New scratchers are often unsure about how the ★ and ♥ buttons work and what they mean.
Well, this post is for you!

Nice Job

If you find a project that you like and would like to let the author know that they've done a nice job, click the ♥ button below the project window. This will turn the heart from gray (indicating that you don't like it) to red (indicating that you like it).

Think of this as giving a project a “thumbs up”.

It costs you nothing to like a project and will really make the day a little nicer for the author of that project.


I Want to See This Again

If you find a project that you like so much that you would like to see this project again, click the ★ button below the project window. This will turn the star from gray (indicating that you've seen enough) to gold (indicating that you'd like to see this project again).

Think of this as bookmarking a page in your favorite book.

This will put a link to this project on your profile page so that you can easily find the project again.


I Want LOTS of People To See Your Project

If you think so much of a project that you'd like lots of people to see it, do NOT remix the project. Remixing a project is for when you want to improve an existing project. Many new scratchers make the mistake of remixing a project they love and simply removing the original author's name and replacing it with their own. This is a quick way to get yourself into trouble with the community and the moderators.

If you just want people to see an existing project, create a studio and add the project to your studio. You can easily create a studio on your profile page. Once created, go to the project page and click the “Studio” link below the project window. Then, follow the prompts to add that project to one of your studios.


I Have Something to Say

Another way you can interact with the project author is to leave a comment message on the project itself. Maybe you have a question on how the project works, or maybe you'd like to let the author know how much you like their project, or maybe you'd like to suggest improvements to the project. Whatever the case, just try to be positive in the comments left on the project understanding that everyone will be able to read those comments.

Just remember that it is considered rude to post a link to one of your own projects in the comments of someone else's project. That's called ‘spamming’ and will likely get reported to a moderator or simply deleted.


I Love ALL Your Projects

If you have a comment that you wish to send to the author directly that doesn't pertain to a specific project, you should consider posting that comment to the author's profile page. Simply click the author's name and you will be taken to their profile page.

Again, it is not appropriate to post a link to your own projects on another author's profile. If they are curious about you, they'll naturally click on your name and check out your projects.


When You Post Another Project, I Want to Know

If you are a fan of someone, you can get an alert whenever they post a new project. Just visit their profile and click the “Follow” button near the top of the screen. When they post a new project, you'll see a notification message on your main screen. Click the project and you'll be one of the first people to see the new project and the whole process starts again!


But, I Really Want You to Check Out My Project

There are several places where posting a link to one of your projects is acceptable…

• Studios - If you would like the studio owner to include your project in their studio, it is perfectly acceptable to post a message in that studio requesting the studio owner check out your project. Just don't over do it. One or two project links are fine. Ten is probably too much. Also, be sure your project would actually fit into that studio's theme.
  
• Forum Signature - You may place links to your projects in your forum signature. (See mine, below, as an example.)
  
• Show and Tell - If you want to let LOTS of people know about your project, post a message about your project in the Show and Tell forum. You may want to include reasons why someone would want to view your project and a screenshot (if you can). Here are instructions on how to add a screenshot to your post.
  

Final Words

Remember that you can combine many of these together. For example, you may click both the ★ and ♥ buttons, add the project to a studio, and leave the author a message. Mix and match the level of feedback to how much you like the project.

I hope this guide is helpful to you. If any section needs clarification, or you want to give me other feedback, post below and I'll read it.

Thanks, and Scratch On!
 

Love this! I'll report this to be stickied.

Very handy guide! Might be nice to add something about following and followers too

Thepuzzlegame wrote:

Very handy guide! Might be nice to add something about following and followers too

Great idea!

I've added it.

Very helpful! I'm not sure that many New Scratchers will know how to include a screenshot in a Show and Tell post though. Maybe link to a project or topic that shows them how? Or, perhaps tone down the language from “be sure to include” to something like “for maximum effectiveness, include”

Thanks, Paddle2See. I've modified the Show and Tell section as requested.

 
How to Add a Screenshot to your Post

First, go to your profile page (in a new tab) and change your featured project to the one you want to use for a screenshot.

Second, right-click on the project's image and choose “Copy link address” (this is for the Chrome browser, your browser may be different)

Right-click on THIS LINK and “Open link in new tab”

In the message box, type "[URL=“ (without the quotes) then paste the link you copied in the second step followed by ”]“ (again, without quotes).

Third, switch back to your profile page tab, right-click on the project's image and choose ”Copy image address“.

Fourth, switch back to your new thread tab and type ”[IMG]“ (without the quotes) and paste the link you copied in the third step followed by ”[/IMG][/URL]". Press enter twice to make a little space after your image.

• For example, if you have these URL's:
  
  Project URL: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1897019/
  Image URL: https://cdn2.scratch.mit.edu/get_image/project/1897019_282x210.png?v=XXXXXXXXXX.47
  
  (You can delete the crossed out part.)
  
  Your final description should look like this:
  
  [URL=https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1897019/][IMG]https://cdn2.scratch.mit.edu/get_image/project/1897019_282x210.png[/IMG][/URL]
  
  which will make the following result:
  
  
  
  Clicking the image will take you to the project.
  

Fifth, in the message box, below your new image code, describe your project.

Finally, enter a thread title at the top of the screen and press the Submit button to post your new thread.
 

just go to help

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ilovedolphins33, belgrade321

While this information is documented elsewhere, I seriously doubt that newbies would read the Wiki all the way through before using the site.

I felt that there would be some value in summarizing this information in a place where new members would see it.

This is an awesome topic! I'm sure it is very helpful for new Scratchers!

I agree.

The best guide ever! LOV IT!


Thanks!

Nice guide. Not loving a project doesn't neccessarily mean you dislike a project though. It means more that you don't like it a lot.

A very useful guide!

Wonderful Work! its so and so amazing!


Thanks!

Nice guide

Perfect guide! But just because you don't love a project doesn't mean that you totally hate the project.

Great guide! I'm glad it's stickied.

arfmania66 wrote:

Hi! Just saying hi, everybody! As you know,I might be leaving soon. There is too much bullying! If this doesn't stop soon,I will leave on Monday, 16th 2014!

If anybody bullies you on scratch, report the comment immediately and try to ignore it, people normally bully when they're jealous.

Great Guide

I love making my brain happy! It always helps me when I dance or read!