Google Notebook: Share (or Keep) Anything

Google Notebook has just been launched. Well, it was earlier announced (as “coming soon”), along with three other new Google developments. This time, it’s real. Google Notebook is live!

What do you get with Google Notebook? I’d say pretty much the same as with other personal clipping sites that can also double as collaborative sites (say, Protopage). Yes, Google Notebook is yet another one of those AJAX-based applications. This means you can edit content and save whatever you have on-the-fly, without the need to refresh any browser pages. You can also drag and drop content around–including pictures!

There are other similar services, but this goes the next level. I think the following features give Notebook the edge over other simiar sites:

• Multiple notebooks / clipboards. You’re not limited to one, or two, or five, notebooks only. You can create as many as you want and need (and as much as you can manage).
• The power of Google search. You can search for keywords and phrases within the content in your clipboards. You can also search among pages other people are clipping.
• Printer-friendly. Google Notebooks can be published in a printer-friendly format (for those who are old-school and prefer paper-type notebooks).

But of course, the service is still far from perfect. Here’s what I think Google Notebook needs:

• Collaborative features. It’s great if people can share Notebooks and edit them as teams.
• Selective sharing. What’s better than publishing your notebook for public consumption? Of course it’s publishing your notebook only for viewing by certain friends or contacts. Here’s where a better integration with Gmail would be handy!
• RSS (or Google’s ATOM). Even Protopage has RSS. This feature would let the public subscribe to your notebook (or your set of notebooks), so they won’t necessarily need to access your notebook page if they want updates.

Disadvantages notwithstanding, I think Google Notebook is worth the test drive! Do try it out. Anyone with a Google account can sign in at www.google.com/notebook.