I always receive tons of complaints about paywalls. What can I do? Nothing, that’s normal.
The issue here is that you are uploading paid add-ons to AnkiWeb (which doesn’t support the main principle of AnkiWeb).
Well, if such a platform were permitted by the official Anki, I suppose the challenge would be how to gather such add-ons developers.
As I said, I would take it upon myself to create the website — I think everybody who knows me knows that I have a true-to-heart nature and help where I can while staying friendly.
Even allowing and showing the complete Ankimon code online, easily accessible through GitHub, where multiple users can study the code and the way add-ons work, or how users can get them to work.
And I think the people on the Ankimon Discord server wouldn’t be sticking to this journey for so long only for the add-on itself.
(See how I added on AnkiWeb the folks that worked on Ankimon, helping to improve it, and made H0tp co-creator of Ankimon for all the work invested — they all deserved their place, and who am I to not give them the honor they deserve?)
They also know how much I appreciate their honest feedback and even ask for discussions on relevant topics — you can even see this in my last comment asking for feedback or by posting the question here.
It’s common for even a simple reply to take weeks or even months, because there isn’t any proper notification or feedback system that works for everybody. I might have an idea to work that out.
It’s also common for them to ignore all user contact.
Same thing again — as admin, you could notify them, or it will simply throw back their add-on for not being active in the ranking system.
The AnkiWeb add-ons server has been developed by the official Anki for 19+ years.
That’s very true — but because it’s so old and misses multiple functions, this could call for another platform to fill that gap of missing features. And obviously, you can’t reproduce 19 years of testing in a few months — so yes, stuff might break, stuff might not work, stuff might be missing. So give it some time, just like Anki needed time in its early days. - And obviously again - You do not need to use it, if you dont trust it.
You have shared Pokemanki without a Info that Users might receive a complaint when sharing your addon by Nintendo - placing your users at risk. Which doesnt speak for you aswell.
In contrast, your Ankimon development has likely been going on for about two years, and you are a relatively new developer.
You’ve got to distinguish that I’m doing more than just this on the side — I have a personal life, had a hard year finishing year in university where I finished my studies. And creating add-ons or developing things with AI isn’t uncommon if you properly prompt it, know what you’re doing, and review your code. (For example you are also missing out on several features that need to be implemented when using userdata - like allowing users to: Export their Data, Do you back up your Data based on GDPR Compliance rhythms in a 3-2-1 Rule ? Do you test your backups ? Do you have any testing scripts for your backend ? Do you have an email adress posted somewhere to let users send notifications on possible Data leaks ?
The reason we didn’t upload to AnkiWeb is due to the upload restriction of 200 MB and the need to rework the complete Ankimon Code Base. This was also a main reason why I wanted to reinvent the add-ons page — because I don’t feel like Ankimon should be in that position with such a gap to the other add-ons. Also, new add-ons and actively developed add-ons aren’t promoted enough.
Also, you operate under a nickname and an anonymous icon, making your identity unknown.
So do you, my friend — so it makes no sense pointing fingers. And for the Website I would make my name obviously public in the Website Details - Because if you would know this - its needed to be added for GDPR Compliance.
“This likely means you already lack sufficient development resources and have no capacity to fix it.”
If you reflect — you are reuploading add-ons that have minor issues, fixing them and building upon them. At the same time, the way you market them makes it look as if you built them yourself. Not to forget, add-ons like Ankimon and one of yours are completely different categories when it comes to size and functionality. Ankimon is almost a complete system inside an add-on, upgraded through a huge amount of user feedback, with many users finding friends through Ankimon and even forming whole groups in their communities to play Ankimon. - I have worked with multiple devs and multiple users and an actual user base closely over 2 years.
To be frank, I doubt you can develop a fair and secure platform for managing many add-ons in this state.
It’s incredibly rude to make these assumptions as someone who doesn’t know me personally, nor knows what I’m doing in terms of web development (Which is completely diffrent from Addon Development which im not taking 450+ USD per Month from users through “Premium” addons) - So my activity isnt money driven like from you but was over 2 years community driven - this also puts us in two diffrent categories of developers.
“If you were a highly skilled malicious developer, you could technically infect all users of my add-ons with malware at once…”
If you are making this assumption, you don’t understand how web development works in the slightest. I have said before — I’m just allowing links to happen between pages. - So i wont tamper with your files - and your fantasy is completely running through you on that part.
