Interesting point of view
http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/20/27...l-win-on-specs
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The specs of a paper book
If you take a moment to think about a paper book as the technological object that it is, you can quickly see plenty of advantages over e-readers. The list of "specs" for your standard paper book gets surprisingly long when you expand your definition of technology to include elements that don't require a computer chip.
•Readable with any form of light
•Very high contrast display
•Requires no battery power
•Depending on model, lasts anywhere from five to five thousand years or more
•Immersive and non-distracting user interface
•Offers a spatial layout for immediate access to random information
•Conforms to the standardized "page number" spec for easy reference
•Supports direct interaction via pen or highlighter
•DRM-free for easy lending and resale
•Standards-based system not controlled by any single corporation or entity
•Crash-proof and immune to viruses (though vulnerable to some worms)
•Easy to learn user-interface consistent across most manufacturers
•Supports very large number of colors and also black and white images
•Compatible with a wide variety of note taking systems
These features and specs are either unmatched or poorly matched by most current e-reader technology. While e-readers obviously offer many advantages over paper books, I would argue that most of the above specs are essential to how most people think of the act of engaged, active reading
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