Shelfarians discussion

I wasn't sure where exactly the best place to post about this on Shelfari, but this is the perfect place to reach Shelfari members on GoodReads.

I'm not sure how many are familiar with the new site LeafMarks but it's one of the sites that many GoodReads members have been fleeing to after the recent policy changes. Right now the site is kind of bare bones, but I've been emailing back and forth with the developer and she seems very open to feedback and suggestions. Funny enough, at least half of the things I've suggested I've been told are already in the works or that other members have suggested the same things as well.

Of particular interest to Shelfari members, I was told that when they get discussion groups up and running they will try to implement nested conversations. There was also mention of putting in a cover view/graphical shelves option for viewing one's shelves.

They will also be adding reading challenges/achievements and also a way to "battle" your friends to see who can read a certain amount of books first and things like that.

I don't know how long it will take for all of these things to come about, but I'm very excited and looking forward to it. It might be worth signing up and at least keeping an eye on the site to see how it develops because it seems like it might eventually become more like Shelfari than any other site out there which will be important in the event that Amazon lets Shelfari die. I know a lot of people are worried about that possibility.

I should note that like on GoodReads you have to sign up as a Librarian in order to edit things, but as of right now there's no minimum book requirement. You just have to use the contact form to request Librarian status.

checked it out looks interesting :) Unable to get on to Shelfari tonight so am thinking it may be time to start looking else where

Donna wrote: "checked it out looks interesting :) Unable to get on to Shelfari tonight so am thinking it may be time to start looking else where"

I was just on Shelfari ... no problems at all.

can get in today okay but last few days I have had trouble accessing book information :)

I've signed up with Leafmarks. I'm Book Concierge there as well, though my logo is slightly different (still an indigo bunting, but I couldn't find the exact same pic).

Wow, I guess I don't get notifications for this group anymore and apparently it's been months since I've checked in. I think most of my shelfari friends know I've also joined leafmarks now, as well.

I wonder - would it be worth it to start a "Shelfarians" group like this one over at leafmarks? Just a thought...

It couldn't hurt. If you want to start one, I'll join it.

Same here. I haven't received any Shelfari emails for five days now.

I'm going on two weeks.

Jonetta, I don't want to hear that! When I contacted support, he or she apologized indicating that this rarely happened. I believe they understood better in my reply.

They assured me they'd turned this over to their Tech team.

Sorry, haven't popped back over here for a few days.

I have a few things to finish up tonight, but I'll try to remember to start a shelfarians group over there, as well, tomorrow (Sunday).

OK, I forgot to start a group yesterday, but today (Monday), I have started one. Feel free to stop by over there, too. :-)

I check in there daily and far less often here, so I'm more likely to stay up to date with what's happening over there.

ETA: here's the link:
https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/discus...

LibraryCin wrote: "OK, I forgot to start a group yesterday, but today (Monday), I have started one. Feel free to stop by over there, too. :-)

I check in there daily and far less often here, so I'm more likely to st..."

Thanks, Cin ... I joined the group on Leafmarks.

I joined a few month ago and have made some headway in posting my large library on the site. So far, so good although it is very slow on my computer. Has anyone else experienced very slow reaction times?

Judith wrote: "So far, so good although it is very slow on my computer. Has anyone else experienced very slow reactio..."

I haven't noticed that at the times I've been there.

Now that Shelfari is officially closing I would like to say that Leafmarks is my next choice. However, I'll be coming to GR, just not as often as I did on Shelfari, nor as much as I'll be on Leafmarks, But since my Shelfari groups and friends are going to different places, I'm going to try and keep up.

same with me Karin
We've got the same story

I joined Leafmarks when it was first established but eventually deleted my account for several reasons:
1. Their book database was limited (this may have improved since then)
2. Group participation was minimal (also might have changed)
3. With real life getting in the way, I didn't have the time or patience to update more than one site.

Lauren wrote: "I joined Leafmarks when it was first established but eventually deleted my account for several reasons:
1. Their book database was limited (this may have improved since then)
2. Group participation..."

Snap! Although I still have my account but it's stagnant. I find the site very raw. I'm sure it will improve over time and as shelfarians transfer over to Leafmarks it might speed up the process.

I'm on Leafmarks. I signed up about a year ago to test it out for when the time came that Shelfari imploded. My main issue with the site is that while they do have nesting conversations, they are very poorly designed - so are discussion groups in general. That combined with the low participation on the site were the reasons our group decided to relocate to Goodreads.

I've noticed that a few more people have joined our group on Leafmarks since the Shelfari announcement, but it's still not going to be my primary site.

Belles wrote: "My main issue with the site is that while they do have nesting conversations, they are very poorly designedv..."

Dare I say it but I agree! I find the nesting on Leafmarks overly complicated. So much so that I prefer the discussion format here without the nesting. I love the shelfari nesting and wish they would replicate it here.

