New Front Page Bar—What the Community is Discussing

Fuzzbutt

I think that the forums are underused, but have more potential for use then they are currently getting. I even recently found a Scratcher who had joined two years before, but had not even heard of the forum. For this reason, I think it would be a good idea to add a What the Community is Discussing bar to the front page!

If you agree with me, please love and remix this project to let the Scratch Team know that this would be a great addition to Scratch!

CatsUnited

What would the (New) Scratchers know what to do on the forum? It's best to show them what the forums are ans what the right things are to do so they won't spam as much. Also, that might need more moderators if the entire community used the forums (only a small percentage of Scratchers use the forum).

Also, I didn't know about the forum at first before I started making scratchblocks spam and necroposts until about December 2014.

Last edited by CatsUnited (Sept. 16, 2015 23:29:50)

DaSpudLord

CatsUnited wrote:
What would the (New) Scratchers know what to do on the forum? It's best to show them what the forums are ans what the right things are to do so they won't spam as much. Also, that might need more moderators if the entire community used the forums (only a small percentage of Scratchers use the forum).

Also, I didn't know about the forum at first before I started making scratchblocks spam and necroposts until about December 2014.

^^^
What he said. Plus, the main purpose of the front page is to help users find projects, especially projects that they like. The forums serve no such purpose and are unnecessary to have a beneficial experience using Scratch.

Last edited by DaSpudLord (Sept. 16, 2015 23:45:53)

Cream_E_Cookie

DaSpudLord wrote:
CatsUnited wrote:
What would the (New) Scratchers know what to do on the forum? It's best to show them what the forums are ans what the right things are to do so they won't spam as much. Also, that might need more moderators if the entire community used the forums (only a small percentage of Scratchers use the forum).

Also, I didn't know about the forum at first before I started making scratchblocks spam and necroposts until about December 2014.
^^^
What he said. Plus, the main purpose of the front page is to help users find projects, especially projects that they like. The forums serve no such purpose and are unnecessary to have a beneficial experience using Scratch.

Prinseskat

DaSpudLord wrote:
CatsUnited wrote:
What would the (New) Scratchers know what to do on the forum? It's best to show them what the forums are ans what the right things are to do so they won't spam as much. Also, that might need more moderators if the entire community used the forums (only a small percentage of Scratchers use the forum).

Also, I didn't know about the forum at first before I started making scratchblocks spam and necroposts until about December 2014.
^^^
What he said. Plus, the main purpose of the front page is to help users find projects, especially projects that they like. The forums serve no such purpose and are unnecessary to have a beneficial experience using Scratch.

So why are there even forums then? I think it could be a good idea to show people that the forums exist, but then could increase the amount of spam and similar.

CatsUnited

Prinseskat wrote:
So why are there even forums then? I think it could be a good idea to show people that the forums exist, but then could increase the amount of spam and similar.

For getting help, suggesting things, reporting bugs, talk about things outside of Scratch and the awesomeness of the AT forums. :package:

DaSpudLord

CatsUnited wrote:
Prinseskat wrote:
So why are there even forums then? I think it could be a good idea to show people that the forums exist, but then could increase the amount of spam and similar.
For getting help, suggesting things, reporting bugs, talk about things outside of Scratch and the awesomeness of the AT forums. :package:

What he said.

TheHockeyist

DaSpudLord wrote:
CatsUnited wrote:
Prinseskat wrote:
So why are there even forums then? I think it could be a good idea to show people that the forums exist, but then could increase the amount of spam and similar.
For getting help, suggesting things, reporting bugs, talk about things outside of Scratch and the awesomeness of the AT forums. :package:
What he said.

^
I recommend this, as well as perhaps having users read guidelines to limit spam, etc. But that's a topic for another suggestion.

Deerleg

What would this look like on the front page? For the most part we see thumbnails of projects on the Front Page but we can't be making a thumbnail for every post we create. Besides that,

DaSpudLord wrote:
the main purpose of the front page is to help users find projects, especially projects that they like. The forums serve no such purpose and are unnecessary to have a beneficial experience using Scratch.

Fuzzbutt

CatsUnited wrote:
Prinseskat wrote:
So why are there even forums then? I think it could be a good idea to show people that the forums exist, but then could increase the amount of spam and similar.
For getting help, suggesting things, reporting bugs, talk about things outside of Scratch and the awesomeness of the AT forums. :package:

But how do you expect people to do all those things if you don't tell them that the forums exist? I know many long-time users that only just discovered the Forums. I also think that when I tell people about my idea here, the only people reading this post already know about the forums and won't see the necessity of a What the Community is Discussing bar!

Deerleg wrote:
What would this look like on the front page? For the most part we see thumbnails of projects on the Front Page but we can't be making a thumbnail for every post we create.

If you look at my project, you can see what I imagine it as - what a normal bar looks like but without the thumbnail.

CatsUnited wrote:
What would the (New) Scratchers know what to do on the forum? It's best to show them what the forums are ans what the right things are to do so they won't spam as much. Also, that might need more moderators if the entire community used the forums (only a small percentage of Scratchers use the forum).

We have enough Moderators for all of Scratch. The Forums are much smaller. In addition, New Scratchers have to wait 120 seconds between posts! Even full Scratchers have to wait 60 seconds. This wait is EXTREMELY effective at stopping a lot of spam.

Last edited by Fuzzbutt (Sept. 17, 2015 15:17:14)

DaSpudLord

Fuzzbutt wrote:
CatsUnited wrote:
Prinseskat wrote:
So why are there even forums then? I think it could be a good idea to show people that the forums exist, but then could increase the amount of spam and similar.
For getting help, suggesting things, reporting bugs, talk about things outside of Scratch and the awesomeness of the AT forums. :package:
But how do you expect people to do all those things if you don't tell them that the forums exist? I know many long-time users that only just discovered the Forums. I also think that when I tell people about my idea here, the only people reading this post already know about the forums and won't see the necessity of a What the Community is Discussing bar!
Deerleg wrote:
What would this look like on the front page? For the most part we see thumbnails of projects on the Front Page but we can't be making a thumbnail for every post we create.
If you look at my project, you can see what I imagine it as - what a normal bar looks like but without the thumbnail.
CatsUnited wrote:
What would the (New) Scratchers know what to do on the forum? It's best to show them what the forums are ans what the right things are to do so they won't spam as much. Also, that might need more moderators if the entire community used the forums (only a small percentage of Scratchers use the forum).
We have enough Moderators for all of Scratch. The Forums are much smaller. In addition, New Scratchers have to wait 120 seconds between posts! Even full Scratchers have to wait 60 seconds. This wait is EXTREMELY effective at stopping a lot of spam.

1. A lot of people know the forums exist, just not very many people use them.
2. A normal bar without pictures? That would look boring, and wouldn't fit in with the theme of the front page.
3. I can still blockspam, smileyspam, and explamation point spam in a single post. And the wait isn't that long; I could still print out multiple spam posts on multiple threads pretty fast, even with a 60 second rule.

Fuzzbutt

DaSpudLord wrote:
Fuzzbutt wrote:
CatsUnited wrote:
Prinseskat wrote:
So why are there even forums then? I think it could be a good idea to show people that the forums exist, but then could increase the amount of spam and similar.
For getting help, suggesting things, reporting bugs, talk about things outside of Scratch and the awesomeness of the AT forums. :package:
But how do you expect people to do all those things if you don't tell them that the forums exist? I know many long-time users that only just discovered the Forums. I also think that when I tell people about my idea here, the only people reading this post already know about the forums and won't see the necessity of a What the Community is Discussing bar!
Deerleg wrote:
What would this look like on the front page? For the most part we see thumbnails of projects on the Front Page but we can't be making a thumbnail for every post we create.
If you look at my project, you can see what I imagine it as - what a normal bar looks like but without the thumbnail.
CatsUnited wrote:
What would the (New) Scratchers know what to do on the forum? It's best to show them what the forums are ans what the right things are to do so they won't spam as much. Also, that might need more moderators if the entire community used the forums (only a small percentage of Scratchers use the forum).
We have enough Moderators for all of Scratch. The Forums are much smaller. In addition, New Scratchers have to wait 120 seconds between posts! Even full Scratchers have to wait 60 seconds. This wait is EXTREMELY effective at stopping a lot of spam.
1. A lot of people know the forums exist, just not very many people use them.
2. A normal bar without pictures? That would look boring, and wouldn't fit in with the theme of the front page.
3. I can still blockspam, smileyspam, and explamation point spam in a single post. And the wait isn't that long; I could still print out multiple spam posts on multiple threads pretty fast, even with a 60 second rule.

1. I've been asking many people about the forum, and most either don't know what it is or just discovered it. For example, I saw someone asking Paddle2See about how to get a project featured. I told him about the post by Paddle2see in the Show and Tell section of the Forum. He replied back, “wut da forum?”
2. I'll let the Scratch Team decide exactly what it will look like.
3. I've asked many ST members and they say that it is a very effective way and stops most spam in the Forums and in Scratch in general.

