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| Kindle, 3rd Generation |
An "Ebook" is a book length publication in digital form. No one really knows when the first ebook came along, but it's been several decades in the making. "The Index Thomistiticus" was a heavily annotated electronic index to the works of Thomas Aquinas in the 1940s put together by Roberto Busa.
However the idea of the ebook reader came to Bob Brown in the 1930's, inspired by the "talkie" movies. In an article Jennifer Schuessler writes, "The machine, Brown argued, would allow readers to adjust the type size, avoid paper cuts and save trees, all while hastening the day when words could be 'recorded directly on the palpitating ether.'"
In 1949 a teacher from Spain, Angelia Ruiz, patents the 1st ebook. She wanted to decrease the number of books her kids brought to school.
In Star Trek, The Original Series and even The Next Generation, Capt Kirk and Capt Picard each use "ebook" readers - though Kirk's was a bit bulker than Picard's.
In 1992, Sony launched the Data Discman, an electronic book reader that could read e-books that were stored on CDs.
The establishment of the E Ink Corp. in 1997 led to the development of electronic paper a technology which allows a display screen to reflect light like ordinary paper without the need for a backlight. The Rocket Ebook is introduced but doesn't gain any popularity.
In the mid 2000's, Amazon released the "Kindle" a slim, convienent, ebook reader that is affordable to the every day public. Sony does the same.
"Read An Ebook Week" was first listed in 2004. The purpose was to educate and inform the public about the pleasures and advantages of reading electronically.
Popular formats include: PDF, EPUB, and HTML.
Some advantages of having an ebook:
--All fiction books published prior to 1900 are considered in the public domain and free.
--An ebook can be ordered and downloaded immediately.
--The cost is affordable.
--A single reader can have many books.
--There is a wide variety of ebook readers that are affordable.
--It saves on physical space.
--You can ajust the font and add notes if you want.
CONTEST!!
If you go to: http://www.ebookweek.com/index.html
There are two contests along with a great list of "deals and steals." It's a great place to hang out and enjoy an ebook this week.
Question for you: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one. Why do you recommend it? The price? The size? The features?
Do you have any "Deals and Steals" you'd like to share this week? Leave a comment!
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-book
I have a kindle fire and LOVE IT! I used my phone before I got my kindle fire and now I don't know how I did it. For $159, it's amazing.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, I agree - I love my Kindle Fire and the price is affordable. I mostly use mine for videos and apps though. I do some reading on it, but I love how small and easy it is to carrying around.
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Steph
I do have a Kindle - the kind that has the keyboard on the bottom. I remember about 13 years ago when I joined my first Romance Writers Chapter and a speaker came with a kindle. I wasn't even interested in it until I held the thing in my hand. From there on out it was love at first sight. It was many years before I got one, but now I love it and keep adding 'just one more book' until I am almost at 500. Problem is, being an author I don't have enough time to read as much as I would like.
ReplyDeletePaisley, it's really easy to add one more book, isn't it? I agree - I need more time to read.
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Steph
Paisley, I do most of my reading off my 2nd generation Kindle, too. Yes, it's easy to buy a lot of books, but like you, I suffer from from not having enough time to read, but I do enjoy reading from my Kindle.
ReplyDeleteSmiles
Steph
I have a Kindle and received it as a gift 3 years ago. I like it a lot but would like to get the Kindle Fire sometime.
ReplyDeleteDiane, the Kindle Fire is an "Ipad Light." I enjoy mine a lot. I like to play angry birds on it and watch videos.
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Steph
Hubby was talking to me - meant to add that my ebooks sell the best - I sell few paperback books. I thought my Amish romance would sell well in paperback, too, but I was wrong.
ReplyDeleteI love my Kindle Fire, and find myself reading during any spare time, while in doctors' waiting rooms, while DH is driving, before sleeping,in airport and planes... I alwayd have stories available.
ReplyDeleteMona, yes, I do the same thing. I can carry it anywhere and it helps to pass the time while waiting.
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Steph
Good summation, Steph. I have a kindle which I dearly love. I wore out my Sony, then I switched to a Kindle. So many books are in Kindle format, I feel like I have my choice of books.
ReplyDeleteMaggie, I heard that Sony makes it easy to read a PDF. Did you like that feature?
DeleteSteph
I adore everything about my Kindle Fire. I have issues that makes holding traditional books difficult and the ability to turn a page with a light touch is incredible. I also love the ease if changing the screen brightness and text size. The last feature I'll ramble about is the fact I can share the great stuff I'm reading on facebook and twitter.
ReplyDeleteKathy, sounds like the Fire is a nice fit for you. I agree it's easy to share, isn't it?
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Steph