E-Book

1. What is it? What is it for?

Electronic books, or e-books as it is commonly called, “are books that are available in digital format”. E-books are alternatives to the traditional books that we have. “E-books are not meant to replace paper books. Instead, eBooks provide an alternate reading choice for lovers of technology. E-books offer a new dimension to the written word, allowing books to be distributed and enjoyed so much more easily.”

One can just order online any book title of his or her choice. E-books are then electronically sent to your computer or to an e-book reader.

Here are some of the features or good points of an e-book compared to a traditional book: (as written in eBookMall site)

• You can search through the text for a specific word or phrase
• You can carry eBooks with you on your PDA or smartphone device (or e-book reader)
• You can shrink or enlarge the text size
• You can add digital bookmarks
• You get instantaneous delivery
• You help the environment by not using paper or requiring packaging

http://www.ebookmall.com/aboutebooks.htm

Accessed on Aug. 6, 09

2. What does it look like?

http://img.tfd.com/cde/_ROCKET.GIF

Accessed on Aug. 6, 09

3. What is the technology behind it?

Some book lovers do not like e-books/ e-book readers because of the lack of “reading experience” that one feels as he or she reads a novel. According to Michael Kassner, a systems/ network administrator for an international company, “reading experience” is something which makes you unconscious of your surroundings. It is how absorbed you are in the book that you are reading. Moreover, it is hard to read something from computer screens, as some e-book readers have this kind of technology before (using LCD flat screens). However, the use of ePaper or Electronic Paper Display (EPD) technology nowadays will give book-lovers a new perspective regarding ebook reader.

“An Electronic Paper Display is a display that possesses a paper-like high contrast appearance, ultra-low power consumption, and a thin, light form. It gives the viewer the experience of reading from paper, while having the power of updatable information.

EPDs are a technology enabled by electronic ink — ink that carries a charge enabling it to be updated through electronics. Electronic ink is ideally suited for EPDs as it is a reflective technology which requires no front or back light, is viewable under a wide range of lighting conditions, including direct sunlight, and requires no power to maintain an image.”

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/networking/?p=604

Accessed on Aug. 6, 09