apple502j/Comments to Za-Chary.txt

## Comments to Za-Chary.txt
Two questions; 1) do you think cloud data is "useful"? Previously there was more freedom about what we can do with cloud data, like sharing pixel arts or platformer levels - and most are now harder to make because of new rules about cloud data usage. I know it's hard to moderate, but there are some interesting movements that are going totally opposite - user-created websites. Recently they got rid of the registration part (which is great because lots of Japanese people there couldn't...

...understand it.) While the restrictions for the website are still the same, I feel like they are doing what you do with the cloud data. (Or is that just because Paddle was tired of checking all websites?) Also, links to websites that are for creative purpose (like YouTube) are allowed - despite not being as moderated as Scratch is. And what's the difference? Is it because it's an external website? I can understand that you need to moderate, but "providing another means for people to...

...communicate" is a strong phrase that will apply to most of the projects that use cloud data for things I mentioned above (like sharing platformer levels) - most of which are not as abused as "cloud chats". Scratch is a great platform - and it has three main principles: low floor, wide wall, high ceiling. While it's still possible to use cloud data for limited purposes, the ceiling is getting lower recently. And while some are reasonable, others are not - and that rule is (imo) one of the...

"others". If you don't allow chat website links and allow YouTube, then it still makes sense to ban "cloud chats" - but it does not make sense to restrict "providing another means for people to communicate freely" - such as sharing platfomer and playing others' creations. And yes I know saving code is possible - and I also know it won't work well on mobile. And I also understand that schools are one of the biggest customer for the Scratch platform, and we need low floor for that, and Scratch...

3.0 was exactly that. And we also know it's possible to mod Scratch. However, modded Scratch is not always an option - there are few options we can choose for modded Scratch platform, and making one is a pain. They also have different users, so the project may not be seen by those who visit Scratch but not the mod. Those projects that use cloud data are based on users interacting with it, of course. Scratch 2.0 (kinda) had that high ceiling - and it's going away. I'm afraid they'll ban...

...multiplayer games because the movement of the player can show inappropriate stuff - and then they could ban cloud highscore because of inappropriate numbers showing as scores - and if the Scratch Team is getting rid of all potential ways to exploit cloud data and send inappropriate stuff, it won't be a working feature, and because we do not know where the border is, we ourselves sometimes have to lower the ceiling, which is a big shame - but is happening. And something similar is happening...

...in the Advanced Topics forum too. Recently the browser extension policy was changed - without any obvious notice. I happened to go to that page, noticed Paddle edited it in May this year, re-read it, and found userstyles are added to the policy. And as a member of the AT community I know that (especially since the launch of Scratch 3.0) userstyles are common things. There are many creative userstyles including "2.0-style 3.0" or "dark mode" which is a popular suggestion. If I read it...

...correctly, it also disallows advertising "non-user generated browser extensions" - tell me if I'm wrong, but this is not a good thing. Yes I know there are bad extensions, but at least let me say the name of an adblocker. There are some ways that could allow password leakage using userstyles but I don't think that's why they banned it - and they didn't have to do that silently! The problem with Scratch is basically this: transparency. This explains most of the issues the community is...

 ...not happy about. You know the "stop false reporting" is still ongoing? and users complaining about not getting views. Scratch Team often says "go to Contact Us" or "we're working on it" - but not all of them have response. For example, you said you are investigating the "false reporting" but what was the result? We should be able to see what's going on inside the Scratch Team. Scratch statistics show how Scratch is growing, but not how the team is - maybe we can add "transparency reports"...

...or something, and it has number of censored comments and the type(spam, inappropriate, innocent) and number of bans, number of unbans and similar stuff. I kinda feel like the "false reporting" protest is like BlackLivesMatter - they are both "a protest against an overpowered team without transparency". And without proper response, this will spread and continue forever. Scratch is designed to be a community, not just a programming language - and it has something to do with other things...

...and it's people complaining about people leaving Scratch, and it makes sense - they either think the community is getting uncomfortable, or the ST is not worth trusting. And yes I know people leaving for other personal reasons, but they are also not uncommon. Schools actually work nicely with the situation. A lot of schools do not like the community aspect of the Scratch - how many teachers would teach students to play games, post comments and join the forums? And some users may discover...

...the community, and know the stuff around it, and leave - so "new users are coming too" is not a good reply to such issues. The Scratch Team should be constructive, be transparent, and discuss such issues with the community more in general. What do you think? Also, question 2: why do you recommend people to use Contact Us? Contact Us is kinda slow way to communicate with the Scratch Team, and while I understand some issues take some time to resolve, but issues like bans are not - especially...

