Google Is Adding Major Libraries to Its Database

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

December 14, 2004

By JOHN MARKOFF
and EDWARD WYATT

Google, the operator of the world's most popular Internet search service, announced today that it had entered into agreements with some of the nation's leading research libraries and Oxford University to begin converting their holdings into digital files that would be freely searchable over the Web.

It may be only a step on a long road toward the long-predicted global virtual library. But the collaboration of Google and research institutions that also include Harvard, the University of Michigan, Stanford and the New York Public Library is a major stride in an ambitious Internet effort by various parties. The goal is to expand the Web beyond its current valuable, if eclectic, body of material and create a digital card catalog and searchable library for the world's books, scholarly papers and special collections.

Google - newly wealthy from its stock offering last summer - has agreed to underwrite the projects while also adding its own technical abilities to the task of scanning and digitizing tens of thousands of pages a day at each library.

"Even before we started Google, we dreamed of making the incredible breadth of information that librarians so lovingly organize searchable online," said Larry Page, one of Google's founders.

"Google's mission is to organize the world's information, and we're excited to be working with libraries to help make this mission a reality," Mr. Page said.

The company's new project will be an expansion of the Google Print™ program, which works with publishers to make books and publications searchable online. Google is currently working with libraries to digitally scan books from their collections to make them available to internet users everywhere.

"We believe passionately that such universal access to the world's printed treasures is mission-critical for today's great public university," said Mary Sue Coleman, president of the University of Michigan.

Although Google executives declined to comment on its technology or the cost of the undertaking, others involved estimate the figure at $10 for each of the more than 15 million books and other documents covered in the agreements. Librarians involved predict the project could take at least a decade.

Because the Google agreements are not exclusive, the pacts are almost certain to touch off a race with other major Internet search providers like Amazon, Microsoft and Yahoo. Like Google, they might seek the right to offer online access to library materials in return for selling advertising, while libraries would receive corporate help in digitizing their collections for their own institutional uses.

"Within two decades, most of the world's knowledge will be digitized and available, one hopes for free reading on the Internet, just as there is free reading in libraries today," said Michael A. Keller, Stanford University's head librarian.

The Google effort and others like it that are already under way, including projects by the Library of Congress to put selections of its best holdings online, are part of a trend to potentially democratize access to information that has long been available to only small, select groups of students and scholars.

- full article (free registration with NY Times required)

[Disgruntled70sHab]

One of the things my best friend was concerned about when he was marking graduate-level assignments was that most students lacked researching skills; quantitative and qualitative. He told me that most will type buzz words into Google and that's the extent of it.

I'm going to send this off to him and see what he thinks now. More to follow.

Cheers.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Google Search "NHLPA NHL final settlement" and sent the results to Bettman and Goodenow. Drop the #@%^# puck!

[blaise]

Disgruntled70sHab said:

One of the things my best friend was concerned about when he was marking graduate-level assignments was that most students lacked researching skills; quantitative and qualitative. He told me that most will type buzz words into Google and that's the extent of it.

I'm going to send this off to him and see what he thinks now. More to follow.

Cheers.

The trouble with relying on Google downloads for instant knowledge is its reliance on the presumed authority of the authors. Just because something has been published doesn't guarantee that it's worthwhile. Journals in every subject are susceptible to sloppiness and fraud despite peer review. Many nonfiction books are plain junk. The difference between a university course and a download is that there is give and take in the classroom between students and professors and among each other.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Blaise said:

The trouble with relying on Google downloads for instant knowledge is its reliance on the presumed authority of the authors. Just because something has been published doesn't guarantee that it's worthwhile. Journals in every subject are susceptible to sloppiness and fraud despite peer review. Many nonfiction books are plain junk. The difference between a university course and a download is that there is give and take in the classroom between students and professors and among each other.

The mere fact of a professor having tenure does not guarantee that he/she is worthwhile.

The ability required to discern whether a professor's lecture or a Google result is full of it is the ability to think. Going to school does not automatically mean one knows how to think: It means one knows how to stay in school.

