Scratch

These are just some things you need to know about the forums. It's very short, very quick, but I think it will be helpful. And yes, I have a Chrischb writing style influence. xD And please forgive me if I sound n00by =-P

Contents:
Preface
1. What the forums are
2. Basic things
3. Each of the categories, and what they mean
4. BBCode Guide
5. How to use the forums properly (this covers not spamming, trolling, etc.)
6. What to do/How to cope with spammers
7. Your personal profile
8. Conclusion

Preface
This is just a simple guide for the forums that should be helpful for newer Scratchers. I hope they learn to utilize this area of the Scratch website properly, to not troll or spam, or break any of the rules/guidelines. This book may not be complete in what it covers, and it is certainly very short and very quick. Again I want to say that I don't intend this to be a primary reference, but merely something helpful. I hope that people may reply to this topic regarding about what I didn't cover. And now let's go to Chapter 1.

Chapter 1- What the forums are
The forums are basically places where Scratchers (Scratch users) can discuss about issues with the Scratch program and website. They can also promote their projects on the forums in the Show and Tell section, or simply chat freely on the Miscellaneous section. The Scratch forums cover a diversified amount of categories targeted at various things about Scratch, from the Announcements category where Scratch Team members announce new things introduced to Scratchers to the Troubleshooting category where problems with the Scratch program are discussed.
Please learn how to use them correctly and try not to make mistakes.

Chapter 2- Basic Things
When you navigate to the forums, usually the first thing you might want to do is post something new. Simply click on one of the forum categories that suit what you want to say (for example: if you want to promote your projects, click Show and Tell, or if you want to state a problem with the Scratch program, click Troubleshooting). Then, in the top right corner of the category, you will find something that says "Post New Topic." Click on it and you can type what you want to discuss! When you are done, scroll down and click "Submit" to post your topic.

What if you don't want to post a topic, but you merely want to reply to someone else's? Then click on that person's topic, and click on "Post reply" in the top right corner. Then you can type your reply too. It works the same way. (Quoting will be introduced in the BBCode guide, because quoting is BBCode itself)

Here is also another thing that people have to face. New Scratchers have the problem about the "360 Second Rule," or the "6 Minute Rule." This means it has to take at least 360 seconds (6 minutes) to post, or else your topic cannot be submitted! Why? It's because this way less spam can be on the forums (and moderators won't have to control so many things). Spammers may post "Spam time! Spam time!" to annoy users. Usually, typing that takes a lot less than 360 seconds, right? Just be patient and wait, or try to elaborate and expand what you want to say in your topic.  When your status is upgraded to Scratcher (which will require being on Scratch for 1 month and of course, lots of activity), you will still have a rule, except it's 60 seconds, not 360 seconds.

Chapter 3- Each of the Categories, and What They Mean
1. Announcements- This forums is NOT for YOU to make announcements (which is why you will not find a "Post New Topic" button, unless you are part of the Scratch Team). Scratch Team members are supposed to post announcements regarding new things on the website or a new update of the Scratch program. You can reply to their posts though (e.g. "That's awesome!" or "I'll download the new version right away!  ").

2. New Scratch Members- New Scratchers AREN'T supposed to introduce themselves in a separate post on this category (despite the fact that a lot of people are). They can do so on the sticky "iTopic- New Scratchers Introduce Yourself Here!" This category is meant for experienced Scratchers (or people with the Scratcher status) to post helpful topics/guides that will help newer Scratchers.

3. Show and Tell- This is the reason why you aren't allowed to spam on people's Scratch projects. You can promote your Scratch projects and galleries here.

4. FAQ- You aren't allowed to post anything here. This category is for Frequently Asked Questions, so it wouldn't be good if you posted a question not Frequently Asked.

5. All About Scratch- This is where you can post a question that you didn't find on the FAQ category.

6. Advanced Topics- Talk about technical aspects of Scratch or advanced things.

7. Suggestions- Do you have an idea for a block for Scratch 2.0? Do you have an idea that might improve the webpage or the forums? Post a topic in the Suggestions category!

