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#1 2012-05-31 17:23:31

dkl65
New Scratcher
Registered: 2012-05-24
Posts: 10

Suggestion for the software and forum

Hello!
I have a few suggestions for the forum:
1) Look and refer at the Arduino Forum: http://arduino.cc/forum/
2) The layout should be larger and more legible.
3) There should be interesting things such as:
a) Rankings for members: depending on number of posts, helpfulness of posts, number of projects uploaded, popularity of projects, etc.
b) A "Bar Sport", "Randomness", or "Off Topic" forum board.
4) I'm don't know how to access this if it is already there, but...
a) There should be a list of topics that you started, and a list that you replied to.
b) A symbol beside your topics, and topics you replied to.
5) The forum should have a rich text editor, with pictures, fonts, sizes, etc.

I have a few suggestions for the software:
1) There should be an option to copy the Block Syntax (http://wiki.scratch.mit.edu/wiki/Block_Plugin/Syntax) to the clipboard, so one can just paste it to the forum. It is very difficult, and time consuming to write that Block Plugin Syntax.
2) I have some experience with C/C++, HTML, Java, JavaScript. There should be an option to write out the code, instead of dragging things around, such as:

when (GF_CLICKED){
  forever{
    glideTo(1, random(-240, 240), random(-180, 180));
    wait(1);
  }
}

3) Refer to http://www.arduino.cc/ and http://www.processing.org/
4) Functions should be implemented to organize the code. They can be initialized in the Variables section, and can return values, and accept parameters / arguments. Every time that function is called, it executes the defined code there, instead of having duplicate code everywhere.
4) The software freezes up when I go to a sprite / stage with lots of code. That is bad.
5) Scratch programs take too much memory space.
6) Scratch takes a lot of time (>3 seconds) to execute large codes. It should take only milliseconds! Unwanted waits / delays are not favourable.

Comments:
1) "Scratch" is a weird name. Sounds like something one would do when one is itchy. So is "Processing" for a Java editor.

More to come!

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#2 2012-06-01 00:28:27

kayybee
Scratcher
Registered: 2009-12-07
Posts: 1000+

Re: Suggestion for the software and forum

You can click on "posts" below your name to see the topics you posted in...

Also, "scratch" is the name the scratch team has chosen from the beginning, representing a "remix", or "scratch" in the disc or something like that. It's just a name they chose. It's sort of like saying "dkl65 is a weird name. sounds like someone pushed random keys"...

The scratch forums is not meant to be the best forums ever, it was meant for the people who used scratch, which was originally intended for 5 year olds. So I don't think 5 year olds have a problem with the forum, so neither does the scratch team and neither should anyone else.

Also, the program, which is for kindergarteners, is meant for beginner programmers, not the master ones. Please note that for people who are learning to just make programs, waiting several seconds for the largest code isn't a big deal. Unless you're planning to compete with minecraft and other popular games, you don't really need to have scratch be lightning speed.

if you want to type out the code, go learn java or C or any other real programming language. scratch was meant for beginners who don't want to worry about syntax errors and stuff.

functions are being implemented in scratch 2.0.

the scratch forums are meant to be helpful to scratchers, not be "interesting" like a game.

and just because the arduino forums have something, doesn't mean every other forum in the world has to.

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#3 2012-06-01 00:36:48

XenoK
Scratcher
Registered: 2011-09-08
Posts: 1000+

Re: Suggestion for the software and forum

I like a lot of this, and to incorporate what kayybee wrote, you could hav the option to enable/disable these features perhaps via parental controls?  Its something to build off of.  Personally, i like the name scratch.


Eternity Tasks has launched into Alpha One! http://tasks.eternityincurakai.com/EI%20projects.png

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#4 2012-06-01 00:39:01

veggieman001
Scratcher
Registered: 2010-02-20
Posts: 1000+

Re: Suggestion for the software and forum

Err... you realise Scratch is for children, right? Plus, the name is based on DJ scratching and how remix culture works


Posts: 20000 - Show all posts

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#5 2012-06-01 01:02:51

XenoK
Scratcher
Registered: 2011-09-08
Posts: 1000+

Re: Suggestion for the software and forum

veggieman001 wrote:

Err... you realise Scratch is for children, right? Plus, the name is based on DJ scratching and how remix culture works

Correction: its intended for children.


