Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft Edits English

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the thats-pretty-funny dept.

jbarr writes "An article in the 23-Oct-2000 issue of the New York Times (free reg blah blah blah) talks about how Microsoft has eliminated words from its thesaurus so as to "not suggest words that may have offensive uses or provide offensive definitions for any words". Entering a word like "idiot" yields no hits in Word 2000 unlike the numerous hits in Word 97." I don't think there's anything evil here, but it sure is funny.

2 of 656 comments (clear)

  1. You are a moron by GreenCrackBaby · · Score: 0, Troll

    If I type in "Jew" and use the thesarus should it provide "kike" or "mud-person"? Or how about if I put in "white" should it fill in "trailer-trash" or "cracker"? How about if I put in "gay" - how about "ass-master" or "faggot". Blacks? How about "nigger" or "one of those them there coloreds".

    Well, if those words were part of an established dictionary, then yes, a proper thesarus should suggest those words. Duh.

    --

    "The market alone cannot provide sufficient constraints on corporation's penchant to cause harm." -- Joel Bakan
  2. Re:1984 Anyone? by ryanvm · · Score: 1, Troll
    Have you ever read 1984? Restricting language is _very_ evil.

    Are you joking?

    There's a big difference between censoring what people can say and not suggesting offensive words to morons who aren't creative.