Microsoft to shut down book scanning operations

[ckramer]

Source: bg

SEATTLE—Microsoft Corp. is abandoning its effort to scan whole libraries and make their contents searchable, a sign it may be getting choosier about the fights it will pick with Google Inc.

The world's largest software maker is under pressure to show it has a coherent strategy for turning around its unprofitable online business after its bid for Yahoo Inc., last valued at $47.5 billion, collapsed this month.

Digitizing books and archiving academic journals no longer fits with the company's plan for its search operation, wrote Satya Nadella, senior vice president of Microsoft's search and advertising group, in a blog post Friday.

Microsoft will take down two separate sites for searching the contents of books and academic journals next week, and Live Search will direct Web surfers looking for books to non-Microsoft sites, the company said.

Nadella said Microsoft will focus on "verticals with high commercial intent."

"We believe the next generation of search is about the development of an underlying, sustainable business model for the search engine, consumer and content partner," Nadella wrote.

Read more: http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2008/05/24/microsoft_to_shut_down_book_scanning_operations/

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Damn! I thought we can read any books online soon. Not yet!

[TroglodyteScholar]

1. Worry not

Microsoft quit scanning because Google is going to do such a good job:

http://books.google.com/googlebooks/library.html

[ckramer]

2. Good link - thanks! n/t

[galledgoblin]

4. anyone still use mapquest?

I'm slightly bothered that google has managed to corner so many markets, but I haven't stopped using any of their services because so far all their products (and corporate practices) have been so amazing!

it's nice to see capitalists actually working within the system instead of shaving corners and taking ethical shortcuts for a quick buck.

[Festivito]

5. It gives directions, miles and time more easily -- so far.

Love google's new building outline feature.

[Occulus]

8. Mapquest still doesn't know about construction, though

Mapquest tells people in my area to go ahead and use a major four-lane road that's been narrowed to two lanes. Those of us who live here know better, but....

[xioaping]

7. I still use Mapquest

But Google maps is getting a try from me

[dysfunctional press]

11. i do.

i prefer mapquest.

[darue]

3. microsoft is dead. they have no idea what their doing

there's no particular reason why microsoft should even be operating a search service or any other of their CRAP online offerings. they need to split that part of the company off and sell it or just cut it loose.

[frog92969]

6. Oh, is Micro$oft still around?

What for?

[conspirator]

9. fuck microsoft and all greed driven corporations n/t

[OhioChick]

10. You got my vote. n/t

[Buns_of_Fire]

12. "Verticals with high commercial intent...?"

I.E., "Something that will make us some money." Geez. Enough with the YuppieBusinessSpeak, already. :eyes: