To Google or Not To Google?

"To Google or Not to Google?"

That's not really the question :-)
Of course we all Google.  I was just being funny to introduce a great mini-site that Google has launched.  Explore Shakespeare with Google.

I love books.  Love to read them and love to write them.  I also really like, as I mentioned recently in another post, when my other interests intersect with technology.

So what exactly is it?

Now Shakespeare's oeuvre is even more accessible. Search within HamletGoogle Book Search, many of which are available for purchase. for "to be or not to be" to read the rest of his famous soliloquy. Find out who called the world his "oyster" and why. Browse through a familiar play – or follow your curiosity to discover a new one. And if you decide you want to buy a copy, "All editions" will show you every version in

This is really great.  You can see the real strength of Google isn't going to be just in being able to search effectively through billions of web pages of information.  They are going to be able to re-package, re-present, and re-think the way information can be made available to us.

Comments

[Victorlamp]

The problems that are confronting Google as it attempts to digitize Shakespeare's works (as well as other books) is best summed up by the blog "Reflective Librarian" and his posting at http://reflectivelibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/06/google-botches-shakespeare-ebooks.html

His posting explains the many problems with Google books, its short comings, and its many problems……sloppiness being the biggest one. Another blogger who states the same thing is Bill Trippe located at http://www.billtrippe.com/archives/2006/06/google_hacks_to.html

I should know because I have been involved in producing ebooks on the web for a number of years. (see http://www.bookyards.com ). When Google announced their digital project, I felt that there was no longer any purpose in doing our digital project. This perception was wrong....Google's project is too ambitious, resulting in the confusion and mess that it finds itself presently in.

If you want Shakespeare (for free), just go to
http://www.bookyards.com/search_results.html?type=books&author_id=596&author_name=Shakespeare%2C%20William

We have also compiled a good collection of other digital libraries with books available for downloading. Just go to Bookyards “Library Collections - E Books” at http://www.bookyards.com/links.html?type=links&category_id=1780
There are approximately 350 digital libraries separated alphabetically and by category, with over 200,000 ebooks......ebooks that are vastly superior and better organized than what Google books is offering.