[WEB4LIB] E-books Brochure

[Jerry Kuntz]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but if your current or planned eBook
services involve dedicated reading devices, you should be aware of what
Gemstar (which bought Rocket and Softbook) has in mind:
http://www.ebooknet.com/story.jsp?id=3791
http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,39471,00.html
These were recently noted on the ebooks-l list.
After reading these, I came round to the same conclusion that Roy Tennant
did in his 10/15/2000 Digital Libraries column (though for different
reasons).
The restrictions that Gemstar is designing into their new models demonstrate
both a callous disregard for existing customers and publishing partners and
a doomed, blinders-to-the-world, vision of this technology. If I didn't
actually own one of these devices (a Rocket eBook Pro), I'd be laughing at
the corporate stupidity being displayed.
Jerry Kuntz
Ramapo Catskill Library System
jkuntz at rcls.org
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Mutch" <amutch at waterford.lib.mi.us>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <web4lib at webjunction.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2000 8:04 AM
Subject: [WEB4LIB] E-books Brochure


> Like many of you, we are venturing into the field of e-books and I was
> hoping that I could see some examples in print or on-line of brochures
> about e-books.  I want to put something together to be able to provide
> for our patrons who have questions about e-books.  I'm interested in
> seeing what issues you address [hardware, software, providers, etc.] and
> also layout and design.  If you have some examples to share, I would be
> most appreciative.  Thank you for your assistance!
>
> Andrew Mutch
> Library Systems Technician
> Waterford Township Public Library
> Waterford, MI
>