George W Bush is a graduate of Yale.

You can go to your college
You can go to your school
If you ain't got Jesus
You're just an educated fool
And that's all

- from "Denomination Blues"

School may teach one to read attentively, acquire research skills and train one's memory, but it does not necessarily teach one to think. That said, a sound basic education in combination with the ability to think is an excellent precursor to effectively using resources like Google, and in deciding which teachers to seek out in the greater school of Life.

*

In using the word "think" I meant thinking critically, analytically and poetically.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Blaise said:

The trouble with relying on Google downloads for instant knowledge is its reliance on the presumed authority of the authors. Just because something has been published doesn't guarantee that it's worthwhile. Journals in every subject are susceptible to sloppiness and fraud despite peer review. Many nonfiction books are plain junk. The difference between a university course and a download is that there is give and take in the classroom between students and professors and among each other.

As a teacher, and continual learner, your last statement is what facilitates learning the best especially in adult learners. It's an approach I use when teaching theory lessons to young adults here in Kingston. There really is no replacement for experience which most graduate degrees are now based on.

However, there are professors out there that simply read from slides, OHPs and/or Power Point presentations. Heck, anyone can do that and they won't need a piece of paper saying they're qualified to do it.

However, you're also right insomuch as journals being subseptible to compromise. Universities have had to establish departments dedicated to investigating plagiarism, because of the commonplace it has become. Some institutions even have a requirement that students submit their papers to Turnitin.com for review prior to submission to the prof. However, there was a case where a student here at Queens refused to do on the premise that it implied, "every student is cheating, prove to us you're not." He received an "F" but later received a "B" because he won his case not to submit the assignment.

Internet sources are good, but sometimes become outdated. Whenever I have a student who references an Internet source, or if I'm submitting an assignment for college, they/I are required to place the date beside the reference simply because Internet sources are so easily updated.

But, that aside, I think Google is providing an excellent feature by allowing public access to on-line, accreditated libraries. It won't replace the in-class learning experience, granted, but more people will have access to information they normally wouldn't otherwise have.

I like it.

Cheers.

[MC Habber]

Interesting. There's already good stuff available at the Internet Archive/Million Book Project. Unfortunately the download procedure is not as smooth as it could be.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Thanks MC. Brings back memories of going wild on the Internet (there was no WWW yet) with the latest version of the Lynx browser...

History and Philosophy of Project Gutenberg
By Michael S. Hart
© August 1992

The Beginning

Project Gutenberg began in 1971 when Michael Hart was given an operator's account with $100,000,000 of computer time in it by the operators of the Xerox Sigma V mainframe at the Materials Research Lab at the University of Illinois.

This was totally serendipitous, as it turned out that two of a four operator crew happened to be the best friend of Michael's and the best friend of his brother. Michael just happened "to be at the right place at the right time" at the time there was more computer time than people knew what to do with, and those operators were encouraged to do whatever they wanted with that fortune in "spare time" in the hopes they would learn more for their job proficiency.

At any rate, Michael decided there was nothing he could do, in the way of "normal computing," that would repay the huge value of the computer time he had been given ... so he had to create $100,000,000 worth of value in some other manner. An hour and 47 minutes later, he announced that the greatest value created by computers would not be computing, but would be the storage, retrieval, and searching of what was stored in our libraries.

He then proceeded to type in the "Declaration of Independence" and tried to send it to everyone on the networks ... which can only be described today as a not so narrow miss at creating an early version of what was later called the "Internet Virus."

A friendly dissuasion from this yielded the first posting of a document in electronic text, and Project Gutenberg was born as Michael stated that he had "earned" the $100,000,000 because a copy of the Declaration of Independence would eventually be an electronic fixture in the computer libraries of 100,000,000 of the computer users of the future.

- www.gutenberg.org/about/history

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Cliché Finder

Better than a slap in the face with a wet fish.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Jakob Nielsen's Alertbox, November 22, 2004:

Undoing the Industrial Revolution

Summary: The last 200 years have driven centralization and changed the human experience in ways that conflict with evolution. The Internet will reestablish a more balanced, decentralized lifestyle.

