Very valid points, you are way better than the rest of the children on this thread, but let me say something about your points
The first point, you gave an example of the translator improves as more comments and feedbacks they recieved. A measurable improvement from the help of the community. What do we have here though? Only hate. How is anyone going to improve through this overwhelming hatred and nothing constructive?
The second point you raised on "why did they stop", it just means you guys are winning does it not? Even if it's mtl, efforts are still needed, just try it out yourself. So why put the effort when everyone's hating? I would stop too. The gatekeeping is working.
There's also the point of BB potentially stop translating. Let's be honest here, do you think this guy can hold a candle to BB? Readers are not blind, and they will prefer BB's translation. All these white knight when BB might not even need any.
Also, what etiquette? Is there one that states "do not use an actively updated manga as a practice for translation"?
I don't know if he's being malicious or not, nor do I really care since I'm just here reading free manga, but what I see are a bunch of bullies trying to shun away a new translator with incredible amount of hate. Made me want to comment before we lose another one that's testing the water.
But then there's also their reply to your message... Not the best response but hey, they are embracing the hate.
OK, I hope I won't be coming back to this thread too much, because it is exhausting, lol (since I already blocked the guy, and things). Here, I'm trying to explain how I acted the way I did. I reflected tho, and think my comments are not really good.
There are
patterns of anything. I acted based on that pattern.
First, The one who are dare to translate manga usually pretty aware of the manga community, so usually they are aware of such unwritten rules such as sniping, etc. When this guy said "what is sniping", then I think he acted dumb, because never in my life found someone scanlating manga and didn't aware of these things.
Then, the one who usually sniped manga is
1. Troll (like a group named SSSSS or something. He only translate 1 chapters who served as spoiler and then went AWOL)
2. Someone who dissatisfied with current translation, either taking too long, or translation sucks. These guys are usually very capable translators.
This is based on my observation as long as I followed the community. What about in this case? Can't be point 2 because BB is doing a great job, so, I think the guy is a troll, but he keeps uploading, so he can't be a troll, so I think he is being malicious. The guy who did snipe manga because of point 2 is usually very capable (look at Okaeri Papa, again). This guy is far from being capable. That way, I can deduce this guy is up to no good. Assumption? Yes, you are right, essentially, there is no way I can deduce someone's intention from comments at an anonymous internet forum, but based on a pattern that I have experienced, I arrived on a conclusion that this guy is malicious.
Second, I too, thinks there is a pattern when sniper arrived, the other group usually stop scanlating. So, when this guy keeps uploading, I dreaded that BB will stop uploading as a result. Why? Because there is pattern. This guy uploading served as spoiler. It is not fun to be spoiled right? It takes away enjoyment, takes away anticipation, and takes away discussion. It is disheartening. Did BB actually say that? No, but when this guy keeps uploading,
there is a chance, based on a pattern that the readers probably have experienced, that BB probably discouraged and stop uploading.
Based on these points, I acted very strongly. Because also this is my favorite series. We finally got a competent group scanlating this after Ecchi group did irregular updates and suddenly an incompetent sniper uploading garbage MTL scans. I dreaded that prospect, really.
On your points:
1. Yes, agree, most of it are hate, but user Devvy and Consiano actually giving constructive comments. Did this guy applied it to his works? So far, no. It is sucks, really.
2. No, he actually upload chapters again. Sadly, it is the same garbage MTL translation. With no actual improvement. But, the reaction from readers are lukewarm this time. Why? Because he didn't snipe, and following etiquette of not sniping active series, especially since it is a garbage MTL works.
You already have this account since 2019, so you know sniping active series is generally frowned upon right? Did sniping series a crime? No, but etiquette exist on every place, from various country, even on internet forum. While not making you a criminal, not following it is a great way to alienate the locals, or user. And yes, most etiquettes are unwritten, not stated as you say. Despite not a crime, following it shows respect to the community. You might disagree with this, but majority of the reaction being negative shows that.
So based on that, my impression of this guy is very negative. You even agree that his reply is not a best response ever lol. That reply cemented my thought on him that he is up to no good. I can't think positively on someone who says to my face that he isn't interested on getting better, despite being sucks, and when I pointed out etiquette he is like "lol, don't care".
You probably don't care much about these things, since as you said, you are only here to read free manga. It makes me cringe myself complaining about things that I consumed for free (being entitled pirate), but I still think reacting negatively here is an appropiate response. If not, this site will filled with garbage MTL scanlations before we know it.
That way, I think there is a fundamental difference of our thinking. You probably thinks this guy is just some innocent scanlators wannabe who trying to test water, while I instantly thinks he is malicious, based on my previous points.
And, no, I don't try to discredit you, argue you, or change your way of thinking here. You can also freely dismissed my points here, as I don't even have hard data on my "observation" to support my argument or to show you. I just simply trying to explain my way of thinking. Hope it helps. Have a nice day.