DaSpudLord

Fuzzbutt wrote:
DaSpudLord wrote:
Fuzzbutt wrote:
CatsUnited wrote:
Prinseskat wrote:
So why are there even forums then? I think it could be a good idea to show people that the forums exist, but then could increase the amount of spam and similar.
For getting help, suggesting things, reporting bugs, talk about things outside of Scratch and the awesomeness of the AT forums. :package:
But how do you expect people to do all those things if you don't tell them that the forums exist? I know many long-time users that only just discovered the Forums. I also think that when I tell people about my idea here, the only people reading this post already know about the forums and won't see the necessity of a What the Community is Discussing bar!
Deerleg wrote:
What would this look like on the front page? For the most part we see thumbnails of projects on the Front Page but we can't be making a thumbnail for every post we create.
If you look at my project, you can see what I imagine it as - what a normal bar looks like but without the thumbnail.
CatsUnited wrote:
What would the (New) Scratchers know what to do on the forum? It's best to show them what the forums are ans what the right things are to do so they won't spam as much. Also, that might need more moderators if the entire community used the forums (only a small percentage of Scratchers use the forum).
We have enough Moderators for all of Scratch. The Forums are much smaller. In addition, New Scratchers have to wait 120 seconds between posts! Even full Scratchers have to wait 60 seconds. This wait is EXTREMELY effective at stopping a lot of spam.
1. A lot of people know the forums exist, just not very many people use them.
2. A normal bar without pictures? That would look boring, and wouldn't fit in with the theme of the front page.
3. I can still blockspam, smileyspam, and explamation point spam in a single post. And the wait isn't that long; I could still print out multiple spam posts on multiple threads pretty fast, even with a 60 second rule.
1. I've been asking many people about the forum, and most either don't know what it is or just discovered it. For example, I saw someone asking Paddle2See about how to get a project featured. I told him about the post by Paddle2see in the Show and Tell section of the Forum. He replied back, “wut da forum?”
2. I'll let the Scratch Team decide exactly what it will look like.
3. I've asked many ST members and they say that it is a very effective way and stops most spam in the Forums and in Scratch in general.

Proof?

Fuzzbutt

DaSpudLord wrote:
Fuzzbutt wrote:
DaSpudLord wrote:
Fuzzbutt wrote:
CatsUnited wrote:
Prinseskat wrote:
So why are there even forums then? I think it could be a good idea to show people that the forums exist, but then could increase the amount of spam and similar.
For getting help, suggesting things, reporting bugs, talk about things outside of Scratch and the awesomeness of the AT forums. :package:
But how do you expect people to do all those things if you don't tell them that the forums exist? I know many long-time users that only just discovered the Forums. I also think that when I tell people about my idea here, the only people reading this post already know about the forums and won't see the necessity of a What the Community is Discussing bar!
Deerleg wrote:
What would this look like on the front page? For the most part we see thumbnails of projects on the Front Page but we can't be making a thumbnail for every post we create.
If you look at my project, you can see what I imagine it as - what a normal bar looks like but without the thumbnail.
CatsUnited wrote:
What would the (New) Scratchers know what to do on the forum? It's best to show them what the forums are ans what the right things are to do so they won't spam as much. Also, that might need more moderators if the entire community used the forums (only a small percentage of Scratchers use the forum).
We have enough Moderators for all of Scratch. The Forums are much smaller. In addition, New Scratchers have to wait 120 seconds between posts! Even full Scratchers have to wait 60 seconds. This wait is EXTREMELY effective at stopping a lot of spam.
1. A lot of people know the forums exist, just not very many people use them.
2. A normal bar without pictures? That would look boring, and wouldn't fit in with the theme of the front page.
3. I can still blockspam, smileyspam, and explamation point spam in a single post. And the wait isn't that long; I could still print out multiple spam posts on multiple threads pretty fast, even with a 60 second rule.
1. I've been asking many people about the forum, and most either don't know what it is or just discovered it. For example, I saw someone asking Paddle2See about how to get a project featured. I told him about the post by Paddle2see in the Show and Tell section of the Forum. He replied back, “wut da forum?”
2. I'll let the Scratch Team decide exactly what it will look like.
3. I've asked many ST members and they say that it is a very effective way and stops most spam in the Forums and in Scratch in general.
Proof?

You can ask ST members. I'll ask Paddle2See, SpeakVisually, and any other ones you name.

BTW I like your Signature.