For the last 200 years, humankind has lived and worked in ways that conflict with evolution. The primary culprit, industrialization, harks back to Watt's steam engine in 1769, but truly picked up steam in 1801 with Jacquard's loom, which used punched cards to automate the weaving process. A vast number of nineteenth-century engineering innovations followed and literally changed the world.

Before I start tearing it down, I should acknowledge the industrial revolution's positive outcome: it has generated unprecedented wealth during its 200-year run. In most industrialized nations, the biggest health problem today is that people get obese because there's too much food and it's too cheap. My own discipline of usability exists because material needs are so amply cared for that society can devote resources to making things easy and pleasant as well.

- www.useit.com/alertbox/20041122.html

[franko]

M. said:

- www.useit.com/alertbox/20041122.html

John Naisbitt's Megatrends 2000 also pointed out a return to the effects of Nielson's Pastoral Internet, though without the internet. I wonder how far it will actually go?

Naisbitt also predicted the end -- or at least the collapse -- of organized professional sports, and a return to arts-based entertainments (museums, etc). With pro sports either out-pricing "ordinary" people or athletes repelling them by attitude, it may come sooner than later.

As to what is happening now, I wonder if Nielson was refering to the Buttman philosophy of parody when he said benefits accrue even if you're mediocre, and in fact, you usually benefit from targeting the lowest common denominator. Sounds like the NHL to me!

[blaise]

M. said:

The mere fact of a professor having tenure does not guarantee that he/she is worthwhile.

The ability required to discern whether a professor's lecture or a Google result is full of it is the ability to think. Going to school does not automatically mean one knows how to think: It means one knows how to stay in school.

George W Bush is a graduate of Yale.

You can go to your college
You can go to your school
If you ain't got Jesus
You're just an educated fool
And that's all

- from "Denomination Blues"

School may teach one to read attentively, acquire research skills and train one's memory, but it does not necessarily teach one to think. That said, a sound basic education in combination with the ability to think is an excellent precursor to effectively using resources like Google, and in deciding which teachers to seek out in the greater school of Life.

*

In using the word "think" I meant thinking critically, analytically and poetically.

I would expand upon that. Dutiful note-taking won't take you far if you don't think and analyze, although it may add to your internal data stores. Same with books and journals and on-line publications, and of course I make use of search engines such as Google. However, the interaction with professors, guest lecturers, and fellow students at the university level exposes one's preconceived notions to critical scrutiny. The opportunity to be proven wrong is invaluable and enables you to sharpen your wits and refine your thoughts. The totally self-educated person may miss out on the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions with people of genius and/or wisdom. I have been fortunate to meet with three Nobel prize laureates (two after they won, and one before). I have also discoursed with a number of other individuals who were far more brilliant than I (humbling but exhilarating for me).

Throughout my approximately nine years of college and postgraduate study in several quite disparate disciplines I was perceived as an enfant terrible, a maverick, someone who questioned authority (both written and spoken). I made some of my professors uncomfortable with my probing. However, one faculty member told me he wished there were more like me. That was one of the finest compliments I have ever received.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

franko said:

John Naisbitt's Megatrends 2000 also pointed out a return to the effects of Nielson's Pastoral Internet, though without the internet. I wonder how far it will actually go?

Thanks for the lead.

Naisbitt also predicted the end -- or at least the collapse -- of organized professional sports, and a return to arts-based entertainments (museums, etc). With pro sports either out-pricing "ordinary" people or athletes repelling them by attitude, it may come sooner than later.

Indeed it may, and for many a hockey fan it already has come.

In the "Chelios" thread on the main forum CenterHice recently posted a wry, on-the-nose observation by George Carlin.

The entire pro-sports sewer began in parks, vacant lots, and gyms simply for the fun of it. No money involved; just personal bets. And if today, all the owners, media, and sports fans suddenly disappeared, the athletes would simply go back to the parks, vacant lots, and gyms and play the games by themselves. No one else is necessary.

