in a non-personal context, you express yourself with what words are going to make you understood...That's the point of language, and if BAD words exist, it's because they have a function.

-- Eurynome Bartleby

TRASH IT!

BBZZZTT!

-- drudge

Sorry

but adding an un-pg word doesn't make the sentence or conversation any better than it would be without the un-pg word. That is a simple fact. No matter how much you think it's necessary or needed it isn't. I personally in my life try to use profanity to a minimum. That is my personal oppinion and one reason I like CB as a game because those things are not allowed here. I communicate rather well online and in my personal life and can count the amount of times I curse on one hand. I personally have never cursed on cb and have never been in a situation where I felt it necessary to do so. Nobody has every said .. "hmmm I wonder what he meant there and darn if he just would have used the "insert any un-pg word here" word his sentence would have made perfect sense. Find me an instance where that happens and I might understand your reasons for wanting to change this rule.

-- Soxjr

...

I may be biased by the fact that swearing is an official religion here, but I can tell you that considering swear words to be inferior is, in my opinion, as illogical as saying that handshakes are useless for communication, or that we should refrain from grunting when we suffer or exert ourselves physically. I believe the ostracization of ''bad words'' to be nothing more than pedantic nonsense.

-- Eurynome Bartleby

Keep it

Didn't read through them all, but Lord Bob was the first i saw vote to trash it: So, do you curse when at work? I assume no. But i guess you do when outside work. I do as well. We both control it while on the job, so why not just take the extra step to control it here? This is the one game i know of (if it doesn't "********" out the bad words automatically) that prohibits cursing, and i enjoy that aspect of this game.

-- smallpau1 - Go Blues

....

...LB, there are times when that's been annoying, I have to admit. I've linked to things before that had dubious content elsewhere and the link has been removed. Annoying, but liveable.

But who really needs to use non PG language around CB? If you want to swear well...look I just swore. Loudly. And again. And another. I don't need to type it. Ooh, that one was really really bad. Block your ears. Ouch.

-- QBJohnnywas

I Voted Keep

But I agree with Bob. We are all responsible for our own posts and if we attack someone we can do it within the PG rule anyway. Caling someone a 'Paperwieght' is just as insulting as swearing (if you use it as an attack) but within the PG rule.

The only time I'd like to get rid of the PG rule though, is if we had some kind of content filter that would automaticcly Star out non PG content.

Then it becomes a user choice. Don't want to be exposed to un PG language (which has changed *remarkably* since I first went to PG movies as a kid), then set the filter.

But with no choice like that currently, keep the PG rule.

What I feel should be relaxed is the linking ot outide that includes non PG stuff. Sometimes people get fined for that. I feel that if we notify that the link contains non PG material, then that should beok, and not warrant a fine.

It's up to the individual user to follow the link...

Maybe I should have voted relax it a little, just to accommodate this! ;)

-- AdminQBGentlemanLoser

KEEP IT!!

I love the PG rule! CB chat is on of the few places online i can come to and not see a screen filled with swearing and racial slurs.

-- Adminedyit

More responses...

"Sorry but adding an un-pg word doesn't make the sentence or conversation any better than it would be without the un-pg word. That is a simple fact."

No, that's your opinion.

"No matter how much you think it's necessary or needed it isn't."

Necessity is irrelevant. This poll is unnecessary. It doesn't mean we should ban it.

Bruno has written some great things on this subject, so kudos to him.

"Lord Bob was the first i saw vote to trash it: So, do you curse when at work?"

Sure. Why wouldn't I? Not to students mind you, but when I'm sitting with my colleagues in my office, none of us see any reason not to speak like adults.

"I assume no."

You assume wrong. And buy the way, I'm typing this from work right now. And I type messages on other forms without PG nonsense from work as well when I have some spare time.

"so why not just take the extra step to control it here?"

Why should we have to?

"This is the one game i know of ... that prohibits cursing, and i enjoy that aspect of this game."

Well, it's one thing about this community I don't enjoy, and that's why there are other forums I post on that I enjoy far better than this one. The only thing that keeps me in this community is the game itself. No offense to the rest of you, but it's certainly not this censored community that keep me coming back every day.

"But who really needs to use non PG language around CB?"

By that logic, who needs CB? Why did you NEED to post what you did? Lots of conversation around here isn't NEEDED by anyone. By your logic, we should ban all that too.

I still think you guys need to watch that Penn & Teller episode.

-- Lord Bob

Edyit

"CB chat is on of the few places online i can come to and not see a screen filled with swearing and racial slurs."

