Penpal threads are topics that involve 2 people from the SWC sending letters back and forth in the forums.
However, making a topic for a penpal thread is not good to do, as it clogs actual collaborations with those threads.
You could make one in a project, studio or a megathread!
I know SWC members could be a bit upset about this, but it does not fit in the forums, especially Collaboration.
(Note: This does not mean all SWC topics are banned! They are still okay to post, but keep in mind penpal topics are not allowed!)

P.S: If you have any questions about this, please leave a reply and me or a forumer will try their hardest to answer it!

Okay.But please make it more professional.

Since they're like letters and are more long-form and formatted any such, a project is probably better

7e_x wrote:

It is good that you want to chat with people you met, however doing it on the forums isn’t a good place to do that. If you want to do that, please do it in a studio or a chatroom.
(Please sticky this ST)

Actually, this is not a chatting thread. It is a place to discuss and get to know each other at length. We're allowed to post writing in the forums, right? This is like that. And honestly, it's not possible to post long messages in chatrooms or studios due to Scratch's character limit.

-starrii-skies- wrote:

(#5)

7e_x wrote:

It is good that you want to chat with people you met, however doing it on the forums isn’t a good place to do that. If you want to do that, please do it in a studio or a chatroom.
(Please sticky this ST)

Actually, this is not a chatting thread. It is a place to discuss and get to know each other at length. We're allowed to post writing in the forums, right? This is like that. And honestly, it's not possible to post long messages in chatrooms or studios due to Scratch's character limit.

Hmm I agree, however you can see this topic here for more info: https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/894814/

-starrii-skies- wrote:

7e_x wrote:

It is good that you want to chat with people you met, however doing it on the forums isn’t a good place to do that. If you want to do that, please do it in a studio or a chatroom.
(Please sticky this ST)

Actually, this is not a chatting thread. It is a place to discuss and get to know each other at length. We're allowed to post writing in the forums, right? This is like that. And honestly, it's not possible to post long messages in chatrooms or studios due to Scratch's character limit.

penpal threads arent really collaboration tho

hey there! the penpal threads happen to be a project for scratch writing camp for getting to know each other, like starrii (@-starrii-skies-) said! i'd say they're similar enough to collaboration, as we're working to get to know each other as part of a larger collaboration group.
however, i completely understand if y'all disagree, and I think most of us would be happy to put them in our smaller writing threads instead of making entire penpal threads!

LovegoodLady wrote:

(#8)
hey there! the penpal threads happen to be a project for scratch writing camp for getting to know each other, like starrii (@-starrii-skies-) said! i'd say they're similar enough to collaboration, as we're working to get to know each other as part of a larger collaboration group.
however, i completely understand if y'all disagree, and I think most of us would be happy to put them in our smaller writing threads instead of making entire penpal threads!

The problem is most SWC members ignore us when we say penpal topics arent allowed in the forums.
(SWC topics are allowed, my mistake)

7e_x wrote:

LovegoodLady wrote:

(#8)
hey there! the penpal threads happen to be a project for scratch writing camp for getting to know each other, like starrii (@-starrii-skies-) said! i'd say they're similar enough to collaboration, as we're working to get to know each other as part of a larger collaboration group.
however, i completely understand if y'all disagree, and I think most of us would be happy to put them in our smaller writing threads instead of making entire penpal threads!

The problem is most SWC members ignore us when we say SWC topics arent allowed in the forums.

Actually, they are. We're allowed to post our writing- and there are feasible ways which we can work around <3

-starrii-skies- wrote:

(#10)

7e_x wrote:

LovegoodLady wrote:

(#8)
hey there! the penpal threads happen to be a project for scratch writing camp for getting to know each other, like starrii (@-starrii-skies-) said! i'd say they're similar enough to collaboration, as we're working to get to know each other as part of a larger collaboration group.
however, i completely understand if y'all disagree, and I think most of us would be happy to put them in our smaller writing threads instead of making entire penpal threads!

The problem is most SWC members ignore us when we say SWC topics arent allowed in the forums.

Actually, they are. We're allowed to post our writing- and there are feasible ways which we can work around <3

My mistake, I meant to say penpal topics arent allowed.

Penpal projects are new, so I understand that these probably aren't allowed– but for most things, such as cabin planning, I believe the scratch team tends to be on our side, as it's been going on for a good 25+ sessions and pretty much none have been closed besides these! a lot of us are kind of used to ignoring such things after that large period of time, so that's most likely why. at least, that's why I would (I can't remember if I did at any point..). we don't mean to be rude in any way :-)

To those concerned with our penpal threads,
are we allowed to write them in “Things I’m Making and Creating” or “Things I’m Reading and Playing”? because those topics say that we are allowed to “Discuss things you are creating or exploring outside of Scratch, like art, music, programming languages, or crafts. and Discuss books, TV, movies, art, music, or videogames that inspire you.” i would just like to know! because 4 of my penpal threads were closed and i won’t bother to create a new one under those topics if you are going to close it again- unless it is okay and i won’t get targeted again!
Thank you

technj2009 wrote:

(#13)
To those concerned with our penpal threads,
are we allowed to write them in “Things I’m Making and Creating” or “Things I’m Reading and Playing”? because those topics say that we are allowed to “Discuss things you are creating or exploring outside of Scratch, like art, music, programming languages, or crafts. and Discuss books, TV, movies, art, music, or videogames that inspire you.” i would just like to know! because 4 of my penpal threads were closed and i won’t bother to create a new one under those topics if you are going to close it again- unless it is okay and i won’t get targeted again!
Thank you

No, as they are not places for penpal topics.

