The New Scratcher Status, while being a very clever, successful way to prevent spam, also limits new users, which is still smart, however, may be problematic for somebody who is actually experienced with Scratch but for some reason has a new account.

This is why I propose that users be allowed to opt out of the New Scratcher status, which will remove the limitations for users who do not need these limitations.

However, one major problem is that some spammers will take advantage of the ability to opt out. This is why I propose that, for those who opt out, a status kind of between New Scratcher and Scratcher.

These half Scratchers will be permitted to use Cloud Data, have a signature, post images and clickable links, have a 90 second rule as opposed to the 120 second rule for New Scratchers, and they will have to wait 20 seconds, not 30, between comments. They will still not be allowed to edit their posts after the first reload, though.

These half Scratchers should be watched, and if they are caught abusing their features and spamming, their account will be banned.

Scratchers who do not have experience with Scratch are discouraged from opting out if this suggestion is approved.

No support, that's like removing the New Scratch status.

No support.

No Support

I've noticed you are a New Scratcher, you just want “to be smart”
No support, it's for your own good.

It defies the point of being a New Scratcher, though - everyone'll obviously opt out, simply to become closer to a Scratcher, so you might as well have cloud data and the other things you suggested for New Scratchers. Which won't work because at some point, a spambot'll come along and crash the servers with an overload of cloud data/spam the forums with gibberish/link to an inappropriate website. The restrictions are there for a reason. Therefore, I don't think I support.

No support, because this feature will almost definitely be abused.

Negative support. This feature will definitely be abused. “Half account” requests should be approved by the ST somehow, and that would just add to their job.

TheHockeyist wrote:

Negative support. This feature will definitely be abused. “Half account” requests should be approved by the ST somehow, and that would just add to their job.

What on earth are half accounts? Also, the verification could be automated.

dude341 wrote:

I've noticed you are a New Scratcher, you just want “to be smart”
No support, it's for your own good.

Yes, I am a New Scratcher, but my goal is not just to become a “Half Scratcher” using this. My goal is to allow those who are really experienced but for some reason have a new account to opt out.

I realize this will probably be abused now, though. Maybe there is another way?

ItchyCatIII wrote:

dude341 wrote:

I've noticed you are a New Scratcher, you just want “to be smart”
No support, it's for your own good.

Yes, I am a New Scratcher, but my goal is not just to become a “Half Scratcher” using this. My goal is to allow those who are really experienced but for some reason have a new account to opt out.

I realize this will probably be abused now, though. Maybe there is another way?

Little real security on it, but: Input the password of a Scratcher account on yours to get full status.

However, that would cause some serious havoc. Encouraging password-stealing? Bad, bad!

PrincessPanda_test_ wrote:

No support, that's like removing the New Scratch status.

This ^^

Just wait for it to come.

Sorry - all users have to earn their full scratcher status. The reason this is in place is because there are spammers on the website. Whether they are human or not, there is a possibility that they might post links to sites that may be dangerous. The New Scratcher status prevents them from flooding the site with the messages quickly and gives the moderators some time to get to the posts before it becomes too many. Removing this status will only make it easier for spammers to spam more frequently. That's a risk that the Scratch Team isn't willing to take.

In addition to being a barrier to spammers, there's one other reason for the New Scratcher restrictions that hasn't really been touched on - and that's to make it more difficult for people to spawn new accounts. We actually want people to feel invested in their accounts so that they won't be inclined to make a bunch of other accounts - which is confusing to the community and adds additional work to the moderators.

So making it easier to make more accounts is not really something we want to encourage

Thanks for your suggestion though.