Play Book Tag discussion

Meli wrote: "That's the main problem for me, Theresa, is there is no use for Storygraph if people aren't using it and none of my groups, I guess it is mainly just PBT, uses storygraph so it is superfluous at th..."

Except there are always irritating little differences. Will GR add fractional stars for example. That becomes different.

But there is zero point to using both at the same time really unless you have a group that's abandonned GR for Storygraph and as you say that has not happened.

Perhaps the only reason to at least sign on and export your GR library over is to be already there should a group abandon GR and you have less to set-up and learn.

For example, if PBT had decided to move to GR three months ago and did so, I would only now have a brief window of time to join it.

I had to deal with moving Metrostitchers, my needlework group now on FB, over to FB from YahooGroups. It took a long time. When FB first started to host groups and it was steadily grown, one of the Metrostitchers set up the group page (it's private - invite only to join) and a few of us joined and were made admins. Little happened on that page for years, then gradually others in Metrostitchers started only posting on FB page and never checking in at Yahoo Groups. Also at that point YahooGroups looked like it was on limited life and was at some point in a couple years going to be shut down (right after it was bought by AOL it was clearly going that route). We spent 2 years transitioning over -- finally after transferring the last of the files and photos we wanted to keep over to FB, I gave everyone 4 months to copy anything they wanted and I was closing down the Yahoo Group and all would be on FB. We lost a handful of members - mostly those who did not want to be on FB. Gradually most have joined the FB group and it is as big as it was on YahooGroups -- over 100 members.

All that to say it takes a lot of time and even work to transition the group and then even more time for members to catch up. I'm sure it was the same with the Shelfari transition.

In case you are curious, YahooGroups closed down completely about 2 years after we closed down our group there.

Of course, another issue with using Storygraph if you are active in groups: you can't just move over there and stop using GR.

If you are in no groups - easy. If you are in one group and it moves over completely, you can leave GR ifyou follow the group.

But if you have multiple groups and not all transition over to Storygraph, you have to make choices or maintain both.

Groups are what I come to GR for, I have many options to track books and, like Theresa, I don’t need more recommendations! I am quite active in at least 7 groups and Mod in 3 of those. After my retirement and during the pandemic, I spent more time with my GR friends than my IRL friends. And now some of you are also IRL friends!

I have a question for those who use other book sites. Is there one good one that resembles what we used to be able to see "at a glance" on our book page? I need to avoid scrolling and the only idea I've come up with so far is reducing the size of the window by 50%. This is fine except when I go to any other page, I have to change it back to 100%. This is a pain.

I am looking for quick and easy access to one page that includes:
- title
- author
- book description (without having to hit "see more")
- release date (the original release date, not the edition release date)
- # pages
- primary tags (which GR calls "genres")

My thinking is that I could have another site open just for when I need to go to the book page since the new one is unusable for me due to the scrolling. I am not planning to leave GR for another site because I enjoy the groups.

Facebook is not an option for me. I intentionally got off all social media except GR, and my peace of mind is much improved.

I also don't need GR recommendations (which are biased in favor of Amazon products) and the algorithm (if there even is one) is horrible.

Theresa wrote: Perhaps the only reason to at least sign on and export your GR library over is to be already there should a group abandon GR and you have less to set-up and learn.

I have been using Storygraph for about a year 1 1/2 now. I only use it to record "Read" books and I copy and paste my reviews. I joined only because I needed somewhere else to record my reading. as a back-up, and SG was the easiest format I found. They do have a premiere edition, which you have to pay for. What perks it gives you, I have no idea.

I will check out Storygraph. I recently exported my GR data and uploaded it to Library Thing, so I have a back-up and also Library Thing gives me most (not all) of the data I need "at a glance" without scrolling.

The new GR book page is absolutely not usable for me, and they are apparently not offering an option to go back to the old version, so I am thinking about moving to a new site. But obviously, I don't want to quit my groups (particulary PBT!) so I will have to think carefully about what I'm going to do.