8. Troubleshooting- I said earlier that Troubleshooting is the BEST place to discuss problems with Scratch.

9. Sensor Boards- Ask questions regarding sensor boards.

10. Scratch in other languages- Is your English bad? You can go to the category in your language. 你的英文要是不好的话，可以去Scratch的中文论坛！

11. Translating Scratch- You can state an error in the translation of Scratch's website or Scratch program.

12. Inspiration and More- This section has 3 subcategories:

1. Collaboration- Promote a project collaboration here!
2. Requests- Looking for something (a sound or a sprite)? Want someone to design graphics for your signature? Then look in the Requests section!
3. Project Ideas- It's self explanatory- you get ideas for making Scratch projects!
4. Miscellaneous- You can freely chat in Miscellaneous about anything unrelated to Scratch, as long as it's appropriate. No spamming or trolling though!

Chapter 4- BBCode Guide
There's lots of BBCode guides out there, but I wanted to make my own as well. BBCode is a LOT like HTML (if you know one, you might know the other):

is equivalent to <strong></strong>
whatever is equivalent to <a href="whatever"></a>
etc.

If you don't know HTML, here's a BBCode guide:

Text:
[b]Your text here[/b] produces your text here
[i]Text[/i] produces Text
[u]Text[/u] produces Text

Hello!

produces

Hello!

Someone wrote:

Someone wrote:

Hello!

produces

someone wrote:

Hello!

(remember, when quoting someones reply, you can also click on the "Quote" button on the bottom right corner of their reply)

Colored Text
To insert them, use this at the beginning of the text you wish to have coloured:

 
[color=NAME OF COLOUR]

Then, at the end insert:

 
[/color]

Here's a list of BBCode colors:
Aliceblue
Antiquewhite
Aqua
Aquamarine
Azure
Beige
Bisque
Black
Blanchedalmond
Blue
Blueviolet
Brown
Burlywood
Cadetblue
Chartreuse
Chocolate
Coral
Cornflowerblue
Cornsilk
Crimson
Cyan
Darkblue
Darkcyan
Darkgoldenrod
Darkgray
Darkgreen
Darkkhaki
Darkmagenta
Darkolivegreen
Darkorange
Darkorchid
Darkred
Darksalmon
Darkseagreen
Darkslateblue
Darkslategray
Darkturquoise
Darkviolet
Deeppink
Deepskyblue
Dimgray
Dodgerblue
Firebrick
Floralwhite
Forestgreen
Fuchsia
Gainsboro
Ghostwhite
Gold
Goldenrod
Gray
Green
Greenyellow
Honeydew
Hotpink
Indianred
Indigo
Ivory
Khaki
Lavender
Lavenderblush
Lawngreen
Lemonchiffon
Lightblue
Lightcoral
Lightcyan
Lightgoldenrodyellow
Lightgray
Lightpink
Lightsalmon
Lightseagreen
Lightskyblue
Lightslategray
Lightsteelblue
Lightyellow
Lime
Limegreen
Linen
Magenta
Maroon
Mediumaquamarine
Mediumblue
Mediumorchid
Mediumpurple
Mediumseagreen
Mediumslateblue
Mediumspringgreen
Mediumturquoise
Mediumvioletred
Midnightblue
Mintcream
Mistyrose
Moccasin
Navajowhite
Navy
Oldlace
Olive
Olivedrab
Orange
Orangered
Orchid
Palegoldenrod
Palegreen
Paleturquoise
Palevioletred
Papayawhip
Peachpuff
Peru
Pink
Plum
Powderblue
Purple
Red
Rosybrown
Royalblue
Saddlebrown
Salmon
Sandybrown
Seagreen
Seashell
Sienna
Silver
Skyblue
Slateblue
Slategray
Snow
Springgreen
Steelblue
Tan
Teal
Thistle
Tomato
Turquoise
Violet
Wheat
White
Whitesmoke
Yellow
Yellowgreen



However, you can also use Hex codes for a wider choice of colours. To do this, put in:

Code:

[color=#ffffff]


and

 
[/color]

Just change the letters and numbers to the Hexidecimal code you want.

Invisible Text
Type:

[color=transparent][/color]

,

[color=Gainsboro][/color]

, or

[color=DEDFDF]

for invisible text in posts. NOTE: "color=transparent" does NOT work for IE. In quotes, put

[color=LavenderBlush][/color]

Images
Sadly, you can't upload images onto forums, but you can post a link to an Image URL:

[img]Link Here[/img]

Last edited by a1130 (2011-07-08 17:18:41)