[Web4lib] Local Book iPhone application

Thu Jan 7 10:56:36 EST 2010

I agree one hundred and fifty percent.  I can think of at least two fully functional apps I have used recently for web sites that work well on my mobile phone.  Amazon has a great beta app for the Blackberry.  I used it over the last couple of months for searching, ordering , and tracking books for Christmas presents.   It is just as functional as the website and is faster.  Another example is eBay.  The beta app is just as functional as the website on my phone.  Creating mobile websites allows your stuff to be open up to most mobile internet capable devices.  Create the apps later.

-----------------------------------------
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 
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-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Kraft, Michelle
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 10:46 AM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Local Book iPhone application

Thanks Roy, I know about the WorldCat app.  
As for the LB app (or any app for that manor) I expect it to at least have the same performance as if I was using the site on the web.  Personally I think it should be better (more streamlined, geolocation, faster, or have something I can't get/do on a traditional website) than browsing the website on my phone.  If the app isn't at least as good as the website, it isn't worth it to me.  It is better for me to just use the web either on my phone or on my computer.  

Perhaps places need to stop focusing on having an app and focus more on having a mobile friendly website.  That should be much easier than creating an app.  Additionally having a mobile friendly website (which neither LT or WorldCat have incidently) kills more than two birds with one stone because it is available and functional on more than just one device.  Once a place has a mobile friendly site then if it is needed create an app that does more than just the mobile friendly site.  

I feel like people are just creating an app just to create one. 
Michelle

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Michelle Kraft, MLS, AHIP
Senior Medical Librarian
Cleveland Clinic Alumni Library
9500 Euclid Ave. NA 30
Cleveland, OH 44195
(216) 445-7338
kraftm at ccf.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Roy Tennant [mailto:tennantr at oclc.org] 
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:59 AM
To: Kraft, Michelle; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Local Book iPhone application

The functionality you describe has been available for a while with the
WorldCat mobile app -- which is available for many different platforms, not
just the iPhone. See http://worldcat.org/m for more.
Roy Tennant
OCLC Research

On 1/7/10 1/7/10 € 6:40 AM, "Kraft, Michelle" <kraftm at ccf.org> wrote:

>> I would think an app like your new app would be much more powerful
>> if pre-populated with book sources.
> 
>> The app is pre-populated with libraries and bookstores - they come from
>> the LibraryThing Local website.
>  
> The problem I found with the app is that it doesn't work at all like the
> website. As I mentioned earlier the app is called LocalBooks and as titled I
> expect to find books locally or at least find books somewhere.  I go to LT and
> I search for a book like Twilight and I get results.  I use the LB app and I
> search for Twilight and I get nothing about the book but information about
> events at bookstores 300 miles away.
> While having event information is nice, I think this app really needs to start
> adding the book information (at least what I can get from LT) before it is
> worth using, either that or change the name to BookTalks or BookEvents because
> that is what it does.
>  
> Michelle
> 
> ________________________________
> 
> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of Brian Gray
> Sent: Wed 1/6/2010 11:30 PM
> To: David Friggens
> Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Local Book iPhone application
> 
> 
> 
> The original messages says "For starters, libraries should make sure they're
> in the database. It is, of course, all user created. You'll probably find
> you were put in by one of your most fervent patrons."
> 
> That means it is NOT pre-populated with everyone bookstore and library.
> 
> You also  do NOT need to register with Google Maps to be included. It pulls
> from many existing sources. It does not require organization or individual
> entering a library into a database to appear on a map.
> 
> Brian Gray
> mindspiral at gmail.com
> bcg8 at case.edu
> 
> 
> On Wed, Jan 6, 2010 at 10:38 PM, David Friggens <friggens at waikato.ac.nz>wrote:
> 
>> The app is pre-populated with libraries and bookstores - they come from
>> the LibraryThing Local website.
>> 
>>> Seems for every organization to register
>> 
>> Every organisation needs to be registered, but it doesn't need to
>> register itself - the vast majority of listings are entered by users
>> rather than the organisations. LT Local has pretty good coverage,
>> ranging to completely comprehensive in some areas.
>> 
>>> makes using Google Maps a better choice
>> 
>> Google Maps is no different in that organisations need to be registered
>> appear - which may be done by Google or by the organisation approaching
>> them.
>> 
>>> since I can already enter "library" and "book" and get the needed
>> results.
>> 
>> If it's just a list of libraries and bookstores sure. (Well, maybe not -
>> at least in New Zealand the results are quite messy and include some
>> irrelevant listings.) But Google won't give you a single list of
>> upcoming events at all those organisations...
>> 
>> Cheers
>> David
>> 
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Cleveland Clinic is ranked one of the top hospitals
in America by U.S.News & World Report (2009).  
Visit us online at http://www.clevelandclinic.org for
a complete listing of our services, staff and
locations.

Confidentiality Note:  This message is intended for use
only by the individual or entity to which it is addressed
and may contain information that is privileged,
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law.  If the reader of this message is not the intended
recipient or the employee or agent responsible for
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