Scratch

There's already a random project section here.. Although it was removed from the front page a while ago. Personally I think it should be bought back. 

Last edited by 06dknibbs (2010-10-22 08:29:10)

06dknibbs wrote:

There's already a random project section here.. Although it was removed from the front page a while ago, personally I think it should be bought back. 

Yeah, I've seen that but I think it should be on the front page.

I agree with the problem! 

"Top viewed" creates feedback loops.  (Like when a microphone is close to the speaker, and makes a loud screech.)
Views, regardless of whether the viewer liked it or not, is rewarded with more views when the project hits the front page.  So yes, it encourages titles and thumbnails like "I QUIT!", pretty pictures; and spamming.
Then this scratcher receives more views to their other projects, that they may not want attention to yet...  (top-loved and remixing create feedback loops too, but top viewed may be the biggest offender.)

Random projects is one way to handle it.  We used to have it.  It exposed all of Scratch.  I believe part of the reasoning for removing it from the front page was that inappropriate projects made long ago would show to random people, before enough people had an opportunity to flag them.
So, another suggestion is to add a little randomness to these rows on the front page, and show the top 10 instead of top 3.
That may help some, but I hope for a stronger solution...


Let's step back...

How many of these random projects do you like?   
How many of the creators of these project want attention to it?  (Some may need help now or want attention bad- but many of these may not use Scratch anymore, or these may be test projects that are not intended for viewing.)
But view and comment on them all!
Burned out yet?

Ok, what kind of projects do you want to see, and talk with other scratchers about?
I like Art, 3d, and math projects, let's put those on the front page!!!!!!
Don't you like them too?  no?  (Everyone will probably answer this different.)


I think a big problem is:  Scratch does not have a easy way for people that like similar things or that have similar needs to get together and help each other.

We do have the tag system; it allows projects to be grouped by words that users add.  I've suggested ways to make tags stronger, and that they become mini front pages for each tag.  ...So newly tagged projects get exposure in "Recently tagged as X", then others can agree with that tag and increase its exposure on that X tag page... and other things.  This way people with similar interests can get together and similar projects can be grouped and found easier.

We do have the show and tell forum for requesting attention after we're done with a project, but many scratchers do not find it or know how to use it, or they request attention, but don't help others... or they help others in hopes of getting help, but many of those scratchers are offline, or already found help... or people don't browse the show and tell because we're not interested in many of those types of projects.
So I think we should make "Scratch my back and I'll Scratch yours" easy.


TL;DR: Top viewed and random are not very helpful.  Make it easy for scratchers with similar interests to get together and help each other.

Last edited by JTxt (2010-10-22 10:53:45)

12three wrote:

Welcome to the depressing current state of Scratch. :/

It doesn't have to be depressing.  I think it's fun to look for ways to improve it!  At the very least, someday you could make a website that solves these problems. (and make new problems. :)

Last edited by JTxt (2010-10-22 12:21:15)