Of course, if they did, the usual dull people who lack direction would stand around watching, and some businessman-a__hole would get the idea of charging admission and giving the players a tiny percentage of the money, and the whole miserable pool of steaming liquid sewage would start all over again. But in spite of all these negative feelings.....

As to what is happening now, I wonder if Nielson was refering to the Buttman philosophy of parody when he said benefits accrue even if you're mediocre, and in fact, you usually benefit from targeting the lowest common denominator. Sounds like the NHL to me!

Hey, why should the NHL be excepted from larger socio-economic trends. More is better, flood the market where no-one floods a rink. There's nothing wrong with the Game, it's the fans and the players that are driving it into insolvency, right?

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Blaise said:

I would expand upon that. Dutiful note-taking won't take you far if you don't think and analyze, although it may add to your internal data stores.

What I said.

Same with books and journals and on-line publications...

Ditto.

However, the interaction with professors, guest lecturers, and fellow students at the university level exposes one's preconceived notions to critical scrutiny.

But it does not guarantee that one abandons them. In fact, generally, the higher up one advances in the academic food-chain the more dogmatic and rigid thought tends to become. Politics begins to overshadow knowledge, and status to trump inquiry.

However, school can be of enormous benefit under the right circumstances, and in the right dose.

Any social intercourse puts one potentially in a situation where one's words and actions are questioned and called into account. This forum is an example of just such an environment.

The opportunity to be proven wrong is invaluable and enables you to sharpen your wits and refine your thoughts.

And yours as well, of course.

The totally self-educated person may miss out on the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions with people of genius and/or wisdom.

Genius and wisdom are to be found in all walks of Life.

The person who spends most of his days in academe may miss out on Guy Lafleur's autograph.

[blaise]

9,999% wrong! A friend once got me a press pass and I obtained Guy Lafleur's autograph for my son. He still has it.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

DaDaDoDo Ubu Redo

And rebirths.

DREAM RECALL of other If Hawking's severe physical world, there Is located mid way between the device universe, and the Master physically dies translates the conventional Energy could be have done without the speed HEALING Of and much more Peace.

From a bad hypnotist SPONTANEOUS RECALL Of the physical bodies by means the CHRISTIAN religion demands such as applied The center portion of the TERMINATION communist world will Fit on the Biblical statement indicates that have shallow for; Science and Christopher, Bird, obtain than per century and that has three support even objects, in the government, does Not a intelligence, surgeon who disapproved of vibrations and a convincing manner. For the bath stay the development.

Please consult their True Causes who read the living Divine Master or harmful.

[MC Habber]

I Spent an Interesting Evening with a Grain of Salt

The unanimous Declaration of Independence of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the Inhabitants of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and formidable to tyrants only. He has abdicated Government here by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us. He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be tried for pretended offences: For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to them and the State remaining in the Name, and by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same absolute rule into these Colonies: For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our emigration and settlement here. We have Petitioned for Redress in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the present King of Great Britain is and ought ...

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Mofo PoMo A-Gogo

Neoconceptual feminism and Lyotardist narrative

Charles D. Long
Department of English, University of Georgia

B. Rudolf Dahmus
Department of Literature, Stanford University

1. Narratives of collapse
If one examines Lyotardist narrative, one is faced with a choice: either accept the postsemiotic paradigm of expression or conclude that reality is fundamentally responsible for elitist perceptions of class. In a sense, several materialisms concerning the common ground between culture and sexual identity may be revealed.

The subject is interpolated into a textual deconstruction that includes consciousness as a paradox. However, the premise of neoconceptual feminism holds that the raison d'etre of the reader is significant form, given that Bataille's analysis of the postsemiotic paradigm of expression is valid.

Any number of theories concerning neoconceptual feminism exist. But the subject is contextualised into a postsemiotic paradigm of expression that includes truth as a reality. Many appropriations concerning the role of the writer as reader may be discovered. However, the subject is interpolated into a neoconceptual feminism that includes consciousness as a totality.

