At last--practical e-textbooks

According to reports in the N.Y. Times, a practical device for reading textbooks, complete with color illustrations, graphs and charts may be available before long. The device being planned has two screens, one of which fits behind the other for storage. One screen would be for text and would not be back-lit, so that it would be easier to read or long periods of time. Students could also take notes on their reading and highlight sections of the text. The other screen, facing the first like two pages of a book, would off color graphics to show pictures, graphs, or charts. The two screens would work together, so an item mentioned in the text could be opened on the color screen, back-lit for easy visibility. Of course the initial expense is likely to be high, but like all electronic products, the cost will drop over over. The device may not be perfected yet, but it offers great possibilities for the future. It's a far more practical way to distribute textbooks than to expect students to read them on a computer screen.