Scratch

coolstuff wrote:

iCode-747 wrote:

coolstuff wrote:

Sorry - I don't think I'll be able to write my article 
Turns out I have a math exam to study for. 

Hey, will you do us just a really little something?

Write about your experiences modding. 

Maybe.

Here you go:

Being a moderator is what just about every frequenter to the Scratch forums has dreamed about. Ever since I first joined the forums as an active and helpful user, I’d fantasize every night about what would happen if I had the opportunity or privilege to moderate the Scratch forums. Assuming that I am, on that particular note, at least somewhat normal, it came as no surprise that when Lightnin’s post about the upcoming community moderator elections garnered hundreds of replies in just a few days.

Having recently rejoined the Scratch community after a few months away from the forums, I decided to give it ago. Doubting that I would be making it to the finals, though still not giving up hope, I typed in those desperate words:

“I'd love to nominate myself for this!”

With little consideration of the well-known users I was up against, I left the post and returned a few days later to discover that my name had been put up on a list of finalists, along with multiple very well respected users who I wished could all emerge from the elections as moderators. Doubts were forming in my mind as I waited for the elections to begin (campaigning at the time), and then conclude; my heart was loudly thumping a few hours prior to the results being posted – as I recall, they were several hours late.

And my internet almost died as I clicked on the link. I waited for it to return, and finally saw my name on that list. I’d never been happier in my clearly quite unfulfilling life.

And as my term as moderator started... I was clueless. I was dumbfounded at what exactly was involved in moderation – the scale of it all was nearly traumatic. In my first day as a moderator, I was forced to ban four (!) people for commercial spamming. I was also really afraid of what to do, fearing I might do something wrong – and I’ll admit I did do quite a few things wrong at the time. But the older moderators forgive & forget, and I am now much more confident about my actions as a moderator.

That’s not to say that at times I haven’t known what to do – remember those spam attacks a few days ago? The first of which was my first experience with anything inappropriate on the Scratch website, and so I wasn’t entirely sure what to do. Fortunately, Paddle2See was online at the time and I was quickly able to pick up the ropes on what to do when inappropriate posts emerge... The skills I learned then turned out to be handy in the coming weeks. A consistent stream of spam attacks was posted. But the moderators and the Team got through it, and new limits have been put into effect to stop it from happening again.

Sometimes I am also clueless as to what I can and can’t tell other about moderation. Even writing this, I’ve been keeping certain secrets. For instance, at times I’ve divulged information about what is involved in moderation that I probably shouldn’t have – getting a good grip on what is and isn’t appropriate to tell others about moderation *is* difficult. So I’ve had to come up with a little phrase: “What others don’t know, you shouldn’t show.” So pretty much, if the info isn’t already out there, I shouldn’t tell people about it.

With moderation also comes a great deal of responsibility; for instance, I can’t spazz anymore, not that I really used to. But if somebody reports a post and I’m the only one online, I’m obligated to deal with the post, especially if the post is inappropriate. If I’m not entirely sure what to do with the post, then I’ve got a bit of an issue to deal with and generally make a judgement call, which I’ll admit has not always been the right one.

Arguments are also a big deal. “Argument” is a very loosely-defined term, and as a moderator it’s our responsibilities to close topics which have the potential to spark arguments, or which are arguments. Again, the judgement call comes into play; sometimes what I think is an argument isn’t one, sometimes what I think isn’t an argument is one. But the moderator community has supported me all the way through; and I hope that I’m now slightly more accurate in my guessing.

I realise this is probably a little longer than you would have wanted, but there you go 

Also, I'm open for an interview (hint hint).

coming at you: the peacekeeper method. just have to copy it.
Many "method threads have come and gone. I've come up with a solution that is good for both sides.
Many games can be saved by good graphics. Well-made games with good graphics can shoot to the front page. If you find an artist whose style you like, don't say something like "art doesn't belong here" instead, offer them to be in a colab for your next project. It's important to give credit, but a good looking game is more likely to get front paged than the same code in an ugly shell.
If your game gets front paged, think about it more often!  It makes you happy to get front paged and the artist is happy because people know that they did the art!
It may not lead to front page domination, but it should lead to its fair share of games there. Some catagories still may be untouched, such as top remixed, but it could take curator spots, top viewed, top loved, etc.

Last edited by 16Skittles (2010-06-18 12:26:01)

there it is.

Can you add an Old Town Productions ad?
Sorry if I don't reply I don't use the forums that much.

bumpeh. 

EDIT: coolstuff, if possible, can I interview you?

I know you wanted me to do that. 

Last edited by iCode-747 (2010-06-18 16:00:45)

Here you go. You can clear white space. I are top contributor, rightz?

Last edited by Aidan (2010-06-18 17:25:07)

iCode-747 wrote:

Aidan wrote:

http://i45.tinypic.com/2rorh1k.jpg

Here you go. You can clear white space. I are top contributor, rightz?

16Skittles is. 

Nice, I may use this! 

Edited so you can click to enlarge too.

coolstuff wrote:

iCode-747 wrote:

bumpeh. 

EDIT: coolstuff, if possible, can I interview you?

I know you wanted me to do that. 

Go ahead    Ask away, though I can't guarantee I can answer everything.

I'll find time to write up a few questions. 

coolstuff wrote:

iCode-747 wrote:

coolstuff wrote:

Go ahead    Ask away, though I can't guarantee I can answer everything.

I'll find time to write up a few questions. 

Any idea when? This is really exciting for me!

Also, don't exclude the other new mods! I don't want to seem like the only new moderator.

None of them have posted! 

Hey, if you can, tell them to pop by and write a quick article about modding, shorter than yours. Your is really good! 

I'll try to post the questions tomarrow. 

No questions today? Aw. Well, tomorrow!

How's it coming?

iCode-747 wrote:

Aidan wrote:

How's it coming?

Very good. I have about 24 pages made, and the cover needs work. It'll be finished on time. 

24 PAGES!? Holy...

Also, what's "on time"?

Here's a front cover: