[Web4lib] e-Readers (electric paper)

[Leo Robert Klein]

David Kane wrote:
> Dear List,
> 
> With the increasing availability of academic papers and other
> literature online, might researchers in certain disciplines benefit from
> using these new kinds of readers - based on the e-Paper technology. 
> This kind of display is non-glare, and is as easy to read as a book.
> 
> What are your experiences?

I've never really understood the rationale behind these devices.  I 
mean, I already have something that reads "electronic books" -- it's 
called a laptop.  If I wanted something even more mobile, I'd get a 
smaller laptop -- or maybe use my PDA.

The advantages of using my laptop -- besides the fact that I already own 
it -- is that I can play most formats on it, and not just one. 
Furthermore, my laptop can do more than just "read" the thing -- I can 
cut out parts, re-use it, send it to friends and colleagues.  I can link 
to the file, 'digg it', list it on del.icio.us.  In other words, I can 
do everything I've become accustomed to do on a computer in a networked 
environment.  Why would i want something that could do anything less?

I think if the sole purpose of a device is simply to serve as a platform 
for a proprietary format, it's doomed.  This kind of "lock-in" is not 
popular with consumers.  Just ask Sony how its own version of the iPod 
is doing.

LEO

New Blog:
www.ChicagoLibrarian.com

-- -------------
Leo Robert Klein
www.leoklein.com