LibGen's Bloat Problem

Re:LibGen's Bloat Problem by generationP on Sunday August 21, 2022 @09:31AM (#32540007)

In practice, it's more often the same file with minor edits such as a PDF table of contents added or page numbers corrected. Say, how many distinct editions of this standard text on elementary algebraic geometry are in the following list?

http://libgen.rs/search.php?req=cox+little+o%27shea+ideals&o...

Fun fact: the newest one (the 2018 corrected version of the 2015 fourth edition) is not among them.

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Re:LibGen's Bloat Problem by boarush on Sunday August 21, 2022 @09:42AM (#32540100)

I like to think that LibGen also serves as a historical database wherein there is a record that a book of a specific edition had its errors corrected. (Although it would be better if errata could be appended to the same file if possible)

Yes, for very minor edits, those files should obviously not exist, but for that there would need to be someone who verifies this, which is such an enormous task that likely no one would take up.

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Re:LibGen's Bloat Problem by ZeroGravitas on Sunday August 21, 2022 @03:50PM (#32543757)

I notice they have a place to store the OpenLibrary ID, though I've not seen one filled in as yet.

OpenLibrary provides both Work and Edition ids, which helps connect different versions.

Their database is not perfect either, but it might make more sense to keep the bibliographic data seperate from the copyright contents anyway.

https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1849157W/Ideals_varieties_an...

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