2. Joyce and the postsemiotic paradigm of expression
"Class is part of the failure of art," says Lyotard. The primary theme of the works of Joyce is a self-fulfilling paradox. Thus, the subject is contextualised into a neoconceptual feminism that includes consciousness as a reality.

The main theme of Brophy's[1] model of the postsemiotic paradigm of expression is the bridge between society and sexuality. Dialectic construction suggests that class has objective value. However, the characteristic theme of the works of Joyce is not narrative, but subnarrative.

Sartre promotes the use of neoconceptual feminism to attack class divisions. In a sense, the main theme of Long's[2] analysis of the postsemiotic paradigm of expression is the economy, and eventually the failure, of prematerial consciousness.

Sontag's critique of neoconceptual feminism holds that truth is used to entrench hierarchy, but only if consciousness is equal to art; otherwise, the law is meaningless. Therefore, in The Ground Beneath Her Feet, Rushdie analyses Lyotardist narrative; in The Moor's Last Sigh he deconstructs the capitalist paradigm of consensus.

Any number of discourses concerning Lyotardist narrative exist. In a sense, la Fournier[3] states that we have to choose between neoconceptual feminism and dialectic desublimation.

3. The prepatriarchial paradigm of context and semanticist postcultural theory
"Sexual identity is part of the dialectic of narrativity," says Sontag; however, according to von Junz[4] , it is not so much sexual identity that is part of the dialectic of narrativity, but rather the genre, and some would say the defining characteristic, of sexual identity. An abundance of theories concerning the role of the participant as writer may be found. But the dialectic, and eventually the futility, of Lyotardist narrative intrinsic to Rushdie's The Ground Beneath Her Feet is also evident in The Moor's Last Sigh, although in a more materialist sense.

If one examines neoconceptual feminism, one is faced with a choice: either reject semanticist postcultural theory or conclude that the purpose of the artist is deconstruction. The characteristic theme of the works of Rushdie is a self-falsifying whole. Therefore, the subject is interpolated into a subcultural deappropriation that includes art as a paradox.

"Class is intrinsically elitist," says Sartre; however, according to Hubbard[5] , it is not so much class that is intrinsically elitist, but rather the genre, and some would say the meaninglessness, of class. If Lyotardist narrative holds, we have to choose between capitalist construction and the premodern paradigm of narrative. Thus, the subject is contextualised into a neoconceptual feminism that includes language as a reality.

If one examines Lyotardist narrative, one is faced with a choice: either accept semanticist postcultural theory or conclude that expression comes from communication. Many desituationisms concerning neoconceptual feminism exist. However, Marx uses the term 'capitalist libertarianism' to denote the role of the writer as artist.

The primary theme of Werther's[6] essay on semanticist postcultural theory is the common ground between consciousness and society. The subject is interpolated into a Lyotardist narrative that includes reality as a totality. Therefore, the premise of neodialectic sublimation implies that sexuality is capable of significance, but only if Lyotardist narrative is invalid.

The subject is contextualised into a neoconceptual feminism that includes narrativity as a paradox. It could be said that Marx uses the term 'Lyotardist narrative' to denote the stasis of constructive sexual identity.

A number of deconstructions concerning a postcultural reality may be discovered. But the subject is interpolated into a neoconceptual feminism that includes reality as a totality.

Derrida uses the term 'semioticist narrative' to denote the meaninglessness, and eventually the collapse, of neotextual consciousness. In a sense, the main theme of the works of Spelling is the bridge between society and sexual identity.

Any number of appropriations concerning semanticist postcultural theory exist. But Foucault suggests the use of Lyotardist narrative to read art.

The characteristic theme of Tilton's[7] critique of Lyotardist narrative is a self-supporting reality. In a sense, Abian[8] suggests that we have to choose between neoconceptual feminism and the cultural paradigm of expression.

Lacan promotes the use of Marxist socialism to challenge the status quo. It could be said that Baudrillard uses the term 'semanticist postcultural theory' to denote not situationism as such, but postsituationism.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Brophy, W. R. (1982) Subcultural Desublimations: Conceptual postmodernist theory, nationalism and neoconceptual feminism. Panic Button Books

2. Long, K. Z. R. ed. (1991) Lyotardist narrative in the works of Rushdie. And/Or Press

3. la Fournier, A. I. (1976) Reading Lacan: Lyotardist narrative and neoconceptual feminism. O'Reilly & Associates

4. von Junz, D. ed. (1988) Neoconceptual feminism and Lyotardist narrative. Schlangekraft

5. Hubbard, N. V. G. (1976) Reinventing Surrealism: Neoconceptual feminism in the works of Spelling. And/Or Press

6. Werther, H. Z. ed. (1992) Lyotardist narrative and neoconceptual feminism. Loompanics

7. Tilton, R. Y. U. (1978) Realities of Fatal flaw: Neoconceptual feminism in the works of Mapplethorpe. Yale University Press

8. Abian, L. ed. (1996) Neoconceptual feminism and Lyotardist narrative. University of Michigan Press

[blaise]

I find Derrida useless to my everyday function and his disciples mere irritants. Deconstructionism? It leads to asinine assertions such as: Schubert must have been gay [although convincing biographical evidence is lacking] and one can hear it in his music. I defy the source of that contention (recipient of a MacArthur prize winner) to isolate the specific passages and to differentiate them from other passages that are not gay. Better yet, present a 21st century musical composition of unknown origin and request a deconstructionist analysis of the composer's sexual orientation. Woody Allen provided a (presumably) not entirely intended reductio ad absurdum of this school of thinking in his Deconstructing Harry, in which he justified his own selfish and self-pitying Weltanschauung. (Have I ever met Woody Allen? Yes.)

By the way, to deconstructionists who draw negative inferences from the lack of evidence of heterosexual love affairs in Schubert's life, I would simply point to his portrait: his musical genius was counterbalanced by an unprepossessing physical appearance (short, myopic, and unhandsome, and he was known to be syphilitic). I offer as a possible alternative explanation to homosexuality his shyness and fear of rejection by women. He seemed to be able to respond to them only in a social setting that also included men.

[blaise]

Google as the modern Library of Alexandria? I'd rather order a book on library loan (if possible) than read 500 pages on screen or print out a ream of paper. And if the book is really worthwhile and still in print (or available used or remaindered), I'd consider buying it.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Blaise said:

I find Derrida useless to my everyday function and his disciples mere irritants. Deconstructionism? It leads to asinine assertions such as: Schubert must have been gay [although convincing biographical evidence is lacking] and one can hear it in his music. I defy the source of that contention (recipient of a MacArthur prize winner) to isolate the specific passages and to differentiate them from other passages that are not gay. Better yet, present a 21st century musical composition of unknown origin and request a deconstructionist analysis of the composer's sexual orientation. Woody Allen provided a (presumably) not entirely intended reductio ad absurdum of this school of thinking in his Deconstructing Harry, in which he justified his own selfish and self-pitying Weltanschauung. (Have I ever met Woody Allen? Yes.)

By the way, to deconstructionists who draw negative inferences from the lack of evidence of heterosexual love affairs in Schubert's life, I would simply point to his portrait: his musical genius was counterbalanced by an unprepossessing physical appearance (short, myopic, and unhandsome). I offer as a possible alternative explanation to homosexuality his shyness and fear of rejection by women. He seemed to be able to respond to them only in a social setting that also included men.

Click on the link at the top of my post.

[blaise]

M. said:

Click on the link at the top of my post.

They're amusing. Thank you.

I modified the post you quoted to include the fact that Schubert had syphilis. That would detract from his sex appeal to women, I would imagine.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Blaise said:

They're amusing. Thank you.

So is the one you responded to with your derision of Derrida.

I modified the post you quoted to include the fact that Schubert had syphilis. That would detract from his sex appeal to women, I would imagine.

Like I said "Mofo PoMo A-Gogo".

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Blaise said:

Google as the modern Library of Alexandria? I'd rather order a book on library loan (if possible) than read 500 pages on screen or print out a ream of paper. And if the book is really worthwhile and still in print (or available used or remaindered), I'd consider buying it.

