The Future of E-paper

I love e-books: books and other publications that are available in electronic format instead of on paper. I have several hundred such books stored on my desktop and laptop computers and many on an Amazon Kindle, including newspapers, books downloaded from Google Books, many blogs, and more. I read the Wall Street Journal every day on an Amazon Kindle. I almost never print anything these days; I prefer to read text on a computer screen or on the Kindle.

NOTE: I recently wrote a Plus Edition article about e-books. That article is still available at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2008/05/a-genealogy-lib.html.

Making the switch from printed documents to an on-screen display of the same information is a significant psychological adjustment. For a while, it felt "funny" to read books, newspapers and newsletters on a computer screen. The adjustment was easier on the Amazon Kindle as its "e-paper" display is much closer to printed paper. Once I became accustomed to reading things on-screen, I found the process to be easier than ever. Searches are usually easier since many online documents allow one to quickly search for any word or phrase. Of course, e-books are also cheaper and eco-friendly; I no longer consume as much paper and laser printer toner as I used to.

I suspect that the economics of publishing books on paper will soon mean the end of paper-based genealogy books, as well as all sorts of other books and newspapers. A printed book costs a lot more to publish than an e-book. Consumers and publishers alike will appreciate the savings available when publishing electronically.

Reading documents on a computer screen is good, but the use of a portable reader with "e-paper" is much better. For instance, use of an Amazon Kindle simplifies the process. Computerworld has a new article that takes a look at the development and the future of e-paper. E-paper is rapidly becoming its own industry.

The article notes some of the current limitations of the technology and looks ahead to a few upcoming ideas, such as the Fujitsu Fabric PC. I am especially impressed with the Readius, mentioned near the end of the Computerworld article. It is already being sold in Italy and should be available in the U.S. within two or three months.

You can read "The Future of E-Paper" in Computerworld at http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9091118&intsrc=hm_ts_head/

You can read more about the Readius at http://www.polymervision.com/site/page/49.

You can read more about the Amazon Kindle at http://www.rootsbooks.com/shop.php?c=kindle&n=493964&i=B000FI73MA&x=Kindle_Amazons_New_Wireless_Reading_Device.

Comments

[David A. Grosland]

E-books sound intriguing, but unless the readers are more comfortable for my eyes than computer screens, I'll stick with paper. I currently print hard copies of anything lengthy I want to read for my eyes' sake and things I want to share since many of my over-forty friends and relatives do not have personal computers.

[genealog1st]

I shudder at the thought of a world without books. I mean paper books not electronic books. The experience of opening a new book is not one I'm willing to give up. The heft of the book, the feel of the paper, the new book smell. I can, however, see the great advantages of e-books and e-paper that provide word searches, fingertip availability along with economy and eco-friendliness. But please leave me my novels to curl up in bed with.

[Robert B.]

Like too many of my extravagant purchases involving technology the idea started here. I bought a Kindle when they became reasonably available and only have one problem. Finding out which one of my family has it. My wife (with vision problems) and my daughter (most books on it) are always in line to use it.

The goal of Amazon was to make you forget you were using an electronic reader. For me it works. Once I start reading I quickly switch to autopilot and just read. But if I want to look a word up or switch books they're right there! We're taking it on our first road trip so we can all fight over it in an airport.

The one problem mentioned in comments is not a problem - the liquid paper technology works great - no eye strain and as long as it is black and white everything works great.

The only real problem I see is the "right" to the product. There is a certain big brother like system in use by Amazon and there are interesting questions yet to go. For example, when my daughter goes to college can I "split" my library and buy her a separate Kindle?

[Ifor Jackson]

What about the changes in technology? I have things on discs and tapes that I can't read anymore, because of obsolete formats.

