Abstract

Current educational, professional, and academic environments require skills and accurate tools to efficiently manage large volumes of information. Reading skills are a key aspect in this regard. A new generation of reading tools are necessary; they should be simple to use, yet capable of managing information powerfully. Their aim should be empowering readers by helping them to become more skilled readers capable of an active, effective, and efficient reading. In particular, active reading on digital displays requires assistance in four basic processes: annotation, extraction of content, navigation, and improved effective design. The LiquidText application is analyzed as an example of how new models and metaphors can facilitate interaction with digital texts by reducing complexity through an intelligent simplicity, which is, after all, a recurring demand of contemporary digital design applications.

Abstract

The relevance and potential impact of Apple Computer’s iBooks initiative is discussed. iBooks is aimed at the USA textbook market, but it has a great potential to expand, as has previously occurred with other services that use iTunes, Apple’s B2C-C2C e-commerce and digital distribution platform. The initiative combines hardware, authoring software, e-reader, distribution channels, and social and networking services integration to empower systemically and synergistically its products and services against those of the competition, creating a new prototypic exemplar of the so-called “digital ecosystems”.

Abstract

The problematics, context, concept and design trends of electronic books are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of the electronic book versus the traditional one are analyzed. Finally, its impact in the ecology of book production, preservation and dissemination and in its different stakeholders is assessed, both market-oriented firms and libraries.