Re: [ARSCLIST] Digitizing libraries

["D. Blake Werts" <bwerts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think that they are getting close with "electronic ink" technologies.  The
Sony Reader is currently marketed with an 800x600 dpi display.

http://www.learningcenter.sony.us/assets/itpd/reader/

We may be there soon!
D. Blake Werts

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Cox" <doncox@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 2:44 PM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Digitizing libraries


> On 19/12/06, Steven C. Barr(x) wrote:
> > Okeh...for what it's worth, an idea I dreamed up as far as "digital
> > books"...!
> >
> > My idea is something along these lines...
> >
> > "DigiBooks" would be something like text equivalents to iPods. They
> > would be available in a few book-approximating sizes (say 6"x9" up to
> > 8.5"x11") with larger machines offering larger type. There would be a
> > page-sized LCD display; some models would literally be "read-only,"
> > while the fancier ones would include a "Clipboard" (for copying
> > selected content) and a small keyboard (for taking notes or making
> > "annotations"). The basic files would be in the standard .pdf
> > format... if that doesn't allow the Edit functions, the text could
> > also be available in straight-ASCII (no illustrations) text characters
> > for use in Find and Copy operations.
>
> The problem with all ideas for digital books is the poor quality of
> current screen displays.
>
> Typical resolution is only around 110 dots per inch at best, whereas
> computer printers are from 600 dpi upward. This makes reading long text
> files on a screen tiring and uncomfortable.
>
> When they start making 1200 dpi screens, printed books will have some
> competition.
>
>
> > These would be about the same size and weight as "hard copy" books...
> > and could be read in the same locations (you couldn't take a DigiBook
> > in the shower with you, but that also applies to paper books...!).
> > Larger-screen models could be sold which would allow the display of
> > two facing pages (folks read paper books both ways!). Of course,
> > the extent to which content could be copied and privately stored
> > (the fancier machines would have this capability, along with a
> > hard drive) would be limited by copyright laws. Note that .pdf's
> > can include illustrations, graphs and such...so the digital pages
> > would look just like the originals. The .pdf filenames would also
> > be stored with copied text or entered annotations, so a DigiBook
> > and its augmentations would be associated by definition.
> >
> > DigiBooks would be sold on "flash memory" cards (just like digital
> > photos are by their cameras) and the DigiBook "reader" would be
> > equipped with such a slot. There would also be connections (USB
> > ports?) so a regular desktop or laptop computer could be used if
> > the reader preferred.
> >
> > Problem is, I don't have the techie know-how to build any of this...
> > so if anyone out there in Radio-Land does, feel free to take my idea
> > and run with it! Just give me some credit (and a little of the
> > cash...?!)
> >
> > Steven C. Barr
> >
> Regards
> --
> Don Cox
> doncox@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>