And I realize that as impressive as this new access to information is, it does not really address all issues of equity, and it remains an ideal, as long as the hardware is not universally available. Digital publishing has opened debate about the future of the publishing industry. Inside a case roughly the same size as today's hardcover or paperback book, you'll have a display that can show high-resolution text, pictures, and video. You'll be able to flip pages with your finger or use voice commands to search for passages you want. Any document on the network will be accessible from such a device.
Digital publishing is cheap.
Consumers avoid paying for production, distribution and materials. Publishers do not have to account for overruns. They no longer have to estimate how many copies are needed for a first printing, eliminating much of the financial risk. They can provide exactly what they need to meet readers' demands. Let's hope so.