The rise of E-Books

(Source: Discoverymagazine)

        An article written by Neuman (2013) revealed that French is preparing an e-book revolution. There are more people get in touch with e-book now. Several indications have been mentioned. First indication is the neutrality of media; government decided to change the definition of a book that will reduce the tax rate on e-book. Next indication is publishers’ attitude is changing; publishers now prepare their book in digital format. Lastly is innovation; software such as Youboox and Eden Livres available people to access e-books easily. (Neuman, 2013)

        Obviously, this does not only happen in French but most all over the world. As Neuman (2013) stated that “French are known to be slow starters, but very good race finishers.” Things happen in US are even faster and significant. (Neuman, 2013)

        I think that the reasons that make e-book getting more popular are due to its cheaper price and easy to access with electronic devices such as smart phone. Furthermore, research also shows that 24/7 access, wider selection and immediate updates are benefits that user can obtain from e-book. Besides that, functions such as searching within the document and hyperlinking can’t be found in traditional print material. (Renner, 2013) Furthermore, ebook can also help to reduce the paper consumption. That is why people want e-book or even e-magazine nowadays.

        On the other hand, reading print material is difference from online. There are several issues regarding reading electronic material have to be aware by the readers. First, e-book alters the page turning action from our hand to a mouse click. Readers with slower internet connection speed will confront content’s delays; need to wait the page to load. Next, some ereader software or program does not provide double page view’s function; readers’ narrative flow will be difference from reading print material as reduce the narrative flow to single page. Lastly, bookmark function is not available too. (Huang and Archer, 2012)

        E-book has good prospects and is expected to grow continually. The rise of e-book is going to bring big impact to many of us; readers, manufactures (printing industry), publishers and so on. (Ballhaus, 2010) We have to be preparing if one day e-book replace our traditional print materials.

References:

1. Ballhaus, W, 2010, turning the page, the future of ebooks. [online] Available at: < http://www.pwc.com/en_GX/gx/entertainment-media/pdf/eBooks-Trends-Developments.pdf> [Accessed 10 June 2013]

2. Huang, Chen-Weng & Archer, Arlene 2012, “Uncovering the multimodal literacy practices in reading Manga and the implications for pedagogy,” in New Media Literacies and Participatory Popular Culture Across Europe, Taylor & Francis, Hoboken, pp. 44-60

3. Neuman, F, 2013, Are the French preparing an E-book revolution? Mais oui! [online] Available at: < http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/03/are-the-french-preparing-an-e-book-revolution-mais-oui084> [Accessed 10 June 2013]

4. Renner, R, A, 2013, eBooks- Costs and benefits to academic and research libraries. [pdf] Available at: < https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDQQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springer.com%2F%3FSGWID%3D0-0-45-415198-0&ei=M4S5UaboIsulrQedj4D4BA&usg=AFQjCNHLwCmMjo1bS-isIYnEFG_h8YSU4g&sig2=RwrRbUMCjYe3h8XDNj8CnA&bvm=bv.47883778,d.bmk> [Accessed 10 June 2013]