eBooks

As I have been looking into ebooks and ePub. I have come to realize that many are still thinking in an outmoded paradigm. They are still thinking paper! The problem is that there is nothing wrong with that train of thought, however, it becomes rather limiting when one is thinking in only 1 dimension versus 3. On paper we are limited to the written word. External references that need to be researched separately, which requires additional materials. Whereas with ePub or ebooks we are given a broader range of options. We have the option of links to external sources, embedding code to provide internal links, or simply embedding references internally, within the book itself. Effectively making it a self referencing system that allows for a multi level experience when reading an article or book.

Granted these are not entirely new thoughts, I simply am reiterating them. Why? I have looked at various apps for iPad and iPhone. Frankly they leave a lot to be desired. It is extremely disappointing to see that the developers have the skill but lack the vision to use the full potential of the technology. Granted this may be lack of skill, lack of resources, a lack of vision or simply a combination thereof. In all honesty, I don't know. I do know that the final product is disappointing.