Last edited by Fuzzbutt (Sept. 17, 2015 16:07:36)

Fuzzbutt

Fuzzbutt wrote:
DaSpudLord wrote:
Fuzzbutt wrote:
DaSpudLord wrote:
Fuzzbutt wrote:
CatsUnited wrote:
Prinseskat wrote:
So why are there even forums then? I think it could be a good idea to show people that the forums exist, but then could increase the amount of spam and similar.
For getting help, suggesting things, reporting bugs, talk about things outside of Scratch and the awesomeness of the AT forums. :package:
But how do you expect people to do all those things if you don't tell them that the forums exist? I know many long-time users that only just discovered the Forums. I also think that when I tell people about my idea here, the only people reading this post already know about the forums and won't see the necessity of a What the Community is Discussing bar!
Deerleg wrote:
What would this look like on the front page? For the most part we see thumbnails of projects on the Front Page but we can't be making a thumbnail for every post we create.
If you look at my project, you can see what I imagine it as - what a normal bar looks like but without the thumbnail.
CatsUnited wrote:
What would the (New) Scratchers know what to do on the forum? It's best to show them what the forums are ans what the right things are to do so they won't spam as much. Also, that might need more moderators if the entire community used the forums (only a small percentage of Scratchers use the forum).
We have enough Moderators for all of Scratch. The Forums are much smaller. In addition, New Scratchers have to wait 120 seconds between posts! Even full Scratchers have to wait 60 seconds. This wait is EXTREMELY effective at stopping a lot of spam.
1. A lot of people know the forums exist, just not very many people use them.
2. A normal bar without pictures? That would look boring, and wouldn't fit in with the theme of the front page.
3. I can still blockspam, smileyspam, and explamation point spam in a single post. And the wait isn't that long; I could still print out multiple spam posts on multiple threads pretty fast, even with a 60 second rule.
1. I've been asking many people about the forum, and most either don't know what it is or just discovered it. For example, I saw someone asking Paddle2See about how to get a project featured. I told him about the post by Paddle2see in the Show and Tell section of the Forum. He replied back, “wut da forum?”
2. I'll let the Scratch Team decide exactly what it will look like.
3. I've asked many ST members and they say that it is a very effective way and stops most spam in the Forums and in Scratch in general.
Proof?
You can ask ST members. I'll ask Paddle2See, SpeakVisually, and any other ones you name.

BTW I like your Signature.

Proof:
ceebee
Paddle2See

No one else has responded yet.

Prinseskat

Prinseskat wrote:
DaSpudLord wrote:
CatsUnited wrote:
What would the (New) Scratchers know what to do on the forum? It's best to show them what the forums are ans what the right things are to do so they won't spam as much. Also, that might need more moderators if the entire community used the forums (only a small percentage of Scratchers use the forum).

Also, I didn't know about the forum at first before I started making scratchblocks spam and necroposts until about December 2014.
^^^
What he said. Plus, the main purpose of the front page is to help users find projects, especially projects that they like. The forums serve no such purpose and are unnecessary to have a beneficial experience using Scratch.
So why are there even forums then? I think it could be a good idea to show people that the forums exist, but then could increase the amount of spam and similar.

Oops, I misread your post and thought you said the forums serve no purpose in general (?!?), not just for project finding (though there is the show-and-tell forum).
That being said they can also help if you're stuck on a project or want something added to Scratch or if you're new to Scratch or if you want to report a bug on the website… list goes on. They can most definitely help in having a beneficial experience using Scratch.

Zekrom01

No support as per DaSpudLord and the others

Fuzzbutt

Zekrom01 wrote:
No support as per DaSpudLord and the others

So you think the forum should stay underused and a lot of scratchers should not know about them? (Just checking.)

TheMonsterOfTheDeep

I support giving the forums more visibility. It really is great especially if somebody needs help or something.

However, I don't think a “What the Community is Discussing” bar really fits. The only things that would appear would probably be suggestions and maybe misc / AT topics, because those are the ones that have the highest density of posts.

I don't know what the best way to make the forums more visible is - especially because most people who need to use them probably need to use them to get help. Maybe the help side bar could link to the forums? But I'm not sure how many people use that either…

Deerleg

TheMonsterOfTheDeep wrote:
I support giving the forums more visibility. It really is great especially if somebody needs help or something.

However, I don't think a “What the Community is Discussing” bar really fits. The only things that would appear would probably be suggestions and maybe misc / AT topics, because those are the ones that have the highest density of posts.

I don't know what the best way to make the forums more visible is - especially because most people who need to use them probably need to use them to get help. Maybe the help side bar could link to the forums? But I'm not sure how many people use that either…

Or maybe we could have something on the forums page but not on the front page.

Discuss Scratch