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Podcast: Talking Images (Episode 22 released November 17th * EXCLUSIVE * We Are Mentioned in a Book!!! Interview with Mary Guillermin on Rapture, JG & More)
Polls: Directors (Waiting for results), 1929 (Results), Directorial Debut Features (Mar 12th), DtC - Nominations (Mar 20th), Favourite Movies (Mar 28th)
Challenges: UK/Ireland, Directed by Women, Waves from around the World
Film of the Week: Lean on Pete, April nominations (Apr 1st)
NOTE: Board emails should be working again. Information on forum upgrade and style issues.
Podcast: Talking Images (Episode 22 released November 17th * EXCLUSIVE * We Are Mentioned in a Book!!! Interview with Mary Guillermin on Rapture, JG & More)
Polls: Directors (Waiting for results), 1929 (Results), Directorial Debut Features (Mar 12th), DtC - Nominations (Mar 20th), Favourite Movies (Mar 28th)
Challenges: UK/Ireland, Directed by Women, Waves from around the World
Film of the Week: Lean on Pete, April nominations (Apr 1st)
Letterboxd
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Letterboxd
So, who else is in bed with Letterboxd? You can find me here.
I'll try to keep a list of everyone's account in this OP.
I'll try to keep a list of everyone's account in this OP.
Last edited by Life as Fiction on June 14th, 2012, 7:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I signed up ages ago but only looked at it briefly. Is it worth giving it another go?
Edit: I forgot to do the "we'll do a forum for them one day and it will be made official" joke. Sorry, my standards of repetitiveness are slipping.
Edit: I forgot to do the "we'll do a forum for them one day and it will be made official" joke. Sorry, my standards of repetitiveness are slipping.
Last edited by AdamH on June 14th, 2012, 8:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Knaldskalle
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I'm not angry, but I am disappointed.intothewild on Jun 14 2012, 02:44:04 PM wrote:Sorry, my standards of repetitiveness are slipping.
- brokenface
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I did start an account and click a load of stuff a while back. It's a slick looking site, but I've not really seen what it offers over ICM (lists!) or Criticker (stats!). The diary thing kinda cool, but only really if you are just starting out..looking at your page, Life as Fiction, seems you are backdating when you watched things? I wouldn't be able to do that..
Does it have IMDB import?
Me: http://letterboxd.com/brokenface/
Does it have IMDB import?
Me: http://letterboxd.com/brokenface/
Last edited by brokenface on June 14th, 2012, 9:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- PeacefulAnarchy
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In theory, but I couldn't get it to work and don't see what it offers over criticker, ICM and imdb.brokenface on Jun 14 2012, 03:45:38 PM wrote:Does it have IMDB import?
Last edited by PeacefulAnarchy on June 14th, 2012, 9:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- PeacefulAnarchy
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Nothing. It's doesn't even offer me the letters n and t so that I can spell.bal3x on Jun 14 2012, 03:53:37 PM wrote:So what does it offer that those 3 sites don't have? I think I signed up a long time ago and deleted my accountPeacefulAnarchy on Jun 14 2012, 03:48:05 PM wrote:and do see what it offers over criticker, ICM and imdb.
So you meant "don't see", now I seePeacefulAnarchy on Jun 14 2012, 03:55:10 PM wrote:Nothing. It's doesn't even offer me the letters n and t so that I can spell.bal3x on Jun 14 2012, 03:53:37 PM wrote:So what does it offer that those 3 sites don't have? I think I signed up a long time ago and deleted my accountPeacefulAnarchy on Jun 14 2012, 03:48:05 PM wrote:and do see what it offers over criticker, ICM and imdb.

Last edited by bal3x on June 14th, 2012, 9:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Signed up a while ago, tried it and did not like it.
Looks great but no IMDB, official lists, missing films...etc
Looks great but no IMDB, official lists, missing films...etc
- VincentPrice
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http://letterboxd.com/vincentprice/
It's not perfect but who cares, I just like sites like these.
And the diary thing is pretty sweet.
It's not perfect but who cares, I just like sites like these.
And the diary thing is pretty sweet.
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1) My favorite aspect is the diary, which I've worked on backdating for recordkeeping purposes. I like the interface for this considerably better than iCM and other sites, especially because it allows me to count rewatches.
2) It does have IMDb import, but it doesn't use IMDb as its database, which is bad if your films aren't already on...
