Slowly but steadily, book lovers are embracing what technology has offered, E-Books. In 1971, Michael Hart created the Project Gutenberg with “the aim of establishing an electronic public library of 10,000 books.” 1 At the time when computers were being introduced, the idea of e-books did not generate the awareness that was expected by the world of technology. When Kindle was introduced in 2007, more than 25 years later, a spark of interest generated. “Amazon's e-reader may be the spark that lights up the e-publishing industry, turning consumers on to the possibility of downloading and reading books on paper-like gadgets.” The device had its drawback, it was bulky and dull but the competition was on. “Sony introduced PRS700 Reader with touch screen. A Dutch company made available iRex iLaid with stylus and iRex Reader 1000 (similar to iPad) and Polymer Vision Readius where the screen rolls up like the newspaper to fit the pocket (only available in Europe).”3 The proceeding products with the Apple’s iPhone and iPad have made e-publishing a sought out market.
The digitalization of books generated e-publishing, where companies like Google are converting printed materials into digital. Proquest, Cengage, and Pearson are offering online research materials, libraries and textbooks. Many apps and libraries are offering free e-books. Here is a perfect example of cloud computing at work.
The advantages of e-books are obvious: less paper, less ink, instant access, less space and less weight. There are some drawbacks of the e world as well. The files in which the e-book is stored, is not compatible to all the devices. So, one can’t transfer an e-book from one device to another. The some publishers have agreements that certain books be only available through one software application. So JK Rowling’s decision to publish Harry Potter books may or may not be available to all e-readers.
The evolution of e-books is diminishing companies like Borders. “At the same time, its rival, Barnes & Noble has no choice but to invest in the future”4 to stay on the market. E-books are taking place of traditional books. As the sales rate of traditional book drop, the rate of e-books is increasing. “In the first quarter of this year, the sales of e-book were up 20% on average.”5 E-Books are on their way to the top.
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