The present of book

@Ivette Durán Calderón

“In spite of the advantages of electronics books, it still may be a Little too early to predict the end of traditional publishing”

Those of us who were educated like myself with the traditional printed texts-those bulky volumes of history or literature-can easily understand the benefits of utilizing digital texts. Experts in the publishing industry are even predicting that soon children will no longer have to lug those heavy bags and backpacks crammed with books, but rather access the Internet to download the necessary texts into their personal computers. There are some that even go beyond that, daring to suggest that even their classrooms will be replaced one day a virtual teacher giving classes over the Internet.

With the development of literary texts in an electronic format, the very act of Reading will undoubtedly see profound changes for this and future generations. The electronics books-or the e-books, as it’s known in today’s jargon-frightens some and excites others, and has become just another sign of how cutting-edge technology is revolutionizing the way in which we live.

Perhaps in 100 years, when archeologist study the history and chronicles off the turbulent and resplendent 21th century, they’ll have to speak about the Internet and the changes it wrought on the social structures and lifestyles at the dawn of the printed page bound in conventional books, or will this old technology have already disappeared requiring future generations to read it in an electronic format?

According to specialists, the printed page is still the best format for the human eye due to the limitations imposed on Reading speed by computer screen resolution. Although the screen letters aren’t as clear as those made by ink on paper, the e-books compensate by other digital advantages, such as the ability to alter the size and font of letters. Some of the e-readers even have sound and images that convert them into complete interactive instruments, making them very attractive for children’s texts, for example.

Even so, conventional books don’t need batteries or any other source of power to be enjoyed. Although there’s an old proverb that says “you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover”, many consummate readers still practice this species of courtship. This is evident when we stand before the shelves of a bookstore and take a book in our hands, delicately turning its pages and caressing its cover in a ritual of discovery and enlightenment until, succumbing to its enchantment, we decide to take it home and enjoy the mystical and magical experience of reading.