Re: Economics of dead tree (was: Re: A Radical Thesis)

Tim Perrin wrote:
>>
>> A book sits on a shelf. It is physically there. It uses the same access
>> technology (fingers, eyes, and literacy) across many human generations.
>
> Yes, but over many generations, language changes until the book, even
> though physically there, is no longer readable. Try Chaucer in the
> original "English". So, how is this problem any different. The
> delivery system (currently HTML) changes over time. Translations may
> be needed to keep the work current and available in a format that people
> can understand. If it has sufficient literary/economic/other value,
> someone will do the translation.

Language isn't really the issue, it's the delivery system. Physical books depend upon no more than what we're born with, and light; electronic writing depends upon power, hardware, and software. If my computer network is down, I can't read my e-mail, but I can still take a book off the shelf and read it -- even in Chaucerian English.

Wayne Hammond
Chapin Library, Williams College
Williamstown, Massachusetts
Wayne.G.Hammond[_at_]williams.edu Received on Fri Apr 26 1996 - 14:03:34 GMT