Once and Future e-book

by Phil.

The Once and Future e-book: On Reading in the Digital Age
A veteran of a former turning of the e-book wheel looks at the past, present, and future of reading books on things that are not books.  -by John Siracusa, Apple Technology Specialist at Ars Technica.

John writes about the history of ebook devices, corporate mis-steps, outmoded business models, DRM, and the market vibe.   Technologically minded librarians will empathize with his frustrations.  Those who aren’t can get a quick background of the way tech, business, and customer interests interact and conflict.  Publishers will recognize the plea for new business models.  The post suggests that an immediate change in attutude and practice is needed or publisher’s will lose the moment’s opportunities.