ocular rewritten

I've noticed that a lot of the forums are clogged by duplicate topics and rejected suggestions. I think adding a non-skippable intro screen for new forum users that explains how to use the forums correctly would be beneficial to all Scratchers, new or old.

The screen would explain how to make a post, find out if your topic is a duplicate, check to see if your suggestion has been rejected, and more.

By educating new users in how to use the forums, we would get more organized forums.

VERY EARLY MOCKUP (not finished):

Welcome to the Discussion Forums, Username!

Here you can ask questions about Scratch, get updates from the Scratch Team, and more.

Each forum is for different posts, so be sure to check where yours should go before posting.
Announcements: only the Scratch Team can post here. Check here frequently for updates about Scratch, such as server downtime.
New Scratchers: if you are new to Scratch, say hello and introduce yourself here.
Help with Scripts: can't figure out how to fix a bug, or can't figure out how to code something at all? Ask for help here.
Project Ideas: Get inspiration for projects here.

Quantum1993 wrote:

I've noticed that a lot of the forums are clogged by duplicate topics and rejected suggestions.

What's wrong with that?

Za-Chary wrote:

Quantum1993 wrote:

I've noticed that a lot of the forums are clogged by duplicate topics and rejected suggestions.

What's wrong with that?

Agreed, that’s just people learning about the ways of the forums. Sometimes you just have to learn the harder way when you first start out, and that could be better than a tutorial.

Quantum1993 wrote:

I've noticed that a lot of the forums are clogged by duplicate topics and rejected suggestions.

you know some of those are coincidences, right?

Za-Chary wrote:

Quantum1993 wrote:

I've noticed that a lot of the forums are clogged by duplicate topics and rejected suggestions.

What's wrong with that?

Using the ‘Questions about Scratch’ forum as an example, let's say a user has a question, and posts it. Then, several other users accidentally posted questions that would fit better in ‘Help with Scripts.’ The original user has to wait longer, as they are either at the bottom of the first page, or on the second.

This screen would solve that problem by telling new users where certain posts go, resulting in less clutter and faster help for those who need it.

Barney_at_Bonels83 wrote:

Quantum1993 wrote:

I've noticed that a lot of the forums are clogged by duplicate topics and rejected suggestions.

you know some of those are coincidences, right?

Yes, but if we tell users how to check if someone has already posted about a topic, then there would be less necessary topics, and more important ones.

Quantum1993 wrote:

Using the ‘Questions about Scratch’ forum as an example, let's say a user has a question, and posts it. Then, several other users accidentally posted questions that would fit better in ‘Help with Scripts.’ The original user has to wait longer, as they are either at the bottom of the first page, or on the second.

Why can't they just bump their post? Note that it is not intended to get immediate answers in the forums.

Quantum1993 wrote:

Using the ‘Questions about Scratch’ forum as an example, let's say a user has a question, and posts it. Then, several other users accidentally posted questions that would fit better in ‘Help with Scripts.’ The original user has to wait longer, as they are either at the bottom of the first page, or on the second.

Adding on to Za-Chary’s post, people can just report those HwS posts to be moved to a better forum, and their question will eventually be resolved.

cactus-cacti wrote:

Quantum1993 wrote:

Using the ‘Questions about Scratch’ forum as an example, let's say a user has a question, and posts it. Then, several other users accidentally posted questions that would fit better in ‘Help with Scripts.’ The original user has to wait longer, as they are either at the bottom of the first page, or on the second.

Adding on to Za-Chary’s post, people can just report those HwS posts to be moved to a better forum, and their question will eventually be resolved.

Adding this screen would also result in the Scratch Team having to move less topics, as new users would known where everything goes.

also what about stickies

This should happen only in the main page of the forums though…

Goodness knows how many scratchers have stumbled upon the Announcements section (you only need to click View All, next to Scratch News to get there), I feel quite uncomfortable leading hundreds of Scratchers into the forums.

Otherwise, I think this should be implemented…

The_Blue_J wrote:

This should happen only in the main page of the forums though…

Goodness knows how many scratchers have stumbled upon the Announcements section (you only need to click View All, next to Scratch News to get there), I feel quite uncomfortable leading hundreds of Scratchers into the forums.

Otherwise, I think this should be implemented…

what do you mean? wouldn’t this only appear once a user had found out about the forums anyway?

cactus-cacti wrote:

The_Blue_J wrote:

This should happen only in the main page of the forums though…

Goodness knows how many scratchers have stumbled upon the Announcements section (you only need to click View All, next to Scratch News to get there), I feel quite uncomfortable leading hundreds of Scratchers into the forums.

Otherwise, I think this should be implemented…

what do you mean? wouldn’t this only appear once a user had found out about the forums anyway?

Some people might find the forums, and not know much about them.

dupe of https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/732849/ ?
edit: oh God i hate mobile ui it made me close 1 min open

among_us1w2 wrote:

dupe of https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/732849/ ?
edit: oh God i hate mobile ui it made me close 1 min open

Seems so.