| Technology continues to pervade our daily lives in | | | | They can easily be slipped into a carry-on bag for a |
| new ways. The current generation of children | | | | flight or into a purse or briefcase to read on the |
| probably cannot even fathom a household without at | | | | commute to work. A busy mom can throw one into |
| least one computer. They may have never seen a | | | | her diaper bag and have something to read while her |
| VHS videotape or an audio cassette. Rather than | | | | baby naps in the stroller at the park. |
| requesting a trip to the video store to rent a movie, | | | | For kids, who are becoming more and more |
| they just download it or watch it streaming on a | | | | dependent on technology, the advantages are clear. |
| computer. | | | | Many children are used to using a game console or an |
| Now, even reading books has gone high-tech and | | | | mp3 device. This is just one more technological |
| digital. Is it possible that in another few years the thrill | | | | gadget that they can add to their collection. They |
| of opening up a brand new book and smelling the ink | | | | may even be compelled to take out the ebook |
| on the pages will be a thing of the past? Will large | | | | reader instead of the game console and read |
| bookstores full of rows upon rows of shelves filled | | | | something educational every once in a while. When |
| with books of all different sizes and colors simply | | | | they complete a book, they can simply download |
| cease to exist? It is not likely that the rise of the | | | | another right away, addressing today's growing |
| ebook will have such drastic consequences. It will, | | | | demand for instant gratification. |
| however, increase in popularity due in no small part to | | | | Of course, there is also a downside, as mentioned |
| the incredible convenience afforded by ebooks. | | | | earlier. The introduction of new technology usually |
| In simple terms, an ebook is an electronic version of | | | | means the phasing out of the older version. Audio |
| a book that can be read either online or on a special | | | | tapes gave way to CDs, video tapes gave way to |
| device that you can purchase and use to download | | | | DVDs, palm-sized cell phones have replaced the giant |
| and read ebooks. As with any new technology, there | | | | clunkers that were attached to car's center consoles. |
| are upsides and downsides to ebooks. On the upside, | | | | In the same way, ebooks could replace regular |
| the cost of purchasing an ebook for download is | | | | printed books. They are environmentally friendly as |
| usually in the $10 range even for a brand new title. | | | | they do not require any paper and they are more |
| This is significantly less than purchasing the same | | | | cost effective. |
| book in a hard-cover edition at the bookstore. While | | | | It will be up to the current generation of parents and |
| not every single book is available in ebook form, | | | | grandparents to instill the love of actual printed books |
| most popular titles are with more being added every | | | | into their children and grandchildren. That way, there |
| day. | | | | will be no doubt that the bookstores will continue to |
| In addition, the devices available for purchase on | | | | exist and the ebooks can be used to supplement |
| which you can read an ebook are slim and lightweight. | | | | people's collection of books but not to replace them. |