With the best of intentions I asked the Goanet Admin Team to send me a list of all words banned from use in postings. Herman was most courteous in replying immediately. He said that he would check if Fred could give me the list of words. From this I assume Fred maintains the 'adult' words list. As expected Fred did not get back to me.
Now Marlon writes that GoaCom maintains the list. He also says that postings that don't pass the filter are sent to Vivian (I assume this is Ms. Viviana Coelho) who then decides and she can overide the filter. So the Owner (Herman) does not have the list. He say's Fred might have it. Fred does not respond. Marlon says GoaCom maintains it but Viviana can override it. Who exactly is in charge here? GoaCom or the Administrators or the Owner? Marlon also mentions, most illogically, that the list cannot be revealed because someone with 'maliciuos' intent will bypass the filters. Does not make sense. Rules have to be displayed and only then implemented. So maybe the Traffic Department should not display the Traffic Rules because persons might bypass them. Why, maybe the Constitution of India, and the Indian Penal Code, should be kept hidden so that potential lawbreakers might not not devise ways of bypassing the laws. This is ridiculous. A subscriber wants to stick to the rules but GoaCom refuse to state the rules (i.e. display which words are 'forbidden'). Another subscriber wishes to advertise - but till date the advertising rates are not forthcoming. A subscriber is free to use an asterisk or a Konkani curseword and can get away with it. And a ethical subscriber who does not wish to use 'forbidden' words is denied the 'forbidden words' list. Sure, as Marlon says, this system has worked well for GoaNet for the last 4 years or so. Viviana said in an earlier posting "GoaNet has been around for many years without those 10-or-so words". The emphasis seems to be "if it ain't broke don't fix it". What can I say. Enron and Worldcom used faulty accounting systems for many years too. Instead of moving forward with the times, and improving, some people prefer squirming in the warm, comfortable, mud. 10 or so words ... such a small list? Viviana must surely be mistaken. Obviously only Marlon and GoaCom know what words might offend GoaNet subscribers. Can't we be a bit grown up here? In real life there are no 'adult' word filters. That does'nt mean that people go around using swear words all the while. Those that do are quickly discarded by civilized society. That's how social groups work. That's how every Yahoo Group works. No juvenile filters. Why does ONLY GoaNet have to have a filter, and that too maintained by GoaCom. Is this a primary school with a headmaster? Is'nt there anyone out there who feels insulted by this patronising attitude of being treated like little schoolchildren by GoaCom? ============ P.S. Add 'bonkbuster' to your list! It has recently been added to the Oxford Dictionary and describes a bestselling novel movie that has a lot of sex in it. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
