[Web4lib] Google Base, any libraries starting to use this service

[D.H. Mattison]

Nov 21, 2005

WEB4LIBBERS:

I came across the new Google Base (beta; http://base.google.com/) service
today, checked the WEB4LIB Archives, saw no mention, so am now wondering if
any libraries have started using this service. It was only launched on
November 17, so can't blame you if your attention's been diverted by the
Google Print/Google Book Search thread.

Among the kinds of contents Google will host and make searchable are

"blogs ... course schedules - events and activities - jobs - news and
articles - people profiles ... reference articles - reviews - ... wanted
ads - ..."

It appears as though you can add up to 10 pictures per item in the .gif,
.jpg, .png, or .tif formats. A Google Account is required to publish and
edit your content.

Lots of possibilities here, though the instructions in the Help Center leave
a lot to be desired, as does the initial interface. Blogs are one of the
categories, but they don't appear in the dropdown category list. If you type
in Blogs in the "Create your own item type:" field, the next screen displays
a database record for a blog.

Google appears to be relying on others to keep the service clean and honest.
You're encouraged to "Report bad item" (one that doesn't comply with the
Google Base policy).

Enjoy!

David Mattison
Victoria, BC, Canada
dmattison at shaw.ca
Tiki Wiki Hut: http://www.davidmattison.ca/tiki
Ten Thousand Year Blog: http://www.davidmattison.ca/wordpress