Joy D wrote: "I will check out Storygraph. I recently exported my GR data and uploaded it to Library Thing, so I have a back-up and also Library Thing gives me most (not all) of the data I need "at a glance" wit..."

Will be interested in what you think of Storygraph. I took a look at it again yesterday and just shrugged and went back to catching up on GR. Nothing seemed easy or intuitive to me and I could not even immediately find Feminerdy's buddy reads even though I 'joined' when the invite for our upcoming 2 reads was sent out a week ago.

Of course, my library there is frozen as of the date I imported it from GR. That was several months ago and thus is not showing my actual current reading.

I uploaded all my stuff to Storygraph during pandemic shut down. I only use it as a back-up for read books. I post my reviews there, that's it.

I signed up on storygraph and a few others, but frankly, I don't use them.

When I get sent to the new book page here on goodreads, I will admit that I am adjusting to it, but understand those who have scrolling issues would have trouble.

I haven't heard that my problem with vertigo is a widespread issue, so I'm probably just out of luck. I may have to call up one of the other sites to use as a book page, but I often forget and then get annoyed.

I am normally pretty good about getting used to new sites and applications but this is a different matter entirely.

I have no vertigo or other issues with scrolling, only that it is just annoying me more and more as it seems I have to scroll to see ANYTHING I want to see, especially on devices with smaller screens. Of course I always scroll too far out of impatience, then have to creep backwards...

Joy D wrote: "I haven't heard that my problem with vertigo is a widespread issue, so I'm probably just out of luck. I may have to call up one of the other sites to use as a book page, but I often forget and then..."

I don't get vertigo, but do have trouble with scrolling for other visual reasons--it can be hard on some migraineurs; not sure about people with epilepsy. As for the subset of migraineurs, it's why we get carsick sitting in the backseat (or even looking out the side window in the front seat.) It's visual, not from the movement, although windy roads don't help.

I like to click on the sidebar which is one of the reasons I use a desktop computer.

I always use a laptop for GR. The phone is useless to me for the same scrolling/vertigo issues.

It may not help but sending feedback on this as an accessibility issue would at least put it on record. They might just say to change the size as you mentioned above, which then messes up everything else. There's probably some research about how scrolling gets the consumer more involved, or allows them to stick in more ads. Or giant pictures sell more. Who knows, I've never bought anything from an ad on GR. If I want a book, I will go to different sites or stores to get it.

Joy D wrote: "I always use a laptop for GR. The phone is useless to me for the same scrolling/vertigo issues."

:) -- yes, you can do the same things.

Robin P wrote: "It may not help but sending feedback on this as an accessibility issue would at least put it on record. They might just say to change the size as you mentioned above, which then messes up everythin..."

I gave them feedback, both in Beta testing and when I was switched over to the new book page. I could try sending a separate email. Do you know whom to contact?

Changing the size is not a viable option, since, as you say, it messes everything else up when you go to any other page. I've tried it but not going to keep doing it. I'd rather go to another site, which I am sure is not what they want.

I don't click on ads either and have never done so. They are rabbit holes and used to collect data. I know where to find books I want to purchase. Big pictures don't tempt me either. In fact, quite the opposite. I am obviously not the target audience for these changes.

Joy D wrote: "I could try sending a separate email. Do you know whom to contact? .."

They disabled the old support email when they opened the new "Help" page (which is really not help from a staffer but other goodreads members trying to answer your questions)

Anyway ... on the HELP page there is a button to "contact us" ... click on that and you can message them directly. It's really intended to report a bug so good luck getting to the person you really need. But it's worth a try.

Yeah, probably they don't care but I do think the disability issue is far more important than someone like me who just doesn't like changes.

Thanks. I looked but can't seem to find the Help page. I need Help finding the Help page, lol.

Joy D wrote: "Thanks. I looked but can't seem to find the Help page. I need Help finding the Help page, lol."

On the desktop, at least.... very BOTTOM of the page in the gray area under COMPANY heading ... last prompt is "Help"

Sorry, Joy D .... EVEN that isn't intuitive .... Here's a page for one of the questions
https://help.goodreads.com/s/question...

