Scratch

Thanks to everyone who has contributed meaningful posts to this discussion. We don't always post to join in, but we do often lurk to see the different points of view expressed in the discussion.

Several times, people have made suggestions that we tighten the rules for Miscellaneous.  I think it's easier to say "Tighten the rules" than it is to make fair rules that are easy to understand, and don't have many possible interpretations. For example - "Don't spam" is a rule, but what one person considers spam may be different from what someone else considers spam. So "Don't spam" is not a very useful rule if everyone doesn't have the same clear idea about what it means.

So: If we were to create a new set of clear rules that everyone could understand for Miscellaneous, what exactly should they be?

(Here are the current guidelines, for reference-  http://scratch.mit.edu/forums/viewtopic.php?id=30842 )

Last edited by Lightnin (2010-08-26 16:54:55)

Ace-of-Spades wrote:

-No Topics about Post Counts (or keep it all in one topic, like the #100 thread)
-Hmm this is harder than I though it would be... I have ideas but I don't know how to expand them to cover everything or only make them cover one thing.

Welcome to our world. 

Lightnin wrote:

Thanks to everyone who has contributed meaningful posts to this discussion. We don't always post to join in, but we do often lurk to see the different points of view expressed in the discussion.

Several times, people have made suggestions that we tighten the rules for Miscellaneous.  I think it's easier to say "Tighten the rules" than it is to make fair rules that are easy to understand, and don't have many possible interpretations. For example - "Don't spam" is a rule, but what one person considers spam may be different from what someone else considers spam. So "Don't spam" is not a very useful rule if everyone doesn't have the same clear idea about what it means.

So: If we were to create a new set of clear rules that everyone could understand for Miscellaneous, what exactly should they be?

(Here are the current guidelines, for reference-  http://scratch.mit.edu/forums/viewtopic.php?id=30842 )

Ok, here's one:

Don't create memes/fads >.>. That creates a lot of spam.

Also, make a rule to not spam, as at least one way, like "Messages must not just be one sentence - it must have a good contributions to the discussion, to stay on topic.

Agreed.

Oops, wait, no I don't. A lot of the time, it may be repettitive if you force everyone to make 3 sentence or more posts. There shouldn't be any rule about how long a post should be but how much information it adds. If it adds information, it is good. If not, it is bad.

If you don't have anything to add, or can't contribute to a topic, don't post.

hmnwilson wrote:

Considering the average age of the users, this should've been expected when the Scratch Team made Inspiration and More. And that was 2 years ago, so there's obviously a reason they've kept it that long.

That said, Miscellaneous has gotten kind of out of hand lately. But think about it, what would closing it do besides cause an uproar and filling the rest of the forums with spam? I agree with the "make the guidelines stricter" idea. Topics should actually have a point to them, not "OMG IM GOING TO THIS PLACE TOMORROW".

Also, there's nothing wrong with having an offtopic section, even if this is the Scratch forum. It's standard in most places, just like smileys (and you're not going to suggest we take those away, right?  ) And think about the people whose parents won't let them join anything other than the Scratch forums. It's fine where it is now, we should just think about changing the rules a bit.

Total agreeness!

I want to support, but deep in my heart I say......NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 

Lightnin wrote:

Thanks to everyone who has contributed meaningful posts to this discussion. We don't always post to join in, but we do often lurk to see the different points of view expressed in the discussion.

Several times, people have made suggestions that we tighten the rules for Miscellaneous.  I think it's easier to say "Tighten the rules" than it is to make fair rules that are easy to understand, and don't have many possible interpretations. For example - "Don't spam" is a rule, but what one person considers spam may be different from what someone else considers spam. So "Don't spam" is not a very useful rule if everyone doesn't have the same clear idea about what it means.

So: If we were to create a new set of clear rules that everyone could understand for Miscellaneous, what exactly should they be?

(Here are the current guidelines, for reference-  http://scratch.mit.edu/forums/viewtopic.php?id=30842 )

I'd keep the existing rules, but add these:

Topics must have some relevance to Scratch
Posts must be meaningful and not two-second style posts
Miiscellaneous must not be used as Twitter

Is that too strict? I think those rules would make Miscellaneous a better place.

Last edited by Jonathanpb (2010-08-27 19:26:38)

Is the misc forums making you sad? As long as you ignore it, you'll be fine.

These things arent really affecting you as long as you dont look at them.

If its kept up, your fine, but if its taken down, then it makes other sad.

sanddude wrote:

Ace-of-Spades wrote:

helltank wrote:

The Misc. forum is for stuff that is NON SCRATCH RELATED. If you don't like it, don't go there. If you want a forum for the sort of Misc that YOU want, then make a new forum, don't close the old one. That's my only request. Not to close the old one. I don't care if you make a flying rabbit, or a new Misc forum, or another freaking site.

I think you're misunderstanding, just like Sanddude. It's not for Non Scratch Related things. It's where you put your threads if you're not sure if it's Scratch Related or not. If you know it's not related, you're not supposed to post it. If you think it might be related by a small bit but you don't think it belongs in any other forum, then by all means say it, but if it's not related at all, then it's not supposed to be posted in here and is just spam.

This is the most common misconception about Miscellanous: It is not an off topic lounge, it is where you put the scratch related stuff that doesn't fit in anywhere else.

WHY DO YOU ALWAYS  HAVE TO PUT MY USERNAME IN EVERYONE OF YOUR STUPID POSTS!

Whoa now, take it easy. There's no need to scream on the forums. If you think your name is being used inappropriately, you can just hit the report button next to the comment.

It's just behavior; I for one would like post counts hidden, but at the same time I love mine. 

Chrischb wrote:

Lightnin wrote:

So: If we were to create a new set of clear rules that everyone could understand for Miscellaneous, what exactly should they be?

I think the current ones are good... there's another one I'd like, but I just don't know how to explain it! 

It's a bit of a Post to help thing, but that's not really it - for help it would be more of the topmost forums.

Or Post to share, where you contribute information... but it's not really right; a thread on "I got a new hamster" doesn't really work whereas "what color do you think would go best with this"?

So Post to contribute, but no! - that covers everything, good or not. xD

Post to inspire is my favorite out of these; but Project Ideas might be better suited there. I don't know...

Really good! 

cheddargirl wrote:

sanddude wrote:

Ace-of-Spades wrote:

I think you're misunderstanding, just like Sanddude. It's not for Non Scratch Related things. It's where you put your threads if you're not sure if it's Scratch Related or not. If you know it's not related, you're not supposed to post it. If you think it might be related by a small bit but you don't think it belongs in any other forum, then by all means say it, but if it's not related at all, then it's not supposed to be posted in here and is just spam.

This is the most common misconception about Miscellanous: It is not an off topic lounge, it is where you put the scratch related stuff that doesn't fit in anywhere else.

WHY DO YOU ALWAYS  HAVE TO PUT MY USERNAME IN EVERYONE OF YOUR STUPID POSTS!

Whoa now, take it easy. There's no need to scream on the forums. If you think your name is being used inappropriately, you can just hit the report button next to the comment.

I ally with cheddagirl on this. Flaming wont help anything.

EDIT: I see a resolution AFTER i post this... im so stupid :3


Sorry sanddude...

Last edited by Nexstudent (2010-08-29 13:34:30)