Tracking Sites: odds & ends
Despite 3 lengthy posts about my thoughts on media tracking sites, I still admittedly have not tried everything or had much to say about some sites! So, with some concluding thoughts, here's a quick rapid fire session about some sites and other leftovers that didn't make the cut.
- companion apps: I didn't want to get into this much as I wanted to judge sites on what the core experience offered, not what third party apps can do using their API. However, a site is always going to be more welcoming and easier to use when they're applied. Another big reason I still use MAL is the widespread use of its API on multiple anime-adjacent sites, various mobile apps and more.
- SIMKL: In my opinion, this is just straight up awful to use. I've tried it twice and it feels like a mess of HTML elements meant to offend me specifically. I'm sure SIMKL is for someone but it sure is not me.
- Exophase: This one's pretty neat, but admittedly of very little use for me. I love the idea of having all of my gaming achievements in one spot (and will continue to use it for that very reason), but I doubt I'll ever post anything directly there myself.
- Kitsu: I've not used Kitsu myself but, at a glance, it seems really competent and probably just as good as Anilist. This is a case where I just happened to see Anilist first when I was hunting for anything not-MAL. I'm glad it's doing the community feed and reactions approach though - while I think it'd be great for TV, it's perfect for anime as well and its very seasonal viewing approach.
- GoodReads, StoryGraph: These two are just out of my depth. GoodReads I haven't had the interest to use as it is Amazon owned, but I also have not been reading many books lately. I'm trying to be better about that now and thus have been slowly using StoryGraph more, but I'd be rude to make a snap judgement on a site I really haven't experienced yet.
- AniDB, TVDB, TMDB, IMDB: A bit unfair to group these all together but it's for one simple reason - while these all have some aspect of tracking to them, they're obviously databases first and foremost to me. I don't really have an interest in making an account for any of them, especially since I'm not updating info for the databases any time soon.
- RateYourMusic, Glitchwave, Cinemos: I've heard about RateYourMusic for years, but its core ecosystem being branched out into game and movie tracking is very new to me. It's very much a gap in my tracking site knowledge, so I'm interested in trying it out at some point. RYM does also have somewhat of a "representation" problem with its community being known as somewhat elitist, but that's also hearsay I can't exactly prove myself either. Maybe one day I'll have more thoughts on this one, once Last.fm has somehow overstayed its welcome.
Media tracking can be the weirdest of niches but, as someone with what feels like the memory of a goldfish, there's something nice about having a digital journal of your thoughts. It only becomes more invaluable as you grow old and see your tastes, interests and written thoughts age and mature along with you. Thanks for reading all of this and hopefully all these words help you find some more enjoyment in the creative works you play, watch or listen to.
Part 1: Preface & Music Tracking
Part 2: Game Tracking
Part 3: Anime/Movies/TV Tracking