Than ban the racial slurs and the people who are going overboard.

-- Lord Bob

Another issue

"CB chat is on of the few places online i can come to and not see a screen filled with swearing and racial slurs."

"Than ban the racial slurs and the people who are going overboard. "

Then you lead to the problem of depicting what is 'too far' and who exactly decides what 'too far' is.

-- Lady Die

...

That problem is already present, and you can tell by the op complaint threads that come up from time to time. (Not that I have a problem with them myself, but swearing is just as much left to the interpretation of moderators than ''irrespect'' would be.) The ''Drawing the line'' concept is unavoidable, and it's not that concept that I am giving my opinion on. I though it was important to point that out.

-- Eurynome Bartleby

Lady D:

"Then you lead to the problem of depicting what is 'too far' and who exactly decides what 'too far' is."

That's what rules against inflammatory speech, not just random words, are for. There's a difference between the f-word and me telling Novice he's an f-ing [insert awful insult here] over some insignificant slight.

-- Lord Bob

The PG rule is stupid, and I love it.
It's made CB what it is or was, the more we seem to change about CB the worse our retention rates seem to be.

Any relaxation of the rule is bound to bring more crying about arbitrary rule enforcement.

-- AdminQBnovice

"Any relaxation of the rule is bound to bring more crying about arbitrary rule enforcement."

my thoughts exactly.

-- Admindudemus

Keep it PG but if you say PG mean PG

It's very annoying when people use PG words and they get attacked by people tattle telling like little girls on the playground asking for admins and such. So someone called out PG for someone saying "ass" the other night telling on someone who used that in their name for a clan or something... then I questioned why that was not PG and got ATTACKED by people and I had to spend literally 10 minutes refuting and proving my point... then I finally get someone who said that PG here really is more like G ... so I asked what exactly is PG then and then noone could give a consistent answer.
I mean... I saw someone saying "lmbo" the other day... who says that? Ass is perfectly PG and is used on Television all the time. I mean come on do most of you people get DT's and the start sweating bullets watching an episode of the Simpsons or The Family Guy? I don't like vulgar stuff, but every day words and common online lingo shouldn't be snuffed like it is here. I swear... when I saw lmbo, I cringed with amazement.... seriously.

-- kevlar

"Any relaxation of the rule is bound to bring more crying about arbitrary rule enforcement."

my thoughts exactly.

That is just lazy... just make PG mean PG.... when you follow defined PG criteria , but get slammed here... that seems to draw more commotion and arbitrary and frivolous bickering

-- kevlar

Mixed feelings

While I'm of the opinion that the concept of a "bad word" is retarded, I do appreciate how the PG rule acts as an idiot filter of sorts. Perhaps relaxing it a bit may be a good idea, but obliterating it entirely would be silly ^_^

-- TheHatchetman

If it ain't broke, don't fix it :)

-- AdminG Beee

It is broke if PG means something other than PG?

-- kevlar

kevlar, pg as defined in cb is as follows from the wiki:

Q: What is this I hear about a PG rating on this game?

A: In an effort to make this game appealing to all ages, it is requested that language, character and minion names, and postings all contain PG language. Please note that strong uses of "God" and "Jesus Christ" are not acceptable. Also, short forms or acronymns of swearing are not allowed. Discussions involving clinical anatomic terms will not be allowed, as the context is almost always "non-PG". Profanity warnings will be issued to those breaking this rule. In extreme cases, you will be reset or banned. Pretty easy really, just keep communications clean.

This applies to non-English languages as well; if in doubt, an op may simply request users to stick to English as the default lingua franca. (You can always take it to PM or a private room if you prefer.)

Just because you heard some swearing in a PG movie, it is still not allowed here. "PG" is a simple guideline that most everyone understands. In reality, it's somewhere between G and PG.

Brendan adds:

The majority of the people playing the game regularly are adults, so it seems rather silly that the PG rule is in effect. But in another sense, I like it, it means I don't have to worry about people coming in there and bashing each other with "*expletive deleted* your mom" or the more often, "*expletive deleted* your *expletive deleted* with a *expletive deleted* and 15 *expletive deleted*'s and a side of *expletive deleted* with ranch dressing."

It just overall increases the intelligence level of the room, which is something I didn't understand when I first came here.

-- Admindudemus

Let's kick it up a notch!

Keep it.

And give a 30 day forum ban to those who confuse "then" with "than" three times. (I'll volunteer to monitor the boards, if you think it would be too labor intensive to enforce.) Let's keep the distinction between "finished" and "done", too.

