ScratchStang

How do you think an alarm clock feels, meant to wake you up, yet it carries a snooze button: a built-in function to render it useless, a failure, a counterproductive feature.

Do you ever feel like that alarm clock? When you try so hard, but it feels like life was built to go against you? When you don't know what was wrong, but it all went wrong? And you begin to worry, is it just me? Do I carry a snooze button, that automatic, built-in failure?

We all fail. We all fail to meet our goals every now and then. But that alarm clock will keep trying, no matter how many times you hit that snooze button. It's a resilient, stubborn little machine. The snooze button may stop it for a minute, but a minute later, it's back up, ringing, alive and kicking.

Embrace your inner alarm clock. Own up to your past mistakes. But don't let them stop you from trying, from continuing to work towards your goals. Don't let one push of a button knock you down. One day, you'll rise and shine and accomplish your dreams.

—Stang

#midnightramble

Drawn by me on Piskel.

How do calculators calculate irrational values and trigonometric values? Is the calculator programmed with a giant table with all the values of, say, sine, and when you ask it for the sine of 5, it looks it up? Maybe, but what if you asked it something really weird, like the cos(-57/ln3.2) or e^2.74? It's irrational that a calculator would just happen to have all those numbers and their corresponding values stored inside. Besides, if it did, where would they even come from?

Calculators use something called a Taylor Polynomial to estimate values like those stated above. Let's see how it works.

First, let me show you something interesting. This is sine.

All graphing screenshots are of desmos.com

It really is.


Alright, alright, here's the trick: it's just zoomed in really close. If you notice the x and y values, they are all less than 1 away from zero.
So we can conclude that when x is really close to zero, y=x is a pretty dang good approximation of sin(x). When x is past 0.5 and -0.5, the two lines start diverging.


You can extend the boundaries of the approximation by firstly, finding the difference between the two functions.
Use the function y = sin(x) - x


Hmm... Look familiar?
It's -x^3 multiplied by some constant to make it wider. A fraction, you conclude. After some fiddling, you find out that -(1/6)*x^3 works pretty well. Let's see how far that brings our approximation to.


Pretty nice, pretty nice. Now, the accuracy starts tapering off around 1.0 instead of 0.5.

If you repeat the cycle of finding the difference and adding another chunk of math to the approximation, you'll end up with this nifty equation:



(Red is sine and purple is the sine approximation.)
You can get pretty far by finding the difference and using guess and check to find the best denominator, but it'll get pretty tedious. It would be really sweet if there was, say, a pattern.

Thankfully, there is one. Notice how the 3 corresponds to 6; 5, 120; 7, 5040; 9, 362880? It's factorials!

The Taylor Polynomial, what this estimation equation is called, follows this pattern:

From Wikipedia

• f(a) is the function
• f'(a) is the first derivative, f''(a) is the second, and so on
• a is where the polynomial is centered
• x is the value, plugged into f(x) that you want to find
• the closer x is to a (read: the closer the value you plug in is closer to where the polynomial is centered), the more accurate your approximation will be

{\displaystyle f(a)+{\frac {f'(a)}{1!}}(x-a)+{\frac {f''(a)}{2!}}(x-a)^{2}+{\frac {f'''(a)}{3!}}(x-a)^{3}+\cdots .}
You might be wondering why the sin(x) function we approximated in our example only has odd-powered x's and there is no (x-a).

That's because the "a" we used in the example was zero, so ever even-valued derivative of f at a is zero. In people speak, that means that sine is always zero at zero. And even-numbered derivatives (the second derivative, fourth derivative, and even no derivative aka zero) are always in sine, not cosine (which the odd-numbered derivatives are in which is why the numerator is always one in the example).

Since a = 0 in the example, (x-a) evaluates to simply x.

By the way, remember that this is an approximation! Use those squiggly approximation lines instead of the actual equal sign.

These squiggly lines. (Thanks, Wikipedia)

Anyway, that's the Taylor Polynomial, and it is used to approximate sine, cosine, tangent, e, and other "weird" math.

—Stang

"This image illustrates part of the Mandelbrot set fractal. Simply storing the 24-bit color of each pixel in this image would require 1.62 million bits, but a small computer program can reproduce these 1.62 million bits using the definition of the Mandelbrot set and the coordinates of the corners of the image. Thus, the Kolmogorov complexity of the raw file encoding this bitmap is much less than 1.62 million bits in any pragmatic model of computation." —Wikipedia

Most programming languages are relatively easy to read, such as a C#, or Javascript. However, not all languages are designed to be this Human-Readable. Such languages (Such as Jelly, Pyth, GolfCode, etc.) at first glance look like someone generated a random string of characters, such as this Pyth code:

WtQ=Q@,/Q2h*3QQQ

(Returns all Collatz Sequence numbers starting at Q)

However, programs written with these are rarely very long. This is certainly not by chance. Instead, these languages are designed for Code Golfing, a recreational competition to see who can write a program to get the desired output with the lowest Kolmogorov complexity. (No, that's not a Scifi show alien or something; it's the length of the program.)
Let's dissect and examine this Pyth code:

FNrZhTN 

First, the F at the start. This simply says "Start a For loop". Then make a Variable N. Set this F loop's range from Z to T, zero to ten. the "h" says include the ten in the range. Then print N.
It outputs: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Want to play with Pyth yourself? Here's online interpreter: http://pyth.herokuapp.com/ 

Enjoyed this article? Tell me at @Cyborus.

Thank you to @Cyborus for writing this insightful article! It is out first guest-written post. If you would like to be a guest writer, please contact Stang. 

One of various Raspberry Pi models.

Want to easily dabble in connecting code to hardware without dropping too much cash? Microcomputers are up to the task; they're portable, cheap and useful.

A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a microprocessor as its central processing unit (CPU). It includes a microprocessor, memory, and minimal input/output (I/O) circuitry mounted on a single printed circuit board.

 —Wikipedia

Two popular types of microcomputers are the Raspberry Pi and Micro:bits.


As shown above, a Raspberry Pi has numerous means of connection to another device to code on or interact with. Some models, like the Raspberry Pi 3, have a small touchscreen and can run operating systems such as Linux. The cheapest version, Raspberry Pi Zero, sells for an affordable $5.

Learn more about the Raspberry Pi on their official website.


Today I got the opportunity to listen to a guest speaker from Microsoft to learn about Micro:bits and how to code them. They can be used for a variety of activities thanks to their numerous sensors including a thermometer, moisture detector, accelerometer, and compass. It also features 25 LED lights in a 5x5 grid and two buttons.
In the UK, every year seven student is given a Micro:bit from Microsoft to learn to code.
You can buy a Micro:bit in the UK for roughly £13 (excluding batteries). Micro:bits will be sold internationally soon.

Learn more about the Micro:bit on this BBC website.
Check out the Micro:bit on their official website.
Code with a Micro:bit simulator here.

Both types of microcomputers can do even more with USB plugs, USB keyboards, and other extra hardware.

What do you think about microcomputers? Share your thoughts in the comments!

—Stang

PENgine is a pen-based engine that easily creates speed draws and line art picture music videos by recording x and y coordinates as the user draws so post-drawing modifications can be created.

Check out the project here.

It featured speed draws, PMVs, a drawing editor and a section on how it works.


The speed draws can be essentially at any speed and play out the drawing order and movements.

PMVs take a drawing and make it slightly wiggly but retain the general shape, producing a fun style that many animators enjoy using in PMVs. It save them time otherwise spent on redrawing a picture numerous times.

The drawing editor can be used to sample the program in the original project or to record drawings to display in PMVs or speed draws in remixes. It includes clear and undo buttons as well as a watch button to watch the speed draw (even in an unfinished drawing).

How It Works explains how to use the program. I created it with the intent of helping artists and animators save time; instead of capturing numerous images while they draw, the program will auto-record the process, skipping unnecessary undos and clears. Instead of redrawing an image, the program will generate random but quality wiggly renderings. This section also explains how to use the code to create the final product. Remixes on my side account have further information and are examples of what the finished product should look like.

A sequel to Pengine is being planned. It'll include color, eraser, thickness, layers and shade.

Last but not least, thank you for your support! PENgine was featured in the What the Community is Loving section on the front page a few days after release.

—Stang

I'm on Game Jolt now!


I create games using Game Maker: Studio and share them on Game Jolt. Currently, I have one game up called Toro's Adventure. It's dev log only for the public but I plan on handing out early access keys after developing the game more.

I shared a polished "website" project on Scratch where I post major updates (though not as detailed as the dev logs) such as the posting of a dev log, new games and giving out early access keys.

To support me, follow the game and like and comment on dev logs. Supporters will receive a shoutout on the project Notes and Credits as well as in the supporter's bar inside the project. Thanks everyone!
Note: Don't worry if you don't see your name right away! I will add it in soon.



Thanks again for your support!

—Stang

More than 30 Scratchers answered the question: What does your username mean and why did you choose it?



—Stang

How do projects get featured on the front page?

You can suggest projects to be featured in this studio: https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/4228481/

On the past iTopic Propose forum page for proposing features, Paddle2See, a Scratch Team member, wrote:

The Scratch Team wants to feature new projects that have not gotten enough attention. We are looking for your help. At this point we only want proposals from people who have full Scratcher accounts (not New Scratcher). Also, please no proposals from family members. Thanks :)

There are also some rules:

Please note that proposing a project does not mean we will feature it, we are only looking for suggestions. These are the kind of things we're looking for:
1. simple projects
2. complex projects
3. projects that show an innovative use of Scratch
4. project that promote collaboration and remixing
5. projects that show the diversity in our community (gender, age, culture, country, interests, etc)
6. project that different kinds of people would find enjoyable
7. projects that inspire

A project CANNOT be submitted if it…
1. was created by you. This means that you CANNOT submit your project.
2. was created by someone whose project(s) have been on the front page already in the last two months (excluding Newest projects or Design Studio)
3. has received more than 100 love its already.
4. has violence including weapons, hurting animals or people
5. contains language inappropriate for all ages
6. is a copy of a commercial game or story, it's OK if it is inspired by though
7. has been on the front page already (excluding Newest projects or Design Studio) 8. doesn't work well online 

One of the most important rules is that you can not request yourself to be featured. However, some people have put a little blurb on their projects saying "If you liked this game feel free to request it to be featured at https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/198735/". It is allowed and some project have even gotten featured that way.

In addition to projects, you can also request studios to be featured there too. You can even suggest your own!

I hope that helped. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below.

—Stang

Are you interested in a job related to programming? If so, you're in luck because computer science is a top paying college degree and the amount of computing jobs are growing extremely fast.

According to percentage estimates of computer science related jobs in STEM career groups from Computer Science Online, the main career categories in this field are:

1. Software Development (32%) — programming, testing and bug fixing applications and framework for a software product. 
2. Security (3%) 
3. Systems Analysis (15%) — study an activity through mathematical means (for example, observing data) to define its goal and purpose to discover methods to efficiently accomplish them. 
4. Database Administration (2%) — store and organize data. 
5. Support Specialist (14%) — provide help and advice related to technology. 
6. Network and Systems Administration (7%) — organize, install and support an organization's computer systems. 
7. Other (1%)

Note: the percentages add up to 74% because 74% of STEM related careers are in computing. 


Although that website contains most of the necessary basic info about computer science jobs, I know there's one job most of you are interested in: video game design. After all, most of you found this blog from Scratch.


According to Creative Skillset, the jobs field can be split into 17 categories. Click on the link to read descriptions, discover requirements and learn more.

1. Animator
2. Assistant Producer
3. Audio Engineer
4. Creative Director
5. DevOps Engineer
6. External Producer
7. Game Designer
8. Game Programmer
9. Games Artist
10. Lead Artist
11. Lead Programmer
12. Level editor
13. Narrative Copywriter
14. Product Manager
15. Project Manager/Producer
16. QA Tester
17. Technical Artist

The website also contains info about ways to get into the industry, real life stories, other useful links and.the games industry (however, the infographic data is not international).