3) ...themoviedb.org, but adding films and editing data is considerably more efficient than IMDb, so it's a give or take scenario. I personally like TMDb quite a bit so far, and I can imagine over time that it can compete against IMDb given its easy to use interface for basic data.
4) I definitely like finding reviews from people on films I enjoy and vice versa. There are some very quality comments on some films that, unfortunately, you rarely find on iCM.
I use both sites, for the record. Each serves a different purposes with some overlap.
2) It does have IMDb import, but it doesn't use IMDb as its database, which is bad if your films aren't already on...
3) ...themoviedb.org, but adding films and editing data is considerably more efficient than IMDb, so it's a give or take scenario. I personally like TMDb quite a bit so far, and I can imagine over time that it can compete against IMDb given its easy to use interface for basic data.
4) I definitely like finding reviews from people on films I enjoy and vice versa. There are some very quality comments on some films that, unfortunately, you rarely find on iCM.
I use both sites, for the record. Each serves a different purposes with some overlap.
- mightysparks
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I signed up for beta, but got bored pretty quickly. I started trying to backdate everything and it was taking too long. It seemed like a waste of time when I already have my spreadsheet for diary purposes and iCM for list purposes. But I'm here: http://letterboxd.com/mightysparks/
I signed up in beta as well, decided I liked ICM better.
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I've been using it to track films watched since the start of the year, I couldn't be bothered back loading all films.
The most interesting aspect over iCM is the ability to track re-watches, that and the fact it looks so nice
Here's my page - http://letterboxd.com/gregmnewman/
I've also got a beta account at http://seenth.at/ but that site seems like a real mess, so I won't be going back.
The most interesting aspect over iCM is the ability to track re-watches, that and the fact it looks so nice
Here's my page - http://letterboxd.com/gregmnewman/
I've also got a beta account at http://seenth.at/ but that site seems like a real mess, so I won't be going back.
Yeah I signed up a while back in beta too, didn't like the social media angle, found the community rather tiresome and decided it didn't do anything for me other than look rather slick. Not properly being able to import from imdb (back then it wasn't even optional at all) just put me off entirely. I'd rather have an active criticker account than this one, and I can't even really be arsed to keep that up to date.
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How so?insomnia on Jun 15 2012, 05:18:40 AM wrote:found the community rather tiresome
Other than the diary (which I have no interest in using), does Letterboxd have any advantages over iCM?
My profile: http://letterboxd.com/badsmile/
The site is good for diary and for reviews. The list aspect is also good, but not as good as ICM obviously. I also like the design.
The site is good for diary and for reviews. The list aspect is also good, but not as good as ICM obviously. I also like the design.
- St. Gloede
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Never really used by account, but the design is so beautiful and simple that I will use the site to record all my yearly top 10s. Just completed my top 10 of 2011, and will start working myself back in time. You can find me here: http://letterboxd.com/gloede/
- mightysparks
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I was just messing around and realised they do have IMDb import.. if you create a list and 'import', if you import your ratings file you can check import ratings and mark as watched.
- mightysparks
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Seems to take a looooooooooooong time though 

- mightysparks
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Yeah I got an error like that at one point. So, basically this IMDb import is the worst thing ever created and I advise everyone to stay away from it. I've been trying to import for an hour now, and almost every time it gets to a film not in the database (pretty much anything under 1000 votes), it stuffs up and I have to start again. I couldn't edit the ratings.csv (it wouldn't accept it if it was changed), so I had to make an IMDb list of all my ratings and delete all the ones that weren't on Letterboxd. I'm this close to going berserk and smashing everything in sight 
Although, it could be my fecking awful internet. Sometimes they go through and sometimes I get an error. Either way it's driving me crazy.

Although, it could be my fecking awful internet. Sometimes they go through and sometimes I get an error. Either way it's driving me crazy.
Last edited by mightysparks on June 24th, 2012, 6:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- mightysparks
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I'm resetting my internet now to see if it helps. When it inevitably fails again, does anyone with not lame internet mind if I give them my password and ratings file to do it to see if it makes a difference?
- mightysparks
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Surprisingly it actually seems to be working now. Guess it was just my sucky internet. It's been absolutely fecking awful the last few days.
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It works fine. Every site is perpetually evolving, and Letterboxd is no different.bal3x on Jun 24 2012, 12:19:33 PM wrote:I think it's better to wait a while while they fix this... not worth your time otherwise if it does not work, it's very annoying.
