E-book versus Printed Book
The advance in technology has dramatically impacted the books industry and the perception of people on digital reading methods and conventional hard printout books. While printed books were for long regarded the epitome of human development in the aspects of imparting knowledge and storing information, this has changed significantly due to the advance of digital methods of storing information and access to information. One of the most common ways of accessing information using digital devices is the e-book format. This is simply a digital version of the hard copy of a printed book. Although both forms contain the same information, it has been argued that the transition between hard copy book format to e-book format leads to the loss of some significant aspects of active reading.
The printed book format has several advantages over digital e-books. Firstly, printed books have a real touch, and one can actually turn pages over. This makes reading more effective compared to e-books, which lack this physical touch. Additionally, printed books are less strenuous to the eye, compared to e-books, which require the use of electronic devices like computers and smartphones, which are associated with accelerating eye problems.Transitioning from printed format to e-books also leads to the loss of the annotating aspect of printed books. This, according to Craig Dykers, is enough reason to encourage the development of more libraries with access to printed books prioritized (Roumani, 2013). Another aspect that is not as effective in e-books as it is in print books is the ease of skimming. All these factors support the perception by a segment of readers that printed books are superior compared to e-books.
Technology has dramatically impacted the printing industry as different people have different preferences when it comes to choosing over printed books and e-books. However, it is undoubtedly clear that digital technology has significantly reduced the number of readers for printed books. This is because of some of the advantages that have come with the adoption of e-books. Robert Darnton, in the video “Out of Print,” argues that e-books are easier to read, cheaper for voluminous reading, and they are easily accessible (Roumani, 2013). This means easy access to information to all people, in an unlimited manner, at the same time minimizing the monopolization of the industry. As Jeff Bezos argues, the e-books market is not about savagely competing out printed books, but allowing access to books more efficiently and affordably (Roumani, 2013). Therefore, the advent of e-books should not be viewed as an onslaught against established libraries, but as a way of allowing easier access to information and hence facilitating research.
Conclusively, the choice between e-books and print books will always be difficult, as each format has its advantages and disadvantages. However, the effect of digital technology in the printing industry will continue to be felt as more people shift preference towards digital reading methods. Nevertheless, there will always be a segment of readers that prefer hard copy books over e-books.