Alex wrote:
> Interestingly, *nothing* is available in Google, but merely points
> to other places it might be available. You're wanting Google to be
> something it ain't ; a library where indeed we've got stuff.
To fork off on a different track, this was the case, but is no longer
true. This recent article on TechCrunch -
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/14/google-knol-a-step-too-far/ -
reflects on how Google is starting to not just index content from other
sites, but to building content.
I'm not sure of the earliest example (perhaps Google Groups?), but
certainly Book search is one of the highest profile areas - and is of
particular interest to libraries. So, with Book search I'd suggest that
Google is now a place where they have 'stuff'.
There are two aspects of GBS I think are particularly interesting:
Firstly that Google decided nothing less than the full text of the book
was needed - and in many (most?) cases, this is used for indexing and
snippets only
Secondly that Google hasn't (yet) taken any obvious steps to allow or
encourage user generated lnking between books in GBS
I'm really surprised at the latter as Google is built on the idea of
making links between relevant items - are they just expecting the web to
provide this platform, as it has for generic web pages (and if so, why
not make this easier/nicer to do - e.g. more elegant URLs, ability to
link using common identifiers where available?)
I would write more, but my son informs me it's more important he gets to
eat....
Owen
Received on Sat Jan 05 2008 - 03:32:59 EST