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General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: John Chapman on 08/05/2010 00:07:53

Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: John Chapman on 08/05/2010 00:07:53
That's strange. I just tried to post a reply on a different thread and used within it the offending word (which I am unable to repeat here). The whole post was rejected. It took me about an hour of messing about to narrow it down to the use of this word. Eventually I changed the spelling to "monica" and the post was accepted.

Go on, try it. You'll see what I mean.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: graham.d on 08/05/2010 00:33:39
You are right. Why is this? Anyone care to answer this?
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: graham.d on 08/05/2010 00:34:06
m o n i k e r
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: graham.d on 08/05/2010 00:34:38
Ha. It works with spaces between the letters.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: JP on 08/05/2010 02:29:18
Weird.  I checked the "banned words" list and it's not on there.   (Even if it was, it would just get censored, not blocked.)  Maybe it's a bug with the forum software?
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: John Chapman on 08/05/2010 09:40:29
I'm so glad that this effected everyone else. I thought it might just be a glitch with my computer. I half expected the second post to simply be the the word  "m o n i k e r". ha ha.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: John Chapman on 08/05/2010 09:43:46

I checked the "banned words" list and it's not on there.


That would be interesting. Can anybody check the censored list? Where can I find it?
 
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: graham.d on 08/05/2010 10:19:11
If it's a bug it would be a miracle for it to be that specific.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: JP on 08/05/2010 12:25:41

I checked the "banned words" list and it's not on there.


That would be interesting. Can anybody check the censored list? Where can I find it?
 

I think it's something only the moderators/administrators can get to, since the censored words page also has the ability to edit those words.  The list just consists of the expected swear words, though.  If you try to use them, they'll end up being replaced by something else like ****. 
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: JP on 08/05/2010 12:28:55
If it's a bug it would be a miracle for it to be that specific.

Yeah, would be.  I guess a way to check it would be to find another board running SMF 1.1 and see if you can post the m------ word there.  I can't find anything about the issue by googling for it, so I'm stumped.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: BenV on 08/05/2010 15:10:37
We also use wikipedia's blacklist as well as our own, so maybe someone has put it there? Very odd. Our own blacklist is mainly used to block spam.

I can whitelist it though...
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: graham.d on 08/05/2010 16:27:21
Ben, it is not that it seems blocked but it returns as an error.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: BenV on 08/05/2010 17:41:04
Very very odd.  Even whitelisted it doesn't like it - that is the standard blacklist error though...
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Geezer on 08/05/2010 19:18:54
ΜONIΚER

What are you people on about?

Looks like a case of mass hypnosis if you ask me.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: John Chapman on 08/05/2010 19:53:18

ΜONIΚER

What are you people on about?


Bastard. Showing me up like that!  [>:(]
 
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: John Chapman on 08/05/2010 19:57:11
Just hang on there one goddam cotton picking minute. I still can't write the 'm' word. Even though I've just quoted Geezer's 'm' word back to him. This is a conspiracy to make me doubt my own sanity. Or have I just gone mad?
 
 
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Geezer on 09/05/2010 06:08:42
Which version of IE are you using?
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: John Chapman on 09/05/2010 09:25:24
IE.8
Windows 7

What d'ya think?
 
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: graham.d on 09/05/2010 10:36:39
ΜONIΚER

If I cut and paste from Geezer's post it works but not if I type it. I guess Geezer is using a hidden character at one end of the word to prevent the word being recognised.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: peppercorn on 09/05/2010 11:16:42
mmmmm... 

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

????

using:
XP SP2
Firefox
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Bored chemist on 09/05/2010 13:48:28
Same result with Chrome.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Geezer on 09/05/2010 17:05:14
No hidden characters.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Make it Lady on 09/05/2010 17:58:22
I just tried. I'm not using anything special or different and I got the error, so perhaps we have to turn to the Geezer Master to find out how he snuck it through. I asked our Monica but all she said was paaaapaaa. Oh woops it wasn't our Monica it was a Harmonica.

Maybe this word is a code word used by the designer of the software and so causes glitches when used in a normal context. I'll ask Murray. He'll find the answer to this puzzler.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Make it Lady on 09/05/2010 18:02:21
Geezer are you using cryllic alphabet for your O
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: John Chapman on 09/05/2010 18:15:25
Or a nought?
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Geezer on 09/05/2010 18:31:53
Geezer are you using cryllic alphabet for your O

Try it and see if it works.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Geezer on 09/05/2010 18:34:00
Or a nought?

It would look like a 0
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: RD on 09/05/2010 20:15:52
The "M" and "K" from Geezer's version of "ΜONIΚER" are non-standard ...

 [ Invalid Attachment ]
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Make it Lady on 09/05/2010 20:28:11
noughty boy
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Geezer on 09/05/2010 20:29:27
The "M" and "K" from Geezer's version of "ΜONIΚER" are non-standard ...

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

B*gger!

You didn't have to resort to a hex dump though. Paste it into Word then Format, Change Case... to lower case.

BTW - anyone can do this. No special tools required. Sorry about the web browser question John. It was a bum steer, although you are probably more familiar with the bum sheep  [;D]
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Bored chemist on 10/05/2010 19:16:27
OK, so we have established that Geezer needs to get out more.
Now can someone tell me why the word Mon_iker is blocked?
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Geezer on 10/05/2010 20:34:05

Now can someone tell me why the word Mon_iker is blocked?


