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Which websites should we link to? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) by gary_host_laptop@lemmy.ml to c/books@lemmy.ml

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Recently there was kind of a discussion, with one user being a bit mean towards the other regarding the latter posting a link to Amazon.

While I do not agree with how they brought the discussion, I think it would be great to read everyone's opinion about what should be link, and if linking to specific websites should be forbidden.

For example, we have Open Library, BookWyrm, Inventaire, etc, if you only want to link to a book's information, and while it is harder to find a replacement to a web site where you can buy books, users can always search for it if they want.

What are your thoughts?

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[–] kromonos@fapsi.be 7 points 3 years ago (1 children)

Personally, I think that one can post links to Amazon or other closed systems from time to time, especially when it comes to books. Yes, Lemmy is OpenSource and here are also many present who condemn Google, Amazon, Facebook, ... because of tracking, work ethics, privacy issues, etc. Still, it is the case that some authors and self publisher may not know better or even have no idea about systems outside Amazon. In addition, one should also consider that Amazon, for example, as evil as such companies may be, can be a stepping stone to more reach for aspiring authors.

If one doesn't like something, one doesn't have to comment on it, give it a bad rating or even start a riot. One can also ignore it and let the new things to those who don't have an extremist aversion to something.

Just my 2 cent.

[–] gary_host_laptop@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 years ago (2 children)

What about recommending these libre web sites in the side bar but still allowing proprietary ones?

[–] pingveno@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) (1 children)

Or writing a bot that tries to resolve the Amazon product to a libre site equivalent and replies with a comment?

[–] gary_host_laptop@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 years ago

The flagship instance forbids bots, so I don't think that will be possible.

[–] kromonos@fapsi.be 2 points 3 years ago

I think it's a great idea. Authors only can find libre sites, when someone recommends them. I also think it's a good idea, when they are made aware of possible alternatives in the comments. Not everyone looks at the sidebar in detail or directly knows, what the links are useful for.