ChunkIt! ChuckIt?

I don't get it. Christopher Bell praises a new beta program, ChunkIt!, which shows previews of websites before one clicks on them. I admit to a love/hate relationship with Google, but doesn't it do that, anyway? I know there aren't any pretty pictures, but the one or two sentences are usually enough to tell me if I'm going to arrive at aaupnet.org or aaup.org.

What he doesn't mention, but may be implied by his writing for School Library Journal, is that this could benefit those with problems reading, be they 5-year-olds or impatient 36-year-olds.

Google a "Destination"?

One way librarians are lightyears ahead of most Internet observers and analysts is the way they split items by function, first. I don't recall ever being in a library without a reference section.

This morning's Newsbrief from Online Media Daily, Google Remains Internet's Top Draw. Imagine this headline in LJ, "Phonebook remains most-used book in the library." Or, better yet, "Map of Disneyworld Biggest Draw at Theme Park." Google's not a destination, or a draw. It's probably the best directory since a real-live person could connect you to "Jefferson 4-3-8," but it isn't a destination in the same way that IRS.gov, also on the list of most-visited sites, is.

And More . . . (but no mention of Live Search Books)

Fortune Magazine (via OnlineMediaDaily) in an interview with Kevin Johnson of Microsoft, unveils a tiny part of the overall strategy of Microsoft in the epic battle, Microsoft vs. Google. The recent closure/reorganization of Live Book did not even rate a mention. There is some scary big-brother-esque "engagement mapping" mentioned.

And More . . .

The Chronicle of Higher Ed this morning featured a story, "Microsoft's Book-Search Project Has a Surprise Ending" By ANDREA L. FOSTER (nearly a week after the event, and I've included no links because it will disappear behind a wall after 5 days, both reasons why Chronicle is loosing ground to Inside).

I'm still not convinced Microsoft ever meant this project to be more than a pain in Google's side. Their "Surprise Ending" has the hallmarks of an attempt to "monetize" the effort in a more efficient way for them--with proprietary software and a deal to lease it to another company (Ingram), rather than proprietary algorithms and walled information. I never thought I would be defending Microsoft, makers of Outlook (ick).

Thanks to Lisa Bayer for the forward from CHE.

Take that, Google!

Microsoft's latest volley in their match with Google: They are ending the "Live Search" book digitization and search project, and making the digitized books available for free to the original "owners."

Google Health (AHHH!), NYTimes

Why, Google, why?

Do I want my private health records held by Google, who I do not see as being terribly responsible or responsive when it comes to accuracy? No!

More Googlization

I had not been aware that Google has entered the web bookmarks/social sharing arena until I noticed a link from my last post, "Share what you read: You can display your Google Reader shared items on your blog." Well, one can do that with their "Links" feature, too. Oh, this is soo tempting. Similar to the prospect of using the "Shoppers Card" at the grocery store. Google as the Wishmaster--"Just wish for it, and it can be yours." I'm still not certain what the price will be.