Scratch
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#1 2010-05-03 17:50:38
Why we ban....
It seems like there is a lot of fear and confusion in the community right now about banning, so I thought I'd explain why we block Scratchers, and what they can do to get unblocked.
We block Scratchers who make comments, posts, or projects that go against our Terms of Use. If you haven't read them, please do - we spent a long time making them brief and to the point. They're way different from the usual stuff you find on other sites and don't contain a lot of boring legal stuff.
http://info.scratch.mit.edu/Terms_of_use
This is one of the most important points in the Terms of Use:
Be respectful. When sharing projects or posting comments, remember that people of many different ages and backgrounds will see your contributions.
This brief statement covers a lot of things: don't use bad language, don't talk about stuff that wouldn't be appropriate for a kids website are a few obvious examples. But it also means don't disrespect anyone just because you don't agree with them, or just because they like a kind of project that you don't care for.
Scratch is a big place, but the front page isn't. A lot of Scratchers have gotten annoyed that the projects they see on the front page aren't the ones they like to look at. It's fine to express dissatisfaction, but it's even better to help think of solutions so that all different kinds of Scratchers can be represented. But it's not ok to say that Scratch is only for your kind of projects, or that projects that you don't like don't have any value. And starting threads for the purpose of creating arguments and flamewars is definitely not respectful, and will probably result in your account being banned.
So: Most Scratchers who get blocked get another chance if we really believe they are willing to change. But don't ask us who has or hasn't been blocked - that's a private matter between us and the account holder.
If you have any other questions about our policy, post them here and I'll answer them. But please be patient! There's always plenty to do on the Scratch website, and not that many Scratch Team members to do a lot of work... 
Help Scratchers make the leap to 2.0!
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#2 2010-05-03 17:56:09
Re: Why we ban....
You know, I understand the banning and why you do it all, but do you really have to not let people see the projects they've uploaded? Some of the banned persons have very quality projects and it's quite sad to not even be able to see evidence that they were there.
"Boinoinoi is the only person on the forums that I expect to be wearing a monocle all the time behind that screen, so I'm sure being as classy as he is, he knows what he's doing"
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#4 2010-05-03 17:58:33
Re: Why we ban....
boinoinoi wrote:
You know, I understand the banning and why you do it all, but do you really have to not let people see the projects they've uploaded? Some of the banned persons have very quality projects and it's quite sad to not even be able to see evidence that they were there.
I agree - I think this may have actually been caused by a bug. We'll discuss this and most likely revert the change that caused it.
Help Scratchers make the leap to 2.0!
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#5 2010-05-03 17:58:47
- TheGenius95
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2009-06-09
- Posts: 500+
Re: Why we ban....
I think my sister should read the "Terms of Use" sometime. She doesn't respect other users at all. One of these days someone's gonna come along and ban her.
^ Oooh, shiny!
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#6 2010-05-03 18:02:02
Re: Why we ban....
Sticky this. We need this, too keep these kind of arguments from coming back.
@lightnin: I'm passing your post count! *Evil laugh and smile* Just joking. XD
Last edited by iCode-747 (2010-05-03 18:02:59)
-End Transmission-
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Please leave a message at the beep.#8 2010-05-03 18:21:08
- Survivorduck
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2009-07-05
- Posts: 500+
Re: Why we ban....
Nicely written
I agree with iCode-747, this really should be stickied.
Last edited by Survivorduck (2010-05-03 18:21:55)
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#9 2010-05-03 18:24:36
Re: Why we ban....
Lightnin can sticky it himself if he wanted to. 
If he hasn't I don't think he does.
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#10 2010-05-03 18:25:20
Re: Why we ban....
This definitely should be stickied.
And I think lot of people have been dissatisfied with the front page. Thanks for encouraging a solution.
I'm just wondering: You said that if somebody has been banned, you're willing to give them a second chance if you think they're willing to change. But does it stay in your book forever that they've been banned? For example, if they have been banned, can they never become a moderator? Forgive and forget, I say!
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#11 2010-05-03 18:33:32
Re: Why we ban....
coolstuff wrote:
I'm just wondering: You said that if somebody has been banned, you're willing to give them a second chance if you think they're willing to change. But does it stay in your book forever that they've been banned? For example, if they have been banned, can they never become a moderator? Forgive and forget, I say!
We agree, everyone makes mistakes from time to time - moderators and Scratch Team are no different! So forgiving is important - whether it's us forgiving those who've been banned, or Scratchers forgiving other Scratchers who did or said something they felt was mean.
So, while it is possible to recover from it, doing something to get banned really doesn't help one's chances at being a moderator or curator. 
But with time and patience (usually - lots and lots of patience) all these things can be overcome. So I could certainly imagine someone who was once banned becoming a curator or moderator. Did I say patience enough times? patience, patience, patience....
Help Scratchers make the leap to 2.0!
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#12 2010-05-03 18:36:09
- MidnightWarrior
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2009-11-24
- Posts: 85
Re: Why we ban....
My freind (Not releasing names. She asked me not too) is banned for one month because of a fight she had with someone. And,on DA she was telling me how worried she was about not being able to go to Scratch Day because of it. Is that true? shes like,REALLY worried about it.
Last edited by MidnightWarrior (2010-05-03 18:36:47)
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#13 2010-05-03 18:38:03
- soupoftomato
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2009-07-18
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Why we ban....
MidnightWarrior wrote:
My freind (Not releasing names. She asked me not too) is banned for one month because of a fight she had with someone. And,on DA she was telling me how worried she was about not being able to go to Scratch Day because of it. Is that true? shes like,REALLY worried about it.
She can still go to Scratch Day. She'll be welcome to the one at MIT and all the others. Bans only prevent website activities.
At least I'm pretty sure.