Thanks for reading! I hope you found this article helpful.

—Stang

This blog has undergone some major redesign, starting with a new template and format. The standard Blogger template has been switched out for a special template from online by pasting in the new source code and tweaking it a bit. Credits for the template designer can be found at the bottom of the page. (Many thanks to the creator!)

I've also unpublished all 108 posts and started anew. However, I'll be republishing old posts again.
I'll have to do some minor editing, unfortunately, since the new template staggers the posts strangely if the images aren't the same size.

Old pages are being replaced as well. Sadly the text adventure, The Forest, is no longer around, but the new pages will be a ton more useful; they'll showcase my projects, contacts on other websites and an about section. The Tutorials page was merely links back then so it'll be converted to a post for now and might be uploaded again later, after the addition of pictures and GIFs.

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on the redesign and fresh new start!

—Stang

Hey guys! Ever thought about monetizing your games? You can upload your Scratch games on Game Jolt, an indie game platform, and people can buy your games. (Note: Game Jolt currently only allows games. Other types of projects are no allowed.)

An old Scratch user, OmnipotentPotato, created a topic on Game Jolt about how to upload your game. However, you first have to make sure you have a text file program on your computer that can save as a ".html"; most computers with Windows 8 or higher have it.

Click here to see the tutorial post.

~ScratchStang

I posted "How do you get ideas for projects?" on my profile and the previous interview. Here are the responses! :)


I don't have a quote for this mass interview because I recently wrote a post on how to get ideas. Click here to read it!

"Getting ideas for projects is actually quite hard, even if I'm the guy who gets inspiration from nearly everything. For games, just backgrounds, environments etc. For animations, music, lyrics, my own feelings, when I'm on the Internet etc. Usually I don't even know where I get these ideas from, like you see something and it triggers an idea from your subconsciousness?"
@cl0450

"Helping around and shop requests, but I also find a guide on the Raspberry Pi website and use it with my pi."
@banana439monkey

"I get ideas from the community around me and everyday life. What I really enjoy is when I get a totally random idea and just need to start working on it."
@Wahsp

"I really get ideas from scratchers who do cool things! A simple project such as, a chicken shooter, may give me great ideas! Just scratchers in general may give me ideas too! If I was to go to Driftersheep's profile, I would get good pixel ideas! If I were to go to Dragofish's I would get castle ideas."
@Vilix

"I get ideas by looking at popular games on the app store and seeing if I could make a similar game. If that does not work, I see what is popular on Scratch and plan my next game around it. Also, in my everyday life, I look around and see if I can find any new material for a game. Bouncing your idea off other Scratchers also helps..."
@RacingHans

"I get ideas by lots of things. Let's see, books, ads, real-life games, and lots of others. Sometime it's art that pops in my head, sometimes it's a game, and sometimes it's an animation."
@ Helveticaz 

"I have no idea how I get ideas. Maybe I can make an idea machine that thinks up ideas for the idea-less. Now there's an idea. (Reading and drawing a lot and generally just having an active imagination is great, but if you aren't naturally disposed toward that, try this: http://www.insanityjam.com/idea/ )"
@-TotallyEpic- 
Note: The link is really, really cool.

"I get ideas many ways. I can get ideas by thinking about what has happened to me, or some projects on Scratch I saw or made, or comments in projects."
@sushi77 

"I get ideas either from looking at other projects, or when something just pops into my mind."
@JBGT (@Tildo)

"I get ideas when I think about events in real life, or when I see a game I really like. I ask myself; "Is there a way to make it even better?" and make it. But, I never seem to finish it."
@EinsteinFans123

Thank you everyone who participated! We had a lot less respondents this time because I didn't ask around the community. However, I hope you all enjoyed reading this. If you have another method, feel free to comment below!

Thanks for reading, scratch on!

~ScratchStang

Flat design is a cool design style so here's a quick overview of it.

According to Wikipedia:

"Flat design is a style of interface design emphasizing minimum use of stylistic elements that give the illusion of three dimensions (such as the use of drop shadows, gradients or textures) and is focused on a minimalist use of simple elements, typography and flat colors."

In people-talk it's flat, generally simple and has no ambient shadows. Shadows have a gradient (they fade from one color to another) or are hard (a solid color). Flat design is useful because it removes all the clutter and cuts to the chase. It efficiently conveys info and looks great, too.

Here's some examples of flat design.


Flat design is commonly used in icons and logos.


It also looks great on websites.


In addition, it can be applied to games!


Thanks for reading! I hope this provided helpful insight or sparked your interest in flat design. Scratch on!

~ScratchStang

Run out of ideas for projects? Here's five tips to naturally think of creative ideas.

1. Fix a Problem
Had an annoying problem that you want to fix? You can make a funny animation about it if others can relate or remake it to show how to fix the problem. For example, one day I had the urge to play Minecraft but it kept crashing on me so I tried remaking it and ended up with a 3D building project.

2. What if?
Ever had any crazy ideas you wanted to share with the world? Now you can!

3. Challenge yourself
Instead of a boring old one-leveled fighting game why not make one with ten levels? Or fifty? A hundred? Challenge yourself to make epic, large-scale projects you'll be proud of. Or, if you see something you think is cool, like an OS, you can challenge yourself to make one but in your own style.


4. Dreams
Dreams can provide crazy ideas your conscious mind wouldn't have thought of.

5. Try something new
Try playing a new game, a new art style or activity. Sitting around purposely trying to force out ideas doesn't work well. Let the ideas come naturally. A new experience might just inspire your next great project idea! However, sometimes ideas can come from old things too, like favorite childhood toy or activity.

Also, Orteil's Game Idea Generator is a great website too! Check it out here.

Remember, it's fine if your project strays from the original plan. You might have to change some parts to fit and it might turn out better than expected!

How do you get ideas for project and what are your ideas? Comment below!

Thanks for reading, scratch on!

—Stang

What's it like to take a two-week, self-imposed break from an addiction?

Recently I took a two week break from Scratch to focus on school since final exams were right around the corner. At first I had a lot of trouble staying off Scratch. For the first few days, I still browsed around since the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) was really getting to me but I managed to restrain myself from commenting. After not being present on the site for a few days, I began to care less in a good way. I realized every petty thing isn't important. Despite minimal browsing and thinking about it, I stayed off Scratch for the next few weeks. Near the end, when I knew school was ending, I actually "sneaked" on (even though it was self-imposed) and animated a few things.

It was interesting to take a step back and see how the community was as a whole when I wasn't focused on replying to messages or merely what people I was following or close to were doing. This part is kind of self-centered but it was also interesting seeing who came back to visit my profile or say they missed me. (I wrote that I was busy on my What I'm Working On.)

To be honest, despite missing the community, it was nice to get this new experience. Unless you're super-humanly appreciative, doing the same thing over and over get tedious over time and you develop an immunity to the joys or woes it brings. Two weeks isn't that long so I returned to my original routine pretty quick but it was new and maybe even eye-opening.

Taking the break also gave me more time to think. On Scratch I felt a pressure to force out a new, creative project every week. Some weeks I had ideas. Some I didn't. (Thankfully I make one or two projects ahead of time, shhhh....) On my break, I didn't feel the pressure and ideas came naturally. They're very different from what I usually make but that's alright. I'm open to change. I just hope everyone else enjoys it too; I recently got into animating and, feeling comfortable with making games, decided to focus my attention and motivation on something new. I came up with some OCs which I got pretty carried away with and developed personalities, names, fears, likes, personalities and secrets. So watch out for an upcoming series. As you'll see soon, they're pretty detailed so I might turn them into comics or short animations.

I've taken a few breaks before this but none as long. All in all it was a new experience that paid off in the end. (The exams went very well.)

Anyway, thanks for reading! Stay tuned and scratch on!

—Stang

Hey everyone, I released my new project, Live Streaming TV! It's a collaboration with Geocashing and 8 other animators. The same animation shows up on every single device playing the project at the same time.

Click here to check it out!

—Stang

Here is the next installment of the Mass Interview Series! Numerous Scratchers shared their biggest goal on Scratch, which ranged from being featured to inspiring others.
Here are over thirty quotes.

"My biggest goal? Hmm that's a hard question, considering that I'll always be improving and moving forward, finding new goals to reach. My biggest goal on Scratch is probably to have such a large impact on the community that I will be remembered positively for a long time. I want to inspire others and bring joy to their lives. I want to be the reason why someone joined, decided to learn programming or try something new. I want to do something big. I want to positively influence numerous lives."

@ScratchStang

"My biggest goal in Scratch is to inspire as many people as I can. That may sound a little cheesy, but I believe that if I inspire one person to create a great project then they may inspire other people who inspire other people and so on. Anyone can create an amazing project if they just have the inspiration to do it. Anyway, that's my biggest goal on Scratch"

@CloudySkies

"Getting featured would be great but it's not about the amount of views or followers I amass. I think a lot of people forget that scratch was created not as a popularity site as whoever has the most amount of followers is the most respected and the best. It was created to give the feeling I can make anything that anyone else on this website can make if I put my time and effort into this. Now it might take a couple of tries (Look at my projects how they have evolved my first one is so bad lol). My goal on scratch has already been reached honestly. To make peoples eyes go wide and know that I amazed or inspired someone is great! That person might have clicked see inside and from that understood and learned and is now off and making there own games. It is a great feeling a hard one to describe but yeah to say what are my goals that is about it."

@EJTgames

"Hmm...well, to be honest, I don't exactly have a big "goal" for scratch? I really just wanna make funny little videos (and sometimes AMV's or more serious ones) and post my art and stuff, and once the time comes later on, I hope to go on to art college and once that happens I don't know if I'll have time for scratch anymore...although scratch is really special to me, so hopefully I'll find a way where I'll have time to keep doing it...I don't know..."

@PlZZAZZ

"My biggest goal in programming is to create a fully functional artificial intelligence with a slick interface and cute vector design. I've already been featured but still I have hopes of one day making an Artificial intelligence."

@Chameleon20

"My biggest goal is to be happy and helpful on Scratch. I like to try and make Scratch a better place to be."

@syang19

"My biggest goal in Scratch is to become an FPC and to get an episode of The Wand featured! And to become a front page curator, or get featured. Something like that."

@D_i_a_v_l_o

"I first saw Scratch browsing on the internet. It was 2 years ago. I found some people named "scratchU8" and "WazzoTV". They were my inspirations. After 2 or 1 year(s) of looking at projects, I wanted to make my own! Soon, StoneHedgehog15 was born. I was on scratch for 7 months. After having 365 projects, I wanted to change my name and stuff. That's when I came in. I haven't shared as much as my old account, but I'm still a old pro. That's my Scratch story."

@-_Thunder_-

"My biggest goal in programming is...well either to make an iOS game/app (that'll hopefully go viral...? Ok, never mind) and a DAW that'll be cheap, easy to use and professional."

@Tildo

"For Scratch I just wanna have fun, for programming, I wanna make some game I have come up with already that Scratch probably cant handle (cause they're 1st person 3D and stuff)."

@djherm2

"My goal in Scratch Programming is to get better!"

@makethebrainhappy

"To be as good as my mentors, You, Griffpatch, Ceebee, etc, etc."

@frenchornboy

"Yeah... just one, err... Top Loves."

@A-KouZ1

"I create many different projects in scratch but mostly in the form of drawings and my main goal is to make people smile with them. I draw things as gift to people I love, to show my appreciation, and giving inspiration for others. In short, my goal is to spread happiness in scratch as scratch gave me the happiness to express my feelings."

@Rosyda

"I would love getting featured or becoming an SDS curator, but that's not my biggest goal on Scratch. My biggest goal on Scratch is to inspire other scratchers to program and be proud of their work. Another big goal of mine is to have 1000+ followers, because that shows how much my hard work has payed off. Overall, I would like to be a role-model for other scratchers and to have 1000+ followers."

