What is the future of the printed book?

Question

Do you think that eBooks stand a chance of taking over college texts and study guides?
Why or why not?

Answer 1

I just read a 19 page article online today and I was about to die by the time I finished it, even though it was well-written and defended the position on a subject I am rather passionate about.

I do not see printed books going away soon. I love being able to copy and paste from online editions, but read one? Only to finish an assignment. And even for textbooks I want to be able to write in the margins and underline things. I still have most of my old textbooks from my major and minor as an undergrad and I occasionally pull them down when I have questions about something. Try that with a eBook.

That is for academic reading. For pleasure reading there is no substitute for a book I can hold in my hand, carry to the bathtub, drop next to the bed when I fall asleep, and pick back up later.

Answer 2

Reading a book is a very personal thing, especially a good book. People like to 'feel' the book, hold it in their hands.
E-books haven't taken off for that reason. Also, a lot of people like to read late at night, or on a train, or in an aeroplane, so being hooked up to a computer is not always practical.
So I think the future of the printed book is safe.
What isn't safe is where it will be sold. Bookshops seem to be closing down on a daily basis, or amalgamating with other bookshops, because more and more books are being sold over the Internet.
That's where the change will take place.

Answer 3

The printed book seems to have a bright future. Buying computer paper and ink toner for the computer printer are expensive. Plus if there are color photographs in the eBook that's more money spent on color ink toner.

Answer 4

Absolutely not. Maybe I'm biased, but I'm an illustrator/writer and I can't see everyone trading beautiful offset-printed pictures for pixels. On the 'paperback' end, I'd rather tote a novel around than worry about the charge on my laptop, if someone's going to steal it, or if I'll drop it. No big deal if someone steals my book or if I drop it. Of course, I do love my laptop. But for extended reading, studying and possibly looking at diagrams or photos, I opt for the good ol' fashioned book. Just my taste. Let me get back to looking for the power cord for my MacBook. :)

Answer 5

no, not until computers get alot better and virus protection is perfect. i think there will always be a place for printed material, though of course it will be a smaller role. also the whole world will have to have wifi, and the colleges and such will have to provide laptops to everyone as part of the program, of course their price will be included in the price of the courses. until computers and servers are 100% reliable all the time, printed copies of things will still need to be available. at the very least, printed instructions of where to go and how to get there on the web.