Option for reporting macros - lazy copy

FrameXX

Well-known member
I do trust that reporting macros really does something and makes sense. However the most low-effort category of uploaded templates, but the one that can be seen most in the Macrodroid store doesn't have reasoning option in reporting window. It's an lazy copy of some popular macro and people are actually giving it starts thought original is just one swipe away in 'top rated' section.

I know we can't make MacroDroid store templates best quality only and I thing it is better to keep it more open like it is now (actually only pro users are allowed to post, which already filters a lot of possible junky macros), also sometimes it's really hard to judge if macro is really that low effort, bad and everyone can see it else way, but some macros are obvious lazy copyes. For example 'Youtube: Auto skip ads V2' copyes has been posted already like 2000 times. I'm exaggerating with 2000, of course, but it needs to be a lot.
 
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Dm114

Well-known member
I do trust that reporting macros really does something and makes sense. However the most low-effort category of uploaded templates, but the one that can be seen most in the Macrodroid store doesn't have reasoning option in reporting window. It's an lazy copy of some popular macro and people are actually giving it starts thought original is just one swipe away in 'top rated' section.

I know we can't make MacroDroid store templates best quality only and I thing it is better to keep it more open like it is now (actually only pro users are allowed to post, which already filters a lot of possible junky macros), also sometimes it's really hard to judge if macro is really that low effort, bad and everyone can see it else way, but some macros are obvious lazy copyes. For example 'Youtube: Auto skip ads V2' copyes has been posted already like 2000 times. I'm exaggerating with 2000, of course, but it needs to be a lot.
In addition, I sometimes have a look, mainly to those macros users say they don't work (answering a suggestion of a contributor on this forum). I'm surprised either by some useless complexity or by a surprising simplicity (like 1 trigger + 1 action only) as a child proud of his first drawings... 😆
In both cases, these macros sometimes contain errors demonstrating that their owners/creators don't "master MD language/philosophy" misleading some newbies...

But unfortunately I think it would be difficult to improve this "template store" quality. And, if it were possible, who and with which criteria? 🤔
 

tanutanu

Well-known member
Interesting to me, some guys seem to use the store as cloud backup alternative for free before the introduction of the backup channel.
 
I agree with you. I also read DM114's reply.

My worries are both copycats and bad code. As far as copycats, they dilute the contributions of the developers who took the time to test and document their code. They test and document so their code will work on all versions of Android as stated within the code. Bad code is bad code. Something should be done.

I'm not on this forum often. I'm busy coding for work. I do like MacroDroid Pro, and have developed and am still testing some unique and useful programs / macros that I would like to release on the macro store soon.
 

tanutanu

Well-known member
Just an idea, a user have to give the star to download a macro. If the macro got less than 5 stars within a 2 weeks period, the macro would be invisible or less opportunity to be shown.
It might be better to be a filter option to be controllable by each user:unsure:
 

FrameXX

Well-known member
In both cases, these macros sometimes contain errors demonstrating that their owners/creators don't "master MD language/philosophy" misleading some newbies...
I am okay with newbies, non-working or trivial macro. Even if macro is non-working you can repair or it's just a good idea.
 

tanutanu

Well-known member
Sounds unreasonable. In that case there could just be a number of imports as another number.
I don't mind how evaluate. I also expect to motivate the contributors by forcing users to reward.
One important thing is that it should be fair countable system without human handling for sustainable operation.
 

Jacob L

Moderator (Lawsonator)
I don't mind how evaluate. I also expect to motivate the contributors by forcing users to reward.
One important thing is that it should be fair countable system without human handling for sustainable operation.
That would devalue the reward because it's forced not because the person rewarding found it useful. You can't motivate by force but by encouragement.
 

Jacob L

Moderator (Lawsonator)
You can report macros as spam if they're lazy copies.

The other thing that might put people off is if the reports aren't anonymous. People seem to prefer anonymity to relieve them from victimisation.
 

tanutanu

Well-known member
I usually put my macro on a cloud space to evaluate how people are interested in. After the evaluation(and some improvements or bug fixes), I release the macro on the store.
A 100++ downloaded macro got 1 or 2 stars in the store. Even 500++, less than 5. I evaluate only less than 1% people are motivated to reward to contributors without any encouraging mechanism.
Some other promotional activities such as an introduction of the forum post, tweet, blog post or just contributed by well known guys might be effective.
A macro tends to become more popular if it is enough easy to read the code logic for small customizations but useful as it is. Some guys take a "strategy" to update as a brand new macro very frequently even it has very minor difference. These are very Interesting to me:)
 

FrameXX

Well-known member
Downvoting macros would be good. Or just having a way to report a user as well as the macros
In older versions of macrodroid it seems there was actually like and dislike button, but it was replaced with stars from reason to me unknown.
 

FrameXX

Well-known member
You can report macros as spam if they're lazy copies.

The other thing that might put people off is if the reports aren't anonymous. People seem to prefer anonymity to relieve them from victimisation.

That's what I did until now.

I just wanted to pour out my hearth out on this forum 😭😁
 
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Jacob L

Moderator (Lawsonator)
Ok Jacob but how to moderate? With what criteria? It won't be easy to be objective...
Well I'm a forum moderator, I only step in if there's reports and even then they are easy to fix. In the store though, it is way easy to see what's spam and what isn't. Multiple copies of macros are clearly spam. Beyond that it doesn't really matter
 

tanutanu

Well-known member
I respect a guy who want to compare 2000++ macros to figure out which one is original continuously based on objective conditions constantly every day and night;)
 

Jacob L

Moderator (Lawsonator)
I respect a guy who want to compare 2000++ macros to figure out which one is original continuously based on objective conditions constantly every day and night;)
That's sort of my point. It is currently only up to Jamie, MacroDroid's developer. If there were some moderators rather than just one then it could be sorted faster. Ultimately it degrades the quality of MacroDroid if the store is full of spam
 
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