The Googlization of Everything

Marcus Banks:

Pros:

* 20% free content in a book is much more meaningful than a few snippets. For authors, the chance for readers to get greater context will hopefully drive more sales.
* Clarification of the roles of Google, publishers and authors in what is still the uncharted digital age.

Cons:

* No resolution of Google's original fair use defense, as the Electronic Frontier Foundation points out. Although snippets don't make for good reading, I strongly supported Google's argument that posting a snippet was within fair use. Settling without resolving this crucial point makes sense from Google's business point of view, but it's a disservice to understanding the critical question of what constitutes fair use in the digital age. This is why it would be so much better if the Library of Congress were waging this fight rather than Google (which, despite all lofty rhetoric, exists only to make money.)
* One computer terminal at libraries for full access to Google Books. One terminal is better than none, I guess. But this is ridiculous nonetheless, as Jim C pointed out in his comment to my last post about this. There are many great reasons to venture into library buildings in the age of the Web: art exhibits; friendly people; access to physical materials that you can touch and even smell (something Google Books won't do for you). But accessing an online site like Google Books should not be one of these reasons. Google could use IP addresses to regulate how long people have free access to the complete Google Books, and block access after a certain time unless people pay a fee. As Wade Roush points out, the idea of people fighting to be first in time for that Golden Google Terminal at their local public library is unappetizing. In late 2008, it's amazing that this settlement restricts full access to online content to designated physical spaces.
* Echoing Harvard: There is great potential for high cost inflation for the full Google subscription. Libraries will have to be smart and collaborative to avoid getting caught in another "Big Deal"-esque boondoggle.