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Post by Elliot Kane on Nov 6, 2006 21:11:40 GMT
Guys & Gals... I have noticed over the last few weeks that the use of non-English phrases, while not exactly prevalent, is on the increase. I would just like to remind you that under the terms & conditions under which ProBoards let us use their system, the board language must be English at all times. I know this is not easy for those of you who think naturally in another language, but please remember that ProBoards provide a free system with unlimited storage and the least we owe them for that is to follow their rules. Not that I think this is a genuine problem yet, but I feel that a gentle reminder may be in order at this point. Thank you for your understanding
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Post by Ubereil on Nov 6, 2006 21:18:00 GMT
But we DON'T understand . But really... what should ProBoard care if we use a few fraces in another language than English? It's not like any outsiders comes here and cry because they have to read some heathen languages (or, in case of Swedish, divine languages...)... Übereil
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Post by Elliot Kane on Nov 6, 2006 21:24:07 GMT
I suspect it has to do with some kind of legal thing. If they are ultimately legally responsible for anything posted on one of their boards, it's pretty necessary for them to be able to read what's said, I'd say. That would be my best guess, but in practise the 'why' does not matter. If we breach the terms of service, they can shut us down. I don't really want that to happen, and I'm hoping none of you do, either
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Post by Venom65437 on Nov 6, 2006 21:51:18 GMT
I'm so tempted to make a joke... but I don't want to get anyone in trouble...
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Post by cleglaw on Nov 6, 2006 23:33:50 GMT
But we DON'T understand . But really... what should ProBoard care if we use a few fraces in another language than English? It's not like any outsiders comes here and cry because they have to read some heathen languages (or, in case of Swedish, divine languages...)... Übereil I think that given the rules here, Übereil should be required to change his name.
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Post by janggut on Nov 7, 2006 1:24:22 GMT
Cleg, i guess that will include me too. ;D EK, what about commonly used foreign phrases such as ones in latin, or french? for example, 'persona non-grata' or 'quid pro quo'. i'm sorry if the ones i typed are illegal but we need to know what are safe or should we put everything in english? & let's say when we have discussion in humanology & i may quote a malay proverb & also provide its original form in malay language, is that a no-no too? how about fiction writing where say we have fictional language featured in the story? is the usage of fictional language (not used extensively, just some phrases here & there. think LOTR) in story writing illegal too? i wonder if leet speak is considered a foreign language as well by Proboards? sorry for the many questions, EK. i guess we need to know what constitutes foreign language other than that it's non-english (i know, i kind of answered myself there ;D).
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Post by hector on Nov 7, 2006 7:08:09 GMT
Uhmm..has anyone actually contacted Proboards to clarify this? Because, believe me, no one is going to take this forum down because of someone writing quid pro quo, or feliz cumpleaños or c'est la vie. Not even for a conversation in another language.
But just so Elliot can have peace of mind.
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Post by Elliot Kane on Nov 7, 2006 7:41:29 GMT
Anything that is commonly used in English should be fine, I think. There are a few Latin and French phrases that are considered to be effectively part of the English language, and I see no reason those should be disallowed.
Anything else - whether translations are given or not - I would prefer not to see.
Hec - what is this 'peace of mind' you speak of? ;D
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Post by Venom65437 on Nov 7, 2006 7:49:15 GMT
Que?
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Post by Elliot Kane on Nov 7, 2006 7:50:08 GMT
The entire content restriction section from the terms of service is as follows:
Please note point three, which is pretty unequivocal.
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Post by Venom65437 on Nov 7, 2006 7:51:06 GMT
The rules are so boring!!! GRRRR
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Post by Elliot Kane on Nov 7, 2006 7:57:16 GMT
Hey - free service! Boring is fine! ;D I don't usually worry about the rest because there's no danger of us breaking them anyway But that foreign language thing could get tricky... Sure, if the absolute worst happens then the Cascade could find a new home, but it'd be really inconvenient, and I'd rather it not happen. Losing a year & a half's worth of hard work would be a bit careless, don't you think? ;D
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Post by Elliot Kane on Nov 7, 2006 8:01:22 GMT
As a general aside: ProBoards host over 1.7 million boards and have over 15 million people signed up to their servers. Which means the average number of people per board is less than 10. So I guess we're doing rather well
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Post by Glance A'Lot on Nov 7, 2006 9:35:21 GMT
excuse my ignorance - what is this prohibited 'mlm'? And I wouldn't worry too much - it being based in California, they would be half hispanized anyway, and for the rest you can argue that it says 'English', not American English' - and what we're posting here IS our individual form of mastery of English - BASTA! {otherwise I'll find an American lawyer to sue for multi-million damages because I feel discriminated on the basis of my ethnic, cultural background )
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Post by Elliot Kane on Nov 7, 2006 10:09:25 GMT
Good question, Glance. I have no idea... *** To be honest, I don't think ProBoards will care about the odd word or two here and there. They haven't brought the hammer down on us yet over it, nor issued warnings or anything else. So I don't think this board has any real problems yet. What I feel I might have detected, though, is a general trend I want to head off before it goes too far. Better to stop something before it gets out of hand than to try to reign it in once it already has, IMO Once again, I apologise to anyone who feels upset or insulted by this - but this is not my rule, and there's nothing I can do about it.
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Post by Dark Phoenix Rising on Nov 7, 2006 10:32:18 GMT
I suspect that the reasons behind the content restrictions on language is a) ad targeting b) govenment/private monitoring, and c) user complaints (where 1 user complains that he's just translated xyz written in gibberish and found they people are insulting him)
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Post by Elliot Kane on Nov 7, 2006 10:54:23 GMT
I seem to remember reading once that California law states all web content is the responsibility of the host. There was a bit of a storm about it, if I'm remembering it right.
IF I am recalling correctly, that would make ProBoards criminally responsible for anything posted here that the State of California doesn't like.
As such, I can compltely understand them wanting to be able to read everything on their forums.
***
Nearly forgot - Jang: I think made up languages should be fine as they are, essentially, meaningless. Leet speak is an English dialect of sorts, so probably OK, too.
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Post by Alrik on Nov 7, 2006 12:17:52 GMT
I suspect that the reasons behind the content restrictions on language is a) ad targeting b) govenment/private monitoring, and c) user complaints (where 1 user complains that he's just translated xyz written in gibberish and found they people are insulting him) I agree, especially to the first two points. For me, it's just ignorance by Proboards or the law itself. It doesn't even allow other american minorities to use their original languages. I think this could be interpreted as a subtle discrimination on other languages, and the pressure to let them die out and use the almighty English instead. To me, it's not politically correct.
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Post by Maddie on Nov 7, 2006 13:54:12 GMT
Glad I don't know any other languages. lol
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BJC
Apprentice
We Own The Night
Posts: 301
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Post by BJC on Nov 7, 2006 16:55:38 GMT
Looks like we have to kick Venom and Peter off the boards...they speak idiot, not english. ;D
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