Comments on: The Reading Revolution: Digital Readers and the Future of Text

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 14:38:54 +0000

My company is working on a new way to read that these readers could utilize. It might be able to avoid the copyright laws as a means to distribute content to those with disabilities. That is the missing piece mentioned in previous comments. It also allows for the adjustment of speed, so to increase productivity. Currently only available for BlackBerrys.

By: coolmel

coolmel — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 04:57:12 +0000

hahaha. thanks dawg. it’s nothing to do with being a “link-master flash.” it’s more like letting Google (or whatever) do the “crawling”

By: Vince

Vince — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 00:43:29 +0000

Jean, Thanks for the thoughtful comment. It's really cool to hear an actual librarian weigh in on this issue. And thanks for the shout-out concerning NetLibrary!

By: Vince

Vince — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 00:41:58 +0000

It’s just you Mel. I linked to Part One up top dawg, but thanks for reminding us that you’re the link-master flash.

By: coolmel

coolmel — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 19:30:14 +0000

is it just me or there’s really no link to Kurweil’s The Future of Libraries, Part One and Part Two, in this post?

By: Jean

Jean — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 05:16:26 +0000

As you can imagine, this is a big topic in the library world – and everyday the number of printed books and audio books available through our “electronic collection” grows by leaps and bounds. (NetLibrary, a major supplier of digital books is located in Boulder, btw.) However, I read an article recently that explained that the lack of the “highlighting” capacity you talk about here is the reason that, in spite of their ready availability and much cheaper cost, digital textbooks are not popular on college campuses – the kids are still going for the printed texts. It’s just a matter of time though. I for one, am looking forward to the day I don’t have to haul 40+ boxes of books every time I move. As long as the power stays on, it’s all good.

By: Lyon

Lyon — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 01:05:20 +0000

Well put my friend…well put. As you know this is one of the technological advances I am most looking forward to. I can see it now, in the little window of my mind’s eye… a world where every book every written is easily and immediately accessible in every language to every man, woman, and child with their $10 e-ink+ reader. Certainly a scene worth my blood, sweat, tears, and hard work. Much appreciation for your closing comment, a true testament from a true bodhisattva in action. Thanks also to Rommel for not forgetting the insidious progress of copyright law, certainly a piece not to be forgotten.

By: Vince

Vince — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 23:31:47 +0000

Yeah, Kurzweil, in his assesment agrees that this is the primary issue… Of course, that didn’t really stand in the way of audio or video becoming “mainstream” as is beginning to happen with iTunes. Well, it stood in the way, but as you’re saying “resistance is partial.” A peeble really, in the stream of ongoing evolution. I guess that’s the good news and the bad news!

By: coolmel

coolmel — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 23:23:52 +0000

great article Vince. unfortunately, aside from the technological challenges, the bigger challenge of putting the digital library into mainstream reality is copyright and intellectual property, not to mention the Great Firewall of China. there's just no easy way around it. but in the not so distant future i can see The Free Culture eventually reigning with compassion. that's the optimistic-cynic side of me daydreaming... heck, even the fluffy geeks haven't transcended and included Creative Commons yet. resistance is partial.