I'm all for providing a separate chat for those who are playing from +/-telephones and thus can't manage proper typing. This would make "lol" a /kickable offense in regular chat.

And while we're at it, I'm okay with putting "fart jokes" on the list of violations of the PG rule.

And you wonder ....

-- QBBast

I think the whole spectrum of PG to G is absurd. If you call it PG then define it as such. It's just really awkward to be kicked or banned for saying lmao, or something kicks ass, or hell, etc. That isn't that far of a stretch is it?

-- kevlar

What in the world...

I can promise this, if you take away the one thing that makes CB Chat liveable, you will take me away as well. I only am here for the Chat.

I feel I can honestly say I am speaking for a number of users in that regard.

-- QBOddBird

Keep it

Profanity is ones own inability to express ones self intelligently. It is not "adult" to use words that have negative and even harsh or hateful meaning. If anything it is childish, adults should have the self control and knowledge of the english language to express themselves without debasing their speech. If you want to curse and read cursing, go somewhere else, simple as that.

-- Relic

PG isn't liveable? Profanity includes PG? It seems that you guys are so scared of change you don't even realize how silly this whole thing is. I'm one of 44 % that says the other way, but I'm also the only one giving arguement... which means that most of the people are most likely regulars that are so used to things and detest the idea of change, which is a normal reaction.

-- kevlar

...

Did anybody stop and think that CB may get banned from a few places (where people currently sign in) for having curse words involved in the website? I dont see why this wouldn't happen. Maybe not at my work/school, but who knows hwo it might affect. I am all for the PG rule, maybe lighten up on the PG -> G thing, and maybe not for any acronyms, but then who's to say "Well, he got to say lmao, why can't i say ass?" type of stuff won't come into play?

-- smallpau1 - Go Blues

They said What!

I voted to keep the rule the way it is. I've been booted and fined more than once for language I considered PG. After all one only has to look at what is acceptable on the tele to get an idea of what is okay here.. OOps, no that doesn't work. Best to keep it G rated like it is.Much less hostility and retaliation. Have fun people ;)

-- Windwalker

Last Post from me

Curse words aren't PG. PG is common everyday language. Heck the doctors at my school use R language all day long. Just open the scope to include language that is used on regular TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, bla bla. If Jon decides not to, then label this sucker G and get on with it. It's ridiculous what goes on in chat with how many infractions and kicks people get for normal PG usage (anything beyond, kick them dungbunnies out!)

-- kevlar

Novice nailed it

I heartily agree with Novice. The PG rule is "silly" for a number of reasons, and yet, it is one of the things that keeps CB unique.

My other favourite online gaming community does not have a PG rule (or any other rule, it's virtually complete anarchy). That has its own charm, but it must be said that many, MANY newbies left there after walking into a heated exchange of slurs among friends.

Overall, you will keep more players with the PG rule than you will lose because of it - therefore, I vote to keep.

-- Negator

I voted second option but

I would like to allow some un-PG ness, but give admin more discretion and an appeal procedure. So something really un-PG would be punished, the less serious case punished after warned, and the mild un-PGness in good taste (not that it is easy to be unPG in good taste) would be smiled (or frowned) upon.

-- Wizard'sFirstRule

Doesn't matter

Can't remember the last time I got offended reading something online. With such low standards in general internet etiquette, CB is actually quite pleasant.

-- Xiaz on Hiatus

Kevlar

You are reallly set on this definition of PG.. This is CB's defenition of PG. Which includes whichever words it feels it wants to include. They just incorporated the term PG because as stated above it was a term people understood. Just because over time more and more are allowed on what is considered pg tv doesn't mean some consider it pg. Some of you older people might remember when pg went as far as to not allow a woman to show her belly button on regular tv. So the defenition of PG is as determined by the person enforcing the term. As long as you remember that then this is pretty simple process. These words <insert allowable words> are allowed and these <everything else vulgar> is not allowed. Thanks :)

-- Soxjr

What is this chat you speak of?

If you guys are really worried that chat will devolve into a juvenile trash talk fest, then keep your PG rules in there. I don't see how that would be a problem in this community, but whatever. But the forums need to get rid of the PG rule. There it's just ridiculous.

