Functions for users to move to other instance

[jaschaurbach]

I suggest a "move to other instance" protocol in cases a user wants to move and take all information with them.

I use the verbs MUST and SHOULD. MUST is something that needs to be done, SHOULD is nice to have but not not necessary for functionality. USER is the user, OLDINSTANCE is the the instance they are moving away from, NEWINSTANCE is the instance they are moving to. FOLLOWINSTANCE is the instance a follower of USER is on.

For the downloads, these information need at least to be contained in the corresponding files:
Books: The persistent identifiers (ISBN13, Openlibrary-ID), reading data (started reading, finished reading, stopped reading), rating, quotes, reviews, shelf.
Followings: Handles of all Followings
Lists Name of list, which books are on it

• USER decides to move to another instance. USER must download the following information: Books, Followings, Lists, Blockings from OLDINSTANCE
• USER must create an account on NEWINSTANCE.
• USER must enter new account in a field in userprofile on OLDINSTANCE, from this moment on the account MUST be set read only and can not be interacted with any more.
• NEWINSTANCE must check with OLDINSTANCE if the the new account is set on the profile on OLDINSTANCE. If not, NEWINSTACE must do nothing and should inform USER that the move can not be executed. After OLDINSTANCE confirmed that the new account is set, the profile on OLDINSTANCE must be set to read-only. No more interaction on OLDINSTANCE must be possible. OLDINSTANCE must show the URL to the new account on NEWINSTANCE.

If the the check validated the move to NEWINSTANCE:

• Followers of USER must get informed of the new account name by NEWINSTANCE and must start following USER automatically.
• USER should upload all information from OLDINSTANCE on NEWINSTANCE. USER must upload at least Followings.
• After upload of Following USER must follow these accounts.
• After upload of Books the books are put on the shelfs where they were before on NEWINSTANCE and reading data get imported. Missing shelfs must be created on NEWINSTANCE. Missing books must get fetched, either imported from OLDINSTANCE or other data providers. USER should be able to chose from where the data gets fetched. NEWINSTANCE informs OLDINSTANCE about the import with the new URL. OLDINSTANCE should redirect to URL on NEWINSTANCE if clicked from profile view.
• After upload of 'Lists' the lists get created on NEWINSTANCE. NEWINSTANCE informs OLDINSTANCE of new URL, OLDINSTANCE must redirect to URL on NEWINSTANCE. Lists USER just follows or contributed get an update from NEWINSTANCE that it checked the move and the account now resides on NEWINSTANCE.
• After upload of Blockings NEWINSTANCE follows the blockings.

I'm sure I forgot something which needs to imported or processed. Please feel free to make other suggestions, additions or even reasons why this should not exist.

[mouse-reeve]

Thank you for such thorough thoughts on this! There is a github issue as well: #1012

[jaschaurbach]

Oh damned, I had not seen the issue. So maybe close this?