Scratch
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Scratch Website FAQ
Table of contents
No headersGetting Started on the Scratch Website
How do I get an account on the Scratch website?
See Getting Started on the Scratch Website.
How do I download projects from the website?
All projects on the website are available to download. First, log in to the website. Then, on any project page, click on "Download [project name]" in the upper righthand corner.How do I make the Scratch website my homepage?
You can set your web browser to the Scratch homepage.
- For Internet Explorer, click on the Tools menu,
then select Options.
- For Firefox, go to Firefox > Preferences > Main.
Then type in the Home Page address: http://scratch.mit.edu
Viewing Projects
Why can't I see the videos or projects on the website?
- If you still get a gray box instead of
a Scratch project, try a different web browser (such as Firefox,
Internet Explorer, or Safari).
Sharing Projects
How do I share or upload a project to the website?
- To post a project on the Scratch website, open your project in the Scratch software, then click the Share! button. You will need a username and password for the Scratch website.
Why do I get an error when I try to upload or share my project?
Here are the solutions we know of so far:
1. File too big. The largest file limit is 10 MB. (Solution: In Scratch, click the Extras button > compress sounds. Also Extras > compress images. If you have compressed sounds and your project still won't upload, delete some of the sounds.)
2. Internet connection too slow and times out (Solution: Make the file smaller. If that doesn't work, try connecting from a different computer or connection or web browser)
3. Proxy server getting in the way (Solution: Try an Internet connection that does not go through a proxy server).
4. Wrong username and password. (Solution: Try logging into Scratch website to make sure username and password are correct.)
5. Website "hiccup" (Solution: Try again later).
6. Security software (Solution: Try a different computer or different settings on security software.)
7. Vista profile (Solution: Try changing settings or uploading from another profile.)
I can see my project page, but why won't my project load in the browser?
- Make sure you have the Java Runtime Environment installed on your computer. Go to Java.com and click the "Verify Installation" button to see if you have Java. If not, install Java.
- Your project may be too large for Java to run. Try deleting sounds to make the project smaller, and then Share! again.
-
If you still get a gray box instead of a Scratch project, try a
different web browser (such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari).
Can I update my existing project with a new one?
Yes, if you upload a project with the same name as one that is on the website already, the new project will replace the old.
How do I delete my project?
To delete a project, make sure you're logged in to the Scratch website. Go to My Stuff. Check the box under the project, and then click the button above that says "delete selected projects."
Remixing and Copying
What is a remix?
When a Scratcher downloads someone else's project, then adds their own ideas to it (for example, by changing scripts or costumes), the resulting project is called a "remix."
How can I make a remix?
Just download someone else's project and open it in Scratch. Make changes to scripts or costumes or other parts of the project, then click the Share button to upload your remix to the Scratch Website. The project page on the website will automatically credit the original creator, and the project will be listed as a remix of the original project.
Why does Scratch support and encourage remixing?
Modifying and extending other people's projects is a great way to learn more about Scratch -- and to develop more sophisticated projects than you could on your own.
What if someone copies a project without changing anything?
It is disrespectful to upload a project that was created entirely by someone else, with the intention of taking credit or causing confusion about who created the project. If you see such a project, please flag it as inappropriate and include a link to the original project with your explanation.
Can I use artwork I found on the internet in my Scratch project?
While we encourage remixing of projects on the Scratch website, not everyone on the internet wants their artwork to be reused. It's important to respect the original artist's wishes. You can search for content that is licensed for remixing at the Creative Commons website. Whenever you use someone else's work, be sure to give them credit and put a link to the original in your project notes.
Username, Password, and Accounts
How can I reset my password?
Visit the Password Recovery Page and enter the email address associated with your account. An email will be sent to that address with a link that will allow you to reset your password. If you don't remember or no longer have access to the email account associated with your Scratch account, you can contact us with the birthdate and country entered when you first created the account. Then, we can reset your password for you.
How can I change my username?
At the moment, there is no way to change your username in Scratch without creating an entirely new account.