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I've done the same.Crinderman on Jun 24 2012, 10:05:01 AM wrote:Never really used by account, but the design is so beautiful and simple that I will use the site to record all my yearly top 10s. Just completed my top 10 of 2011, and will start working myself back in time. You can find me here: http://letterboxd.com/gloede/
But they use TMDB not IMDB which sucks!
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Why?JCS on Jun 24 2012, 05:30:28 PM wrote:But they use TMDB not IMDB which sucks!
- PeacefulAnarchy
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Because it doesn't have nearly as many films as imdb, which means every missing film now needs to be added in two places, first tmdb and then letterboxd. I can't even get to that point because letterboxd won't even finish importing the movies it does have.Life as Fiction on Jun 24 2012, 07:12:35 PM wrote:Why?JCS on Jun 24 2012, 05:30:28 PM wrote:But they use TMDB not IMDB which sucks!
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I noted this as both a positive and a negative in an earlier post. Frankly, I consider it a positive because we have more power to edit what we think is the appropriate information for certain films instead of having the IMDb censors (and their terrible editing system) decide it.PeacefulAnarchy on Jun 24 2012, 07:15:33 PM wrote:Because it doesn't have nearly as many films as imdb, which means every missing film now needs to be added in two places, first tmdb and then letterboxd. I can't even get to that point because letterboxd won't even finish importing the movies it does have.Life as Fiction on Jun 24 2012, 07:12:35 PM wrote:Why?JCS on Jun 24 2012, 05:30:28 PM wrote:But they use TMDB not IMDB which sucks!
And you don't have to add films in TMDb "and Letterboxd." Letterboxd syncs with TMDb twice a day, so I can add the film the next day without any problem.
It's not a perfect system, but I'm glad that they have an alternative to IMDb. The cost difference between the two is also probably why Letterboxd hasn't been as dependent on funding as iCM (or so I assume).
Last edited by Life as Fiction on June 25th, 2012, 2:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
- mightysparks
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Feck me, I left the list importing last night and went to bed and it screwed up right near the end. Next solution: make a bunch of smaller lists. I WILL GET THIS DONE.
- PeacefulAnarchy
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I sincerely doubt ICM pays imdb anything.Life as Fiction on Jun 24 2012, 08:12:47 PM wrote:It's not a perfect system, but I'm glad that they have an alternative to IMDb. The cost difference between the two is also probably why Letterboxd hasn't been as dependent on funding as iCM (or so I assume).
Anyway, I finally got through an import, but when I clicked to confirm I got that error message. Also, the matching algorithm when it doesn't find something is way too aggressive, which means it will sometimes rate random films that have one word in common in the title. I counted over 300 missing films

mightysparks if you do find a way to get it done, let me know.
- mightysparks
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It finished and I got this:
Service Unavailable
The service is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later.
SCREW YOU LETTERBOXD YOU SUCK BALLS!
Service Unavailable
The service is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later.
SCREW YOU LETTERBOXD YOU SUCK BALLS!
- mightysparks
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Ok, odd. It said it failed but my ratings were apparently updated 

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Are you sure? My understanding was that it costs money in order to have access to the IMDb database if you access it to a great degree. Here's an explanation from Letterboxd why they use TMDb.PeacefulAnarchy on Jun 24 2012, 09:19:36 PM wrote:I sincerely doubt ICM pays imdb anything.Life as Fiction on Jun 24 2012, 08:12:47 PM wrote:It's not a perfect system, but I'm glad that they have an alternative to IMDb. The cost difference between the two is also probably why Letterboxd hasn't been as dependent on funding as iCM (or so I assume).
Anyway, I finally got through an import, but when I clicked to confirm I got that error message. Also, the matching algorithm when it doesn't find something is way too aggressive, which means it will sometimes rate random films that have one word in common in the title. I counted over 300 missing films
mightysparks if you do find a way to get it done, let me know.
- PeacefulAnarchy
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Well, I can't say for sure, but I'd bet on it. Also, what you have to pay depends on what you use, and what the purpose is. Here's imdb's terms of service: http://www.imdb.com/licensing/subservicetcLife as Fiction on Jun 24 2012, 09:57:26 PM wrote:Are you sure? My understanding was that it costs money in order to have access to the IMDb database if you access it to a great degree. Here's an explanation from Letterboxd why they use TMDb.
Note that all ICM uses is titles and links, which:
Also the license terms require:b. IMDb Title ID and IMDb Name IDs. Notwithstanding the foregoing license set forth in Section 2.a above, we grant you a nonexclusive and sublicenseable right to use, reproduce, publish, distribute, and display any IMDb Title ID or an IMDb Name ID (which are alternatively known as “IMDb Tconst” for IMDb Title IDs and “IMDb Nconst” for IMDb Name IDs) throughout the world in any media.
which I don't see anywhere.e. Content Attribution. If you are authorized by us (as set forth on the Cover Page) to display the Licensed Content publicly, you will display the IMDb logo with the lead-in text “Powered by [IMDb logo]”on Your Content Use in close proximity to wherever you display the Licensed Content each time you display the Licensed Content and in at least the same-sized font used to display the Licensed Content.
The legality of imdb trying to enforce all those terms is rather dubious, though, considering all of their data is crowd sourced. They certainly have some rights over the collection of data as a whole, but not over any individual piece of data, so to get in real trouble with imdb you have to significantly cross the line, like spidering the whole site. It's probably why sites like ICM and criticker require users to manually add films to the database, even if the information gets pulled from imdb. Limiting what data is pulled and how it's pulled limits liability(in theory anyway).
I think the idea of tmdb is a good one, but imdb has a huge head start and while adding a film is easier than on imdb I'd say their process is too streamlined to ever allow it to rival imdb.
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What the quote is referring to are the title and name IDs which look like:PeacefulAnarchy on Jun 24 2012, 10:31:21 PM wrote:Well, I can't say for sure, but I'd bet on it. Also, what you have to pay depends on what you use, and what the purpose is. Here's imdb's terms of service: http://www.imdb.com/licensing/subservicetcLife as Fiction on Jun 24 2012, 09:57:26 PM wrote:Are you sure? My understanding was that it costs money in order to have access to the IMDb database if you access it to a great degree. Here's an explanation from Letterboxd why they use TMDb.
Note that all ICM uses is titles and links, which:b. IMDb Title ID and IMDb Name IDs. Notwithstanding the foregoing license set forth in Section 2.a above, we grant you a nonexclusive and sublicenseable right to use, reproduce, publish, distribute, and display any IMDb Title ID or an IMDb Name ID (which are alternatively known as “IMDb Tconst” for IMDb Title IDs and “IMDb Nconst” for IMDb Name IDs) throughout the world in any media.
Title ID: tt0133093
Name ID: nm0000206
The data that iCM uses from IMDb has to be licensed (original/english titles, year, imdb rating, imdb vote count). Only linking is allowed.
(Emphasis/Underlining added by me)
http://www.imdb.com/help/show_leaf?usedatasoftware
Can I use IMDb data in my software?
Limited non-commercial use of IMDb data is allowed, provided the following conditions are met:
- You agree to all the terms of our copyright/conditions of use statement.
Please also note that IMDb reserves the right to withdraw permission to use the data at any time at our discretion.- The data must be taken only from the plain text data made available from our FTP sites (see alternative interfaces for more details and for links to our FTP servers). You may not use data mining, robots, screen scraping, or similar online data gathering and extraction tools on our website. If the information/data you want is not present in the data files available from our FTP sites, it means it's not available for non-commercial usage.
- The data can only be used for personal and non-commercial use and must not be altered/republished/resold/repurposed to create any kind of online/offline database of movie information (except for individual personal use). Please refer to the copyright/license information enclosed in each file for further instructions and limitations on allowed usage.
- You must acknowledge the source of the data by including the following statement:
Information courtesy of
The Internet Movie Database
([url=http://www.imdb.com)]http://www.imdb.com)[/url].
Used with permission.
(Emphasis/Underlining added by me)
http://www.imdb.com/help/show_article?conditions
License and Site Access
IMDb grants you a limited license to access and make personal use of this site and not to download (other than page caching) or modify it, or any portion of it, except with express written consent of IMDb. This site or any portion of this site may not be reproduced, duplicated, copied, sold, resold, visited, or otherwise exploited for any commercial purpose without express written consent of IMDb. This license does not include any resale or commercial use of this site or its contents or any derivative use of this site or its contents.
- Robots and Screen Scraping: You may not use data mining, robots, screen scraping, or similar data gathering and extraction tools on this site, except with our express written consent as noted below.
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Last edited by themagician on June 25th, 2012, 10:22 am, edited 1 time in total.