[Web4lib] apps vs webpages?

[Dobbs, Aaron]

Nothing wrong with creating an app if the local audience desires it 
(and how does one know if the local audience desires it without creating one for them to try out?)

A different app for every vendor or each library's catalog doesn’t make much sense, to me, though. 
An app which pulls from a large, multi-format index of authoritative, academically-focused stuff would be a killer app if it were tied to an authentication mechanism - until authentication is no longer needed. 
A discovery layer (Summon, EBSCO Discovery Service, WorldCat, etc.) app would make the most sense - assuming the results were useable on the smart phone.

-Aaron
:-)'

> -----Original Message-----
> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:web4lib-
> bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Wilfred Drew
> Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 12:47 PM
> To: Web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: [Web4lib] apps vs webpages?
> 
> I am beginning to wonder if libraries should even attempt to create
> apps for smart phones.  We can't possible create what is needed for
> even the most popular models of smart phones.  Why not use the cloud
> and create web based apps or good mobile sites?  Is OCLC taking the
> wrong approach by creating apps for WorldCat Local?  Are database
> vendors making a mistake by creating apps?
> 
> The creation of apps for finding and processing information seem
> counterproductive to me.
> 
> -----------------------------------------
> Wilfred (Bill) Drew, M.S., B.S., A.S.
> Assistant Professor
> Librarian, Systems and Tech Services
> Strengths: Ideation, Input, Learner, Command, Analytical
> E-mail: dreww at tc3.edu
> Follow the library: http://twitter.com/TC3Library
> Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail or
> document.
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Web4lib mailing list
> Web4lib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/