• thread/topic: Forums are divided into what we call “threads” or “topics”. These topics also have their own subject, which you can talk about. You can create a new topic by pressing the “New Topic” button in the top right corner.
  
• reply: Forums wouldn't be forums without replies. To reply to a topic, simply scroll to the button and type what you want in the text box. Press submit once you've finished. Also called “posts”, these make up the backbone of forums, and are the basis of discussion. Feel free to reply below :)
  
• original post/original poster/OP: This can refer to either the first post in a topic, or the person who created the topic. This is usually shortened to OP.
  
• stickied/pinned topic: If the Scratch Team find a topic noteworthy, they may “sticky” or “pin” it. This means that it permanently stays at the top of whatever forum it is in, until it is unstickied/unpinned (see below).
  
• closed/locked topic: When a topic is closed/locked, it will turn gray, and normal users can no longer reply. This is usually because the topic has already been solved, or it created large amounts of spam or necrodiscussing (see below)
  
• spam: Any post or comment of any kind that is essentially useless is called spam. Easy enough, eh?
  
• blockspam: Same as above, but this time you're spamming with Scratchblocks. This means you're using Scratchblocks for no good reason.
  
• bumping a topic: if a thread gets no replies, it will fall down deeper into the forums to make way for more active topics. “Bumping” a topic means replying something like “bump” to send it back to the top of the forum, so that (hopefully) new discussion will be sparked.
  
• necropost: As said, inactive topics generally fall deep into the forums. However, if those topics are no longer relevant/resolved and someone bumps it back up, it's called a necropost. The name is related to necromancy (raising the dead), so essentially you're reviving a long dead post that has either been solved or is outdated. “Necrodiscussions” is where everybody discusses on a necropost.
  
• resolved: Once a topic becomes solved (meaning the question or idea of the OP is answered), it basically becomes a “resolved” post. That means that there isn't much reason to post there anymore. Continuing to discuss isn't against the rules if it's constructive, though (see below).
  

• don't post personal information about yourself or someone else (also against the Community Guidelines)
  
• don't spam
  
• try to avoid necroposting unless what you have to say is constructive, or helps the discussion (necroposts generally don't apply to pinned topics, or those in Announcements or Suggestions, but still please keep it constructive)
  
• stay on topic (this is not a free for all, so make sure you post in the correct forums and try to avoid talking about something completely unrelated; make another thread for that)
  
• don't troll (it's when you basically break the rules for no reason)
  
• posting in ALL CAPS is considered shouting in the Internet (YES. AVOID POSTING IN FULL CAPS IF YOU CAN, BUT THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE – THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS, THOUGH)
  
• don't insult others or create flame wars (a flame war is where everyone gets into a rather heated argument, often involving inappropriate words)
  
• don't advertise (you may advertise your projects, studios, and contests in the show and tell forums, and your signatures, though; see below for information on signatures)
  
• avoid misquoting anyone (essentially when you quote someone wrong)
  
• TL;DR, treat others how you want to be treated.
  

• There is a “report” button in the bottom right corner of every post. However, that button seems to have been repurposed into a “Contact Scratch Team about this post” button, so use that in case you need to talk to the ST about a post. You can use it to report posts that were bad, or you can use to to also request that the ST close a post (to prevent spam or necroposts), to request that a post be stickied, to request that a post be moved (if it's off topic), or for any other reasons you may need. I have reported this post so that the ST can sticky it.
  
• Keep in mind that New Scratchers have the following additional restrictions: they can't post images and they have to wait longer between posts than full Scratchers. They also can't edit posts once they leave the page (next point).
  
• To edit posts, you can click the “edit” button which is also in the bottom right corner. Scratchers may edit their posts whenever they want, but New Scratchers can only edit their posts if they don't leave the page.
  
• In many forums, a post count is usually place underneath the poster's details on the left. This signifies how many posts you have. The reason why your post count is not exact (if it's under 100) is to prevent bragging. You can go here to check your exact post count.
  
• Under every post you may sometimes find a grayed out line and then a bit of text that seems to be advertising. That's fine! That is called a signature and is one of the few places you can advertise. To make a signature, go to the forum hub and scroll all the way down; you'll come across a link in the bottom left corner that says “Change your signature”. It will get attached to the bottom of every post. I have a signature, see if you can find it!
  
• Try to avoid overusing Scratchblocks in signatures or posts. They have the potential to completely break someone's browser.
  
• Try to use your best English when using the main forums. This makes it easier for people to understand and allows them to help you to the fullest extent. Feel free to speak other languages in the language forums.
  
• The timed rules . . . Occasionally, the 120 second rule for New Scratchers gets increased for special events (such as the Hour of Code) to further prevent spam. Moderators and the ST have the 0 second rule.
  

G157 wrote:

How can I request this as a sticky?

• Don't miss-quote anyone.
  
• Use correct punctuation (Don't talk like this? It is really annoying?) and capitalization (This Is Hard To Read For Other People) if you can.
  
• Don't put lots of scratchblocks in you signature; it can crash the page if for people on weaker devices.
  
• An explanation for pages.
  
• An explanation for the 60 second rule.
  
  Edit: the last idea.

Dragonlord767 wrote:

Nice sticky! Are you the first new scratcher to get a sticky? I haven't seen one before.
I have a few suggestions for this list that you might want to consider:

• Don't miss-quote anyone.
  
• Use correct punctuation (Don't talk like this? It is really annoying?) and capitalization (This Is Hard To Read For Other People) if you can.
  
• Don't put lots of scratchblocks in you signature; it can crash the page if for people on weaker devices.
  
• An explanation for pages.
  
• An explanation for the 60 second rule.
  
  Edit: the last idea.

• 
  Would definitely. However, as a New Scratcher I will have to ask an ST to edit in those changes.
  
  Thank you for your suggestions!

EasterBunny691 wrote:

hi anyone that reads this can you please follow my and add projects to my candy studio please

EasterBunny691 wrote:

please follow me

• don't advertise (you may advertise your projects, studios, and contests in the show and tell forums, and your signatures, though; see below for information on signatures)

ResExsention wrote:

EasterBunny691 wrote:

hi anyone that reads this can you please follow my and add projects to my candy studio please

Wait… The guide said you weren't supposed to advertise randomly. Please don't.

@Dragonlord767, I've reported my post to have the edits added, however I don't think the explanation of pages will be needed; it isn't specific to Scratch and is a large topic on it's own. Sorry. I reported to add the rest, though.

--Snowball-- wrote:

Wow, great guide!

--Snowball-- wrote:

--Snowball-- wrote:

Wow, great guide!

It definitely deserves the sticky!

EZ-Games wrote:

This is an amazing guide for New Scratchers! Nice job on getting a sticky BTW, you deserve it!

Troyer_Kem wrote:

And… Your post is sticky! Congrats!
(Also very great guide. Good job!)

AlpineRose wrote:

How do I add a signature to my posts?