User-optional Replacements-based Censorship

User-optional Replacements-based Censorship Hack
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Rationale:
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Some of my forum members wanted a swear filter for use at work, but others didn't. I searched for a hack that could do that and I saw a similar hack ( https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=53640 ) by 006 but that's for vB 2.2.* and I have vB 3.0.0. I started to look at the hack to install it but it looked significantly different from the code I had for vB, so I thought it'd be simpler to write a new version for vB 3 from scratch. This is it.

Description:
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The "bad words" censorship filter built in to vBulletin has at least three drawbacks:

1. It's all or nothing - all users are subject to the censorship whether they choose to be or not.

2. Censored words are replaced by asterisks and are not recoverable, even if the censorship is subsequently removed.

3. There is only a single list possible, where a forum administrator may wish different censorship lists within different styles (if they relate to different fora, for example).

This hack is a solution.

Based upon the built-in Replacement Variables system, this hack enables individual users to specify whether they want to view censored posts or not. Even if the Administrator chooses not to censor his forum, individual members sometimes prefer some words to be censored because they view in an office environment and Web proxies log certain words, or because minors may be present and read the screen.

Using his own "Edit Options" page, a member of your forum can turn his censorhip on or off unilaterally, and because of the way the replacements system works this is an entirely reversible operation. He can view censored posts at work, then log in at home and turn the censorship off again to view the posts as intended.

Also because of the way the replacements system works, censorship should take place in thread titles as well as posts.

If there are words that simply must be censored for all users, the built-in global censorship system can deal with that.

Caveats:
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Using the Replacement Variables system in this manner may preclude its use from any other function.

I have no useful information relating to how much additional load this will put in your server. I would imagine it would be minimal if the list of words is short or most users have censorship turned off.

Hack Information:
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Queries to run: 1
Files to modify: 2
Templates to modify: 1
Phrases to add: 4

Estimated time to install hack: 5 minutes

As ever, please take sensible precautions before installing this hack; back up your database and files beforehand. I have tested this hack on my own forum and my test forum and found it to be fine, but I am not responsible for the application of any hack I don't do myself.

For support, please use this thread or email me if you don't get a response. Thanks.

Daren "Rico" Chandisingh
rico[at]justice-department.org.uk
http://www.respawned.co.uk/forums/

[???`S?LV?R???`]

nice idea, I think I might use it for my board

[Red Blaze]

I'm definatly using this for my board. Will install later today. Finally, some php editing to do. XD

[BarryA]

Originally Posted by Sonikku

I'm definatly using this for my board. Will install later today. Finally, some php editing to do. XD

This could also be used as an advertising hack.

Say you have a webhost running a banner on your website, now you could charge him to have every instance of the word webhosting replaced with a link to his site. Maybe you could charge a few $$$ per key word...

Great hack BTW...

[Koutaru]

Definately will try this out :-D

[alkatraz]

fantastic idea, thank you!

Suggestion: If a user types a censored word with bbcode in the middle of it (ie: sh[anybbcode]it) vbulletin will display the word uncensored. Any way you could incorporate a fix for this into your hack?

[Red Blaze]

I tried to install it but dunno why it af fected it, but my background image disappeared. 'Twas odd. I uninstalled it. Oh well, nice hack though.

[tjdrico]

Originally Posted by alkatraz

fantastic idea, thank you!


Suggestion: If a user types a censored word with bbcode in the middle of it (ie: sh[anybbcode]it) vbulletin will display the word uncensored. Any way you could incorporate a fix for this into your hack?

Really the hope is that since the censorship is optional and not forced, users won't resort to such tricks to be able to "swear".

[Oblivion Knight]

I really like the idea behind this hack..
I'll take a look at it later today and hopefully it won't increase the server load too much.

Thanks for sharing.!

[colicab-d]

just the other day I had a thread started on my board about this, the older members wanted to see this and it looks like i,ll be able to do it thnx