...if the user themselves is complaining, not others. Is there any plans to hire another moderator for those stuff, or have some forum moderators handle those too?
	Two questions; 1) do you think cloud data is "useful"? Previously there was more freedom about what we can do with cloud data, like sharing pixel arts or platformer levels - and most are now harder to make because of new rules about cloud data usage. I know it's hard to moderate, but there are some interesting movements that are going totally opposite - user-created websites. Recently they got rid of the registration part (which is great because lots of Japanese people there couldn't...

	...understand it.) While the restrictions for the website are still the same, I feel like they are doing what you do with the cloud data. (Or is that just because Paddle was tired of checking all websites?) Also, links to websites that are for creative purpose (like YouTube) are allowed - despite not being as moderated as Scratch is. And what's the difference? Is it because it's an external website? I can understand that you need to moderate, but "providing another means for people to...

	...communicate" is a strong phrase that will apply to most of the projects that use cloud data for things I mentioned above (like sharing platformer levels) - most of which are not as abused as "cloud chats". Scratch is a great platform - and it has three main principles: low floor, wide wall, high ceiling. While it's still possible to use cloud data for limited purposes, the ceiling is getting lower recently. And while some are reasonable, others are not - and that rule is (imo) one of the...

	"others". If you don't allow chat website links and allow YouTube, then it still makes sense to ban "cloud chats" - but it does not make sense to restrict "providing another means for people to communicate freely" - such as sharing platfomer and playing others' creations. And yes I know saving code is possible - and I also know it won't work well on mobile. And I also understand that schools are one of the biggest customer for the Scratch platform, and we need low floor for that, and Scratch...

	3.0 was exactly that. And we also know it's possible to mod Scratch. However, modded Scratch is not always an option - there are few options we can choose for modded Scratch platform, and making one is a pain. They also have different users, so the project may not be seen by those who visit Scratch but not the mod. Those projects that use cloud data are based on users interacting with it, of course. Scratch 2.0 (kinda) had that high ceiling - and it's going away. I'm afraid they'll ban...

	...multiplayer games because the movement of the player can show inappropriate stuff - and then they could ban cloud highscore because of inappropriate numbers showing as scores - and if the Scratch Team is getting rid of all potential ways to exploit cloud data and send inappropriate stuff, it won't be a working feature, and because we do not know where the border is, we ourselves sometimes have to lower the ceiling, which is a big shame - but is happening. And something similar is happening...

	...in the Advanced Topics forum too. Recently the browser extension policy was changed - without any obvious notice. I happened to go to that page, noticed Paddle edited it in May this year, re-read it, and found userstyles are added to the policy. And as a member of the AT community I know that (especially since the launch of Scratch 3.0) userstyles are common things. There are many creative userstyles including "2.0-style 3.0" or "dark mode" which is a popular suggestion. If I read it...

	...correctly, it also disallows advertising "non-user generated browser extensions" - tell me if I'm wrong, but this is not a good thing. Yes I know there are bad extensions, but at least let me say the name of an adblocker. There are some ways that could allow password leakage using userstyles but I don't think that's why they banned it - and they didn't have to do that silently! The problem with Scratch is basically this: transparency. This explains most of the issues the community is...

	...not happy about. You know the "stop false reporting" is still ongoing? and users complaining about not getting views. Scratch Team often says "go to Contact Us" or "we're working on it" - but not all of them have response. For example, you said you are investigating the "false reporting" but what was the result? We should be able to see what's going on inside the Scratch Team. Scratch statistics show how Scratch is growing, but not how the team is - maybe we can add "transparency reports"...

	...or something, and it has number of censored comments and the type(spam, inappropriate, innocent) and number of bans, number of unbans and similar stuff. I kinda feel like the "false reporting" protest is like BlackLivesMatter - they are both "a protest against an overpowered team without transparency". And without proper response, this will spread and continue forever. Scratch is designed to be a community, not just a programming language - and it has something to do with other things...

	...and it's people complaining about people leaving Scratch, and it makes sense - they either think the community is getting uncomfortable, or the ST is not worth trusting. And yes I know people leaving for other personal reasons, but they are also not uncommon. Schools actually work nicely with the situation. A lot of schools do not like the community aspect of the Scratch - how many teachers would teach students to play games, post comments and join the forums? And some users may discover...

	...the community, and know the stuff around it, and leave - so "new users are coming too" is not a good reply to such issues. The Scratch Team should be constructive, be transparent, and discuss such issues with the community more in general. What do you think? Also, question 2: why do you recommend people to use Contact Us? Contact Us is kinda slow way to communicate with the Scratch Team, and while I understand some issues take some time to resolve, but issues like bans are not - especially...

	...if the user themselves is complaining, not others. Is there any plans to hire another moderator for those stuff, or have some forum moderators handle those too?