Digital Workshop

I'm glad to learn some views and insights about how people relate to the digital 'e-reading'. Not definitive, but comments to the blog will also expand viewpoints.

NY Times: http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/ ... e-e-books/

Interesting question. I don't particularly relish the idea of giving up my paperbacks, but e-books clearly have more advantages that outweigh the traditional format.

Personally, I think it is the UI of the system that will make or break the effectiveness of the how the brain interacts and benefits from this format. I think that UIs for other systems such as PMPs or MS tablets have shown great developments in how information is presented, organised and manipulated and although cold - books are ultimately information at the end of the day.

It also depends on the type of book. I think that if I had an e-textbook, that the pages could be 'ripped' out - several of the pages spread out on a screen, organised, scribbled on - linked to other topics, mixed with pages of other books together with my notes on an essay, not to mention the other forms of media that could be introduced, then yes I think my brain would handle this much more efficiently than a good old hardback.

But applied to the latest thriller, then no, I'd rather flick through the warm crisp cut new paper pages, turn it face down while I pour some more coffee and use my favourite bookmark to keep place. Not to mention the ability to waste an hour or so wondering around the library or book store browsing the different titles.

Other forms again would be different, newspapers - I already read most things through RSS - and a lot of people use their small screen phones. The difference - the information is more condensed - less bumph (is this an English only word).

Then there is the whole public perception side. You used to be able to go into a music shop, explore the different genres, develop your tastes and absorb vast amount of potential information about music - but now it's all digital downloads and unless you want to stare at a screen clicking links - you lose touch. Will the same happen, wandering around a paperless world?

Mack

I tend to agree Mack, regarding preferences. Even for some non-fiction, there are times when a display +mouse/keys control is just not satisfying. Certainly for fiction/novels, I'd prefer to be a page-turner.

Part of my reason for posting is that I find it very interesting how linear most ebook content is... what I mean is it simple text, serially read. There is not much emphasis on enhanced media or multimedia, other than web based. (I'm ignoring Flash and perhaps more recent migration of textbooks to e-formats... or maybe I just have not bought into ebook reading and have not kept up with what's available?).

The Kindle and now the Nook so far have seemed to just reinforce basic simple formats.... I guess we would need full blown tablet computers to actually interact with a ee-book.

Lar,

You need to think like a business. If this wonderful ebook is created now, what will all the consumers have to buy next Christmas!

Anyway we are Opus - we are the ebook future!

Mack - out