I can't see those options disappearing.

I like the idea of being able to access any text from anywhere at any time.

Google is to the printed word what Gutenberg was to the written word. Google, like the printing press, will help to liberate the "scriptures" and their interpretation from the clutches of elites.

One can pay a cumulative $40,000 for the the privilege of having access to a dusty tome stashed away in the special collection stacks of an institution, or be able to download it for a fraction of the cost from a beachside bar in Pago-Pago.

[MC Habber]

Blaise said:

Google as the modern Library of Alexandria? I'd rather order a book on library loan (if possible) than read 500 pages on screen or print out a ream of paper. And if the book is really worthwhile and still in print (or available used or remaindered), I'd consider buying it.

Electronic books with displays that are easier on the eyes may change this way of thinking, although their price is currently still quite steep.

www.theregister.co.uk/2004/03/25/sony_launches_true_electronic_book/

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

...Last month, of course, the librarians were also busily exploring the connections among Amazon, Google, and the OCLC's WorldCat. If you haven't noticed this yet, it's quite remarkable. Here, for example, is the first result of a scholar.google.com search for my book:

[BOOK] Practical Internet Groupware - Library Search - Web Search
J Udell - Cited by 11
O'Reilley and Associates, Sebastapol, CA, 1999

Clicking the Library Search link takes you a WorldCat page where, after you supply your ZIP or other postal code, you'll be linked to the OPAC systems in your area that hold the book.

Sid Verba's point about library/Internet synergy is worth amplifying. As I first realized when I helped create O'Reilly's Safari Books Online service, and again later when Amazon's "search inside the book" feature debuted, it's incredibly useful to be able to search books even when you can't access their full contents online. I use these services now in order to locate passages in books that I already own, because it's usually more effective than looking things up in the index.

More broadly, the Internet can profoundly improve the relationship between libraries and society. For example, there are two major libraries in my town -- a college library, and a public library. My library card works in both places. I used to favor the college library, because there was open WiFi access there -- which meant, among other things, that I could use LibraryLookup from my laptop to find books in the stacks. Recently, though, the college shut down its open access point. And from an IT administrator's point of view, I can understand why. Not long after, the public library installed an open access point. So now it's my favorite spot, and lately I notice other mobile professionals congregating there too...

- full blog entry

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Google Scholar enables you to search specifically for scholarly literature, including peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, preprints, abstracts and technical reports from all broad areas of research. Use Google Scholar to find articles from a wide variety of academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories and universities, as well as scholarly articles available across the web.

Just as with Google Web Search, Google Scholar orders your search results by how relevant they are to your query, so the most useful references should appear at the top of the page. This relevance ranking takes into account the full text of each article as well as the article's author, the publication in which the article appeared and how often it has been cited in scholarly literature. Google Scholar also automatically analyzes and extracts citations and presents them as separate results, even if the documents they refer to are not online. This means your search results may include citations of older works and seminal articles that appear only in books or other offline publications.

- scholar.google.com/

[blaise]

MC said:

Electronic books with displays that are easier on the eyes may change this way of thinking, although their price is currently still quite steep.

www.theregister.co.uk/2004/03/25/sony_launches_true_electronic_book/

It was recently reported that intensive peering at the computer screen may be a contributory factor in the development of glaucoma. I hope not for all of our sakes.

[MC Habber]

Blaise said:

It was recently reported that intensive peering at the computer screen may be a contributory factor in the development of glaucoma. I hope not for all of our sakes.

I heard that, and I wondered whether it could simply result from the nature of the screen itself or whether the frequent motion of the eyes would be a factor. Is simply reading some text on a screen and pushing page down every so often as bad as using a web browser or playing a game?

[franko]

Blaise said:

It was recently reported that intensive peering at the computer screen may be a contributory factor in the development of glaucoma. I hope not for all of our sakes.

It has not yet been reported but probably should be that intensive peering at the HabsRus board may be a contributory factor in the development of high levels of stress, the breaking up of families, and shattered monitors and foreheads.