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How to become a pirate archivist (2022)

annas-blog.org

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Re: How to become a pirate archivist (2022)

#2
In case anyone's wondering what this relates to:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna%27s_Archive

> Anna's Archive is a search engine for shadow libraries.

> It describes itself as a project that aims to "catalog all the books in existence"

May they succeed at their noble goal.

Re: How to become a pirate archivist (2022)

#4
While I know they need to fund servers somehow, the approach and wording of their download page doesn't sit right with me:

>Fast downloads - Become a member to support the long-term preservation of books, papers, and more. To show our gratitude for your support, you get fast downloads.

>[3 "Fast Partner Server" links]

>Refer a friend, and both you and your friend get 50% bonus fast downloads!

>[3 "Slow Partner Server" links]

$5/m gets 20 fast downloads a day.

I'd be interested to hear others' thoughts on this.

edit: I should have said that the donations page is important context too: https://annas-archive.org/donate

Re: How to become a pirate archivist (2022)

#5
post #4

While I know they need to fund servers somehow, the approach and wording of their download page doesn't sit right with me: >Fast downloads - Become a member to support the long-term preservation of books, papers, and more. To show our gratitude for your support, you get fast downloads. >[3 "Fast Partner Server" links] >Refer a friend, and both you and your friend get 50% bonus fast downloads! >[3 "Slow Partner Server…

Why doesn't it sit right? Providing a higher level of service reward for those who support provides an incentive, yet those who do not support are no worse off than they already were.

What surprises me is the need for fast downloads. Books are small. 20 fast small downloads doesn't seem much of a reward.

Re: How to become a pirate archivist (2022)

#6
post #4

While I know they need to fund servers somehow, the approach and wording of their download page doesn't sit right with me: >Fast downloads - Become a member to support the long-term preservation of books, papers, and more. To show our gratitude for your support, you get fast downloads. >[3 "Fast Partner Server" links] >Refer a friend, and both you and your friend get 50% bonus fast downloads! >[3 "Slow Partner Server…

From the FAQ, https://annas-archive.org/donation_faq

>If you don’t like how we operate our project, go run your own shadow library! All our code and data are open source, so nothing is stopping you. ;)

Or be more specific what doesn't sit right with you.

Re: How to become a pirate archivist (2022)

#7
post #4

While I know they need to fund servers somehow, the approach and wording of their download page doesn't sit right with me: >Fast downloads - Become a member to support the long-term preservation of books, papers, and more. To show our gratitude for your support, you get fast downloads. >[3 "Fast Partner Server" links] >Refer a friend, and both you and your friend get 50% bonus fast downloads! >[3 "Slow Partner Server…

From the FAQ, https://annas-archive.org/donation_faq >If you don’t like how we operate our project, go run your own shadow library! All our code and data are open source, so nothing is stopping you. ;) Or be more specific what doesn't sit right with you.

I'm unsure what quoting that to me achieves? What are your thoughts on their approach to getting donations (monthly subscriptions)?

Re: How to become a pirate archivist (2022)

#8
post #4

While I know they need to fund servers somehow, the approach and wording of their download page doesn't sit right with me: >Fast downloads - Become a member to support the long-term preservation of books, papers, and more. To show our gratitude for your support, you get fast downloads. >[3 "Fast Partner Server" links] >Refer a friend, and both you and your friend get 50% bonus fast downloads! >[3 "Slow Partner Server…

Why doesn't it sit right? Providing a higher level of service reward for those who support provides an incentive, yet those who do not support are no worse off than they already were. What surprises me is the need for fast downloads. Books are small. 20 fast small downloads doesn't seem much of a reward.

That the first thing it says on every download page is a push to sign up for a monthly subscription. Then it continues with a push to refer friends to do the same.

From some testing there seems to be a built in delay, and then as some scanned books can easily be 20-100MB a download time of 5-10mins isn't uncommon. (I not complaining about this)

I support their goals of open access, FWIW.

edit: the call for people to run mirrors is interesting to see: https://annas-archive.org/mirrors

Re: How to become a pirate archivist (2022)

#9
post #4

While I know they need to fund servers somehow, the approach and wording of their download page doesn't sit right with me: >Fast downloads - Become a member to support the long-term preservation of books, papers, and more. To show our gratitude for your support, you get fast downloads. >[3 "Fast Partner Server" links] >Refer a friend, and both you and your friend get 50% bonus fast downloads! >[3 "Slow Partner Server…

Why doesn't it sit right? Providing a higher level of service reward for those who support provides an incentive, yet those who do not support are no worse off than they already were. What surprises me is the need for fast downloads. Books are small. 20 fast small downloads doesn't seem much of a reward.

Anything else of value with exclusivity like an additional catalog or early-access would go against their stated goal.

So, I guess this is similar to buying official physical merchandise like t-shirt or mug at a higher than market price which they cannot ship (legally) due to the nature of their service. Both parties know that the benefit they get doesn't match the costs and it is about showing support.

Re: How to become a pirate archivist (2022)

#10
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From the FAQ, https://annas-archive.org/donation_faq >If you don’t like how we operate our project, go run your own shadow library! All our code and data are open source, so nothing is stopping you. ;) Or be more specific what doesn't sit right with you.

I'm unsure what quoting that to me achieves? What are your thoughts on their approach to getting donations (monthly subscriptions)?

If you don't like their approach, you can host your own shadow library. It's all open source. :)
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