There is an interesting *anti* ebook (as they are now-or more especially ebook readers) argument from Richard Stallman (open source guru) on the UNESCO Focus blog: Personal Statement on "book tomorrow" by Richard Matthew Stallman May 31st, 2011 http://focus2011.org/2011/05/personal-statement-on-book-tomorrow-by-richard- matthew-stallman/ It's short so I'll repeat it in full: _________________________________________________________________- E-books as currently used attack the traditional freedoms of readers. For example, the Amazon Kindle Swindle denies its users the freedom to acquire books anonymously; to give, lend, or sell them; to keep them for as long as they wish; indeed, even the freedom to own a book. It does this through digital handcuffs (malicious software features to restrict the users) as well as through legal instruments. Encrypted e-books require the use of non-libre software, software that users do not have control over, because free software capable of reading them is censored in the US and the EU. We readers must defeat this attack. We must not be satisfied with a partial change to respect part of our traditional freedoms. For freedom's sake, we readers must reject e-books, and campaign against them, until they respect our freedom. We must insist on e-books that can be bought (not just licensed); that can be bought anonymously; that do not demand acceptance of restrictive contractual conditions; and that are published in documented formats that are an open standard, so that people can freely write and use software to read them with. ____________________________________________________________________ Ken Ken Chad Consulting Ltd Tel +44 (0)7788 727 845. Email: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] <http://www.kenchadconsulting.com/> www.kenchadconsulting.com Skype: kenchadconsulting Twitter: @KenChad Open Library Systems Specifications: <http://libtechrfp.wikispaces.com/> http://libtechrfp.wikispaces.com From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mick Fortune Sent: 05 August 2011 16:11 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: The printed book is doomed: here's why (From Telegraph) Be careful what you wish for :-) http://www.amazon.com/TrendyDigital-WaterGuard-Waterproof-Kindle-Purple/dp/B 002DQ4VDQ From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Moger Sent: 05 August 2011 16:05 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: The printed book is doomed: here's why (From Telegraph) I'll start getting worried about the demise of the book when the waterproof Kindle appears so you can read it in the bath! David Moger _____ Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2011 12:24:12 +0100 From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Fwd: The printed book is doomed: here's why (From Telegraph) To: [log in to unmask] You can curl up with a Kindle, I suppose, but I can't see anything more convenient for its use than a printed book. I lost my sense of smell due to a head injury, but I still love secondhand bookstores and only really buy old books now.This is for aesthetic reasons (eg, Penguins for certain cover illustrators). But new books don't have such a sensory attraction, and I'd be more likely to appreciate digital versions, say, of new novels - not owning but borrowing. I wonder if other people feel this. I guess if so, that's why e-book lending should prove to be such a huge boost for libraries. Debby Begin forwarded message: From: Ken Chad <[log in to unmask]> Date: August 5, 2011 11:05:49 AM GMT+01:00 To: Debby Raven <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: The printed book is doomed: here's why (From Telegraph) Reply-To: Ken Chad <[log in to unmask]> Steve's point is interestingly reinforced by an article yesterday in the Chicago Tribune. It too uses the 'vinyl' analogy. The article suggest publishers should be promoting print books better (to compete against the Kindle) 'Publishers should tantalize consumers by evoking books' sensory pleasures: the smell; the feel in your hands; that crisp, appealing crinkle of a turned page and smooth snap of a dust jacket. Publishers should elicit the joys of "curling up with a book," the satisfaction of seeing your library on a shelf in your bedroom - the years of your life marked by rows of colorful spines, the pages covered with marginalia. To do this, publishers could borrow vinyl enthusiasts' lines like, "Records have a certain smell. You can't smell an MP3," and, "I associate certain records' smells with a certain summer, a particular girlfriend." Audiophiles also discuss fidelity, how records sound undeniably better than MP3s. Surely there's a book analog waiting to be developed.' http://ow.ly/5VPrL Ken Ken Chad Consulting Ltd Tel +44 (0)7788 727 845. Email: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] <http://www.kenchadconsulting.com/> www.kenchadconsulting.com Skype: kenchadconsulting Twitter: @KenChad Open Library Systems Specifications: <http://libtechrfp.wikispaces.com/> http://libtechrfp.wikispaces.com From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 05 August 2011 09:35 To: Ken Chad Cc: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: The printed book is doomed: here's why (From Telegraph) 'It's convenience that is drawing people to ebooks and that is what will kill printed books. Or, if not kill them, reduce them to the same minority hobbyist status that vinyl records now occupy'. Which would sound fine until you point out [to extend the analogy] that Vinyl is enjoying a massive resurgence in popularity, sounds much better than CD and infinitely better than lossy digital files [Lossless files are natch pretty good] and are just much 'nicer' to engage with and use...as are printed books. Now, I love me gadgets [especially those which allow me to listen to music in its purest forms], but if it's a choice between The Lindisfarne Gospels, The Luttrell Psalter or a Kindle, I know which gets my vote. Printed books & materials are ACE!, surely that's why we're all here in the first place? I think it's dangerous to speak of things being 'doomed' as I was saying to my pet Coelacanth just the other day.... Steve 'the minority hobbyist' Steve Powell BA (Hons) MCLIP Team Librarian Libraries, Archives and Information Children, Families & Cultural Services Nottinghamshire County Council Based at: Retford Library Churchgate Retford Notts DN22 6PE Tel - 01777 708724 [log in to unmask] Debby Raven Freelance Writer & Editor Twitter: @LibraryInfoNews Blog: http://libraryinfonews.co.uk/ 0141 334 6019 07426 844765 74 Marlborough Avenue Glasgow G11 7BH