Comments on: An ebook is not a book.

By: Graham Storrs

Graham Storrs — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:53:26 +0000

Seems to me that an e-book is a book in every way that counts. What people mean when they say ‘book’ is the content it contains. It just happens that for several centuries, the presentation of books on printed paper has been the only technology available. Naturally, the technology and the content have become identified to the point where it will take a new presentation technology many years to deconflate them. But it will happen.

Finding a new name for a book presented electronically so as to avoid a reactionary backlash against the technology won’t help. I suggest reassurance to the touch-and-smell lovers that they will still be able to buy paper books for as long as they live. Maybe then they won’t worry so much if other people use a different technology to read books.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:26:27 +0000

I’m with PG Forte… although I hadn’t thought of that until she said it. Thanks! (Waving my digital revolutionary flag.)

By: PG Forte

PG Forte — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:01:36 +0000

Well, there ya go. We’ll start a revolution.

By: MoJo

MoJo — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:56:34 +0000

Well, now THAT is something I hadn’t thought about and a more compelling argument to me than anything else I’ve heard to the contrary.

Thank you!

By: PG Forte

PG Forte — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:54:43 +0000

Given that illuminated manuscripts were once called books and now…not so much; and given that paperbacks weren’t initially considered ‘real’ books either, why don’t we just grant usage of the ‘book’ title to ebooks now…and let the outdated tree carcasses find a new label?

Just a thought…

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:36:15 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by MoriahJovan: NEW BLOG POST: An ebook is not a book. http://bit.ly/P6gHQ…

By: MoJo

MoJo — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:27:43 +0000

To use Twittercrank's (aka Mike Cane) definitions: ebook = tarted up text file digital book = Vook

By: FarAwayDeb

FarAwayDeb — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:05:41 +0000

What is the difference between an ebook and a digital book?

By: MoJo

MoJo — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:17:40 +0000

I can always count on you for a good drubbing in the morning.

Look, YOU are coming from a completely different place and time in the future. Quit applying your vision to current reality.

Go with the flow. You know exactly what I mean.

By: Mike Cane

Mike Cane — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:14:23 +0000

Gad, your thickness continues.

>>>An ebook is not supposed to be like a printed book.

Oh yes it is! That’s the whole bloody point of ePub for Seniors!

A DIGITAL book is not supposed to be like the bloody printed paper brick.