On the right under the Green "Ask a Question" button is a grey "contact us" button. Maybe they could make it harder ....

Found it. Thank you for the info and the link!

ETA - I sent a question to "Contact Us" - will let everyone know what I find out.

By the way, I tried export/import into both Library Thing and Storygraph to see if either of those sites will work for me in terms of getting book info that is all on one page similar to our old GR book page format.

So far, it looks like Library Thing has a better interface. It brought over almost all my info intact. Storygraph shows I have read zero books, and those I'm supposedly currently reading were read a couple years ago. I haven't done any troubleshooting yet.

ETA - To be clear, I am not leaving Goodreads, just need a site where I can access the book info I need without scrolling.

Book Concierge wrote: "Sorry, Joy D .... EVEN that isn't intuitive .... Here's a page for one of the questions
https://help.goodreads.com/s/question...

On the right under th..."

As a lawyer dealing routinely with housing accessibility requests, it is very important to phrase it as this is an accessibility accommodation problem and request. I have no idea what the laws are as far as online accommodation goes, but just using that language sends up a red flag that it needs to be addressed even if it turns out no accommodation is warranted.

Thanks, Theresa.

Joy D wrote: "By the way, I tried export/import into both Library Thing and Storygraph to see if either of those sites will work for me in terms of getting book info that is all on one page similar to our old GR..."

Feel free to find and "friend" me at LibraryThing. :-) Same user name there.

When we moved from shelfari, I had a much better export/import into LT than here at GR.

Also remember if you tag your tbr with your initials or something that will likely be unique to you (and keep your tbr up to date), you can use tagmashes to find something that matches a tag on your tbr. :-) (Granted, there aren't as many people on LT as here, so there also aren't as many tags, but it really makes things so much eaiser!)

Robin P wrote: "Yeah, probably they don't care but I do think the disability issue is far more important than someone like me who just doesn't like changes."

They don't care--all they care about is $$$ and of course most of us aren't in the young crowd they are really reaching toward now.

LibraryCin wrote: "Also remember if you tag your tbr with your initials or something that will likely be unique to you (and keep your tbr up to date), you can use tagmashes to find something that matches a tag on your tbr. :-) (Granted, there aren't as many people on LT as here, so there also aren't as many tags, but it really makes things so much eaiser!)."
Thanks for the tip! I will do it, and also friend you.

I got a reply from my Help request. It's not good news. I am basically out of luck. Here's the response I got (which sounds ever so positive but actually provides no assistance.) In my initial request, I asked what I could do if it was not possible to opt out, and they just ignored that part of my question:

"Thanks for writing in. It’s not possible to opt out of the new book page, as this is part of our ongoing work to improve Goodreads experiences. The new book page was created using feedback from our community and we’re always looking to improve. If you have comments about the new book page design, or are experiencing a bug, please share details with the team here. [link provided]. Please keep in mind that while your feedback is extremely valuable to us and our team reads every piece of feedback they receive about the new book page, they unfortunately aren't able to respond to everyone."

Karin wrote: "They don't care--all they care about is $$$ and of course most of us aren't in the young crowd they are really reaching toward now..."

That is my impression. The new look is all about emulating what we see on our phones (which I also cannot use much do to the scrolling issue).

I do plan to follow-up and give more of the same feedback I've already provided at the link they gave me (for all the good it will do.)

Part of what's so incredibly irritating about all these changes is that:

a. They fix none of the irritating things prior to their attempts to upgrade - i.e. irritating methodology of uploading photos or linking.

b. It's not even all that effectively immitating phone apps. Those apps are also what is used on tablets. I actually find the Facebook app interface far easier to see and use than the upgraded Facebook desktop!

I don't have any scrolling issues except just the irritation of having to go past so much I don't want to see - ditto with having to click more than once to get to a page - such as the getting to the tag pages. I don't want to see the ratings stats and author bio immediately below the photo of the book and its blurb. I want to see my review, if I wrote one and my rating. I want to see publication details - number of pages, publication year and other editions.