scratchshare

ScratchShare is a community-driven platform and protocol for sharing and remixing Scratch projects. It functions as a centralized repository and social space where users can publish Scratch project files, related metadata, and licensing terms, and where others can discover, remix, and attribute sources. The project aims to complement the official Scratch ecosystem by providing enhanced attribution, versioning, and visibility for educators and learners.

Features include hosting of Scratch project files (.sb3), project metadata (title, author, description, tags), version history, and a remix graph that records the lineage of derivatives. The platform offers search and discovery tools, built-in project previews, embedding options for external sites, and export capabilities. By default it encourages open licenses, such as Creative Commons, while allowing authors to specify licenses and attribution requirements.

Technical architecture: ScratchShare is designed as an open-source web application with RESTful APIs and a JSON metadata schema. Project files are stored in scalable storage, with content-addressable identifiers and tamper-evident checksums to preserve integrity. The system supports API access for integration with school portals and the Scratch ecosystem, and includes moderation and licensing enforcement mechanisms.

Reception and impact: Proponents view ScratchShare as a useful tool to improve discoverability, attribution, and remix tracking for Scratch projects. Critics highlight potential licensing complexities and the need to maintain compatibility with Scratch's terms of use and performance considerations. Ongoing development focuses on interoperability, accessibility, and educator-friendly features.