The UF board is certainly not only for discussion of the strip, it's an open discussion forum. There are however a few rules that should be followed when posting. The general rule for all posts is the post should not do something that will lower other people's enjoyment of the forum. This can be interpreted in many ways depending on who is doing the interpreting so we made some more exact rules to clarify. The first rule brought up is usually the FYOS rule (explained below), but there are others. There should be no spamming of the board, no posting for commercial gain, no 'first posting', no posting of illegal activities or material, no libelous statements, no harassment of other users, no extreme trolling (don't worry there will be enough non-extreme trolling to keep anyone who enjoys a good flame war happy).

Because this is a public comment board, open to anyone with a computer, we try to maintain a space that is 'safe' for all ages. Currently, the youngest known poster is 11 years old, but the FYOS rule predates her. Essentially this is "Don't post anything that you wouldn't want your innocent fourteen year old sister to see." This is a humorous way of saying keep it 'clean'. Another rule of thumb might be "Would you say this in front of your mother, your boss, your friend's mother, your grandmother, etc.? Or, would you want to hear this from your mother, FYOS, grandmother, etc.?" The point is, you are assumed to be an adult, or at least reasonably mature. Innuendo is allowed, within reason, and in threads which are designated for that purpose, but the general overall purpose of this comment board is NOT to provide you with a place to cyber. Foul language will not be tolerated at all. If you can't raise your mind out of the gutter long enough to be a contributing member, then don't post. Save it for the chat rooms.

The quick answer is no. "But," we hear you cry, "I'm not posting anything naughty directly on the UF board." True, but it's human nature to click on links provided and see what everyone is talking about. That means with one click our innocent sister is seeing something we'd really rather not have her see. There are plenty of places on the net you can share naughty jokes and pr0n, this isn't one of them.

How can we answer without posting the words we aren't supposed to post?

In an attempt to help though, consider this:

A rational discussion which includes the word 'sex' will probably not get moderated. ('f***' most certainly would though!) On the other hand, most folks don't really want the intimate details spelled out for them.

If the language is inappropriate for the average newspaper, it is inappropriate here. Note we say the AVERAGE newspaper, as we are sure that you can find specialty papers addressing all kinds of things that wouldn't be acceptable here. If you wouldn't be likely to hear the anchors on CNN discussing it, you shouldn't be spelling it out here. If it's not likely to be included in the daily banter between Katie Couric and Matt Lauer, it probably isn't welcome here. If in doubt, don't post it. Synonyms for the act of intercourse, or variations thereof, (f***, scr**, etc) as well as synonyms for various body parts (d***, c***, etc) are probably not welcome. If you actually need to refer to genitalia, or specifically to a particular genitalia, then the clinical word is probably allowable, IF the entire discussion is appropriate. One has to wonder in what sort of context this information could be appropriate, critical and necessary to pass on to us, but we suppose almost anything is possible so we'll never say never.

By the way, as far as the NPOTD (see below for definition) is concerned, the intention is to promote innuendo and some mild flirting. Here's the definition of innuendo; 1 a : an oblique allusion : HINT, INSINUATION; especially : a veiled or equivocal reflection on character or reputation b : the use of such allusions (resorting to innuendo)

Note the words used..veiled or equivocal.. an oblique allusion. The idea here is not to be making sexual remarks, but to be insinuating in such a fashion that it can be taken two ways, only ONE of which is sexual. Making direct or blatant sexual remarks is crude, and unflattering, and requires less intelligence and creativity than we expect from our fellow UFies. That is the kind of thing that could get moderated.

Another area to keep an eye on, though we haven't seen much of it here, thankfully, is racial epithets, or other discriminatory epithets. (Anybody remember Sumo Penguin?) Once again, if it's not on CNN, it probably doesn't belong here. Hopefully this all this helps. :)

It still will probably be moderated. If you really think the quote belongs on the board for whatever reason you can try some things in order not to be moderated. If it's just a matter of "bad" language you can replace it with asterisks or some other method of blocking out the swearing. If the entire quote violates the rules then think twice about posting it. If it's something you feel strongly about posting, email a moderator and see if there is something that can be worked out. Be prepared, they can say no.

That's okay, neither do most of the rest of us. It doesn't make you a bad person. It's just a guideline - if it's not something you'd want an innocent kid sister to read (whether she is nine or fourteen, the age is arbitrary), don't post it. The FYOS (fourteen-year-old sister) rule is one that was adopted some time ago, and has worked rather well in keeping the board a comfortable place for everyone. However, this doesn't mean that we're all supposed to act like fourteen-year-olds - as we all know, fourteen-year-old brothers are a most immature lot, and not the sort of thing appropriate for the comment system.