I run into multiple web sites each week or so that have quite some restrictions. Could someone explain to me why they use those restrictions? What is the use for not allowing minors on a web site, to use COPPA or disable every possible swear word. Allow users to only post 1 thread per day, or 1 post in each forum per day. There are forums that really do not allow attachments or images of any kind and there are forums that do not permit people to link to other web sites.

Its funny but our site started off almost as a joke. It was a hobby for some of the other admins to work on thier web design skills but we really gained alot of popularity because people were sick and tired of the draconian practices of other boards and we simply exploded in a matter of months.

We believe that you can say whatever you want, if you want to make yourself out to be an idiot - we'll, then the forumites will treat you as one. We allow flaming and spamming but we manage to keep it in the designated forums for it. We lead by example and our members respect us for it.

The only things we dont allow are:
- Kids under 13 (too much work dealing with the legalities of coppa).
- Porn (most hosts dont allow it) but you can link to it.
- Warez links (same reason)

We generally try to keep a work/parent safe atmosphere - or in other words, if your boss or mother came by, we wouldnt want you to have to explain what tubgirl is and why your looking at it.

We allow our members to link to sites (we realize people will visit multiple sites and were not scared that members will leave ours for something else) but we wont allow people to register and drop links to commerical forums or garbage like that.

We generally try to keep a work/parent safe atmosphere - or in other words, if your boss or mother came by, we wouldnt want you to have to explain what tubgirl is and why your looking at it.

Heh...one of the very few warnings I have given out is to someone who posted a link to tubgirl... clearly marked as tubgirl.jpg, but not something I want to display to people.

That guy is now a moderator. :)

I have a couple of restrictions on Gamers Euphoria..

Arcade: Limited to members with 50 posts or more and staff.
In an attempt to urge people to post, it also saves on the bandwidth use.

Attachments: Limited to members with 200 posts or more and staff.
In an attempt to keep the database size down.. Attachments soon increase the size.

Signatures: Limited to 2 images, no bigger than 400w x 100h in pixels
In an attempt to keep the loading times down.


I've disabled COPPA, it speeds up the registration process. The swear filter is off, if people can't handle a bit of swearing every now and then, they're living a very sheltered life. We do not allow advertising anywhere on the forum other than in a user's signature, and do now allow the posting of pornographic, prejudice or violent material. Warez is also banned.

My problem is not having much of a choice. My website is an Offical one of a "Viking Age/Fantasy themed PC game and it's server host is the publisher. All of their hosted sites must now conform to a stricter "ESRB privacy policy".

I was requested to set the COPPA to "deny under age 13" and to set a cookie to prevent a "denied" from back buttoning to the "Verify Age" gate again. The Company's concerns are a kid (or kids) would re- register with a higher age and by pass.

What I am looking for is someone who could help me with the latter......All I need is to set the code to prevent this from happening. Until that is fixed, my server host has kept my forums down from Public viewing

I have been spending the last few days, getting re-acquainted with my CP fixing as much as I can by myself....but this is stumping me. Being largely self taught, I do not want to mess my forums up! (no, I do not hold the license...my server host does...and I want to keep the "suits" out of my cp.)

It is not enough to set to "Enable COPPA" anymore and for years, I have had a policy of manually checking/confirming all new registrations to keep out spammers, bots and any "undesirables" (flamers, extreme trolls et.c) Although this method has proved still the best security....it's considered not enough now.
-------------------------
Anyway....

Some swear words have been asciii'ed after some early complaints by parents to our former server host (who folded in late 2004 and all their site now hosted by another games company). But since many of my members are European....it's always been easy to get around. No Warez or Piracy links (this being an Official Website of a PC GAME....A big No, No and banning offence) Or outright porn links. Being rowdy, is ok...some flames wars are good but not huge Forest Fires. It started out with two Admins as a sanctioned fansite and a few moderators. Just before the game's release in late 2000, it became the Offical one.

The Head Admin's job has kept her away from the site for the past two years. I am the defacto "Goddess" since then. And Yep, you read it right...there are two "valkyries" who run this site and we do have several women who play the game (although the guys still out number us in MP.) My moderators are male.

The game is self rated at Mature 17 but we get alot of 13 year olds still playing it (or abit younger) In the past, some of the most creative, better mappers, modders and game tool makers are young, enthusiastic gamers. The site and game is eight years old and we still have a strong fan base. In Europe especially, where the game has gained a "cult" status because of it's unique melee style.

However, As a Mother of two 20 year olds and a nine year old (and we are a "gamer family" of different genres) I do see why concerned parents would be happy with something like COPPA considering who "could be" trawling forums. However that is part of being a careful and ever watchful Administrator too. Yet, we are not "babysitters". Responsible parenting includes supervision and at least, some knowledge of what their kids are playing. To know that not all games are suitable for some kids no matter their age or condition (mentally included) I have met alot of intelligent youngsters who act far more mature than older adults. But this is not restricted to just computer games.

Too often the ignorant is led by the well meaning but misguided...or by persons who have their own agendas. Including government officals. Yet, COPPA does give abit of comfort to some. But for forums Admins....a headache.

Games can be, and are, great healthy stress relievers. But Games Companies are pressured as it is with lawsuits with it comes to some titles. Especially when some horrific event comes along and every one points to "violent" games as the sparking culprit. Despite all the psychological studies that point otherwise.

Not to kids who were prone to anti social actions or to parents who let games act as a "babysitter" either.

As for forums being a "catchall" That depends on what that could mean. Perverts have always "been" and unfortunately, society must be vigilant. But to throw the baby out with the bathwater is a stupid generalization.

The Internet is a tool as well as a magic carpet to places I have only read about as a historian. Forums have become healthy, lively social connections across the world. Rather than foster isolation, it has been the contrary. Especially to those living in very rural areas.

Yeah, I am given to writing Loonnnngggg posts sometimes. Thanks for listening

Update.The block was installed by my host webserver techs. They made a new template to do this with and put into place a few days after I posted this.

So they do it for you? Have you asked them about that?