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Do books really need technology?
"There have been many attempts by companies to create methods of distributing books electronically. Ultimately, it seems that the old fashioned paperback wins out every time. Are there some areas where advancements in technology are simply not needed?"
In the modern technology age, there is one instance where people feel very comfortable and even attaced to the old-fashioned ways, and that is when it comes to books. Books provide an escape. It's an experience that many cherish, from browsing through a bookstore, to flipping through the pages, to the smell of the paper, many regard the act of reading as a vital and relaxing part of their lives.

Although, many feel the old-fashioned book is the prefered method of reading, e-books are becoming more and more popular. E-books are preferred many times in instances where books are needed for academic studies or in situations where the number of pages are low. This form of media also provides a low cost, flexible way to carry large volumes of information. For many disabled individuals, this is the only way in which they can enjoy a good book.

As technology advances, we may find that e-books become more and more common. In the meantime, most people prefer standard books, however e-books definitely have a place in the academic world and in instances where cost or convenience area a major concern. Ultimately, e-books have a long way to go before the technology is advanced enough to deliver media to the masses.
21 comment(s) so far

Simpler thinks: If the e-book device didnt have all the usual eletronic illnesses, such as clunky adapters, pc drivers, incompatible file formats, low battery life and poor contrast then yes. In theory this would be great. Lets see how many generations of products it will take before we are there. I will not be buying the first generations but waitings for most books to be available for the e-book and a device that works wirelessly and without any setup from my side. Hopefully I dont even have to buy it but can wait for my book club to lend me one. Oh, and I also need to be able to drop it on the floor without breaking it...
(98% of 58 votes AGREE)
JBonnin thinks: Once again... why only one of them?

I love the smell of old paper of a book I desired for long and that I end by finding! This doesn´t mean I don´t download loads of e-books. Ideally, I would have them all in beautiful old editions. But the e-books save me time and, very often, money.

(98% of 54 votes AGREE)
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