[WEB4LIB] RE: Yahoo-OCLC toolbar

[K.G. Schneider]

> I'd like some changes and I agree with the earlier comments that
> RedLightGreen is a more interesting product for the future of libraries,
> but
> getting information about library holdings into the major search engines
> is
> worthwhile too as helping to ensure that libraries have a future. In the
> meantime, if you really don't like the way it works, you should persuade
> your library either to opt out or to get an opac link in there.
> 
> - Jim Campbell
> Campbell at Virginia.edu

Um... I thought we were having a discussion about this new tool, and
(speaking as a Web4Lib subscriber and not wearing any other hat) it was my
impression that critical discussion of the Yahoo-OCLC toolbar was something
we were attempting. 

Here's what happened. A tool was deployed... a press release went out... we
are looking at it and responding. That is exactly what the companies want us
to do, quite frankly; we're providing free assessment. We can't respond
based on what we think the tool will do, only on how it performs and on the
larger ramifications of its availability to the wide world of information.
If it wasn't ready for us to discuss it, then it should not have been
formally announced, but I don't think Yahoo and OCLC would be unhappy to
read our comments. 

Perhaps we can take a deep breath and remember that Web4Lib is a good forum
for constructive criticism of new Web tools 4 Libs. 

Karen G. Schneider
kgs at bluehighways.com