User:Nkim Ha

The invention of the ebook has improved many peoples’ lives by lifting off the excess weight of heavy books. Print-books are only long-lasting with a hard-cover however they are too hefty and inconvenient to carry around, especially if people carry around more than one in their bags. With the ebook, people can simply access whatever novel or article they would like to read at any time as long as they have access to a computer, smart phone, or own an e-reader device. This is highly beneficial since we live in such a fast-paced environment nowadays that we often forget to carry around books with us. Most people, however carry a cell phone with them at all times in order to keep in contact with others, so access to an ebook using a phone is highly convenient since they’re using a device they have with them on a daily basis anyway. Another benefit of the invention of the ebook is its low price. It costs publishers more to pay for paper and ink to print their products on, but with the ebook, no money is needed to be spent on paper or ink since everything is electronic. This not only benefits the publishers, but it also benefits customers of ebooks by saving both parties time and money. Another benefit is that e-readers have an option where readers can highlight and write notes on the virtual pages without actually damaging any real paper pages.

Despite all the benefits that e-books may offer, there are also many downsides to this invention. The first downside is that not all publishers allow their printed material to be electronic. Every work that is made electronic is at risk to be intruded by hackers. Similar to people taking advantage of illegal downloaded music, the same could happen with e-books. Since not all publishers allow their printed material to be electronic, customers are more limited to their choices of reading-options. Another con of ebooks is that it is strongly affecting the sales of paperback books in bookstores. Since everyone is buying and using ebooks, the sales of paper back copies are quickly decreasing. This is causing a huge problem since popular book stores such as Borders were forced out of business due to this. This issue causes a ripple effect where not only the store is effected, but the people who work there as well, and as well as the employees’ families. Another con of the ebook is that has a limited lifetime, meaning that whatever form of technology that you use to read it on can only last its’ battery life. Therefore, if you are in the middle of reading a book and your technological device is at the end of its battery life, then you must wait until you recharge the battery. This makes it unreliable and inconvenient for many people, especially older people who are not comfortable with using technology. Ebooks are difficult for older people to manage since they have many different options on just one screen so that may be hard for them to comprehend, whereas if they just flipped open a book, it would be much easier for them. Sine ebooks are used on devices with screens, it may be harsh for peoples’ eyes. Eye strain is becoming a bigger issue for people everywhere around the world with the rise in technology. Children younger and younger with age are forced to wear eye glasses due to this problem each year. Not only can ebooks cause eye strain, but headaches can also be caused as well if using the ebook for long periods of time. Ebooks may also be harder to cite than regular paperback books since their page numbers are usually different compared to the paperback versions, this may make citing references for classes in school more difficult for students. Another disadvantage of ebooks is that since they are used on technological devices, it can be distracting for some people since they may be reading their book one second, then switching over to play a game in another app another second. Therefore it is hard to focus while using ebooks rather than having a hard copy in hand with no external distractions.