-- Lord Bob

Soxjr

All you did in your post was reiterate what the current rule is and believe me I have heard it a billion times by this point. I'm challenging (not complaining like sooooo many very touchy people believe) the thinking of the current rule and am on the side for change for more towards the actual definition. There is such ambiguity of what is and what isn't PG from what I have seen. My complaining is what happens in the chat rooms day in and day out with people getting kicked for saying actual PG common lingo. If you actually have an opinion state it, don't just restate what the rule is... it's a poll not a lecture ;)

-- kevlar

*sigh*

Now now children, let's not flame each other too hard...

Personally, I agree with Bast. Any single mis-spelling or improper use of grammar should result in a /kick. More than one a /kill, and repeated use or ignorance of the rule should result in a !48 and eventually a chat ban (forum ban for those forum offenders).

-- th00p

Lol.

Even though I know it's a joke, but even saying that is ridiculous. Many players on CB speak English as a second language. So unless Bast can speak and write in multiple languages flawlessly, I think we should keep the proper English or die thing somewhere else :P

-- BootyGod

LoL @ Bast

;) OK, only if you promise to use proper (English English) spelling and grammer. Like armour. ;)

"Any single mis-spelling or improper use of grammar should result in a /kick. More than one a /kill, and repeated use or ignorance of the rule should result in a !48 and eventually a chat ban (forum ban for those forum offenders). "

But, but, how would we post when drunk? :P

-- AdminQBGentlemanLoser

But it is unfair..

.. oh wait, what on earth makes you think everything should be fair?

I freely admit that I prefer the 'correct' English spelling of words (favour, programme) however with a US based server that strikes me as a losing battle... so long as we do not succumb to 'nite' and 'thru' I'm happy.

As far as a repeal of the 'PG Proclamation':

I have yet to see one comment that has conclusively illustrated how chat/forums would improve by stealing dialog from Pulp Fiction. To be honest, I have been known to curse with a passionate fluidity that would stun you yet I have no objection to a "higher standard" here on CB.
Moving on,
Arguments about free speech and censorship are based on the misguided notion that rights from Real Life extend into CB. (especially since free speech is neither absolute nor universal in RL)

That said, a slight relaxation regarding posted links (say up to 18A or R) would be fine by me as it does require a positive action for someone to be exposed to that material....

-- Lochnivar

Relax

Relax the damn rule, this isn't 3rd grade, we are mostly adults and we can choose to say what we want to express ourselves. The lack of maturity isn't when somebody swears but when someone tattles on them for swearing.

-- INDColtsFan18

i just think the word postiior or however it is sounded shouldnt be included in the PG rule... doesnt make any sense....

-- lostling

The voice of reason

"The lack of maturity isn't when somebody swears but when someone tattles on them for swearing."

Thank you.

-- Lord Bob

Whine Whine

I like the PG rule when it comes to conversations not being filled with swear words every line, but does every conversation really have to be PG in regards to the topic? BORING ZzZzZZ There is a reason chat is always dead.

-- {Wookie}-Jir.Vr-

rofl

The reason chat is dead sometimes is NOT because people can't curse, why would that make chat less dead? So people can just spam curse words every line to fix the dead chat? I don't think so, grow up.

-- smallpau1 - Go Blues

Lol

Come on, this is ridiculous. What you all are just plain IGNORING is that lightening up on the PG rule doesn't just affects everyone else who comes. Go play runescape or WoW or ANY other online game for 20 minutes. THAT'S the level of stupidity you're asking to be allowed.

Your sense of verbal freedom is not worth a 12 year old who decides they're having a bad day and wants to make darn sure everyone in chat knows it. We get it, you think you're very mature and should be allowed to say what you want.

Fine, say it. If you care so much, you'll accept the /kick. I've had other chatters do that. If you feel that a certain word is the ONLY word to describe a way you feel, say it and accept the consequences. Don't whine and cry about how unfair it is.



-- BootyGod

Personally I believe the PG rule is a bit too strict.

I have seen words used in day-to-day conversations or even on television during prime-time equivalent without problems, but words that get people fined or worse.
At the same time, antagonistic behaviour or actual insults are tolerated, while these slip-ups get punished.

So, again, personally, I believe the PG rule could use a bit of tweaking... accidental/occasional "semi-bad" words should not be punished, only constant or intentional foul language.
At the same time, start punishing more people who intend to offend even if they use "higher language" while doing it.

I am completely against REMOVING the PG rule however.


-- Sickone

"The reason chat is dead sometimes is NOT because people can't curse, why would that make chat less dead?"

My single most important reason for NOT having chat active is the fear I'll slip a "Non-G/PG" term and get fined for (IMO) no good reason.
In the forums, I CAN review my words and make sure I don't let any non-PG slip.
In chats of all kinds, I am used to typing up what I think and just pushing enter when the line's a bit long... and keep going. There's no turning back.

