eBook or eText [Commentary]
- From: Michael Hart <hart@[redacted]>
- Subject: eBook or eText [Commentary]
- Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2001 11:55:23 -0400 (EDT)
This is the thought process several
of us went through when working out
these varius naming techniques. . .
Since a "book" is a physical object,
then an "eBook" is a physical object.
Since "text" is what is *in* a book,
then "eText" is what is *in* an "eBook."
You can certainly buy a blank "book"
and nearly any large bookstore. . .
it's just blank pages waiting to be
filled up whatever. . .just as you
can buy blank sheets of paper in so
many different forms. . . .
You can't really buy blank "text,"
unless you consider ye olde metal
blocks and slabs to be such. . .
and I certainly have collected my
share of such things, but they are
just physical letters. . backwards,
in most cases. . .of course.
More later, if this sparks discussion.
Thanks!
So nice to hear from you!
Michael S. Hart
<hart@[redacted]>
Project Gutenberg
"*Ask Dr. Internet*"
Executive Coordinator
"*Internet User ~#100*"
[Moderator: I think we've pretty much covered the main
arguments I've seen for the respective terms "etext" and "ebook".
There was also a discussion thread on this in June of 2000--
see the archives for more details.
At this point, I'll be tightening the moderation on this thread.
Posts that contribute new viewpoints or information will still
go through; others might not. - JMO]