A Piece of My Mind: The BOOK
Bennet Pomerantz
In honor of those brave souls who endured the Book Expo 2007, which was
held the first weekend in June at the Javits convention center in New York
city. To these loyal convention goers, this column is for you.
I received a version of an e-mail press release (that is reprinted in
full in this column) that I have gotten many times over the years.
Usually this e-note was sent to me just before the expo by other writer and
publisher friends. As a writer, I laughed as hard as if I had seen it for
the first time . . . as a critic, it hit home to me as the expo grew closer
and made so much sense.
Note: I could not attend this year's expo. This was due to other family
commitments that I felt were more important. As a writer, you need to set
your priorities straight. Health and family are two very important issues to
me. However, this year, in my mind I am still pounding the convention floor
like all the other convention goers. GAWD I think about it and miss the
thrill of the expo. As backwards and boring as I think the convention is
sometimes, it still brings a thrill to me yearly, like when the circus comes
to down. I will be back at the expo floor in 2008!
I must thank Linda Akwa for her opening comments which fit in with this
note, so I kept them in.
********************
Where can I get one? By the way, today I got the one that I ordered on
EBAY. Haven't had time to look much at it yet.
Subject: New Device!!
Introducing the New Bio-Optic Organized Knowledge device, trade named
BOOK.
BOOK is a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no
electronic circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on.
It is so easy to use, even a child can operate it.
Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere- even sitting in an
armchair by the fire- yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information
as a CD-ROM.
Here is how it works: BOOK is constructed of sequential numbered sheets
of paper (recyclable) each capable of holding thousands of bits of
information.
The sheets are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder
which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence. Opaque Paper Technology
(OPT) allows the manufacturers to use both sides of the sheet, doubling the
information density and cutting costs. Experts are divided on the prospects
of further increases in information density; for now BOOKS with more
information simply use more sheets.
Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly into
your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet.
BOOK never crashes or requires rebooting. The "browse" feature allows you
to move instantly to any sheet, forward and backward as you wish. Many come
with an "index" feature, which pinpoints the exact location of any selected
information for instant retrieval.
An optional "BOOKmark" accessory allows you to open BOOK to the exact
place you left it in a previous session-even if BOOK has been closed.
BOOKmarks fit universal design standards. Thus, a single BOOKmark can be
used in BOOKs by various manufacturers. Conversely, numerous BOOKmarkers can
be used in a single BOOK if the user wants to store numerous views at once.
The number is limited only by the number of sheets in BOOK.
You can also make personal notes next to BOOK text entries with an
optional programming tool, the Portable Erasable Nib Cryptic
Intercommunication Language Stylus (PENCILS).
Portable, durable, affordable, BOOK is being hailed as a precursor of a
new entertainment wave. Also BOOK's appeal seems so certain that thousands
of content creators have committed to the platform and investors are
reportedly flocking. Look for a flood of new titles soon.
*****************
So those who attended and I missed seeing, sorry I missed you. E-mail me,
you know the address and you don't need another business card.
And to all the other writers out there I don't know personally, keep
reaching for the stars!
****
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