Discuss Scratch
- Diamond_Projects
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
As someone pointed out, time zones would be a huge problem. I've suggested having a ‘Scratch time’ with a clock before, but people didn't like the ideaST says that they generally use the New York time zone for most things.
Anyway, tuba for the other block
Not surprisingly. MIT is in Massachusetts.
Last edited by Diamond_Projects (Oct. 1, 2014 01:33:32)
- lalala3
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
How would I do that without leaving the project on in my browser for every second of every day?Well, what if I want to make a time-limited cloud poll? Maybe if I want to code a special event into a game or something? A timer counting down until something important happens?Because if you want to set it to do something at a set time, you'd have to use a time zone converter to set it to Massachusetts time. But newer scratchers wouldn't know that, and it could easily get very confusing.Why?That's also true, but that, as others have said, brings up the problem of time zones.Scratch is presumably based somewhere in Massachusetts, so it's easier for them to use the New York time zone.As someone pointed out, time zones would be a huge problem. I've suggested having a ‘Scratch time’ with a clock before, but people didn't like the ideaST says that they generally use the New York time zone for most things.
Anyway, tuba for the other block
I don't like the idea of Scratch time. I prefer UTC time.
It's not like the block is cloud or anything.
No you won't. What's the point of doing that anyway? Besides, that's not the ONLY thing the block does.
You can use a cloud variable.
Last edited by lalala3 (Oct. 1, 2014 01:37:07)
- Diamond_Projects
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
How would I do that without leaving the project on in my browser for every second of every day?Well, what if I want to make a time-limited cloud poll? Maybe if I want to code a special event into a game or something? A timer counting down until something important happens?Because if you want to set it to do something at a set time, you'd have to use a time zone converter to set it to Massachusetts time. But newer scratchers wouldn't know that, and it could easily get very confusing.Why?That's also true, but that, as others have said, brings up the problem of time zones.Scratch is presumably based somewhere in Massachusetts, so it's easier for them to use the New York time zone.As someone pointed out, time zones would be a huge problem. I've suggested having a ‘Scratch time’ with a clock before, but people didn't like the ideaST says that they generally use the New York time zone for most things.
Anyway, tuba for the other block
I don't like the idea of Scratch time. I prefer UTC time.
It's not like the block is cloud or anything.
No you won't. What's the point of doing that anyway? Besides, that's not the ONLY thing the block does.
You can use a cloud variable.
Ohhh… maybe if I suggested a when () = () block.
Last edited by Diamond_Projects (Oct. 1, 2014 01:41:22)
- Scratchifier
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
during a random moment :: events hat
How would it define how random? The work around is actually pretty simple.
when it's ():():() [AM v] :: events hat
Hmm, could be useful to make personal alarm clocks!
But other than that, I don't see much of a use without complicating things a bit… Just make it UTC-0 for the timezone, and that could work. (Although also a little bubble next to that, considering that I don't even know when that is. XD)(current [time v])
Yeah, that could be good. Same timezone as previous block, and I'd like it…

So basically, support for second two if you change a few things around.

Last edited by Scratchifier (Oct. 1, 2014 01:56:11)
- Diamond_Projects
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
during a random moment :: events hat
How would it define how random? The work around is actually pretty simple.when it's ():():() [AM v] :: events hat
Hmm, could be useful to make personal alarm clocks!But other than that, I don't see much of a use without complicating things a bit… Just make it UTC-0 for the timezone, and that could work. (Although also a little bubble next to that, considering that I don't even know when that is. XD)
(current [time v])
Yeah, that could be good. Same timezone as previous block, and I'd like it…
So basically, support for second two if you change a few things around.
The workaround ITSELF is simple but if you make that “…” complicated, then it's better to have the hat.
What little bubble?
P.S. Thx for supporting!!! (well, kind of supporting.)
Last edited by Diamond_Projects (Oct. 1, 2014 02:03:16)
- Diamond_Projects
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
Ok, ok, now, I don't think a New Scratcher will understandIt's not really all that complicated. In terms of complexity, it's at most around the level of doing arithmetic with multiple-digit numbers. It's just mindlessly following an easy step-by-step process that pretty much everyone over the age of 5 should know how to do, but gives off the illusion of complexity because people find it hard to grasp the difference between “tedious” and “difficult”. If someone can't figure out something as straightforward as that, then s/he needs to develop the critical thinking skills to do so. Programming, whether in Scratch or any other language, is all about this stuff, from top to bottom.when green flag clickedOr
forever
...
wait (pick random (... :: grey) to (... :: grey)) secs
endwhen green flag clickedNot if it's too complicated. That's why I think we should have these:
forever
if <(join (join (join (join (current [hour v]) [:]) (current [minute v])) [:]) (current [second v])) = (time :: grey)> then
...
wait until <not <(join (join (join (join (current [hour v]) [:]) (current [minute v])) [:]) (current [second v])) = (time :: grey)>>
end
endduring a random moment :: events hatThey're a lot simpler
when it's ():():() [AM v] :: events hat
(current [time v])
Ok, too overwhelming.
