J. Gerry Purdy, Ph.D., is the VP and Chief Analyst with the Frost & Sullivan North American Information & Communication Technologies Practice.  In an eWeek article, "Why Ebooks and Ebook Readers Will Eventually Succeed", he lists his 15 criteria for a successful ereader.   He predicts:  "My prediction again: someday--let's say, hopefully by 2025 but certainly by 2050--technology and business models will have matured so that eBook readers will be used by more than 50 percent of the population. At that time, reading an eBook will become a far better experience than reading a paper-bound book is today. And we'll honestly...

The organizers of the 2008 Frankfurt Book Fair have just published the results of their survey "How will digitization shape the future of publishing?" The results are so interesting that I thought it would be worth publishing the press release in full. Here it is: Frankfurt, 13/10/2008 - The organisers of the Frankfurt Book Fair – the global meeting place for the book world – have conducted a major survey to find out how digitisation will influence the future of the publishing industry, and who will be the driving force behind it. Over 1,000 industry professionals from over 30...

How to get a TeleRead-style national digital library system started in the U.S., one that could inspire similar efforts elsewhere? One of the best hopes lies in the Digital Promise legislation---passed on July 31 by the U.S. House and Senate, and expected to be signed by President Bush in just days. The project will establish a National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies. It's to be a nonprofit with nine directors chosen by the secretary of education from congressionally recommended nominees. Funds for fiscal year 2009 could reach $50 million for the center if its backers are successful...