BanBuilder Banned-Word List Generator - Would You Use It?

Question

From http://banbuilder.com/:

Why BanBuilder?

BanBuilder is designed to allow you to customize your banned-words list, and is constantly evolving. As people find new ways around the banned words (using symbols instead of letters, for example), they get added to the database. And its all free!

The idea sounds great, but some people have added some words which probably shouldn't be banned, e.g. "unwed" probably isn't a swear word, nor one worth banning. Certainly banning "screw" from a DIY site isn't going to helpful either.

Can something like this be useful, given the wide range possible opinions people have?

Answer 1

I don't think it's very useful.

Perhaps for a kiddie site where people feel this is super important.

Still, plenty of offensive things can be said without using foul language which means that ultimately this is an exercise in futility if you ask me.

I much prefer the trend that's evolving for most Web 2.0 sites. Let the community figure it out for themselves.

IE: "Duck this" will probably be edited in about 20 seconds.

Answer 2

i would think it's more aggrevation to the user than it's worth.

Answer 3

it can also create more problems that it solves if your app deals with medical issues or legal services or long term care or insurance, just to name a few.

My manager's son was sick and the Dr told him that it might be scarlet fever so he did a search and found himself at a porn site (since taken down) - which was logged and reported by the IT security folks and the next thing he knew HR was gnawing on his leg.

In short @Spencer Ruport has it right.