[uf-discuss] FYI: Jeff Jarvis on microformats and Google Base

[Jon Tan]

On Tuesday, November 22, 2005 1:56 PM, Scott Reynen wrote:

> Here's what I'd like to see: less talk of the hypothetical revolution 
> microformats might usher in, and more actual implementations. [...] 
> There's no need for a search  engine like Google to get involved.  I think 
> we should create a large  enough base of information that it requires a 
> search engines before  we waste too much time trying to pressure search 
> engines to parse the  data.

I also agree that the amount of data in MFs is critical. Yes, by all means 
lets get on with implementation, but evangelism and work done are not 
mutually exclusive. More talk while the work goes on may even encourage more 
work to start.

I agree with Brian Suda. It shouldn't be that difficult for GBase to allow 
a, 'file-upload type of XHTML', and a, 'Trackback/ping service' along with 
GBase to, 'display the data in
Microformat encoded formats (where applicable).'

>Google wants data to attract  searchers.  Real data.  No amount of 
>hypothetical data will attract a  search engine, regardless of how well 
>that hypothetical data is  publicized.

Exactly. So how do you keep the momentum to encourage more real data to be 
described using MFs? Surely one target for any given MF is exactly the same 
as GBase's: Use of the format to allow users to find and use real data. 
Through publicity and understanding more hypothetical data will become 
actual data. It's one route to greater implementation among many.

I can't help coming back to the fact that there is real need here that Base 
is addressing. I keep coming around to asking what do non-technical users 
want, what are their frustrations with their access to data now, today, and 
how could the development and implementation of MFs help by responding?

While GBase is collecting data on products, jobs, recipes and services is 
there something to learn from that for MFs?

Jon Tan
microformats at gr0w.com