CRITERIA
Interface/user-friendly
Price
Features*
*My list of features for each service is in no way exhaustive. I simply point out a few really good or bad features. And because a feature is listed under one service does not make it exclusive to that service unless stated.
LIBRARY THING
INTERFACE/USER-FRIENDLY: 5/5
- Multiple options for viewing
- use of simple icons in list view to access information
- generally good layout/layout options
- You can upload 200 books for free, but then can buy a yearly subscription at $10 or a "lifetime" which is really more of a suggested donation, $25 is typical. Given the lack of ads and useability, I can't really complain.
- Uploaded list easily (took awhile, but that was ok--especially since they give you an approximate timeframe...and they use a queue, so you can go do other stuff while you wait)
- Ability to do "half" stars
- Can report your handle/username for other networks/resources such as BookCrossing, LiveJournal, Blogger, etc. Other library sites (like GoodReads and Shelfari) are noticeably absent, however.
- Will work with a barcode reader (available for purchase)
- options for including date purchased, started, and completed
- option to include BCID #
- Indicates how many users/reviews for each book
- "tagging" operation not ideal as pre-existing tags not listed, nor are your own tags readily accessible
- tag clouds available for viewing, however and author clouds!!
- blog, social networking widgets available
SHELFARI
INTERFACE/USER-FRIENDLY: 2/5
- While they have made some improvements, the server is often slow or non-functioning.
- The new "shelf" layout is cute and pretty user-friendly. The overlaid menus are ok, but don't always work that well (I'm using Mac/Firefox). There need to be more options immediately available when you put your cursor over a given book.
- Other problem...a lot of less popular titles don't show up on Shelfari...even when using ISBNs (whereas they show up at GoodReads or LibraryThing). I'm assuming this means Shelfari doesn't have access to as many databases.
- Tried to import a list of books. Said the import was successful and was "processing." Maybe I didn't wait long enough (an hour??!), but there should be some indication of how long processing will take.
- Free, can't beat that.
FEATURES: 3/5
- Cute "shelf" design
- Shelves for Reading, To Read, Own, Favorites, Wish List
- Tells you other users who have the book
- Indicates groups who have the book
- Will let you customize your copy of the book, including spaces to say if it is signed, loaned out, etc
- while tagging involves a separate operation, they do provide a list of the tags you've used from which you can select
GOODREADS
INTERFACE/USER-FRIENDLY: 5/5
- Attractive and minimalist
- Self-explanatory, and easy editing features
- good server speed
- Free
- tags, but calls them "shelves" which then become part of a drop-down menu for easy cataloging
- recommendation feature
- easy export (haven't tested import, but I used my GoodReads created file to import into LibraryThing
- good customized widgets
- book data almost as good as LibraryThing
SUMMARY
If I had to pick "the best," I'd probably go with LibraryThing. GoodReads comes in at a close second, but Shelfari trails behind. I know Shelfari is looking to make constant improvements,
4/13/08 UPDATE:
For further reading check out Ray Sims' comparison of Shelfari and LibraryThing here.
EDITED 1/15 to strikethrough inaccurate statement (see comments).