Eternity Tasks has launched into Alpha One! http://tasks.eternityincurakai.com/EI%20projects.png

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#6 2012-06-01 01:40:39

Andres-Vander
Scratcher
Registered: 2010-09-16
Posts: 1000+

Re: Suggestion for the software and forum

XenoK wrote:

veggieman001 wrote:

Err... you realise Scratch is for children, right? Plus, the name is based on DJ scratching and how remix culture works

Correction: its intended for children.

It's intended to help teach children programming and introduce them to it easier, but it's intended for everyone, not just children


dkl65 wrote:

Comments:
1) "Scratch" is a weird name. Sounds like something one would do when one is itchy.

Everybody's itchy around here

Last edited by Andres-Vander (2012-06-01 01:42:00)


http://www.gifsoup.com/view1/2260823/flugelhorn-feline-o.gif

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#7 2012-06-01 15:26:01

dkl65
New Scratcher
Registered: 2012-05-24
Posts: 10

Re: Suggestion for the software and forum

kayybee wrote:

It's sort of like saying "dkl65 is a weird name. sounds like someone pushed random keys

Name have different meanings for everyone. For example, your name must have a meaning to you, but to me, it makes no sense. I'm not insulting your name; I am just giving an example. "dkl65" is my initials, plus my favourite number.

kayybee wrote:

and just because the arduino forums have something, doesn't mean every other forum in the world has to.

We all know that! I am just giving [open] suggestions! There isn't anything wrong with that; isn't this forum board mean't for that?

kayybee wrote:

Err... you realise Scratch is for children, right? Plus, the name is based on DJ scratching and how remix culture works

It is friendly to non-programmers. We are using Scratch in school. My teacher thinks that Scratch should be open to anyone of any age. I just suggested for it to have an option to write code (programmer) and the default option (non-programmer).

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#8 2012-06-01 15:41:18

777w
Scratcher
Registered: 2009-02-10
Posts: 1000+

Re: Suggestion for the software and forum

i only skimmed through your suggestions and i think if you want the option for more coding languages instead of adding it to scratch you should just do it in whatever program is designed for it. and rankings are sort of already implemented in the forums what with new scratcher, scratcher, st member, moderator, and the soon-to-be-implemented helpful/veteran/whatever scratcher

edit: this is an edit

Last edited by 777w (2012-06-01 20:42:18)

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#9 2012-06-01 20:26:56

dkl65
New Scratcher
Registered: 2012-05-24
Posts: 10

Re: Suggestion for the software and forum

Typing is faster than dragging things around for me. Better yet, the code is color-coded, and auto-formatted. I have another suggestion for the forum: Editing your posts.

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#10 2012-06-01 20:42:03

777w
Scratcher
Registered: 2009-02-10
Posts: 1000+

Re: Suggestion for the software and forum

dkl65 wrote:

Typing is faster than dragging things around for me. Better yet, the code is color-coded, and auto-formatted. I have another suggestion for the forum: Editing your posts.

you can edit your post
see look ill do it with the one right above yours

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#11 2012-06-01 20:57:36

dkl65
New Scratcher
Registered: 2012-05-24
Posts: 10

Re: Suggestion for the software and forum

How do you edit? I see no edit button or symbol.

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#12 2012-06-01 21:51:17

zippynk
Scratcher
Registered: 2011-07-23
Posts: 500+

Re: Suggestion for the software and forum

You need to get a "Scratcher" rank in order to edit your posts.


https://dl.dropbox.com/u/60598636/trifocal_interlude_soundcloud_button.png

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#13 2012-06-02 05:41:52

777w
Scratcher
Registered: 2009-02-10
Posts: 1000+

Re: Suggestion for the software and forum

dkl65 wrote:

How do you edit? I see no edit button or symbol.

youre still a new scratcher. if you are really active on the main site and forums you can achieve a scratcher rank

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