2 posts tagged “books”

I liked this (mildly).

http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Accumulating-Books

I took a look at Google Books (beta) for the first time today. I like it... I really like it.

What they're doing--sorting books by genre and subject in a non-retail environment--is simple, yet profound because it pushes the focus from packaging (today's publishing bandwagon) back toward content.

• Granted, Google Books shows the book covers, which are part of the packaging.
• Granted, the manner in which content is "packaged," i.e., organized and designed, has a lot to do with whether people can understand and use the ideas. The best packaging is not merely slick, but useful. As an editor, I pride myself on my information-packaging skills.
• Granted, part of the system is a "Partner Program" in which publishers can impact searchability, though I'm not clear on whether they pay for the privilege.

Still, as much as I love Amazon for skillfully catering to the individual user's interests, I think I love this even more because of its greater neutrality.

Books for the sake of books. I love that.