Even though there are so many levels of nesting there, I still prefer the nesting, personally.

Belles wrote: "I'm on Leafmarks. I signed up about a year ago to test it out for when the time came that Shelfari imploded. My main issue with the site is that while they do have nesting conversations, they are v..."

I joined over there, but my main groups won't be on LM in all likeylhood. Can you link to the group here?

LibraryCin wrote: "Even though there are so many levels of nesting there, I still prefer the nesting, personally."

I think most Shelfarians do :-)

I'm happy with the group set up on Leafmarks, but I've spent a considerable amount of time on that site since the announcement so that I could get comfortable. Now I am. The site doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but so far I find it works well to have discussions so I hope enough people give the groups there a try and find they like them enough to stay. I decided to house my shelf at LibraryThing though, and will keep a presence here on GR to stay in touch with friends from Shelfari who don't want to move to Leafmarks.

Melissa, that's pretty much how I'm feeling, all-around, as well. Oh, except that I am involved in a few fun groups at LibraryThing, as well.

I do have one major group from shelfari that may decide to reside here, and if that's the case, I will be involved in that one group.

I discovered (by accident) what I think is a major flaw in Leafmarks' set up.
In each thread there is a finite number of posts that appear on "page one" ... when it reaches the maximum you'll see a more posts link at the bottom of the page. The problem is that when you click on that link to go to the next page you'll lose all the "new/unread" markers. So for groups with lots of participation you won't be able to tell what's new on the subsequent pages.

I haven't found a way, yet to show only unread/new posts on Leafmarks. Or to go directly to the new/unread post.

Book Concierge wrote: "I discovered (by accident) what I think is a major flaw in Leafmarks' set up.
In each thread there is a finite number of posts that appear on "page one" ... when it reaches the maximum you'll see a..."

Yes, this is annoying and has been brought up in the 'Suggestions, Feedback & Help' group. It was ignored at the time but, if enough people resurrect the issue, they might just get around to fixing it - especially now that the groups are seeing substantially more activity.

I just would not expect a quick fix since they are probably focused on getting their Shelfari import filter working again, after Amazon/Shelfari recently changed the file format.

Book Concierge wrote: "I discovered (by accident) what I think is a major flaw in Leafmarks' set up.
In each thread there is a finite number of posts that appear on "page one" ... when it reaches the maximum you'll see a..."

I know, BC. I believe I've asked about that in the Help group. Well, I've asked about losing those "new" flags after you click "More posts". I don't think I asked about a way to show only unread posts. Or going directly to the first unread.

Melissa wrote: "I decided to house my shelf at LibraryThing though, and will keep a presence here on GR to stay in touch with friends from Shelfari who don't want to move to Leafmarks. "

I'm not so keen on the idea of having one site for tracking books and another site for group participation. I would rather have it all in one place.

Melissa wrote: "I'm happy with the group set up on Leafmarks, but I've spent a considerable amount of time on that site since the announcement so that I could get comfortable. Now I am. The site doesn't have a lot..."

That's my take as well. For tagging and shelving LT is by far the best site. I've had a look at the discussions there and find that they are quite similar to the ones here. It takes a bit more effort initially to figure out how it works, but I find I can live with the lack of nesting for the most part.

Seeing as of my four favorite groups two go to Leafmarks, one here and the last one is as yet undecided, I face the prospect of having to visit three sites instead of one in the future...

Bummer...

Sara wrote: "Belles wrote: "I'm on Leafmarks. I signed up about a year ago to test it out for when the time came that Shelfari imploded. My main issue with the site is that while they do have nesting conversati..."

Sara, my group on Leafmarks focuses on urban fantasy books. You're more than welcome to join.

https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/discus...

I agree with you Lauren...I like one site but look what having only Shelfaridid.
It is taking an incredible amount of time since Goodreads did not accept the majority of my reviews and or ratings.

I'm in transcription limbo
If I want them saved I have to hand transfer them.

Lauren wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I decided to house my shelf at LibraryThing though, and will keep a presence here on GR to stay in touch with friends from Shelfari who don't want to move to Leafmarks. "

I'm not s..."

I would also only prefer to use one site for both, but unfortunately with Shelfari closing up their isn't one site that provides me with with what I'm looking for in terms of both a good place for discussion and a good place to catalogue my books. I'm comfortable on Leafmarks for discussion, but I'm not a fan of how books are tracked there nor the smaller size of their catalogue and book data (compared to here or LT). That leaves me with little option but to maintain information at more than one site if I want to be able to enjoy both good discussions and a good catalogue for my books.

PennsyLady wrote: "I agree with you Lauren...I like one site but look what having only Shelfaridid.
It is taking an incredible amount of time since Goodreads did not accept the majority of my reviews and or ratings.
..."

