[Web4lib] google & library catalogs

[David Walker]

I do enjoy the philosophical discussions, but to add a bit of
practicality to this one: I have no idea whether Google is building the
Ideal Homework System or not.  

If they are, perhaps that system will become wildly popular -- although
they'll never be able to integrate it into our student information
system or course management system in the way we could.

If they aren't, then . . . well, they aren't.

Either way, I can't wait for this or any other corporation to decide the
fate of my organization. I'm going to aim my resources at the vision
that is real and tangible now, and look for ways to make that system
more precisely attuned to the needs of my users than what any monolithic
world-wide homework engine could provide.

But, to take-up both Casey and Roy's points: If we get our own technical
infrastructures in order and build easily Integrateable systems, then we
can truly have our Google integration and Learning Management System
too.  And whatever big thing comes after that.

--Dave

=========================
David Walker
Web Development Librarian
Library, Cal State San Marcos
760-750-4379
http://public.csusm.edu/dwalker
=========================



 

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Roy Tennant
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 1:27 PM
To: Web4Lib
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] google & library catalogs

Rich,
But what you fail to point out (which I take to be an error of  
omission not of commission) is that your second scenario still relies  
on many of the systems you mention in your first scenario. This means  
this is not an either/or, win/lose situation where Google eats our  
lunch. In order for Google to even produce a system such as you  
describe they need access to the information -- our information. And  
forking it over once won't do the trick, there must be an ongoing  
relationship. Therefore, either scenario demands that our systems  
interoperate much better than they do now. And neither scenario would  
necessarily destroy the other. Let a thousand interoperable solutions  
bloom.
Roy

On Apr 11, 2006, at 1:03 PM, Richard Wiggins wrote:

> David inspires two completely contradictory visions for where we're  
> going:
>
> -- Integrate the library catalog, the library full text database
> subscriptions, the library's own e-text holdings, etc. all into the  
> learning
> management system,  and then all into one giant campus student  
> portal.  Some
> instiutions, such as U Minnesota, already have very effective student
> portals.  One stop shopping for the course experience and for library
> resources you need to be effective.
>
> -- Google renames Google Scholar as Google Homework.  Google  
> Homework knows
> your locale and your institutional affiliations.  You search for  
> Hamlet and
> Google Homework offers you links to books in the U library that  
> contain the
> full text of Hamlet, books commenting on Hamlet, links to full text  
> and
> paper holdings of journals with articles about Hamlet, a link to  
> the student
> theater's upcoming production of Hamlet.  Google Homework also  
> knows that
> you live at Chandler Crossing 5 miles north of campus, so it offers  
> links to
> similar resources at the nearby East Lansing Public Library.  And maps
> and hours of operation.  And Facebook links for students taking the  
> giant
> lecture class the same time you are.
>
> With ads for tutors who can help you understand Hamlet, for Cliff  
> Notes and
> the like, for course notes taken by paid note takers who took your  
> English
> class last semester, for past midterm and final exams, and for  
> online term
> paper mills where you can order your Hamlet paper for instant  
> delivery.
>
> Hmmmm.  Which vision do you think will win?
>
> /rich
>