It's all Γρεεκ to me.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Make it Lady on 10/05/2010 22:01:08
I would have thought that Monica was a ruder word than M o n i k e r as the former did rude things with a cigar and a president!
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Make it Lady on 10/05/2010 22:03:58
My son had trouble posting a link to a south east water address because of the word eas"t wat"er in the middle of it. How do you get around that one.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: daveshorts on 10/05/2010 22:44:08
Ah. The Scunthorpe problem.
I think typically the only way to get round that sort of thing is to contact the controllers of the white list for the board or site you're trying to post to and ask them to add the word or phrase that's giving you trouble...
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Geezer on 11/05/2010 00:47:24
Ah. The Scunthorpe problem.
I think typically the only way to get round that sort of thing is to contact the controllers of the white list for the board or site you're trying to post to and ask them to add the word or phrase that's giving you trouble...

Yes, but what the hecks wrong with MONIΚER? (for those have not twigged, the "K" is actually a Kappa)
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: RD on 11/05/2010 02:11:21
Yes, but what the hecks wrong with MONIΚER?

Looks like a domain-names scam by a company called “ΜONIΚER.com” may be the reason ΜONIΚER is blocked ...

 [ Invalid Attachment ]
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Make it Lady on 13/05/2010 15:53:38
Oh, the real hustle! No wonder it is a naughty word. Damn you, you scammers!
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: John Chapman on 13/05/2010 22:05:39
 
I hate to appear stupid but what is a Kappa?  What's a hex dump?  And what the flippin' heck is this ...



 [ Invalid Attachment ]

... all about?
 
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Geezer on 14/05/2010 00:15:40

I hate to appear stupid but what is a Kappa?  What's a hex dump?  And what the flippin' heck is this ...



 [ Invalid Attachment ]

... all about?
 

Kappa is the name given to the Greek symbol, er, Kappa. When you type a post at TNS, you can insert any of the symbols you see below the smileys. The one that looks like a K is actually an upper case Kappa.

The funky table that RD posted is a hexadecimal (hex) representation of a file or a piece of computer memory. The first line shows the hexadecimal values for the characters in the phoney MONIΚER including two Greek charcters which it didn't recognize, so it mapped them to question marks (3F) and the second line shows the values for the normal typed MONIΚER with no Greek characters. (Hex is just a way of representing 8 bit bytes with two 4 bit symbols.) RD then superimposed the offending word on the graphic so that the letters line up with their hex coded representations above.

If you put my phoney version into Word and format it into lower case, you'll see that the M and K now appear as lower case Greek characters.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: RD on 14/05/2010 01:05:20
If you put my phoney version into Word and format it into lower case,
 you'll see that the M and K now appear as lower case Greek characters.


Cheapskates and Non-Windows users can do this conversion using the wordprocessor in the free OpenOffice (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenOffice.org) suite,
 (rather than Micro$oft "Word") ...

 [ Invalid Attachment ]
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Geezer on 14/05/2010 01:26:31
Good idea (re OpenOffice)!

BTW, if you only change the K to Greek it works. I can't remember if it works with the M only or not.

I'm still not sure why the system takes extreme umbrage at this word. I saw RD's explanation, but surely there are lots of other dodgy URLs that are just a word with dotCom stuck on the end?

Dave may know the real answer, but if he does, he's keeping schtum.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Geezer on 14/05/2010 01:42:09
Not that I'm encouraging anything along these lines you understand, as it could violate the forum policy, but I suppose nefarious individuals might compose messages using lower case Greek characters that would look quite different when converted into upper case Greek characters. The alphabet is a bit limited though, so it would require some effort.

As long as the "translated" words are not offensive, it might be OK.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Bored chemist on 14/05/2010 18:43:32
If you are really that bored you can learn to write in Wingdings.
It won't make sense to anybody else- just like messages half in Greek.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: John Chapman on 14/05/2010 22:05:10
What are wingdings for, anyway?
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: Geezer on 15/05/2010 01:22:25
βεατζ με
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: RD on 15/05/2010 02:41:26
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F&hash=3cd4f4119996b42d10f5ed9eb0e8d712)
 [ Invalid Attachment ]

These symbols are from OpenOffice, any resemblance to Microsoft wingdings (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingdings) is purely deliberate coincidental.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: John Chapman on 17/05/2010 19:06:28

... John...  ...you are probably more familiar with the bum sheep  [;D]


Oh my God, I've only just noticed this comment above. I've never been quick on the uptake.

And I would never resort to such blatant racial stereotyping, you haggis-eating bagpipe player. (Quite funny, though)
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: chris on 18/05/2010 21:30:14
Here's the reason I believe (the 1 should be an I, of course): moN1KEr - we are always being assailed by people flogging trainers - I presume this is the root of the problem.
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: imatfaal on 19/05/2010 16:05:46
Does this mean we cannot discuss that visionary erich von daniΚen? Gonna press post and find out although I probably shouldnt. tried to press post and it wouldnt.  chris has solved it I think
Title: Why can't you can't write the word "moniker" in posts on this site?
Post by: rosy on 19/05/2010 16:14:12
Hm. I should point out, better late than never, that the rather flip post about the Scunthorpe problem was mine and not Dave's (he's not very good at logging out of the computer at home), and that whilst it may appear he'd posted in this thread and not actually taken an interest he probably hasn't actually seen it.

As a more general point... if you have a question or problem you think is going to require Dave's webmonkey skills to solve, it's better to post it in the Guest Book (which he follows as a matter of course, that being where site problem reports notionally belong), rather than the time-sink that is Just Chat (which he doesn't).