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Bookworm ePub Reader Gets Boost From O'Reilly
stoolpigeon writes in with news that ought to kindle Amazon's attention: "O'Reilly announced recently that they are now hosting Bookworm, an online ePub reader. ePub is composed of three open standards (OPS, OPF, and OCF) that allow users a great amount of flexibility without any lock-in. Bookworm lets users upload ePub files, read them online from a PC or mobile device, and also export them to mobile devices that support ePub. Bookworm can also export directly to Stanza. Once a user has uploaded their ePub books to Bookworm, they can track progress through them even across multiple devices."
A large university can install a mini printing press (or in other words, a big printer that does bookbinding) in the library. Publishers (or authors) can distribute their books electronically, and for those students who want to pay for it, a print-on-demand copy will be fairly cheap. Other students might prefer to buy an ebook reader like the Kindle (or just use their mobile phone, in a couple of years' time when screens are good enough) or just spend as little money as possible by reading the book on a college PC.
-- Ed Avis ed@membled.com
Thats good news for the Sony Ebook Readers like the PRS-505 and what not. Currently the Kindle doesn't support ePub so it really is interesting to see how the ebook format war will shake out.
I used to work in the college textbook industry, and there was a constant background drum from the book publishers talking about switching everything to eBooks.
They're probably hoping to dry up the used textbook market.
However, all the students that I ever asked about it were very much in favor of being able to fold down corners, draw in the margins, use highlighers, etc.
It seems to me that this would be where eBooks would shine. Add a stylus to the reader and now all of your annotations, bookmarks, etc can be indexed and easily searchable. Add to this the obvious weight advantage and eBook texts start looking pretty good.
Personally I've been drooling for an eBook reader for a couple of years. The price-point and DRM is keeping me out though.
I would LOVE to have so many books at my disposal with me at all times. I'd read a lot more, especially since the books are much cheaper and easier to get.
But at around $400 the local library is a still a lot more attractive.
The publishing industry needs to wake up innovate before Amazon and Sony become the new iTunes of print publishing and come steal their lunch money.