So I'd rather never be in chat at all to begin with.

-- Sickone

Sickone

I've yet to see someone fined for a slip up in chat. And, honestly, no one should be blaming their chat preferences on whether or not they're allowed to swear.

In my opinion, if someone is so incredibly dependant on swearing to express themself, then I'd really rather not hear their opinion. I get enough of the strings of swear words used to express displeasure off the net and on Xbox Live.


Also, you'd have us believe you have such knowledge of chat, but say you don't chat. Makes no sense to me, but what do I know?

To sum it up, if someone doesn't want to go to the TINY amount of effort of censoring out the obviously innapropriate words and comments from their text to say something, then I doubt it was really all that important that they said it in the first place =)

p.s. I can't speak for other chatters/ops, but when I'm in chat, people aren't going to treat each other like crap if I can help it.

-- BootyGod

You're missing the point blasphemy you shouldn't have to stutter to say something that is acceptable anywhere else on the planet.

I too feel that chat is unpredictable sometimes and I disable it myself, I do turn it on time to time because I like games and the conversations you can have in them. This is the first game with a live chat box I've played. The rest are forums with only posting. So don't single out people when they say they don't chat.... a majority of the purpose of my arguement is just that... and I feel change is needed.

up to 49% saying the same thing.....

-- kevlar

Oh can it already!

"you shouldn't have to stutter to say something that is acceptable anywhere else on the planet"

I am getting sick of the 'Jimmy's parents let him eat worms so I should be allowed to as well!' argument.

Once and for all.... the issue here is not international standards of PG-ness nor freedom of speech nor is it even my parents don't love me and I need a hug!

It is merely a survey of what 'we' (as CBers) feel we would like as standards of expression vis-a-vis the existing standard.

If you feel that it is too restrictive and chat would be enlivened by the lowered standards that's fine. If you can provide examples in the form of another online chat so much the better.

Even if you just wish to be able to use colourful language that is a valid point.

However, constantly rehashing that you somehow have a right against 'censorship' and that the 'rest of the world' plays by different rules is just irrelevant.

This is a Jonocracy not a democracy and the very fact that Jonathan has opened this up to a poll should incline us to keep are arguments as germane as possible.

-- Lochnivar

49%, eh?

I find it funny the same 49% doesn't chat. And I really doubt they WOULD chat if the rule change.


Lol. That's like the people who complain about the president and didn't vote.

-- BootyGod

Definately Keep It

You get rid of it and this chat will turn into that of other irc networks. Loads of dribble and crude language. Get rid of it now and there would be even less of a reason for me to log into chat. If you wanna sort something out. Sort out the dodgy chat layout.

-- Wasp

Let's just Go with TV-Edited Movie Language

Who needs to remove the rule when you can censor yourself in beautifully elegant ways like saying "You piece of spit!"? Or "that's bullspit!" or "Freak you, David! Freak you and all your friends!"

/me loves watching movies on TV.

I would also like to give a seconding to all of Bast's suggestions, save the ban of fart jokes.

-- Colonel Custard

Who would want to chat?

Just look at the way you guys talk when someone expresses a viewpoint? You misconstrue an opinion for whining, then hide behind pitiful excuses for attempts at trying to flame or try to prove that what is being said is nonsense. Lol... wow

Loch goes all drama queen and says totally ridiculous and strung out lines like:

However, constantly rehashing that you somehow have a right against 'censorship' and that the 'rest of the world' plays by different rules is just irrelevant.

You did say one thing right, Jonocracy it is, and go Jon for opening this up to debate. I just wonder if this is how you guys act with all poll debates when someone goes against the grain.

I think you guys who get all off your rocker like this need to take a http://www.geocities.com/vibestothemax/chill_pill.jpg

and no it is 49.3% now ;o. heck it's frustrating posting from the other perspective against the ones that do chat much, and ya it's almost not worth it to keep trying to explain my view, when most of you have tunnel vision and just want to flame away instead of saying something productive.



-- kevlar

So just to be clear,

Sigh....
Kevlar,
So because you felt that you had been 'flamed' and you thought I was wrong to do so you decided to flame me?

Right... ok then.

For the record, I was not flaming anyone for their opinion... opinions are good, being willing to express them is better.

My goal was to trim the focus of the discussion as the references to the outside world, I felt, were detracting from what is actually a very valid debate. I will grant, however, that after having read a litany of 'but I can say this elsewhere' I may have become a bit terse.

