[Web4lib] Demise of IT? Google Empire

[Dan Lester]

Thursday, January 10, 2008, 6:43:33 PM, you wrote:

> a.) This is just another attempt at Google to rule the planet.
> Wait, doesn't Microsoft already rule the planet?

Yes, and almost.

> b.) Doesn't this look like Google is becoming another Empire?

The same goal as any business.

> c.) I thought we as a culture ultimately do not like Empires?

Says who?  Remember, there are many advantages to a kingdom (poli sci
101)

> d.) What kind of Data mining, browsing history and personal content will be tracked
> through 
> these systems?

Whatever type they want.  However, the university contract forbids
that.  And of course lots of that is possible anyway.

> e.) What kind of target marketing will they send us once they, (we all know who they
> are)
> know where we eat, sleep, breath and study?

What's the problem with that?  Why should I care if someone knows what
toothpaste I use or what books I read?  Don't most people discuss that
kind of thing with friends and colleagues anyway?  Spam is a given, so
if the spam is at least for things I might be interested in, that's a
plus, isn't it?

> Granted, I'm just playing devil's advocate and may sound negative but on the contrary
> fun personal relationships between users and I.T Dept. staff will be affected by this
> paradigm shift.

Why?  You can have all sorts of "fun personal relationships" with
other than campus IT people, can't you?  At least if one has a life...

> If the current I.T. shop has a solid e-mail system and is providing reliable
> calendaring services, why the need to go by new hammer?

Have you ever experienced GroupWise?  That's the first answer.  Second
and perhaps most important answer is cost.  If the google system will
save a million bucks (or a hundred grand, or whatever, depending on
local situation), that's certainly a factor to consider.

> How will the future libraries be affected by this when the full
> catalog moves to google?

> Will students and library goers use a computer terminal to go find a book?

Don't the vast majority in the country do that already?  I know that's
been the only way to find a book in the Boise State Library since the
spring of 1990.  The card catalog went away in late 89, and the
microfiche catalog in spring of 90.  We certainly weren't anywhere
near the first in the country, either.

> Maybe that would be easier, but how about that Library staffer?

What about the library staffer?  And what staffer?

> Don't get me wrong, I already use the self-check out line at Home Depot, maybe I won't
> do that anymore -- but wait I'm always in a hurry.

Why does self check make any difference?  They know your purchases
anyway, at least if you don't use cash.  And do you buy top secret
things at Home Depot?  Finally, I avoid self check lines, since
they're usually much slower (also in grocery stores) since some people
get confused, some things won't scan, etc, etc.

dan

-- 
The road goes on forever and the party never ends.
Dan Lester, Boise, ID