Oxford English Dictionary 'will not be printed again'

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I think there is a place for both forms, but wonder if in the future there will be enough of a market to support duel efforts. Personally, I do not care to read back lit text but enjoy toting around a paperback in my coat pocket. It is a more leisurely and intimate experience with no worries about battery levels or recharging. Nothing much to interfere between the reader and the author, beyond the odd typo or horrid cover.

I could see using an e-reader for books that I have no interest in ultimately keeping though. Realistically, from the writing and production side, it would seem electronic editions require less work (and workers) to deliver. Greener than printed material too. But this is not satifactory for well loved books. Nerd that I am, those are friends that I like to surround myself with.

I only hope that if the publishing world were to go strictly electronic, another line of business might crop up to print and bind the books at a reasonable rate, for people who want them that way. Both for individuals and libraries. In times like these with increasing population and technology decreasing need for human labor, we need all the employment oportunities we can muster.

Do e-readers hum?