cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/14934313

Hello Lemmings.

I will be attempting to make a federated anime tracker this summer, but I am not quite sure what features people would want and how I would get the details for animes, mangas, etc.

For the latter: What I thought was to either scrape other anime websites continuosly in the background, but this most likely is against the ToS of every anime tracking website, such as AniList or MAL. (I actually asked anidb.net for special access to their DB because apparently you can request access to it, but I’ve been left on read by the two staff members) My second idea was to make it an anime tracker website where animes are only user-submitted. And the user submissions would be approved by assigned moderators. However, I think this would be quite inconvenient. I’d like to get your opinions and/or ideas for this.

For the former: So if you have any requests or suggestions, please drop it down in the comments section.

Thanks in advance.

  • Margot Robbie@lemm.eeEnglish
    5·
    6 months ago

    To me, the biggest advantage of a federated tracker like this is the ability to self host without relying on any centralized service, so in no particular order

    1. A community maintained repository based database system, so when someone initiate an instance of your tracker, it starts off completely empty, and then the admin can pull from a “seasonal anime” repo for the tracker to track seasonal animes, an “anime movie” repo, a “j-drama” repo " a “Hollywood movies” repo or any combination of the above, or pull from an URL for a custom tracking list.

    2. Local/global average rating/rating distribution.

    3. Some kind of upvote system for reviews to discourage short, low effort reviews that plagued Letterbox. Lemmy’s “active/hot” sorting algorithm is pretty good and you may be able to use just that.

    4. User created lists and also the ability to share them publicly or privately.

    • asudox@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      3·
      6 months ago

      Unfortunately, this tracker will need to rely on centralized databases such as MAL, anidb and anilist as I can’t really seem to find an easy way to curate new animes without them.

      1. I am not very sure about this point honestly, as previously discussed in this thread, having a database that is only maintained by the community has its own disadvantages that definitely outweight its advantages. For example, you would need constant moderator approval, which is slow.

      2. I am not sure what you mean by the ability to share them privately. Do you mean like whitelisting certain people that can view your animelist? Like how MAL has a friends only thing?

      • Margot Robbie@lemm.eeEnglish
        3·
        6 months ago

        1. Ok, I assume you are familiar with uBlock Origin right? In uBlock, you can select from any combination of first and third party filter lists, or make custom filters, as long as they follow the same format. There is no one central authority that approves every filter list constantly, and the uBlock maintainer are only responsible for their own filter lists. Does that make sense?

        2. Yes, like sharing a particular list only with certain people that you choose.

        • asudox@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          2·
          6 months ago
          1. I see. That probably could be a solution. Thanks, that gave me an alternative way of doing things. I’ll consider this while making this project and see how I can do it.
          2. Yeah, that definitely will be a feature. No worries!

          As for point 3 and 4, they most likely will be implemented as well.

          Honestly, your repo idea could even make this project not only an anime tracker but basically a tracker for every audiovisual content without much effort.