Interest in Plug-ins Developed with AI

[vasbinde]

Hi there,

I have been enjoying the use of Calibre for a while and have had a few use cases where Calibre is not quite able to meet my needs. One set of needs in particular stood out to me. As such, I put together a set of feature requirements, then worked with an AI agent to develop the plugin through multiple iterations.

I handled the testing, UI design, and feature requirements, while the AI agent created the actual code.

I started using this plugin to meet my own needs a few days ago. It seems solid enough for my purposes.

However, I am curious if others would like to have access to this plugin. Again, this is written by AI, but against my requirements, UI specs, and has been tested through my daily routine.

If there is too much of an objection to sharing AI generated code at all, I will refrain from doing so. If, however, there is interest in sharing the plugin, I will share the full plugin, feature set, documentation, etc.

I am fine either sharing it or not, but wanted to see if there's any interest.

I look forward to hearing from you!

[DNSB]

As you seem to have jumped through all the hoops including testing the code, I personally can't see any objections to having the plugin made publicly accessible.

[PeterT]

Just remember that (more than likely) a very small set of users will go on rants about AI. Just ignore them

[BetterRed]

Given Kovid uses AI to generate code in the base product (example), I find it hard to comprehend why anyone that uses calibre could object to an optional plugin that was developed with the help of AI.

BR

[rantanplan]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Given Kovid uses AI to generate code in the base product (example), I find it hard to comprehend why anyone that uses calibre could object to an optional plugin that was developed with the help of AI.

BR

There's a big difference though.

Kovid understands the code and can do code reviews, etc. Can vasbinde do that? That's the problem with vibe coding. If something breaks, only Claude can fix it.

But then again, you're right. It's an optional plugin, everyone has to make their own choice. So as long as it's disclosed, I don't really see the problem.

[fogice]

I'm guessing the initial post was also AI generated? It's very long without saying anything. "I vibe coded a Calibre plugin. I'm not going to tell you what it does. Any interest?"

[vasbinde]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

There's a big difference though.

Kovid understands the code and can do code reviews, etc. Can vasbinde do that? That's the problem with vibe coding. If something breaks, only Claude can fix it.

But then again, you're right. It's an optional plugin, everyone has to make their own choice. So as long as it's disclosed, I don't really see the problem.

That's very true. My expertise in coding extends to AppleSoft BASIC from 1991, lots of HTML and CSS, some JavaScript, and with a tiny bit of Java, Fortran, Cobol, and VisualBASIC from the late 90s. I have never touched Python directly. I can read the code, and could likely, if given enough time understand what its doing. However, SW development has not been in my job title since 1998.

Given that, I wanted to be very straightforward about the nature of what I've created: something that I have spec'd out, personally have used every day, tested, etc. but did not actually code.

Assuming that is something people would still like to see, I can share the full plugin. I will have no restrictions on the code as well - it will be fully open source, so if a real Python expert likes it and wants to run with it, please feel free to do so.

Sound good?

[vasbinde]

Originally Posted by fogice

I'm guessing the initial post was also AI generated? It's very long without saying anything. "I vibe coded a Calibre plugin. I'm not going to tell you what it does. Any interest?"

No. It was not an AI created post. I am naturally verbose and wax loquacious at the worst of times.

[Sirtel]

Personally I have no objections to AI-created plugins. I might use them, if they offer something valuable for my workflow.

As to something going wrong and only AI knowing how to fix it? So what? There are human-created plugins that have been abandoned by their creators (or the creator has died) and no longer work correctly (or at all). That's always a risk with any plugin/code/program with a single creator.

[BetterRed]

The following is PM exchange I had yesterday with Doitsu (initiator) and Kovid on the issue of using AI to create calibre plugins:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

I have absolutely nothing against plugins with AI created code in them. As long as there is a human that takes responsibility for the maintenance of the plugin whether they use their dog, grandmother or AI to write the code makes absolutely no difference to me.

I also took the trouble of looking up vasbinde's MR history, they've been a member since 2008, been a calibre user since it was libprs500.

BR

[vasbinde]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

The following is PM exchange I had yesterday with Doitsu (initiator) and Kovid on the issue of using AI to create calibre plugins:



I also took the trouble of looking up vasbinde's MR history, they've been a member since 2008, been a calibre user since it was libprs500.

BR

Thank you for that data from Kovid. That clarifies it for me. Although I do wish to share what I've done, I work over 70 hours a week, so its unlikely I'd have the time to fix issues with any rapidity. Given that, it might be best to hold off until I have more time.

I remember my Sony eReader. That thing was lovely. All metal, smooth, clean lines. Definitely the "Sony vibe". That reminds me that I need to update my profile to show that I'm a Kobo LC user now.

[BetterRed]

Ah, c'mon don't be a tease, at least tell us what it does… it might be what we've all been wanting since 2008 and didn't know it

BR

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Ah, c'mon don't be a tease, at least tell us what it does… it might be what we've all been wanting since 2008 and didn't know it

BR

What he said.

[vasbinde]

OK. It is a plugin to which you can add the names of the authors to a tracking grid that will track those authors for new releases. You can either right click the authors of books you already own to add those authors, or manually add them. It polls and tracks all sources through Get Books, but critically it handles Amazon Kindle Exclusive authors a little better by parsing their author ASINs and using that for disambiguation, as well as book tracking. It will show you if a new book is found and have a direct link to that book. Plus for those authors for whom you do not have all of their works, it will show you a list of your missing books.

It will give you links to their books to purchase, as well as tie in to the Libby plugin to search for the book in the libraries to which you belong.

I have a lot of authors, especially Kindle Exclusive authors that I track. They often release several books a month and I would rather not waste time skimming 20 different author pages on Amazon or subscribe to tons of author email alerts to find the new stuff.

I'll see if I can add screenshots to here.

[ovillo]

I vibe coded a plugin to fill a personal need. I've made it available in case anyone else finds it useful. I made it clear that I have not coded it and that support might be limited, but I still think it will be overall positive for the community to have it available.