Back then during the space race we had this story of NASA developing a $10 million dollar ink pen for writing in space. Faced with the same challenge, their counterparts (Russia) simply used a pencil. Now as G00gle has embarked on an ambitious project to scan and digitize all books in print, I am wondering why don't they just placate publishers to submit their soft copies?
Before computers found their way into the publishing world, yes. But now, every book/journal/magazine in print was a soft copy at some stage. Yes print publishers don't sell soft copies to the public, but G00gle should be able to strike a deal with them. After all the scanning process ends in making soft copies available online.
The other major project G00gle are working on is maping the entire human gnome G00gle believe that in 10years time you will be able to login, enter your details and see exactly what you are made of Is G00gle will be / is the closest thing to big brother. Who thinks that one company should maintain all the information in the world? Do you think its weird that G00gle knows what the world is thinking at exactly what time. A spike in searches relating to one thing, then a spike in searches relating to another. How easily they could manipulate what the world is thinking. But to contradict myself here, being a techie I love Brin and Page and their thurst for bringing all the worlds information to everyones access. Cheers, DrStew.
Don't forget that Facebook is trying to take over the world but from the bottom-up. I, for one, cannot wait for the day when you can purchase any book in PDF and can take annotated notes within the pages.