I just added a CSV export feature, so you can throw the data into Excel, Access, Filemaker, etc. So, what now?

Some ideas:

• Import filters for popular book-cataloging software. I’d start with Delicious Library, an elegant OS X application.
• User-defined fields. I can add user-defined fields. For my sake, I prefer to use tags to keep track of where a book is, or who gave it to me. But others may prefer flexible user-defined fields.
• Use of Amazon. How are people finding the LC data? It works for me, but I see some problems. The LC doesn’t always have copies of paperback reprints. So, you have to choose between the original edition or entering the paperback manually. I was thinking I could make it “fail” to Amazon—check Amazon if the LC doesn’t work. Or Amazon could always be an option.

What do you think?

After a few weeks of development, LibraryThing is ready for public “beta” release.

When I worked in educational software, betas were suspect. Giving one to a customer would have probably been a firing offense. Google and Flickr have broken that taboo, and even given the term bleeding-edge chic. This is particularly amusing as “beta” means essentially the same thing as “under construction,” now as repellent thirty-somethings with Razor scooters.

What LibraryThing’s “beta” means:

• Features are still being added. The user-to-user features aren’t fully developed. It makes no sense to find your closest “library match” when there are three libraries in the system.
• I’m listening. Tell me what you like, what you don’t like, what you find confusing, etc. Post them here as comments, or email me at editor@isidore-of-seville.com.
• I’m giving away memberships. I’m giving away memberships to anyone I think will use it well, and might tell others about it. Mostly these are library blogers. Are you one? Let me know.

That’s it for now. Enjoy!