Re: Re: A "ebook reader" for anywhere, anytime

From: "Chris" 
> On Sun, 15 Nov 2009, fynydd_beirdd wrote:
> 
>> Well, instead of theorizing about what might happen, I asked 
>> the people who make WikiReader (OpenMoko) about the possibility 
>> of using their device as an ebook reader.
>>
>> Here is what they said to me in return (from email):
>>
>> "Right now we only support Wikipedia. Next on our roadmap is 
>> multilingual support. It's going to be a while before we 
>> venture outside of Wikis :-)
> 
> Ok.
> 
> http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Main_Page
> 
> (and yes, it includes full text)
> 
>> "It would be possible but would require software development. 
>> Our internal roadmap is focused on Wikipedia and adding more 
>> language support. If you would like us to keep you posted, 
>> please signup for our newsletter:
>>
>> " http://thewikireader.com/update.html "
>>
>> So, as tantalizing as it may look, it doesn't look feasible at 
>> this point, and it doesn't look like OpenMoko are intending to 
>> go in that direction any time in the near future.
>>
>> Of course, an open architecture means outsiders might do so.
> 
> With all the code and designs open for inspection it can get 
> people thinking. I can see from searches and comments that the 
> code (including the device code) is open source, and there is a 
> simulator available, which means you can explore and develop 
> ideas cheaply.
> 
> The project team is doing the right thing, because scopecreep is 
> a killer. Their hardware design speaks strongly to them keeping a 
> disciplined approach to their roadmap.  But because they are 
> doing this all in a good way, they are leaving behind lots that 
> can be leveraged.
> 
> And this isn't Amazon or Sony. As you note, we don't have to just 
> ask the project team what they can do. Someone else, somewhere, 
> may already have a plan underway to add or replace the software - 
> or, at a minimum, to create, perhaps, a GutenWiki. Or - how about 
> every morning my computer produces a Wiki of my email and web 
> updates I would be interested in reading?
> 
> I did some more open searches, and I can see that although some 
> people are wondering about software updates to the device, others 
> are just installing a local wiki on their desktop, and seeing 
> just what variety and volume of information they can pour into it 
> and transfer across to the device.
> 
> This is why I was specific about saying that the *device* had the 
> power to drive ebooks, rather than the project. The technology is 
> sufficiently separate from the project to allow this.  I'd be 
> happy to be corrected, but I have yet to see any other dedicated 
> device we could say that about.
> 
> When Amazon sells you a Kindle, it can do exactly what Amazon 
> decides it will do - no more, no less. But a device like the 
> Wikireader not only does what it was sold for, but has the 
> potential to do other things as people come up with them. If you 
> decide to change what it does, you swap a card. If you don't like 
> it, you swap it back. Amazon this is *not*.
> 
> The rapid growth of a disruptive technology often shares that 
> feature - the lack of forced centralization, and permission to 
> re-use for some other purpose. The VCR, the automobile, WiFi 
> routers, the personal computer - they were tools, not solutions. 
> As tools, they can be applied again and again, against whatever 
> problem you see fit to target them.
> 
> 
> : chris smith ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
> : nihil tam munitum quod non expugnari pecunia possit - cicero :
> 

Very well put Chris. You've made it possible for me to almost understand ;-).

But I am left with a feeling that there is a big threat here from information overload. discussions over the years have left me wit hthe ever-firmer certainty that filteres are going to be more needed than ever. The non-fiction writer and the publisher will be with us a long time I think.

And that is likely to mean fairly strongly enforced copyright. As they used to say of the Six Million Dollar Man 'we have the technology'.  ;-)

Joseph

Joseph Harris  -  Debt Control Man
author: Control Your Debt Crisis on Your Own Terms
blog: http://debtcontrolman.wordpress.com
http://www.controlyourdebtcrisis.co.uk
debt dictionary: http://www.controlyourdebtcrisis.co.uk/debtwiki/


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