A new era begins !
We are happy to announce that KapiBook is back… for the umpteenth time! After years of development and technical challenges, we are finally about to relaunch a new version of our favorite site.
We've come a long way...
Former members know what a great history this site has. First of all, we would like to thank the former members who are still present today. We appreciate everyone who comes back from time to time to see how the site is doing, you are the best! We are lucky to have such a close-knit community! We can't thank you enough for your continued support.
KapiBook is a story that started in… 2016! Yes, we have been working on this project for 7 years. It's hard to believe! Of course, the site has had its ups and downs with the different releases over the years. But we are still here! This year, we are back in force!
What's happening right now?
Nevertheless, it is now time to answer the question that burns everyone's lips: Why is the development of KapiBook progressing so slowly? Well… where to start? There are a multitude of reasons that could explain these delays. We are sincerely sorry for these endless delays. You are probably wondering what’s happening right now and you have the right to know.
First of all, the main cause is the lack of resources. Indeed, KapiBook is managed by only two people who work on this project part time during evenings and weekends. It is not easy at all when you consider the magnitude of this project.
Then, it would be a lie to say that lack of motivation did not play a role in all of this. We have periods of insecurities where we wonder if KapiBook will really regain its former glory. There is no guarantee that the time invested in this project will eventually bear fruit. Obviously, you will understand that without motivation, it becomes much more difficult to work. However, it is often said that it is the journey that counts, not the destination.
Finally, we are also held back by the latest technological advances in web development that have evolved at lightning speed over the past few years. In the blink of an eye, the code can become obsolete. This is without taking into account data management and security issues that require special attention. Currently, this project is gradually turning into a social network. Can you imagine all the links that need to be done in the database. In short, all of these reasons have led us to where we are today.
What lies ahead?
The biggest shortcoming we've had in recent years is the lack of transparency. It's something we want to change. That's why starting today, we're going to try to do one update per month like the one you're reading now. We want to let you know what features are coming next and why others aren't available yet. Normally, with this new channel of communication between us, things should speed up a bit. So, come and have a look here from time to time to be aware of the latest news. We will also start sending emails to people subscribed to the newsletter. If you have not yet registered, the form is on the home page.
In the meantime, here are the features that are planned for the month of June:
Authentication (Registration/Login)
Addition of book to his personal library
Ability to add book reviews
Research and contribution of books
Classify books by themes/categories
Things are going to change...
But that's not all: KapiBook's objective has changed along the way. Initially, we were a book sharing site, but we had to deal with legal issues. It was like living with a Damocles sword hanging over your head. So, for the future, we have decided to become a 100% legal site, while retaining some features of the time. Book sharing will now be reserved for a small private community of members who will have the title of "veteran". The terms and conditions for benefiting from this title have not yet been decided, but we will keep you informed. Other websites of the same kind have also taken similar measures.
More transparency
We are aware that we have lacked transparency in the past, and we absolutely want to change that. So, starting today, we will try to release one update per month to keep you updated on the progress of the project and new features to come. With this new channel of communication between us, things should speed up a little faster. The comments sections may not be active under the articles yet, but in the meantime, do not hesitate to contact us via the contact page to give us your feedback.
Project funding
Before you leave, one last point needs to be addressed. As it was said before, KapiBook is developed by a very small team with very few resources. This project does not bring us any profit at the moment. The few pennies reported by advertising are not even enough to cover the costs of the servers. Former members know that KapiBook has always been free, and it will always remain so. It is something that is close to our hearts. This is what makes us strong: a site that is clean, fast, free and accessible to everyone. However, we are thinking of soon setting up a link that would be used to receive donations. It would be there for those who want to support us financially. We'll let you know when it's available for those who are interested.
For the first time, we really have the opportunity to create our little paradise for lovers of reading. This time, we're going all the way! Thanks for trusting us !