Homepage-Worthy Scratchers

-TheDoctor-

From the time I've spent using the Scratch website, I have observed many things. Users do incredible things with the software, unbelievable programming ability is demonstrated, and beautiful projects are shown. On the homepage, superior projects are demonstrated for these things, and their popularity skyrockets. But strangely, of all the lovely things to enjoy on this site, it is not the projects that I love the most. It's the people. Brilliant people who are always positive, active, and willing to help. Whether they have amazing programming skill or not, they help others to progress and make Scratch the fantastic site that it is. I believe these Scratchers should be recognized for the hard work that they do on this website through their social interactions. This may have been proposed before, but I believe that on the Scratch homepage, there should be a new section for Featured Scratchers. Their number of followers, projects, or love-its should not matter, but their kindness and generosity to other users is what they excel at. Please feel free to decline this suggestion, I'm sure it would be quite a bit of work for the Scratch Team, who are already doing a brilliant job of improving the site. But it may help to reshape the entire environment of Scratch to make it the best that it can possibly be!

mathfreak231

I don't think they'll be featuring individual Scratchers.

-TheDoctor-

mathfreak231 wrote:
I don't think they'll be featuring individual Scratchers.

That may be true, but I believe that if you work hard to make Scratch a safe and uplifting environment, you deserve to be recognized! Projects receive so much attention that we often forget how much we appreciate the people who try their hardest to help others and are consistently positive to everyone. That, in my opinion, is the most important contributing factor on this website.

mathfreak231

-TheDoctor- wrote:
mathfreak231 wrote:
I don't think they'll be featuring individual Scratchers.
That may be true, but I believe that if you work hard to make Scratch a safe and uplifting environment, you deserve to be recognized! Projects receive so much attention that we often forget how much we appreciate the people who try their hardest to help others and are consistently positive to everyone. That, in my opinion, is the most important contributing factor on this website.

What about how the same people get their projects on the front page over and over and the same for forumers so we wouldn't see much of a change in people, would we?
(geez that was a horribly formed sentence)

scratchisthebest

I agree with literally everything you said.

-TheDoctor-

mathfreak231 wrote:
-TheDoctor- wrote:
mathfreak231 wrote:
I don't think they'll be featuring individual Scratchers.
That may be true, but I believe that if you work hard to make Scratch a safe and uplifting environment, you deserve to be recognized! Projects receive so much attention that we often forget how much we appreciate the people who try their hardest to help others and are consistently positive to everyone. That, in my opinion, is the most important contributing factor on this website.
What about how the same people get their projects on the front page over and over and the same for forumers so we wouldn't see much of a change in people, would we?
(geez that was a horribly formed sentence)

I completely agree with you. Many Scratchers do get front-paged repeatedly because they are superior at programming. That is the reason why I suggested including a section for Features Scratchers because you would not need to have incredible skill in that regard. It would simply be determined by your interaction with others; your kindness and willingness to help is what truly matters. You are completely correct in your statement, though, Featured Scratchers should not be repeated over and over, and could even be fairly unnoticed. That is why it is so important that we recognize and award these members!

-TheDoctor-

scratchisthebest wrote:
I agree with literally everything you said.

Thank you, I'm so glad!

-TheDoctor-

billabobscratch wrote:
this is probably the best idea in the forums. support.

Thank you so much for supporting it! I'm so glad you think it sounds reasonable and hope others do as well. Thank you very much, I appreciate that!

-TheDoctor-

So sorry I haven't posted on this thread in some time, I've been very busy lately! I have been thinking quite a lot about this idea though and have sorted out several of the problems. Before you read this, please know that I am not by any means attempting to assert my own thoughts or force this concept into being established. I am simply expanding upon a thought I had to make the Scratch site an even more positive environment and award well-mannered individuals.

First of all, whoever is assigned to post a Scratcher on the homepage should obviously not be able to post themselves. There could possibly be a voting system in which normal users can propose others to be presented. Other unsorted issues were how long a Scratcher could be featured, how many could be featured at once, and how frequently one person could be put into the Homepage Worthy section. Depending on activity, a Scratcher could be on the front page for anywhere between one and four weeks. The number of featured Scratchers may also vary. Users come and go, and however many people the community believes are truly worthy, the number could be roughly between five and twenty. It is my opinion that a Scratcher should be able to be featured in this particular section only once, but I suppose if someone is particularly fantastic, they can be awarded again!

I doubt this suggestion will ever go into effect, but I felt I needed to finish what I started! If you have any questions or comments regarding this idea, please let me know! I'd be happy the reply back to anything you have to say! Thank you!

LoopyS

Great idea, -The Doctor-!

Like scratchisthebest, I agree with everything you said!

About your last post,
Maybe the Featured section on the homepage could look something like this…

Maybe featured one Project and Scratcher every week.
The viewer (above) should hold 5 Projects and Scratchers,
so they're featured for 5 weeks. I think Scratchers could
maybe be featured 3 times.

Scratchers could have a little medal icon next to their usernames.
An outline means they haven't been featured
Bronze means they've been featured once
Silver means they've been featured twice
Gold means they've been featured three times.

What do you think, -The Doctor-?

Last edited by LoopyS (Nov. 18, 2013 08:16:48)

Sonickyle

It would teach scratchers to be nice to eachother. Support all the way.

-TheDoctor-

LoopyS wrote:
Great idea, -The Doctor-!
Like scratchisthebest, I agree with everything you said!

About your last post,
Maybe the Featured section on the homepage could look something like this…

Maybe featured one Project and Scratcher every week.
The viewer (above) should hold 5 Projects and Scratchers,
so they're featured for 5 weeks. I think Scratchers could
maybe be featured 3 times.

