On Hypertext...

I really love books in general. A freshly purchased book is always so exciting; while a walk through the library can fill you with wonder at how much information is out there waiting to be discovered. All of this sounds grand and dandy, but that little factor of laziness kicks in. Why go out to the bookstore or library when online books are now available? The accessibility of books online seems like an all right idea, except for publishers, of course. But I wonder how successful they could really be?

The "Electronic Reading" article from Hypertext Now makes several good points in favor of online works. Screens that ease reading online are available and laptops could be made to be as "snuggly" as a book. However, the article's assertion that a user cannot get "lost" within a hypertext novel remains to be questioned. I found the "Electronic Labyrinth" article to be just that--a labyrinth. It was overwhelming to navigate through the site's many links, so I ended up reading only a couple of articles. I am wondering if that was the site's purpose-to show how overwhelming a novel's information can be when inserted into a medium which is made for concise text? Well, I suppose the tedious task of navigating through the links can be compared to turning the page of book. But I wonder, which is easier?

Overall, hypertext cannot have the same charm as a book. Something about the classic tradition of printed text is so appealing. It is tangible and visual in a romantic sense that appeases all who love to read. I find that online articles are convienent and very informational, but books still have their unique magic. In the end, I think it depends on preference. Those who like hypertext novels can go ahead and sip their coffee alongside their laptops. We booklovers can go snuggle our favorite novels on the couch--no links required.