#25 - Hey Computer, Can You Help?

If you want to see what all the fuss is about, consider signing up to the paid programme for December.

        November 25, 2019

#25 - Hey Computer, Can You Help?
The StoryGraph takes its first foray into machine learning and I start to look ahead to a beta re-launch come January 2020.

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Computer Says Yes!

Remember when I used to complain about how long it took me to onboard somebody onto the app? (If not, issues #8, #10, and #13 are the ones to revisit.)

I have a friend.

We'll call them F for now.

Turns out F has been learning how to train computers to do specific tasks and they've started working with The StoryGraph to see if we can teach a machine to figure out a book's moods and pace.

Abbie's been helping to train our computer brain this week:

It's super early days, but if this works, it will mean a much better user experience and the ability to scale The StoryGraph a lot more quickly!

Last week

We had our second Editors group call.

Two things that surprised me:

People love the personal recommendations so much that they were delaying using up their credits and asking if there was a way to buy more. One tester asked: "Is there a way I can just pay upfront for a year of these?". 😅

A few Editors said that the only feature that's keeping them using Goodreads is their annual reading challenge. I'd love to get something similar into The StoryGraph ready for January 2020. 🤞🏾

If you want to see what all the fuss is about, consider signing up to the paid programme for December.

On the product side, Editors can now exclude genres they don't want to show up in their search:

Don't get me wrong — I do love the odd graphic novel! 

And if you're just not gelling with a book:

Click the image above to find out why I didn't finish the book. 😜

This week

Earlier this year, I imagined doing a proper launch for The StoryGraph come January 1st 2020. I'm far away from that, but there's no reason that I can't launch a new version of the Beta on that day.

The aim this week will be to crack on with the relevant vital features so that I go into December less anxious. 😅

This afternoon I'm going to be doing a little bit of work with friend and Editor, Andrew. We're gonna look at some performance stuff. I'm excited! 🤓

What I'm reading right now 

I'm back with my #fivestarrereadalong challenge:

I studied this at school when I was thirteen and I remember loving it. What will I make of it now? 😬

Have you read this one as an adult? What was your experience?

Have a great week,

Nadia

P.S. If you know a friend who's an avid mood reader or would enjoy following along with this journey, please do forward this email to them! Thank you. :-)

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