Regardless, I am done with this thread.
Hopefully the existing rule is kept largely intact as I am sure this poll would be even less civil without the PG rule. (ironic isn't it?)

-- Lochnivar

Kevlar

Okay. You know what? You're right. Let's use un-PG language to express ourselves. So, since you insist, here is what you're asking for.


That's so [One Big Slayer Edit. Fined 0 dollars because I'm so awesome]

I'm glad that seems mature to you. Because if the rule is lifted, we'll most definitely be seeing it :P


OH! And Kevlar, before you go all "Stop the flames, everybody!", maybe you should point your flamethrower away. Calling Loch, who was completely in the right, a drama queen severly weakened any position you may have had.

Kevlar, stop whining about everything and give ONE DECENT REASON as to why chat would be BETTER if we could swear, even mildly (PG/G/PG-13) or any form or anything.

-- BootyGod

Um.

That's what she said.

-- Josh

@Blasphemy

"Also, you'd have us believe you have such knowledge of chat, but say you don't chat. Makes no sense to me, but what do I know?"

Really ? I made you BELIEVE that I know so much about chat when I already specifically told you I don't use it ? Wow, talk about over-reacting and mis-understanding.

In the forums, you get your post edited AND you get a fine even for a minor slip-up. I got fined for an acronym I use as an expression of surprise and/or I got fined for an acronym expressing the fact I found something verry funny, I can't remember for sure, was in the early days, long time ago. The very next thing I did was to permanently disable chat (which I seldom was very active in to begin with), STOP POSTING for a while, only post when absolutely needed AND started double-checking most of my posts for any colloquialisms I might have accidentally let loose. I slowly started posting more, but it's tiresome sometimes to check for something you normally ignore or glance over just about anywhere else.

I wasn't expressing a belief that chat WOULD be more lively if the PG rule would be relaxed/altered/lifted, I was merely EXPLAINING my PERSONAL reasons for not using chat, even if I made some assumptions that might have proven to be incorrect.

I just *assumed* the same rules apply to chat as they apply to the forums.
If you say that the rules are somehow DIFFERENT for chat than they are for the forums (huh ? why would they be?), I'd either have to take your word for it and suffer the consequences, whatever they might be.


Back to the relaxation of the "G/PG" rule... actually, I'm only advocating two things here. Well, more if you count the subtleties, or just one if you simplify it to the basics.
In other words, that THE PUNISHMENT SHOULD FIT THE CRIME.

I DON'T believe accidental slip-ups of oft-used acronyms should be FINED, there should just be an edit and a warning. Add up too many warnings, get a modest fine. Keep piling up warnings, get increasingly larger fines.
On the other hand, intentional and persistant use of plain-text profanity, now that's a completely different matter altogether, that you can fine from the start.



-- Sickone

Fit the crime?

OHNOEZ. I can't chat for 30 seconds and/or I lost 20 BA worth of CB.

UNFAIRRRRRR

-- BootyGod

GW

*Gives him a box of Kleenex*

-- Lady Die

Yes, it did feel unfair to me *back then*. And yes, I felt like I did absolutely nothing wrong but was being punished. It was enough THEN to make me stop using the forum for a while. Ok, maybe I shouldn't have stopped using chat, but I operated under the assumption the fine would be the same.

Also, what if non-PG language would be tolerated but non-curteous replies would be fined instead, wether G/PG or R ? It seems like an almost equally arbitrary choice, and actually makes a bit more sense.
How would YOU feel if your previous replies would be fined ? Would it feel fair ? Would it feel good ? I bet not. Well, that's exactly how I did feel back then for my "transgression".

I'm not saying you should be fined, I'm asking you to show the least bit of empathy, especially if the other party tries to explain itself.


-- Sickone

Exceptions for EASLs

Th00p's law & order only applies to those proudly ignorant who believe that their inability to communicate in their native language is a sign of open-mindedness or an exercise in Free Will.

-- QBBast

Cybering

"but does every conversation really have to be PG in regards to the topic? BORING ZzZzZZ There is a reason chat is always dead."

MSN Messenger is a better forum for "private" chats, anyway. And there, all the girls are like 14 and live in Florida.

-- Colonel Custard

Community

Ya know with out the PG! rule i probably wouldn't be playing anymore. It is a little strict but im willing to put up with it because i don't have to see cussing 24/7.

-- AdminTal Destra

Dest everytime I'm in chat you're the one pushing the pg rule on a constant basis....

-- {Wookie}-Jir.Vr-