Scratchers could have a little medal icon next to their usernames.
An outline means they haven't been featured
Bronze means they've been featured once
Silver means they've been featured twice
Gold means they've been featured three times.

What do you think, -The Doctor-?

My goodness, you're brilliant! I love your ideas, that is absolutely fantastic! I love your thoughts of having a medal icon next to their picture. Not only would that show how often a Scratcher has been featured, but it would also encourage others to be well-mannered so that they can be featured. Thank you so much for your advice, it was excellent!

Firedrake969

-TheDoctor- wrote:
So sorry I haven't posted on this thread in some time, I've been very busy lately! I have been thinking quite a lot about this idea though and have sorted out several of the problems. Before you read this, please know that I am not by any means attempting to assert my own thoughts or force this concept into being established. I am simply expanding upon a thought I had to make the Scratch site an even more positive environment and award well-mannered individuals.

First of all, whoever is assigned to post a Scratcher on the homepage should obviously not be able to post themselves. There could possibly be a voting system in which normal users can propose others to be presented. Other unsorted issues were how long a Scratcher could be featured, how many could be featured at once, and how frequently one person could be put into the Homepage Worthy section. Depending on activity, a Scratcher could be on the front page for anywhere between one and four weeks. The number of featured Scratchers may also vary. Users come and go, and however many people the community believes are truly worthy, the number could be roughly between five and twenty. It is my opinion that a Scratcher should be able to be featured in this particular section only once, but I suppose if someone is particularly fantastic, they can be awarded again!

I doubt this suggestion will ever go into effect, but I felt I needed to finish what I started! If you have any questions or comments regarding this idea, please let me know! I'd be happy the reply back to anything you have to say! Thank you!

Who would be assigned? How so? What if they had “favorite” Scratchers? Bribery? (don't know how

) Spam requests?

Voting. There are a bunch of popular Scratchers for their animations…

People would vote for those over… and over… and over… ad infinitum.

Scratch Mentors? Check those out

Yea, I don't really support… it seems, to me, make Scratch more of a FAMEFAMEFAME ME WANT FAME thing.

EDIT: Medals? Even more boast-able and fame-game-able (xD). “I have more medals than you!” Yup. Another reason why… no support.

We have curators, Scratch Mentors (in 2014+), and featured projects. I think that's enough.

Last edited by Firedrake969 (Nov. 18, 2013 15:41:10)

-TheDoctor-

Sonickyle wrote:
It would teach scratchers to be nice to eachother. Support all the way.

Thank you so much for your support, I'm glad you appreciate it!

Firedrake969

Any feedback on my feedback?

-TheDoctor-

Firedrake969 wrote:
-TheDoctor- wrote:
So sorry I haven't posted on this thread in some time, I've been very busy lately! I have been thinking quite a lot about this idea though and have sorted out several of the problems. Before you read this, please know that I am not by any means attempting to assert my own thoughts or force this concept into being established. I am simply expanding upon a thought I had to make the Scratch site an even more positive environment and award well-mannered individuals.

First of all, whoever is assigned to post a Scratcher on the homepage should obviously not be able to post themselves. There could possibly be a voting system in which normal users can propose others to be presented. Other unsorted issues were how long a Scratcher could be featured, how many could be featured at once, and how frequently one person could be put into the Homepage Worthy section. Depending on activity, a Scratcher could be on the front page for anywhere between one and four weeks. The number of featured Scratchers may also vary. Users come and go, and however many people the community believes are truly worthy, the number could be roughly between five and twenty. It is my opinion that a Scratcher should be able to be featured in this particular section only once, but I suppose if someone is particularly fantastic, they can be awarded again!

I doubt this suggestion will ever go into effect, but I felt I needed to finish what I started! If you have any questions or comments regarding this idea, please let me know! I'd be happy the reply back to anything you have to say! Thank you!
Who would be assigned? How so? What if they had “favorite” Scratchers? Bribery? (don't know how ) Spam requests?

Voting. There are a bunch of popular Scratchers for their animations… People would vote for those over… and over… and over… ad infinitum.

Scratch Mentors? Check those out

Yea, I don't really support… it seems, to me, make Scratch more of a FAMEFAMEFAME ME WANT FAME thing.

EDIT: Medals? Even more boast-able and fame-game-able (xD). “I have more medals than you!” Yup. Another reason why… no support.

We have curators, Scratch Mentors (in 2014+), and featured projects. I think that's enough.

Thank you for the advice! It is my belief that Scratchers who are famous for their animations (as you said) would not be repeatedly voted for this section because it is not created for individuals who are skilled at programming or even making high-quality projects. The Homepage-Worthy area is meant for users that are consistently kind to others and always willing to help. Most people with any sense would not allow the same person to be in the section over and over, but as a precaution, a Scratcher will only be able to achieve a position on the front-page a maximum of three times. And this idea was not at all conceived to gain fame; in fact it is the very opposite. It is simply a small section to recognize Scratchers that make this website such a wonderful environment. The medals concept was not my idea, and though it has potential, there are a few issues that should be sorted out. As a whole, though, I feel that most of the users of this site are kind, mature individuals who do not use Scratch simply to gain fame and show off their accomplishments. That is also why I feel that those who stand out as kind, humble people should be rewarded. Thank you so much for your thoughts, they are certainly appreciated!

FlowOS

That's such a good Idea!

LeDerpy123

billabobscratch wrote:
this is probably the best idea in the forums. support.

-TheDoctor-

FlowOS wrote:
That's such a good Idea!

Thank you so much, I'm glad you support the idea!

-TheDoctor-

LeDerpy123 wrote:
billabobscratch wrote:
this is probably the best idea in the forums. support.

Thank you for your support, I'm glad you appreciated the concept!

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