Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Photo: G. P. Sampath Kumar

Feel matters The joy of lounging with a book is inexplicable

As technology and literature vibe well, e-books have become the trendiest way to disseminate information around. In the information universe that is Internet, it becomes really a chore to find a quick fix to a nagging problem. Search engines spew out millions of web pages, which often make the temporal lobe bulge like balloon. E-books with their concise, expert advice, suggestions, ‘I-am-by-your-side’ neighbourly elder’s wisdom have caught the fancy of students (who may not make it through the whole printed tome) and busy professionals (who may not find time nor have inclination to go through). E-books can be on anything that fulfils a need or immediately redresses a problem: a ‘how-to’ manual (when your computer screen goes blank), a ‘what-to-do’ advisory (when smoke comes out of computer), a tip sheet on a ultra focused topic (no, it’s not how to barbecue a pig, but how to do that on its innards), a report that cannot be stashed away in a decrepit cupboard.

“They are so easy to use, download and print,” says Praveen, an e-book lover. “I read e-books for specific information. They have gained a lot of traction among people precisely because you get specific information on any novel that you want to read. Of course, you have to search around.”

“You can offer a niche information product,” points out Narayanan, a techie. “These e-books give a low-down on the company, establish a rapport with clients and boost the corporate image. Even if you are a techno dope, it doesn’t take more than two brain cells to make something with it.”

After initial hype about e-books and obituaries for printed books, things have cooled down. It’s relative to generation whether you go for electronic or printed versions of the books. “You can read them on the go. They are so flexible,” says web designer Ravindra. “But nothing like reclining on a sofa with a book,” he hastens to add.

For people like Sandhya, a computer engineering student, e-books have come as boon. “It is a revolution. Whenever I want to delve deep into topics such as ‘networking through routers’. These e-books come handy for a quick brush-up on the subject.”

Not all are onto this bandwagon. They would rather prefer the feel of the book, the tactile sensation and a tangible tome in their palms. There are other factors like non-availability of favourite books and costly e-book reader devices. “Reading e-books is definitely not as much fun as reading a paperback,” confesses Harish Rao, who has ‘on and off’ fascination for e-books.

One direction the e-book publishing might go shedding its perceived ‘low value’ is to have a website that has content formatted in different ways: e-books, podcasts, video --- essentially an ipod for books.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail