Hi,
I dont use Algodoo anymore, and I haven't uploaded any scenes recently, but a couple of years ago, I sat glued to algodoo for hours on end!
Ive had to make a new account because I've forgot the details for my old account (Benjii).
This scene is a brilliant idea, but it looks like its already worked too well and Emanuel is getting flooded with responses!!
I think the root of some problems here is the fact that the much more convenient, integrated algobox browser is a far simplified version of the version you'll find it you google algobox in your web browser. In that users here dont have access to features such as tags, rating or favs. So you quite reguarly find scenes in the popular section of the integrated algobox, that have made their way to the top from a single 10 rating. I think that if you were to implemet ratings on this much more convenient version of the algobox, the comminity would be able to police itself, which these spam scens being immedietly votes down, or simply ignored. With creators high quality scenes being rewarded. Obviously a lot has changed on the algobox since I was active, so what I'm saying here may not be relevant anymore, but i think this would be quite a simple change that might be worth a try without making any major modifications.
I dont think kicking well known, older scenes off the map completely, however, while ive benefited from it (>500000 downloads from 2 incredible simple scenes!), the featured section could be put to better use. Especially because the most downloaded page is basically a replication of the featured page! I think it could be used to revive older scenes, perhaps from a year or two, that maybe deserve a bit of recognition. That way you'd avoid scenes completely running away with download totals, and youd expose newer users to the wealth of older scenes from some inactive users. At the same time though, if a scene manages to make i to say a 7.1 rating (from 4 or 5 '10' ratings) it could be revived and put in the featured section after a month of so., along with scenes uploaded a couple of years ago.
I agree that spiltting the algobox is a really good idea though. I prosume its similar now but when I was active there were 2 very distinct communities on th algobox: the adults, students and a few smart kids, and a mass of kids, new to the algobox. And obviously they are making scenes for very different audiences, and the fact that the two mingle into one pool can be frustrating for both sides involved (I've been on both sides of the arugment, having started making scenes when I was 11, however now looking back with a slightly more mature attitude).
I'm giving these suggestions from my point of view, from 2 years ago, and my experience when i first joined the algobox. I joined at just as incredibly talented users from phun were just losing interest (Paradigm29, Dare, Shark, cata, conundrummer etc.), and I know they come back occationally for a scene or two, but I have yet to see anything of the same complexity of that you'll find in the top 5 or 6 pages in the highest rated section. I think more needs to be done to try and attract an older audience (I'm thinking engineering students), which might even have the effect of inspiring younger users to try new things - not just marble races! I really think this is a great piece of software (It is soley responsible for my chosen career path to become an engineer), and I dont think a large proportion of the commnity (including my scenes) is using it to its full caipability.
I dont know if any of what i've just said will be of any use, but theres my input to all of this - I don't know if any of it is still relevant to algodoo today! I just wish I had time now to invest in it. Sorry if I've gone off topic a bit,
