Well, it's cute, but I'm not convinced this kind of 'real life' analogy style interface works particularly well on computers. I remember several years ago seeing a description of a 'virtual desktop', that looked like a real desk, and where you had to 'go to the post office' to send an email - what a pain, when you can just click send!
I think experimentation should be encouraged and so it is really nice to see this type of thing being tried, but I tried to use it and found it incredibly clunky - it has impact, but I don't personally believe it has staying power - personally I wouldn't use it instead of Amazon to browse.
Owen
-----Original Message-----
From: Next generation catalogs for libraries on behalf of Yitzchak Schaffer
Sent: Tue 6/24/2008 5:55 PM
To: NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] Fw: Zoomi and your library OPAC
B.G. Sloan wrote:
>> From: Tim Reynolds <graypennell_at_GMAIL.COM>
>> Subject: Re: [DIG_REF] Zoomi and your library OPAC
>> To: DIG_REF_at_LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
>> Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 8:20 AM
>> Hi
>> I got this from another listserv but thought I would share
>> it with you all.
>> Pardon the cross posting.
>>
>> http://zoomii.com/
>>
>> Now imagine linking this system with your webcat instead of
>> with Amazon.
>> People will now be able to virtual browse your shelves.
On that note, from the developer's forum:
> This would be an amazing utility for browsing our library catalogue.
> Returned search results could be browsed in a zoomii style.
> I think you've opened up a lot of possibilities for the future of
> academic and public catalogues beyond Amazon.
> Paul Nattrass
> University of Central Lancashire, UK
> Hi Paul,
> I'd love to support library catalogues in the future.
> Browsing the shelves of a library from home to pick out
> books would be amazing.
> Chris Thiessen [the developer]
--
Yitzchak Schaffer
Systems Librarian
Touro College Libraries
33 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
Tel (212) 463-0400 x230
Fax (212) 627-3197
yitzchas_at_touro.edu
Received on Wed Jun 25 2008 - 02:52:20 EDT