News you can... discuss
Big news today—Amazon now owns 100% of our rival and bête noire, Shelfari.
With a lot to do today, I don't have time to blog-ify it, but you can read about it on Talk and talk back. We've always relied on members to direct the site. We could use your advice now more than ever!
Here's the post on Talk: http://www.librarything.com/talktopic.php?topic=44126
With a lot to do today, I don't have time to blog-ify it, but you can read about it on Talk and talk back. We've always relied on members to direct the site. We could use your advice now more than ever!
Here's the post on Talk: http://www.librarything.com/talktopic.php?topic=44126
posted by Tim at 11:42 AM
14 Comments:
I hope LT won't follow, and I kinda like the multiple links to different booksellers on the side of book pages. I don't like the direction Amazon is going.
Shelfari was a new one for me. So I went to look. Any site that lists DB's Da Vinci Code under 'History' cannot be serious competition for LT. The graphics are interesting but I was not impressed by much else.
So, please tell me LT is not going to Amazon too. Much as I love Amazon, I don't want it looking over my virtual shoulder any more than it already does.
I went to the discussion group and read over 3/4 of the comments, then skimmed the rest, and wanted to add my support -- but life is too beleaguering right now and my energy not high. But I just want to say that LT is the bookthing love of my life and always will be -- for independence, intelligence, openness, non-commerciality, innovativeness for its own sake, and other things like that. I liked Casey Durfee's remarks. I know you want to keep innovating, Tim, and you will, but I love LT as it was, as it is, or any way you make it. There's a fresh air and intelligent aura about it (is it New England? is it Harvard? is it Maine? all things I know and like) that doesn't exist in most web places. Maybe LT will become, to use C.S. Lewis's great phrase, a "minority enthusiam," but most of mine are such. I joined for life early on (for a VERY modest fee, I must say) and am happy here, though I don't spend much time here or take advantage of all the wonderful features. It's a place I like to inhabit when I have time, and I don't relater to any other online community other than The_Kraken in the same way. A refreshing place compared to much of the modern world. And LT for Libraries is a great idea, though I haven't yet gotten my own library (ruled by The Powers That Be) to sign on yet, but we just put our catalog online, so there's hope).
I have been a member of LT for quite a while. I like their proactive innovative ideas, always asking for feedback from the membership. It provides so many layers and dimensions for book lovers to participate. There is a little something for everyone. When a new feature is announced, there is excellent tech support and opportunities to leave comments.I know I would be lost without it. Please continue doing what you are doing. LT is unique and no other book library catalog service can meet the same high standards.
Tie up with zoomii they make excellent visuals for books, noone can beat the combination...Thats my humble opinion...
Hmm, just to check it out I decided to register on Shelfari as well. That went fine, but now I am not even able to log in... Crappy site, IMHO... 8-)
Doesn't Amazon already own a minority stake in LT?
Marie (and all),
Abe owns 40% of LibraryThing, so when the deal goes through Amazon will own all of Abe and 40% of us.
Amazon is buying all of Shelfari.
The Shelfari site doesn't actually work, I signed in just for fun but then couldn't sign in again. If I tried a new account I got an server error. Tried it on two separate days with the same results.
LT offers a far better product than Shelfari. I've loved everything about LT so far. I have reservations about Amazon.
hah, took the virtual tour of Shelfari and it's kinda cute for kids, but i think LT is a much better set up for me, I have my books on shelves at home, I don't really need virtual shelves too. :)
Did you say Shelfari was a model of design?
Ain't exactly geniuses if it doesn't work in Opera. :)
Isn't always the same? The big ones are buying the smaller competitors or compete them to death. Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Amazon. I don't want always the same pabulum.
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