BBS Toolkit/BBS Toolkit.iso/wildcat/censor10.zip/CENSOR.DOC

Text File | 1993-01-09 | 13KB | 361 lines

┌──────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Censor.exe     v1.00           01-09-93  │
└──────────────────────────────────────────┘


What it Does
------------

Censor finds vulgar and offensive words in WildCat 3.0 & 3.5
message databases and creates a report listing the conference,
message number, author, subject and the problem words.  Censor can
also be configured to remove the offensive words, leaving the
non-offensive text in place.  When a message is edited, a special
tagline will be added to the message informing readers that
offensive language has been removed.


*************
** WARNING **
*************

1.   If you have private/adult conferences that you do not wish to
     be scanned, make sure you de-select them from the
     configuration menu.  The first time you run Censor, the config
     program will run automatically.

2.   If you serve as an echomail hub you should (must) get
     approval/instructions/guidelines from your network coordinator
     before using this program to edit network messages.  Check the
     network's rules on profanity and hub responsibilities.


How it Works
------------

Censor searches the message text for offensive words.  Upon
locating one, the vulgar word and the word immediately preceding
the vulgar word are removed from the message.  In its place, a
marker (** **) is added to show where text was removed.  The
preceding word is removed to minimize the effect of context.  For
example, most readers would understand what:

   >> You are a muther ** **

was meant to say.  Using Censor, the same line would read:

   >> You are a ** **

Censor maintains a list of high message numbers for each conference
and only new messages will be searched for offensive language.  A
tagline is added to each edited message which reads:

 ■ Obscenity removed by (BBS Name)

where your BBS Name from Makewild is inserted into the tagline.
This is an attempt to make the censoring BBS accountable for their
censorship.

Offensive subject lines will be reported to the log file, but will
not be edited.


The Words
---------

English is a tricky language -- there are many words that have more
than one meaning or use.  When in doubt, I chose not to include
dual-use words in this program.

Censor will detect and remove the following words:

  Asshole  *
  Blowjob  *
  Bullshit *
  Cunt     *
  Dickhead *
  Fuck     *
  Goddam   *
  Shit (ty) (s)

An asterisk means that any word starting with the offensive text
will be deleted.  "Shit" is a special case: it is an offensive
word, but other words ("Shitaki" mushrooms) also start with the
same letters.  For now, only shit, shity, shitty and shits are
recognized.  As the need arises, additional words will be added to
the list.

These words were not added to the Censor list:

  Dick         (Richard)
  Cock         (Rooster)
  Ass          (Donkey)
  Bitch        (Dog)
  Pussy        (Cat, Tree)


Other Information
-----------------

Pressing CTRL-C will signal Censor to stop processing at the next
safe opportunity, save competed work, and close the database.


Setup
-----

Censor can be run from any directory and looks for its
configuration file and the required WildCat files in the path.  As
long as the main WildCat directory is in the path, you should have
no problems running Censor.

Censor uses the following files:

     MAKEWILD.DAT        Found using the WCHOME variable, in the
                         current directory, or in the path.
     CONFDESC.DAT        In the same directory as MAKEWILD.DAT.
     NODEINFO.DAT        Path is defined in Makewild.

     CENSOR.CFG          Either found in the current directory or
                         path or will be created by Censor's Setup
                         module.

     CENSOR.LOG          If found in the current directory or
                         path, all log entries will be added to
                         the current file.  If not found, then a
                         new log file will be created in the
                         current directory.


The first time Censor is used, it will run the configuration module
and create a config file.  The config file allows you to customize
the Censor program to meet your needs.  Config file options are:

Master Settings:    Not everyone or every network has the same
                    sensitivity to offensive language.  You can
                    enable or disable each offensive word from
                    this screen.

Conferences:        You can enable the public access conferences
                    for reporting or editing and disable the
                    private/adult conferences.  You can also set
                    or change the last-scanned message number.


Multi-Node BBSs
---------------

If you are running a single-line version of WildCat, Censor cannot
be run while the BBS is up, or when any other utility is accessing
the message databases.

In order to run Censor while the BBS is online, you must be running
a multi-line WildCat version and have either DOS share or Novell
defined in the Makewild program.  In addition, if the autonode
option is not selected in MAKEWILD, the environment variable
WCNODEID must be set to a valid number between 1 and 250.

Use the following command:

     SET WCNODEID=3

using 3 or whichever node ID you wish to use.  This node ID must
not be duplicated.  No other BBS node or program using this node ID
may be running while Censor is accessing the message databases.


WCHOME Environment Variable
---------------------------

Although not required, you may specify your main WildCat directory
using the WCHOME environment variable.  While this will not save
any noticeable time, it may serve to avoid confusion especially if
you have more than one copy of MAKEWILD.DAT or CONFDESC.DAT on your
disk.  The following is an example:

     SET WCHOME=C:\WC30


Log File
--------

Censor writes to a log file which records information on each
offensive message.  The log file name is CENSOR.LOG.

If the log file is not found in the current directory or in the
path, a new log file will be created in the current directory.  If
a log file is found, Censor will add log information to the end of
it.


Command Line Options
--------------------

There are five optional command line parameters.  These are:

SETUP:    Runs the setup program to create and/or modify a config
          file.

RESET:    Resets the config file high message numbers to zero.

HIGH:     Sets the config file high message numbers to match the
          database high message number.  This is useful after a
          database renumber.


Registration & Support
----------------------

Censor is distributed as shareware.  Shareware software allows you
to try before you buy, thus you never need to pay for a shareware
program that does not meet your needs.

You may use Censor for 30 days at no charge, allowing you a chance
to see if Censor meets your needs.  If you keep using Censor after
30 days, you must register the software by sending in the
registration form and paying the registration fee of $20 (US).
Registration entitles the purchaser to use Censor on one BBS
system.  A BBS system is defined as either a single computer
system, or a network system where multiple computers are connected
by direct cable to the same network server.

Even after you register Censor, your satisfaction is guaranteed.
If within 30 days after registering Censor, you decide that you no
longer wish to use the program, simply write a letter to the author
requesting a refund and your registration fee will be refunded.

The author can be reached via the WildNet and MSInet mail networks;
address messages to Jim Metzler.

Registration fees and requests for additional information should be
addressed to:

Jim Metzler
WPI Box 188
100 Institute Rd.
Worcester, MA 01609

Voice: [phone]
BBS:   [phone]


Distribution
------------
Several WildNet Sysops have agreed to post DupMsg, the Enhanced
UTIs and Censor in their original ARJ archive with Security
Envelope.  Thanks go to these Sysops and the many others who have
supported these programs.


The original archive may be downloaded from the following BBSs:

Miwok Village        --  Worcester, MA         --  [phone]
MSI HQ BBS           --  Bakersfield, CA       --  [phone]

Bun's BBS            --  San Francisco, CA     --  [phone]
Lost BBS             --  Overland Park, KS     --  [phone]
NoHo BBS             --  Hesperia, CA          --  [phone]

Data Base Forum      --  Oslo, Norway          --  [phone]
Gil's PC             --  Chapeau, Quebec       --  [phone]


DupMsg, the Enhanced UTIs and Censor may be F'Reqed from:

     Lost BBS           --  Compucom, V.32     --  (1:280/319)

The request names are 'DUPMSG', 'UTI' and "CENSOR".


You are authorized to distribute Censor provided the executable
program, documentation, and registration form are included in their
original, unmodified state.  No fee may be charged for the
distribution of Censor without the express written permission of
the author.


Warranty Disclosure
-------------------

Normally, software distributed through bulletin boards systems or
shared from one user to another does not carry a warranty, mainly
because the author does not have control over the product and the
program can be modified either intentionally or accidentally
without the author's knowledge.

Recognizing this, Censor carries either no warranty or a limited
warranty depending on the distribution method.

LIMITED WARRANTY:

     This applies only when the program is received directly from
     the author on diskette, or when it is received in the original
     ARJ archive, complete with a valid Security Envelope.  The ARJ
     Security Envelope must read "ARJ archive created by James W.
     Metzler R#0301".  The user must keep the diskette or original
     ARJ archive as proof of this warranty.

     What is covered:  The Censor program will perform
     substantially as described in this document.  In addition,
     while the program may contain minor bugs or errors, it is
     warranted to be free of major defects for a period of six
     months.  Diskettes received from the author are guaranteed to
     be free or defects for a period of six months from date of
     receipt.

     What is not covered:  The author will not be liable for
     incidental and/or consequential damages, including injury to
     property, interruption of service, loss of business and/or
     anticipated profits, or other consequential damages that may
     result from use, malfunction or failure of the Censor program,
     or from errors or omissions in the documentation.  Some states
     do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
     consequential damages, so the above limitation may not apply
     to you.

     Any attempt to modify the Censor program will void this
     warranty in its entirety.

     If there is a problem:  Within 60 days of notification that a
     major defect exists, the author, at his discretion, will
     either fix the program and forward the replacement at no cost
     to the registered user, or will refund the registration fee.

     How to get service:  Send a written letter to the author
     detailing the type of problem and symptoms experienced.
     Include your name, address, voice phone number and
     registration number and any additional information that you
     believe may be useful, such as any TSRs and disk cache
     programs in use.

     The author may contact you by voice or written letter for more
     information to help in tracking down the problem.

NO WARRANTY:

     If you did not receive the Censor program directly from the
     author, or in its original ARJ archive with a genuine Security
     Envelope (see above), then there is a possibility that the
     program and/or documentation has been modified, or that the
     program is not the author's work.  The author makes no
     warranty of any kind, express or implied, including any
     warranties of fitness and/or merchantability if the program
     was received from other sources.

     The author will not be liable for any damages, whether direct,
     indirect, special or consequential arising from a failure of
     this program to operate in the manner desired by the user.
     The author will not be liable for any damage to data or
     property which may be caused directly or indirectly by use of
     the program.

When trying new software, always backup any and all important files
on your system.


Copyright
---------

This program is:
Copyright (c) 1992, 1993 by James W. Metzler, All Rights Reserved.