Consider getting app info from lemmyapps.com

[Nutomic]

It has more details available for apps, and while the site is not open source it does have an API. This would simplify our maintenance work, and in return we could add a direct link to that website for people who want more detailed infos.

https://lemmyapps.com/api

[dessalines]

I prefer to maintain our own app list, defined statically, as it is now. I'd rather not even link to that considering its closed source.

So weird that people would rather build their own closed source solutions than do a PR to add lines to our app-definitions file.

[Nutomic]

Then we need to get more people engaged to help updating this data. For example by posting about it in !lemmyapps and other related communities.

Hello. I am the creator of LemmyApps.com.

It was originally started as a passion project to learn Next.js and drive community interest in Lemmy.

I'd rather not even link to that considering its closed source.

This is fair, though I note at launch my desire was for it to be FOSS. I hoped other .NET developers would help me review the code to safeguard against PII leaks, site defacing, etc. I still stand firm on this intent -- but life and work were barriers.

So weird that people would rather build their own closed source solutions than do a PR to add lines to our app-definitions file.

"Weird" is an interesting wording choice to characterize this effort. Folks engage with familiar user interfaces and behaviors, not static wikis and README files on a developer platform. I have seen this skepticism and outright dismissal of this project because of this fact.

Then we need to get more people engaged to help updating this data. For example by posting about it in !lemmyapps and other related communities.

I am in touch with several Lemmy client developers who initially showed interest in updating listings only for them to lose interest and update their own community forums. Unfortunately, if the developers themselves are not interested enough to update their own listings, I am not sure how reliable and current crowdsourced information will be.

I am open to suggestions and am happy to work with you and the community to drive engagement. I will make a stronger effort to open source the project

[Nutomic]

Hi Aciodev! It would definitely be helpful if both websites can use the same data, that way its not necessary to update everything in two places. For this its not even required to open source your entire website code, it would be enough to make a separate repo which only contains the app definitions. Then each website can pull that in as git submodule or direct download.

I am in touch with several Lemmy client developers who initially showed interest in updating listings only for them to lose interest and update their own community forums. Unfortunately, if the developers themselves are not interested enough to update their own listings, I am not sure how reliable and current crowdsourced information will be.

Developers are usually busy developing, they dont have much time left for other tasks. So to update the data its better to rely on passionate users like those in !lemmyapps or individual app communities.

[dessalines]

For reference, here is our app definitions file. Its open source and anyone can use it and contribute to it.

This is well typed, static, and easily writeable to json. Devs have made PRs to add their apps to this list as you can see from the blame.