|
I understand the problem, but I don't think a solution is too hard to find.
Take the library.
You usually either go to the library looking for a certain book, or you go there looking fr something that fits your mood.
Libraries usually make me angry and confused in a few minutes, because I have to ask three times before I even get close to the section I'm looking for...and most of the time I don't find what I want anyway. So I use the newly installed electronic inventory (not so new anymore these days...) and search there.
Now comes the Problem:
These catalogues usually don't offer you the right choices. If you could browse by category, searchword, genre and several others I wouldn't complain. The trouble is that you can either enter the exact title and author of a book (beware of typos) or you can go to the shelves and try your luck there...:-)
Let's say I'm looking for something amusing, in english and with a fantasy-sort-of style.
If an online catalogue offers me these facts and a short summary (like you find on the back of most books) and the chance to read a page or two I'll be happy.
Add some "Random" features and the possibility to browse by cover-design and You're done!
Amazon does some of these things already, so libraries should be able to get it going in no time at all...if they are willing to invest the time to catalogue all their books properly...this is where I see the problem...
It's the same with iTunes...it doesn't give you the right kind of choices for your search. I often have to try various searches to find a certain piece of music, even If I have all the details including a full biography of the composer...
Here work is still to be done.
And please...all you companies and non-profit organizations out there...don't even try to revive the "virtual browsing in 3D" stuff again...it just loads the digital down with the inconvenience of the analog (RealLife) without it's added benefits!!!
|