@SimplyUnliked

"I started scratch nearly 3 years ago with the help of @LionScratch- and made an account called @JacobLOLZ44. I then switched to a different account; @BananaMan444TV- and then I really changed. My art improved drastically, and I was very happy with my take on Scratch there. But then I moved again- to this account. I made a few animations, and then at 300 followers- without saying anything- I left. For over a year. ......... Then I decided to come back- and I re-shared a project that I had started before I left; Oreo. I finished the project- and had it up for a few days. Then- a couple people said "this is featured" and at the time I didn't know what that meant, but then I go onto the Scratch homepage- AND THERE IT IS! MESSAGES COME IN LIKE CRAZY - AND IT ULTIMATELY REACHES 10000+ FAVORITES!!! So I would say that is my biggest accomplishment on Scratch- getting Oreo featured. The rest is just project making history."

@FunnyAnimatorJimTV

"To get prepared for my future career as a computer programmer!"

@fireaction2001

"My biggest goal; personality: gentle, helpful, respectable; model: ScratchStang. Programming: 3D image, a nice long adventure game, etc. Model: ScratchStang. I'm not kidding."

@EinsteinFans123

"Leveling up my computer programming skills. That's now a bit now leaning to learn lots about Scratch, and give it back to Scratchers. (via the forums)"

@Econinja

"My biggest goal on Scratch is to meet as many people as possible, and I love working in the SDS so being a curator would be amazing."

@ellielocks

"My biggest goal would be to become a SDS Curator and a FPC."

@rainbow_waves

"To meet people on Scratch and become a senpai/mentor for someone. To someday become an SDS curator."

@Starflyer

"Become FPC!"

@-Coralreef-

"My biggest goal is to become Front Page Curator! I've actually applied 3+ times, so it's really important for me."

@cs96871

"My biggest goal on scratch is to be like Griffpatch and as boss as you! I would like to be like you and Griffpatch because all those followers would inspire me to make more interesting projects! I would also like to be a part of the Scratch Team because I have never been on a team for scratch before. But it would also be cool if I could be featured though! My 1 big goal in Scratch is to get 50 followers! 37 to go!"

@wghenry

"My biggest goal on scratch is to become as good as you (ScratchStang) and Unrealisation. I'm preparing for a future programming career, I already take camps. I have gone to MSU, Hope college, and this summer I'm going to university of Michigan for a java scripting camp."

@TylerHosman

"My biggest goal has to be having my animations be recognized enough in order to be used as an inspiration to other people."

@Jabox

"Probably earning enough experience with animation to earn me a well-paying job later on in my life."

@BIazeheart

"I'd have to say getting to be an SDS curator, or maybe helping out in the community some other way."

@SquiggleStudios

"Well, I guess my biggest goal on Scratch would probably be to just inspire those around me and keep the site together, I guess! Cheesy as it sounds, that's all I've really wanted to do!"

@XxwarriorwolfgirlxX

"My biggest goal... probably getting featured, as long as it's a project I'm really proud of and want people to see."

@Paperclips


Thanks everyone for participating! These goals are all amazing and will inspire us and many others to learn and scratch on.

If you haven't been interviewed twice yet, feel free to participate in the next one! Just answer:

How do you get ideas for projects?

You can answer it in the comments below (please say your username) or on my Scratch profile. Check out the series page for past interviews!

Thanks for reading, scratch on!

~ScratchStang

Here are the pros and cons of moving accounts.

Pros:

1. Fresh new start
2. If you had too many followers to be curated, now you have a chance to get curated again, plus your followers will come back too
3. Honestly not much else; this post is pretty biased since I don't like it

Many people have been asking the Scratch Team to create a previous costume block or drop-down menu option but they have not created it. Why? Because it can be solved using just two additional blocks.

Just do this:


If you can not read it because you translated the page or due to other reasons, it is [switch costume to (costume # - 1)].

Thanks to @DadOfMrLog for discovering/publicizing the method!

Hope that was helpful, thanks for reading and scratch on!

—Stang