This idea is a way to send a (short) message to all followers under 20 words, allowing you to alert people about an upcoming project, studio, or event. I think this would add a lot to the current “following” system and make it much more useful. There could also be the option to receive a message, when someone you are following posts a ScratchCast.

Questions:

But Scratch isn’t social media!?
I know this, but it would be moderated so people couldn’t use it as social media. You could already use comments, the forums, and the “about me” section for social media, but that is why we have moderators.
But couldn’t this be used for PM’ ing?
No because on your profile, your last 5 (Or more) “ScratchCasts” will be shown, meaning you can’t have a private discussion, and everything is shown on your profile. (Maybe moderators could have access to ScratchCasts further back)
What about spamming?
Well firstly if someone was spamming you should just unfollow them, but there could also be a limit to 3 ScratchCasts a day (This would also stop people from PM’ing as well, as only 3 messages could be sent every day). It could also only be available to Scratchers.

Additional notes:

• ScratchCasts should also be reportable (the button would show when the message is hovered over) and with a bad word detector implemented.
  
• The number 3, is just what I think would be a good limit of ScratchCasts in a day, but I am still deciding - It also depends on what the ST thinks is a good limit.
  
• I am not very good with names, so if you can think of a better name, please suggest it to me :)
  

Alternative names:

• “Announcements”
  
• “Broadcasts”
  
• “Public Broadcasts”
  
• “Shouts” - udoxas
  

Mockup:

Support:

1. Red-Cloud
   
2. DownsGameClub
   
3. Zekrom01
   
4. fredfish10
   
5. Mrcomputer1
   
6. RitaFreeman
   
7. Tails-the-Doll
   
8. Scratcher1002
   
9. SkyShine
   
10. Sheep_maker
    
11. TheGamingStar
    
12. DaSpudLord
    
13. tiger75
    
14. bobbybee
    
15. MathlyCat
    
16. udoxas
    
17. prpack476
    
18. TheScratchHobbiest
    
19. PrincessPanda_test_
    
20. Inreal49
    
21. julianandwill
    
22. VideoGamerCanInvent
    
23. shaymin88
    
24. CosmicHamster
    
25. dude341
    
26. pixelFlow
    

Semi-Support:

1. matey1234
   
2. MajesticB (Support but with lots of changes I think)
   
3. IronBit_Studios
   

No Support:

1. None
   

Or, have a notification every time someone you're following posts a new project. You could choose the Scratchers you want notifications for.

Ah… The Spam stuff may have to be revised- What about people who don't usually spam?

Support. However, the 120 Second Rule should be added to reduce unnecessary spam. If it works well on forums, then what about that?
Also, make the ScratchCasts reportable.

Red-Cloud wrote:

You could choose the Scratchers you want notifications for.

Lets keep it simple. That wouldn't work out due to less people noticing about inappropriate stuff. Remember, the Scratch Team heavily relies on the community to report things that the Scratch Team must know about.

Support

Thanks for the feedback DownsGameClub and Red-Cloud.

DownsGameClub wrote:

The 120 Second Rule should be added to reduce unnecessary spam.

I don't think anyone would need to post ScratchCasts that often though.

support

Semi-support

Zappy1333 wrote:

DownsGameClub wrote:

The 120 Second Rule should be added to reduce unnecessary spam.

I don't think anyone would need to post ScratchCasts that often though.

Still, there is the potential that people will need more than 20 words, and there are those who simply like to mess things around.

Support, maybe managers of studios could use it for studio announcements too

I had a dream about this…??

SUPPORT! It'd be helpful to notifiy people.

So, you should get rid of the 3 a day limit, maybe five? What if somebody wanted to do this:

1. They send “My latest project is almost done!”
2. When they finis it they send “I finished it! You guys should check it out on my profile!” (Assuming the followers get messages)
3. Later, they send “I made a new studio! Please accept the invitations.”
4. Even later, they want to but can't send “Yay! I just got 50 followers! I'll be making a contest to celebrate!”

Maybe links couldn't be aloud, to prevent:

My games: (bunch of links)
i nee moor veis.
uv m prjets!!!!!!! (Links)

and spam-bots.

Maybe when a nonfollower looks at your ScratchCast, there is a “See All” button below? and an “Report” button on the other side?

MajesticB wrote:

Maybe when a nonfollower looks at your ScratchCast, there is a “See All” button below? and an “Report” button on the other side?

That should be how it looks by default. (I would think.) Also, do links count as one word? And will the messages sent have the bad word detector?

I don't see why not, support!

Support! I think your “ScratchCasts” (should be renamed) should pop up in your activity (and a show all button as well), and hovering over it (like comments) would show the “Report” button. If someone is spamming you with these ScratchCasts, just unfollow them (I do that when people join too many studios). A very short character limit should also be implemented.

Optionally, these ScratchCasts should also be sent to your messages.

Support!

Support, but ScratchCasts should show up in your normal activity list instead of having their own list, and instead of the 3-a-day rule, it should be a 5 minute rule or something (1 ScratchCast every 5 minutes)

DaSpudLord wrote:

Support, but ScratchCasts should show up in your normal activity list instead of having their own list, and instead of the 3-a-day rule, it should be a 5 minute rule or something (1 ScratchCast every 5 minutes)

I think there should be both. A 5 minute rule and a 3-per-day rule.

Also, I don't think the ScratchCast should be green. It should be something like
Sheep_maker made a ScratchCast: "[ScratchCast message]"

Sheep_maker wrote:

DaSpudLord wrote:

Support, but ScratchCasts should show up in your normal activity list instead of having their own list, and instead of the 3-a-day rule, it should be a 5 minute rule or something (1 ScratchCast every 5 minutes)

I think there should be both. A 5 minute rule and a 3-per-day rule.

Also, I don't think the ScratchCast should be green. It should be something like
Sheep_maker made a ScratchCast: "[ScratchCast message]"

3 per day seems a bit limiting in my opinion.