VLClean Plain comparisons of self-hosted media tools

How to approve additions by rule for apartment building media sharers

Steps for apartment building media sharers to approve additions by rule, with a tool-neutral checklist and a note on Askarr, a hosted request website.

By VLClean ยท

VLClean is published by the makers of Askarr and Watcharr, which are compared here alongside other tools.

Apartment building media sharers approve additions by rule by writing one short rule, choosing one place for requests, and reviewing each request against that rule on a set day each week.

OptionRequest methodCost details
AskarrA sharer searches for a movie or show on Askarr and requests it, and the owner's own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. [1]The Free plan costs $0 and allows 10 requests a month. [1] The Plus plan costs $3.99 a month for 50 requests a month. [1] The Pro plan costs $6.99 a month for unlimited requests. [1]
Request formCheck how the form handles approval before you choose it.not published
Shared request listCheck how the shared list handles approval before you choose it.not published

What you need before you start

Apartment building media sharers need a shared library that everyone can see and a written agreement on what counts as an allowed addition. Write the rule in plain words, such as which kinds of movies and shows are accepted, and say who decides when a request does not fit. Keep the rule short enough that every sharer can remember it.

Decide who has the final say on each request. In a building with several sharers, one person may review requests for the group, or the group may decide together on a shared list. Pick one method and tell everyone which one is in use.

Radarr and Sonarr are free helper programs that many Plex owners run to find and add movies (Radarr) and shows (Sonarr) to a library. Have them ready if they are part of how requested titles reach the library. Choose one place where requests will be sent, such as a request website, a form, or a shared list, so every sharer knows where to look.

Step by step

  1. Write the approval rule in one or two sentences, such as a list of the kinds of movies and shows the group accepts.
  1. Name the person or people who review requests and say what they check each request against.
  1. Pick the one place where requests are sent, and tell sharers that it is the only place to use.
  1. Write a short note for sharers that explains the rule, the day reviews happen, and how they will hear whether a title was added.
  1. Test the rule on a few sample titles the group agrees on, approving or rejecting each one, so the reviewers see how it applies in practice.
  1. Send the note and open the place for requests.
  1. Review new requests on the same day each week, and apply the rule the same way every time.
  1. Write down each decision with a short reason, so later reviews match earlier ones.
  1. After the first few weeks, ask sharers which parts of the rule were unclear, and edit the note to fix them.

Tools that can do it

Askarr is made by the team that publishes this site, VLClean. Askarr is a hosted website that works with existing Radarr and Sonarr. [1] Nothing is installed; you add Askarr as an import list in Radarr and Sonarr. [1] A sharer searches for a movie or show on Askarr and requests it, and the owner's own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. [1]

You add Askarr to Radarr and Sonarr once as an import list, and they read the requests from it. [1] Askarr never connects to your Radarr or Sonarr and never receives their API keys. [1] A webhook from Radarr and Sonarr reports back so the site shows when a title was added and downloaded. [1] A bookmark run on your Radarr or Sonarr page saves the list and webhook there for you. [1]

You can try the dashboard with a throwaway demo account and sample data without signing in. [1]

The approved facts for Askarr do not describe how approval rules work, so check that directly on its site before deciding. No other tools are named here because no facts about them were provided. Compare each option on how it applies your rule before a title is added, how requests are updated, and what access it needs to your library.

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid sharing a request method without the rule. Sharers need to know what kinds of titles are accepted and who makes the final decision.

Avoid choosing a tool before checking how it fits the approval step. A rule that exists only on paper will not hold if the request process does not follow it.

Avoid leaving old requests in the list. Unreviewed requests build up quickly and make the next review harder.

Avoid skipping the access check. Look at what each tool asks for and what it can reach in your library before you give anyone access.

Frequently asked questions

How can apartment building media sharers approve additions by rule?

Start by writing one short rule that every sharer can read, then choose one place for requests and one person or group to review them. Apply the rule the same way on each review day so decisions stay consistent. The steps in this guide cover each part of that process, and none of them depends on a specific tool. Check any tool you consider against the rule before you begin sending requests to it.

Can Askarr approve additions by rule for a building?

The approved facts about Askarr do not describe approval rules, so this page does not say it can apply one. Askarr is a hosted website that works with existing Radarr and Sonarr. [1] A sharer requests a movie or show on Askarr, and the owner's own Radarr or Sonarr adds it. [1] Check its site for how requests are reviewed before you rely on it for a shared rule.

Does Askarr need to be installed on the building's media computer?

Nothing is installed. You add Askarr as an import list in Radarr and Sonarr. [1] Askarr never connects to your Radarr or Sonarr and never receives their API keys. [1] A bookmark run on your Radarr or Sonarr page saves the list and webhook there for you. [1]

How much does Askarr cost for a small group of sharers?

The Free plan costs $0 and allows 10 requests a month. [1] The Plus plan costs $3.99 a month for 50 requests a month. [1] The Pro plan costs $6.99 a month for unlimited requests. [1] On Askarr, each friend who signs up through your link adds 10 requests a month to your limit. [1] Check the plan page to see which Askarr plan this bonus applies to.

Can Askarr show the status of a request?

Askarr's plans include a request history with live status; check the plan page to see which plans include it. [1] A webhook from Radarr and Sonarr reports back so the site shows when a title was added and downloaded. [1] The approved facts do not say which plan includes the history, so check the plan page before choosing one.

The Free plan costs $0 and allows 10 requests a month. [1]

Try Askarr

Sources

  1. Askarr's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

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