[Hal Whitmore]

I bought a Kindle shortly after the first of the year. It's fine for travel, and when I can buy an ebook version of a $30 text, for $10, I'll certainly do so. But I read a lot of paperback mysteries and I prefer to read them on paper. My most frequently used genealogy at the moment was published about 1860. I have it on a CD and in "loose leaf" form on paper. But, I recently spent $96 to get a hard bound copy from Higgenson. That will be easier to use and will simply "feel better." On the other hand I really like the Ricker Compilation on CD. I was trying to find the surname of some wives with unusual given names: Anner and Beate. I could search something like 14,000 pages of text in a manner of minutes. This would have been almost impossible in a paper format. (I'm still wondering if Anner was simply the phonetic spelling of Anna spoken with a New England accent.)

[Susan]

I'm thinking this would be wonderful for my daughter, who lives in a villiage in Cambodia. I read the books are downloaded wirelessly. Would she be able to receive the wireless download in a remote part of Cambodia or would she have to wait until she was in Phenom Phen?

[Spence]

I know I'm old fashioned - I just can't imagine snuggling up to an e-book on a cold winter night in front of a fireplace, with my cat on my lap and a glass of good wine! Somehow it's just not the same!

[graham]

With defective sight (due to both "old eyes" and a mini-stroke that has left me with blank spots in my optical cortex) I no longer read magazines or newspapers & seldom read printed books. I do find it easier to enlarge the font on my Cp screen than manipulate my magnifying glass. Now I must read the references Dick has provided in order to see to what I can aspire. Thank you Dick

[radarm]

Like others have said -reading for any length of time on the computer is hard on the eyes. Besides I can't safely in the recliner drop off to sleep in the middle of a paragaraph and then pick up again when nap is over.

Also I retain (short-term memory problem) less when reading on the computer making it difficult to (1) locate information in the computer followed by (2) entering the information in genealogy software. For me only paper works then. I can also compare information so much easier if it is on paper. Yes, the computer does make searches much, much easier.

So you go ahead and read your books on internet; I will read mine on paper.

[Elvina Hansen]

I am awed by the advancing technology, and I am happy to partake of much of it. However, I still prefer the printed -- or handwritten -- page. Something about it seems more tangible, more personal. I have letters written by ancestors in 1815 which are still clear and legible (given the vagaries of handwriting then, as now) and a Bible printed in 1830 which though badly worn, is still easy to read. I wonder sometimes if perhaps Gutenberg didn't have the real technological answer.

[Jimiini]

I like the e-book technology - I have access to many books that would otherwise be out of my reach financially. However, I wonder about the longevity of books in this format? Computer technology changes so fast; a secure back up in one format may not be retrievable next year. I am very fortunate that I have bookbinding skills: if there is anything I want to keep "forever" I print it out on acid free paper, bind it in archival materials and rest content that my 'Library' will be available for generations to come.

[Dick Eastman]

---> Would she be able to receive the wireless download in a remote part of Cambodia or would she have to wait until she was in Phenom Phen?

I can only speak about the Amazon Kindle, the device I own. It updates its data from the nearest Sprint cell phone tower. I doubt if there are any of those in Cambodia.

- Dick Eastman

[Maggie]

The advent of television did not make the radio obsolete. Likewise, e-book technology will not eliminate paper books that we love to touch and do not have to depend on batteries or electricity for reading.

[Dorothy]

Yesterday in the Canadian House of Commons Jim Prentice, the Canadian Industry Minister, introduced Bill C-61, the Canadian answer to the American Digital Millennium Copyright Act. It certainly seems to make downloading anything off the Internet illegal. See blog reactions at http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/06/13/174648.aspx. I just wonder how this will affect downloading to the Kindle....

[Dorothy]

Yesterday in the Canadian House of Commons Jim Prentice, the Canadian Industry Minister, introduced Bill C-61, the Canadian answer to the American Digital Millennium Copyright Act. It certainly seems to make downloading anything off the Internet illegal. See blog reactions at http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/06/13/174648.aspx. I just wonder how this will affect downloading to the Kindle....