How can I retrieve my username?
- If you posted
comments on another person's project (or gallery or forum), you can
search for the title of the project and find your username on your
comments.
- If you created projects and remember the names of them, you can
search for them to look for your username.
- If
you can email us from the address you used to sign up for
your account, we may be able to retrieve your username for you.
How do I delete my account?
Please confirm your account by contacting us with the birthdate and country you used to create the account. Or, if you signed up with an email address, email us from that account.
Why does the Scratch site keep logging me out?
- Make sure your browser is set to accept cookies.
- If
you are using Internet Explorer, please see this forum topic. You may want to
try Firefox web browser.
Can I have more than one account on the Scratch Website?
It's fine to have a few accounts on the Scratch website, as long as they aren't used to violate the Terms of Use.
Image for "My Stuff" Profile
Why can't I change my profile image?
You may be experiencing this problem because the image file is too large or the filetype is not supported.Try reducing the size of your image or changing it to another format: JPEG, PNG, or GIF. Sometimes it takes awhile for the update to take effect. If your browser is caching the old picture, it won't show you the new one until the cache is cleared. Try restarting your browser. Also, there is a setting in your browser that will let you manually clear the cache.
Why does my profile image look distorted?
In order for your picture to keep its shape, it should be square (90 x 90 pixels).
How do I use a sprite for my profile image?
First, export the sprite's costume by right-clicking (Mac: Ctrl+click), select "export" and choose a folder to save it in. Then, in My Stuff on the Scratch website, under your username, there is a link to "change picture". Browse through your folders and select the image you exported.
How do I make my profile an animated image?
To make a profile image an animated gif, please see this animated image forum topic
Friends List
How do I add a friend to my friend list?
You can add any user to your friend list by going to their "MyStuff" page and clicking on "add to friends" on the left-hand panel of the page.
How do I remove a friend from my friend list?
You can remove any user from your friend list by going to your "MyStuff" page and clicking on "see more" under your list of friends. This will show all your friends. To delete, click on the [X] under their username.
Inappropriate Content and Reporting Users
How do I report inappropriate content?
Please flag any projects or comments that you find offensive or inappropriate. The Scratch team will review them.
How do I know if material I am posting is appropriate?
Please see our Terms of Use for more information on what is considered appropriate.
What about commercial links / spam?
Commercial links are not allowed on the Scratch website and forums, and will be removed.
What does the Scratch team do about inappropriate content?
The Scratch team reviews flagged content on a daily basis, and may censor comments, projects, or forum posts that violate the Scratch Website Terms of Use.
What do I do about someone who is copying my projects?
We encourage remixing in the Scratch community, since we have seen how remixing can lead to creative, interesting projects. Sometimes, it's even useful to copy a project exactly, while exploring how a project works. But it is not respectful for someone to claim ownership over a project or sprite they didn't create. The website includes a "Based on..." link to give credit to the original author -- and we hope that remixers will also give credit in their Project Notes.
How do I report a user?
You click the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any page on the website and explain the problem.
How do I ignore another user?
You can choose not to receive comments from another user by adding them to your "ignore" list. When a user is ignored, no one will see their comments on your projects or galleries -- only the words "Comment not displayed. Posted by a muted account." are shown. To add a user to your ignore list, go to your "MyStuff" page and click on "Edit My Ignore List" in the lefthand column. This will take you to a page where you can enter the username to be ignored, and the reason you chose to ignore them. Only the Scratch Team can view the reason.
Why are some users blocked from accessing the Scratch Website?
When a user account has been used to violate the Terms of Use, the Scratch team may block the account's access to the Scratch website. Please see the Blocks on User Accounts FAQ for more information.
What information can I share online?
We recommend you do not share any
personal contact information, such as your physical address, email
address, phone number, or anything else that can be used to make
contact outside of the Scratch website. Please flag projects, comments,
or forum posts that contain this kind of information so the Scratch
team can remove it, and remind the author of our policy.
Other Questions?
Search or visit the Scratch discussion forums