I'm glad to think that the community will always be kind and helpful, the language will always be a fun and easy way to be introduced into programming, the motto will always be: Imagine, Program, Share - Nomolos
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#14 2010-05-03 18:38:41
- TheGenius95
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2009-06-09
- Posts: 500+
Re: Why we ban....
It seems like I hear about more famous Scratchers getting banned every day. I never find out what they do, though.
^ Oooh, shiny!
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#15 2010-05-03 18:39:21
- MidnightWarrior
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2009-11-24
- Posts: 85
Re: Why we ban....
Okay. ill be shure to tell her that. Thank you.
soupoftomato wrote:
MidnightWarrior wrote:
My freind (Not releasing names. She asked me not too) is banned for one month because of a fight she had with someone. And,on DA she was telling me how worried she was about not being able to go to Scratch Day because of it. Is that true? shes like,REALLY worried about it.
She can still go to Scratch Day. She'll be welcome to the one at MIT and all the others. Bans only prevent website activities.
At least I'm pretty sure.
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#16 2010-05-03 18:48:38
Re: Why we ban....
TheGenius95 wrote:
It seems like I hear about more famous Scratchers getting banned every day. I never find out what they do, though.
Controvertial, insulting comments are probably the number one reason for being banned. It appears to be this war between artists and programmers that is causing the bans.
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#18 2010-05-03 18:52:59
Re: Why we ban....
MidnightWarrior wrote:
My freind (Not releasing names. She asked me not too) is banned for one month because of a fight she had with someone. And,on DA she was telling me how worried she was about not being able to go to Scratch Day because of it. Is that true? shes like,REALLY worried about it.
Nope, banning doesn't also include Scratch Day. Everyone who wants to be respectful and friendly is welcome.
Help Scratchers make the leap to 2.0!
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#19 2010-05-03 19:01:52
- midnightleopard
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2007-09-13
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Why we ban....
Wow. Total mind grenade. I am so enlightened now, this explains a lot of my notifications!
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#20 2010-05-03 19:05:34
Re: Why we ban....
Thanks for posting this.
What I'd like to see on the forums is a "warning meter" type system. Depending on how bad the offense is the warning meter would go up some, and once it reaches a certain point you get blocked for only a few days to a week. They would gradually get longer from there, so there would be no three-month blocks on a first offense (see MidnightWarrior's post).
I think something like that would work. Suggestions are welcome.
Last edited by hmnwilson (2010-05-03 19:06:43)
I'm taking a break from Scratch until 2.0 comes out. Any messages sent between then and now probably won't be read - sorry.
(Oct. 20, 2011)
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#21 2010-05-03 19:09:15
- Lucario621
- Community Moderator
- Registered: 2007-10-03
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Why we ban....
hmnwilson wrote:
What I'd like to see on the forums is a "warning meter" type system. Depending on how bad the offense is the warning meter would go up some, and once it reaches a certain point you get blocked for only a few days to a week. They would gradually get longer from there, so there would be no three-month blocks on a first offense (see MidnightWarrior's post).
I think something like that would work. Suggestions are welcome.
Like on RuneScape?
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#22 2010-05-03 19:10:22
- Survivorduck
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2009-07-05
- Posts: 500+
Re: Why we ban....
hmnwilson wrote:
Thanks for posting this.
What I'd like to see on the forums is a "warning meter" type system. Depending on how bad the offense is the warning meter would go up some, and once it reaches a certain point you get blocked for only a few days to a week. They would gradually get longer from there, so there would be no three-month blocks on a first offense (see MidnightWarrior's post).
I think something like that would work. Suggestions are welcome.
I like that idea!
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#23 2010-05-03 19:11:14
- soupoftomato
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2009-07-18
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Why we ban....
MidnightWarrior wrote:
My freind (Not releasing names. She asked me not too) is banned for one month because of a fight she had with someone. And,on DA she was telling me how worried she was about not being able to go to Scratch Day because of it. Is that true? shes like,REALLY worried about it.
I think I might no who that is. And no offense, if it is, they deserve a ban that long for what they did.
I'm glad to think that the community will always be kind and helpful, the language will always be a fun and easy way to be introduced into programming, the motto will always be: Imagine, Program, Share - Nomolos
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#24 2010-05-03 19:11:39
Re: Why we ban....
Lucario621 wrote:
hmnwilson wrote:
What I'd like to see on the forums is a "warning meter" type system. Depending on how bad the offense is the warning meter would go up some, and once it reaches a certain point you get blocked for only a few days to a week. They would gradually get longer from there, so there would be no three-month blocks on a first offense (see MidnightWarrior's post).
I think something like that would work. Suggestions are welcome.Like on RuneScape?
I don't play RuneScape, but from the sound of it, something like that. 
Survivorduck wrote:
hmnwilson wrote:
Thanks for posting this.
What I'd like to see on the forums is a "warning meter" type system. Depending on how bad the offense is the warning meter would go up some, and once it reaches a certain point you get blocked for only a few days to a week. They would gradually get longer from there, so there would be no three-month blocks on a first offense (see MidnightWarrior's post).
I think something like that would work. Suggestions are welcome.I like that idea!
Thanks! 
Last edited by hmnwilson (2010-05-03 19:12:20)
I'm taking a break from Scratch until 2.0 comes out. Any messages sent between then and now probably won't be read - sorry.
(Oct. 20, 2011)
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#25 2010-05-03 19:16:33
Re: Why we ban....
I think you should unban lonwol.
He promised he wouldn't ever, EVER swear again, and he's like an idol on scratch. Everyone loves lonwol... He's epic xD
Can't you give lonwol a second chance? I mean, the word he said was almost a compliment xD It's just a hello without the o. And in school they teach you about that place xD
Well, I don't believe in god or anything, so I don't really know if that's very offensive to christians who believe.
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