Recently I had the need to read. I wanted to learn something about a few things and I knew that the books had been published by O’Reilly. I could find some “call outs” and even a chapter here and there. But a searchable index? No way. Enter my cosmic journey. I went on a pilgrimmage with a safari leader named O’Reilly and he took me to many interesting stops and starts. Knowledge blossoms when there is access to information. Our little brains are sponges and soak myriad facts and fantasies. The safari membership lets me save spots, download chapters, do searches across books, and bookmark things. Very handy for someone that wants to read such a variety of things as Applied Sciences, Desktop Stuff, IT Management, and on…
As I said, information and knowledge is important. But if access is withheld we live in a vaporous place where others truly have the power. We need access and information. Imagine the least likely world where you know something of value exists out there but you simply cannot reach to it. You are held back. There is no safari and Mr O’Reilly cannot lead you across the canyons.
We all need safari leaders. Some of the places are subscription only; but a library is a good starting point. I heard Ray Bradbury exclaim about his searches across the libraries and how those places can lift the bar and give that access.
After all, information is key but access will take you there. Perhaps those blog services I blogged before really need to see the human side of access to the information they prepare and process. If you present information and categorize and theorize it and label it and paradigm it; you will win some awards and rewards. If its accessible, people will use it. Look at the theories and what your business metric is. Can you define your audience and how they will access the data store? Or you you simply build it all with the rhyming words of the day. Safari does not. Take the cue.
