4 ms·

Have you tried Library Thing? https://www.librarything.com/ https://www.librarything.com/

by AdmiralAsshat 6y ago

jiofih 6y ago
Adding your data to yet another proprietary archive doesn’t sound like much of a solution..
- activatedgeek 6y ago
  I don't think I am particularly worried about a proprietary solution. If I am putting my preferences in the public, pretty sure I am giving up on some dimension of privacy. With books at least, it doesn't seem so concerning as long as the recommendations don't suck too much (I don't particularly rely on recommendations that much though). But of course, you never know!
  - jiofih 6y ago
    You do realize this entire post here is about GoodReads discontinuing their API? And as a reaction to that, you’re suggesting moving to another provider that doesn’t allow exporting your data either.
    - WorldMaker 6y ago
      LibraryThing has several robust export options and an API. As they also run small "actual" libraries that includes some interesting old catalog formats as well.
      - rsanek 6y ago
        Not sure if you've used the APIs recently, but they have been disabled without warning since October: "Our APIs are indeed disabled for now. They will be re-enabled at some point but we don't have an immediate timeline for it, so I wouldn't expect them back anytime soon." [0] [0] https://www.librarything.com/topic/325722 https://www.librarything.com/topic/325722
- AdmiralAsshat 6y ago
  You might wish to review their Privacy policy, which inspires more confidence than Goodreads: https://www.librarything.com/privacy https://www.librarything.com/privacy The site's also been around since 2005, so, that speaks well to both its longevity and its integrity. Of course, that's not to say they couldn't be acquired tomorrow and paywalled, but I think it unlikely.
activatedgeek 6y ago
Just tried this out. Quite a large community, so I'm assuming it is a well fed machinery. The interface is outdated. Nevertheless, the website does its job quite well. I am happy I found this. Thanks! ...And they even have an API!
- waterfowl 6y ago
  I recently "kondoed" my books down to like ~2xx total volumes and once I had them all organized it only took me an hour or so to scan all of them into the LT iOS app. Very few wouldn't scan but those were mostly findable by manually searching. Having an up to date list of all my books is pretty satisfying and LT seems to have a decent reputation in the serious-about-books-online community. Even inspired me to schlep into the office to catalogue my work related collection. Made me realize how many booksellers(especially used) put proprietary barcode stickers on top of the 'actual' barcode stickers.
- WorldMaker 6y ago
  LT is in the slow process of upgrading the interface to something newer/modern and especially with better mobile device support. The screenshots on their blog I've seen look like it is coming along nicely, and as a long time LT user I appreciate that they take their time on big changes like that.

Have you tried Library Thing? https://www.librarything.com/ https://www.librarything.com/

jiofih 6y ago

Adding your data to yet another proprietary archive doesn’t sound like much of a solution..

activatedgeek 6y ago
I don't think I am particularly worried about a proprietary solution. If I am putting my preferences in the public, pretty sure I am giving up on some dimension of privacy. With books at least, it doesn't seem so concerning as long as the recommendations don't suck too much (I don't particularly rely on recommendations that much though). But of course, you never know!
- jiofih 6y ago
  You do realize this entire post here is about GoodReads discontinuing their API? And as a reaction to that, you’re suggesting moving to another provider that doesn’t allow exporting your data either.
  - WorldMaker 6y ago
    LibraryThing has several robust export options and an API. As they also run small "actual" libraries that includes some interesting old catalog formats as well.
    - rsanek 6y ago
      Not sure if you've used the APIs recently, but they have been disabled without warning since October: "Our APIs are indeed disabled for now. They will be re-enabled at some point but we don't have an immediate timeline for it, so I wouldn't expect them back anytime soon." [0] [0] https://www.librarything.com/topic/325722 https://www.librarything.com/topic/325722
AdmiralAsshat 6y ago
You might wish to review their Privacy policy, which inspires more confidence than Goodreads: https://www.librarything.com/privacy https://www.librarything.com/privacy The site's also been around since 2005, so, that speaks well to both its longevity and its integrity. Of course, that's not to say they couldn't be acquired tomorrow and paywalled, but I think it unlikely.

activatedgeek 6y ago

Just tried this out. Quite a large community, so I'm assuming it is a well fed machinery. The interface is outdated. Nevertheless, the website does its job quite well. I am happy I found this. Thanks! ...And they even have an API!

waterfowl 6y ago
I recently "kondoed" my books down to like ~2xx total volumes and once I had them all organized it only took me an hour or so to scan all of them into the LT iOS app. Very few wouldn't scan but those were mostly findable by manually searching. Having an up to date list of all my books is pretty satisfying and LT seems to have a decent reputation in the serious-about-books-online community. Even inspired me to schlep into the office to catalogue my work related collection. Made me realize how many booksellers(especially used) put proprietary barcode stickers on top of the 'actual' barcode stickers.
WorldMaker 6y ago
LT is in the slow process of upgrading the interface to something newer/modern and especially with better mobile device support. The screenshots on their blog I've seen look like it is coming along nicely, and as a long time LT user I appreciate that they take their time on big changes like that.