- stickfiregames
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
No support for the first two, but support for current time
I also support having global time blocks. Here are some ideas:
The dropdown for the last one would have numbers and descriptions, like the point in direction block:
during a random moment :: events hat // too ambiguous/vague
when it's ():():() [AM v] :: events hat // use if <(current time) = ( )> instead
(current [time v]) // support, it would be easier than stringing together sensing blocks
// current time should be based on local time since all other current blocks are
I also support having global time blocks. Here are some ideas:
(Scratch time [hour v] :: sensing)
(UTC [hour v] :: sensing) // I would prefer this to Scratch time
(current [hour v] in UTC +(0 v) :: sensing) // This would have the most flexibility but might confuse people
The dropdown for the last one would have numbers and descriptions, like the point in direction block:
-12
-11
-10 Hawaii
-9 Alaska
-8 Pacific
...
- theonlygusti
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
I agree with
(current [time v]), but not with any of the others.
- TheHockeyist
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
-12
-11
-10 Hawaii
-9 Alaska
-8 Pacific
...
One problem. Daylight Saving Time.
- lalala3
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
Not really. Scratch just makes it look messy.Ok, ok, now, I don't think a New Scratcher will understandIt's not really all that complicated. In terms of complexity, it's at most around the level of doing arithmetic with multiple-digit numbers. It's just mindlessly following an easy step-by-step process that pretty much everyone over the age of 5 should know how to do, but gives off the illusion of complexity because people find it hard to grasp the difference between “tedious” and “difficult”. If someone can't figure out something as straightforward as that, then s/he needs to develop the critical thinking skills to do so. Programming, whether in Scratch or any other language, is all about this stuff, from top to bottom.when green flag clickedOr
forever
...
wait (pick random (... :: grey) to (... :: grey)) secs
endwhen green flag clickedNot if it's too complicated. That's why I think we should have these:
forever
if <(join (join (join (join (current [hour v]) [:]) (current [minute v])) [:]) (current [second v])) = (time :: grey)> then
...
wait until <not <(join (join (join (join (current [hour v]) [:]) (current [minute v])) [:]) (current [second v])) = (time :: grey)>>
end
endduring a random moment :: events hatThey're a lot simpler
when it's ():():() [AM v] :: events hat
(current [time v])
Ok, too overwhelming.
- Diamond_Projects
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
-12
-11
-10 Hawaii
-9 Alaska
-8 Pacific
...
One problem. Daylight Saving Time.
Uses your computer's time.
- Diamond_Projects
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
Not really. Scratch just makes it look messy.Ok, ok, now, I don't think a New Scratcher will understandIt's not really all that complicated. In terms of complexity, it's at most around the level of doing arithmetic with multiple-digit numbers. It's just mindlessly following an easy step-by-step process that pretty much everyone over the age of 5 should know how to do, but gives off the illusion of complexity because people find it hard to grasp the difference between “tedious” and “difficult”. If someone can't figure out something as straightforward as that, then s/he needs to develop the critical thinking skills to do so. Programming, whether in Scratch or any other language, is all about this stuff, from top to bottom.when green flag clickedOr
forever
...
wait (pick random (... :: grey) to (... :: grey)) secs
endwhen green flag clickedNot if it's too complicated. That's why I think we should have these:
forever
if <(join (join (join (join (current [hour v]) [:]) (current [minute v])) [:]) (current [second v])) = (time :: grey)> then
...
wait until <not <(join (join (join (join (current [hour v]) [:]) (current [minute v])) [:]) (current [second v])) = (time :: grey)>>
end
endduring a random moment :: events hatThey're a lot simpler
when it's ():():() [AM v] :: events hat
(current [time v])
Ok, too overwhelming.
Okay, too messy.