LovegoodLady wrote:

…the penpal threads happen to be a project for scratch writing camp for getting to know each other, …

It seems to me like the SWC needs be looked upon by the Scratch Team. It’s really grown in size in the past year, and it’s very alarming.

But I would like to ask that all of the SWC members to think about how putting written work in the forums affects them. A lot of text means a considerable portion of server storage space that has been lost. And by “lost,” I mean space that could have been used for more important things that is now gone. Even if a topic is deleted, it still takes up space.
It’s much better to put written work into a project. There’s so much that you can do with projects! You can make templates to put stories into, for example. The possibilities are endless. And that’s the main purpose of Scratch: to code, and to have fun doing it.


Edit 1: However, I would like to say that I appreciate the fact that SWC members who have made penpal threads are bringing up good arguments rather than just complaining. That is the way to go, and that skill will be very useful later in life.

Edit 2: I also suggest that the topic owner rename this to “Important Info on Penpal Threads (Please Read)” and add some more info, possibly some of what I have written here if needed.

I don't believe that swc should be shut down, as it's an amazing community for writers to gather and share what they've written!
I also don't think that the phrasing ‘could have been used for more important things’ would be accurate, as scratch is for sharing what you create, whether that be a game, your art, your writing, or something else.
projects, as well, would be a lot harder to work with, considering the description limits. if your argument would be that we could make new projects each time or put the writing in our notes, that would take a lot more effort and, for those who enjoy having an uncluttered workspace, would feel quite unorganized and could easily create stress.
with penpal threads, I definitely see where y'all are coming from! I'm fairly neutral towards the argument, as it's truly nice to have a place where you can see all of your letters, but it does clutter up the forums a bit.
however, I don't think there should be a whole team dedicated to eradicating pen pal threads, as it could create stress (and honestly already has for me) and might form tension in the scratch community.
considering the fact that I don't enjoy arguing and do not wish to be a part in something heated (which I don't believe will happen, but just in case), that's all i'll be saying on the matter, at least for the moment.
thanks for hearing us out!

LovegoodLady wrote:

projects, as well, would be a lot harder to work with, considering the description limits. if your argument would be that we could make new projects each time or put the writing in our notes, that would take a lot more effort and, for those who enjoy having an uncluttered workspace, would feel quite unorganized and could easily create stress.

Descriptions have a fair amount of space to be a penpal thread. Plus, projects dont really take that much effort as you could just remix the original project and put your penpal message there.

LovegoodLady wrote:

however, I don't think there should be a whole team dedicated to eradicating pen pal threads, as it could create stress (and honestly already has for me) and might form tension in the scratch community.

Penpal threads are not meant for the forums though, thats why I'm trying to remove them.

LovegoodLady wrote:

I don't believe that swc should be shut down, as it's an amazing community for writers to gather and share what they've written!
I also don't think that the phrasing ‘could have been used for more important things’ would be accurate, as scratch is for sharing what you create, whether that be a game, your art, your writing, or something else.
projects, as well, would be a lot harder to work with, considering the description limits. if your argument would be that we could make new projects each time or put the writing in our notes, that would take a lot more effort and, for those who enjoy having an uncluttered workspace, would feel quite unorganized and could easily create stress.
with penpal threads, I definitely see where y'all are coming from! I'm fairly neutral towards the argument, as it's truly nice to have a place where you can see all of your letters, but it does clutter up the forums a bit.
however, I don't think there should be a whole team dedicated to eradicating pen pal threads, as it could create stress (and honestly already has for me) and might form tension in the scratch community.
considering the fact that I don't enjoy arguing and do not wish to be a part in something heated (which I don't believe will happen, but just in case), that's all i'll be saying on the matter, at least for the moment.
thanks for hearing us out!

When I say “put written work in a project” I mean actually in the project itself. Not in the instructions or notes & credits.

7e_x wrote:

technj2009 wrote:

(#13)
To those concerned with our penpal threads,
are we allowed to write them in “Things I’m Making and Creating” or “Things I’m Reading and Playing”? because those topics say that we are allowed to “Discuss things you are creating or exploring outside of Scratch, like art, music, programming languages, or crafts. and Discuss books, TV, movies, art, music, or videogames that inspire you.” i would just like to know! because 4 of my penpal threads were closed and i won’t bother to create a new one under those topics if you are going to close it again- unless it is okay and i won’t get targeted again!
Thank you

No, as they are not places for penpal topics.

Then would you please suggest other forums where we can post our threads? Creating a bunch of projects seems like a bit of a waste. Some of us do like to keep our profiles minimalistic. I'm sure you understand!

-starrii-skies- wrote:

(#19)

7e_x wrote:

technj2009 wrote:

(#13)
To those concerned with our penpal threads,
are we allowed to write them in “Things I’m Making and Creating” or “Things I’m Reading and Playing”? because those topics say that we are allowed to “Discuss things you are creating or exploring outside of Scratch, like art, music, programming languages, or crafts. and Discuss books, TV, movies, art, music, or videogames that inspire you.” i would just like to know! because 4 of my penpal threads were closed and i won’t bother to create a new one under those topics if you are going to close it again- unless it is okay and i won’t get targeted again!
Thank you

No, as they are not places for penpal topics.

Then would you please suggest other forums where we can post our threads? Creating a bunch of projects seems like a bit of a waste. Some of us do like to keep our profiles minimalistic. I'm sure you understand!

They cant go in any forum.

King of the page no edit!