“It is obvious from the current electronic book specifications that standards and interoperability need to be discussed in order for electronic books to get past the novelty stage. All four of the readers mentioned use different hardware, software, and means of obtaining electronic books. It is easy to think of the problems that could arise from this lack of industry standards; a replay of the VHS versus Beta debate could easily happen in this industry if the problem is not addressed. This is where an electronic book workshop can assist the e-book industry.” – The Future of the Written Word in The Technology Source, September 1998.
The TeleRead take: So why can’t the e-book industry understand the obvious? Commercial reasons, of course. Microsoft, Palm Digital Media and Adobe care more about their proprietary formats than about the long-term success of the e-book business. Meanwhile e-book sales are in the the pits, at least compared to what they could have been; and the Rich Lewis types are having a field day.