- Diamond_Projects
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
No support for the first two, but support for current timeduring a random moment :: events hat // too ambiguous/vague
when it's ():():() [AM v] :: events hat // use if <(current time) = ( )> instead
(current [time v]) // support, it would be easier than stringing together sensing blocks
// current time should be based on local time since all other current blocks are
I also support having global time blocks. Here are some ideas:(Scratch time [hour v] :: sensing)
(UTC [hour v] :: sensing) // I would prefer this to Scratch time
(current [hour v] in UTC +(0 v) :: sensing) // This would have the most flexibility but might confuse people
The dropdown for the last one would have numbers and descriptions, like the point in direction block:-12
-11
-10 Hawaii
-9 Alaska
-8 Pacific
...
Well, kind of. If we have
if <key [ v] pressed?> then, then why do we need
end
when [ v] key pressed?
Last edited by Diamond_Projects (Oct. 2, 2014 00:23:36)
- lalala3
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
Fair enough.Not really. Scratch just makes it look messy.Ok, ok, now, I don't think a New Scratcher will understandIt's not really all that complicated. In terms of complexity, it's at most around the level of doing arithmetic with multiple-digit numbers. It's just mindlessly following an easy step-by-step process that pretty much everyone over the age of 5 should know how to do, but gives off the illusion of complexity because people find it hard to grasp the difference between “tedious” and “difficult”. If someone can't figure out something as straightforward as that, then s/he needs to develop the critical thinking skills to do so. Programming, whether in Scratch or any other language, is all about this stuff, from top to bottom.when green flag clickedOr
forever
...
wait (pick random (... :: grey) to (... :: grey)) secs
endwhen green flag clickedNot if it's too complicated. That's why I think we should have these:
forever
if <(join (join (join (join (current [hour v]) [:]) (current [minute v])) [:]) (current [second v])) = (time :: grey)> then
...
wait until <not <(join (join (join (join (current [hour v]) [:]) (current [minute v])) [:]) (current [second v])) = (time :: grey)>>
end
endduring a random moment :: events hatThey're a lot simpler
when it's ():():() [AM v] :: events hat
(current [time v])
Ok, too overwhelming.
Okay, too messy.
- Braeden5454
-
Scratcher
500+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
Eh, seems unessisary to add 3 new blocks simply because somebody doesn't know how to do things. Its kinda like making a block that says:
run 3d game.
- Diamond_Projects
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
Eh, seems unessisary to add 3 new blocks simply because somebody doesn't know how to do things. Its kinda like making a block that says:Eh, seems unessisary to add a new block simply because somebody doesn't know how to do things. Its kinda like making a block that says:run 3d game.
if on edge, bounce
Last edited by Diamond_Projects (Oct. 2, 2014 02:44:36)
- stickfiregames
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
No, it uses the server time, that was the point of my suggestion.-12
-11
-10 Hawaii
-9 Alaska
-8 Pacific
...
One problem. Daylight Saving Time.
Uses your computer's time.
That might be an issue for listing the time zones on the dropdown. The actual value of, say, UTC-12, wouldn't be affected by that.-12
-11
-10 Hawaii
-9 Alaska
-8 Pacific
...
One problem. Daylight Saving Time.
Last edited by stickfiregames (Oct. 2, 2014 07:04:08)
- Diamond_Projects
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
No, it uses the server time, that was the point of my suggestion.-12
-11
-10 Hawaii
-9 Alaska
-8 Pacific
...
One problem. Daylight Saving Time.
Uses your computer's time.That might be an issue for listing the time zones on the dropdown. The actual value of, say, UTC-12, wouldn't be affected by that.-12
-11
-10 Hawaii
-9 Alaska
-8 Pacific
...
One problem. Daylight Saving Time.
MY suggestion was the computer's time.
- stickfiregames
-
Scratcher
1000+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
MY suggestion was the computer's time.I know that, but TheHockeyist was quoting my post about a UTC block which I suggested because I thought it would be a good addition to this.
- lalala3
-
Scratcher
100+ posts
A Few Blocks about Time
I know, right? I think it's necessary that Scratch make sure that it doesn't have any unessisary blocks. That would be bad.Eh, seems unessisary to add 3 new blocks simply because somebody doesn't know how to do things. Its kinda like making a block that says:Eh, seems unessisary to add a new block simply because somebody doesn't know how to do things. Its kinda like making a block that says:run 3d game.if on edge, bounce
But the Scratch Team has stated that it's a lot of trouble adding and removing blocks, so they try to avoid it in favor of other things.
Last edited by lalala3 (Oct. 2, 2014 20:48:27)


ST says that they generally use the New York time zone for most things.