I've just started my import here, so I'll be curious to see what my shelf ends up looking like. I'm not so worried since my info transferred well to LT, but with so many people seemingly coming over here I want to maintain a presence here too.

Lauren wrote: "I joined Leafmarks when it was first established but eventually deleted my account for several reasons:
1. Their book database was limited (this may have improved since then)
2. Group participation..."

Leafmarks lets users add the books, since they are NOT owned by or directly linked to Amazon. To do that, you request to be a librarian (similar to editing on Shelfari, but you can do more) This can be a plus, since on Shelfari every single time someone posted a book to sell on Amazon, especially used books, it would appear as a separate book on Amazon. Then if you chose to have the books combined, you had to submit it and wait until an unpaid, overworked volunteer librarian could combine them for you. This way, if your book is already on Leafmarks, it's a snap, and if not, you are helping to build something not owned by Amazon. Full disclosure, I am still an Amazon prime member and am not totally anti-Amazon, just miffed at a few things they do, closing Shelfari being just one of them.

Karin wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I joined Leafmarks when it was first established but eventually deleted my account for several reasons:
1. Their book database was limited (this may have improved since then)
2. Grou..."

They actually do have a feed that adds newer books. But for the older ones it's more manual.

Melissa wrote: "I'm happy with the group set up on Leafmarks, but I've spent a considerable amount of time on that site since the announcement so that I could get comfortable. Now I am. The site doesn't have a lot..."

Karin wrote: Leafmarks lets users add the books, since they are NOT owned by or directly linked to Amazon. To do that, you request to be a librarian (similar to editing on Shelfari, but you can do more)

I also requested Librarian status and received it within 24 hours. They provide Librarian guidelines. I'm not doing anything too complicated but combine books when I see the need, I've added a few books and add covers as needed.

I find the discussion format much easier at Leafmarks and am so happy Melissa moved her group there!

Sushicat wrote: "Karin wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I joined Leafmarks when it was first established but eventually deleted my account for several reasons:
1. Their book database was limited (this may have improved since..."
Thanks :).

Well, now I am in two groups on Leafmarks and two on GR. I guess I will see if I can continue at both sites.

Jerry-Book wrote: "Well, now I am in two groups on Leafmarks and two on GR. I guess I will see if I can continue at both sites."

Same here - and another one on LibraryThing - feeling stretched a bit thin...

Me too. I have not been doing as much reading because I'm monitoring the progress of my exports, imports, downloads and uploads - it's enough to drive me crazy. By the time I settle down at night to read I'm so wiped out, I just go to sleep. This merging takes some getting used to. In the end, I think I will only be active in one site but cannot figure out which one it will be.

I know its crazy isn't it? I never spent so much time on two sites for a long time. Checking and re checking getting to grips with the site. I think I will choose Leafmarks as all my book are there and in the right order...

I cannot figure out how to sort so that my last books entered are first ones I see. I can't do this on L M or GR. At least with L M the reviews made it over with the books. GR has me wondering what happened. There are books but there is no order. I have 10 of by 50 favorites, no reviews And the list goes on.

I know painful. I hate change and I loved the wooden shelves seeing all my books on them! Think I sound like a saddo! haha

Dosha (Bluestocking7) wrote: "I cannot figure out how to sort so that my last books entered are first ones I see. I can't do this on L M or GR. At least with L M the reviews made it over with the books. GR has me wondering what..."

You can sort your books on both sites...

On Leafmarks...

- Click 'My Books' at the top of the page
- In the drop-down menu, click 'Books'
- When your books page loads, click the green 'Date Added' link, (you might need to click twice since it toggles the sort order back & forth).
- You can also sort using the other green links in the that header

Goodreads is just about the same. Click the 'My Books' link at the top of the page and, as long as your books are showing in List View, you will find a sort-able header similar to the one on Leafmarks.

HTH...

Dosha (Bluestocking7) wrote: "Me too. I have not been doing as much reading because I'm monitoring the progress of my exports, imports, downloads and uploads - it's enough to drive me crazy. By the time I settle down at night t..."

Same here, but it's slowing down now for me and I got more reading done this afternoon. I have decided not to worry about all my reviews from Shelfari and to slowly move the ones I saved on my computer from 2014. One year is better than none, I figure.

I was able to migrate my books from Shelfari to Goodreads, but after several attempts I'm finding it difficult to retrieve my ratings. The 5 Star rating system came up blank. I've spent hours with two window tabs open, one window Shelfari and one window Goodreads trying to re-rate my books. Currently about halfway through.

Next up: Doing likewise with my Read It dates. All the dates were lost upon migration.

On another note: I am now at Leafmarks, too. I'm spending way to much time trying to find a new home that is as user friendly as my beloved Shelfari.