At the same time, I could say the same about you:
How do I know that your code doesn’t have any malicious intent - your backend, your addons ? - You didnt open source them on GitHub for everyone to see.
Even if those things didn’t happen, there’s still a possibility that you might change your policy to favor for-profit competitors over Anki’s third parties due to financial circumstances. Such monetization often occurs because developers find it increases their revenue.
Again how stated above - It was community driven - and now addon development has slowed/reupload to ankiweb due to multiple devs
Funny enough, you are using AnkiWeb to promote your paid add-ons — something I have never done, nor does AnKing, who created paid add-ons. Please reflect on your arguments properly.
I would integrate a simple filter to seperate paid and free add-ons, making it easily viewable and transparent !
“Highly fabricated (or the account is real but compromised)”
Again — a report system on the website that allows claims for add-ons that are not their own, a copyright report system, and the ability to report broken and malicious add-ons — which is currently missing on AnkiWeb as well.
“Employees’ salaries should enable development close to full-time hours.”
Again — this website would be free, with no paid features.
“If you were a highly skilled malicious developer…”
Then don’t use it — simple as that. It’s just an option. I’m not saying nor wanting to create a monopoly — just a tool for developers and users for a niche issue in AnkiWeb: portraying fair rankings and giving new developers and unseen add-ons a proper chance to grow in rating.
Even if those things didn’t happen, there’s still a possibility that you might change your policy to favor for-profit competitors over Anki’s third parties due to financial circumstances.
I’m sorry, but if we compare each other: I have completely open-sourced and rather “given” my project to the community — like I don’t have a sole say in it myself, even though I created it over six months ago at the start.
I would be happy to review the code with other developers, and I’ll ask AnkiCollab @honeybadger to help out. He isn’t known by his full name anywhere, only by username — but I know him personally, and he could also speak for me. Additionally, I have opened development for two years and shown completely transparently what I’m doing. You do not share almost any of your add-ons on GitHub. You sometimes only upload your README and use it to track issues. The only way to check your code would be by downloading it — which isn’t really a good argument in these terms.
(e.g., terms of use: “Do you agree to the above risks?” → Yes)
Already planned to implement this in my development state.
I think such an exclusive license goes against Anki’s open-source philosophy.
If you mean Ankimon - the add-on was not supposed to be freely reuploaded out of respect for the work. At the same time, I said to ask for permission to use the code, so users dont just “resell” it. Also, if this would be “illegal,” then it would simply fall back to the AGPL license. (For example you are using Sprites in Pokemanki you do not own and dont provide a license in your addon for them)
I wouldn’t simply open-source the website code because it creates a security risk through malicious developers finding vulnerabilities (like in any open-source package platform). I think it’s better to be strict about these matters.
There is a simple difference between being strict and being straight-up rude and offensive. I understand your current position — due to the amount of uploaded add-ons on AnkiWeb, you receive a sort of monopoly, and the new ranking system gives all developers the benefit of having an actual chance in the rankings.
“I’m already confident that all add-ons I’ve written myself are safe, because I haven’t written malicious code.”
My friend, this is a terrible argument — not even an actual argument.
“Other developers’ add-ons are not projects I should troubleshoot or support…”
This argument doesn’t hold truth — because Peacemonk developed add-ons while learning about Ankimon, and I helped him wherever I could with all his questions. I’m someone who wants to see others succeed.
“Even the most popular add-ons only reach less than 1% of all Anki users.”
This is the main issue with the current Anki rating system you are talking about.
“Releasing add-ons on a new platform requires additional development work.”
The new release system would simply use linking — nothing else, minimal effort.
Typical developers think logically, so I think they need rational reasons to actively participate in the platform.
I showed the idea to the developer of AnkiCollab, who was completely for it, as well as other add-on developers. So your argument again is only your own opinion and nothing else - so dont try to portray your own view for everyone.
I’m sorry, but I think your argumentation comes from a place of fear of losing a monopoly-like position in the community — possibly feeling the risk of losing your current ranking. But your argumentation wasn’t honest; it felt personal, which is sad to see. I really expected more from you.
Edit: Comment looked alot harsher than actually meant to be. But im not allowing to talk poorly about my community project, because there are people involved that have become more than just colleagues in this matter, but true friends with true efforts.