Ideas for the perfect mobile digital library device - aka the Kindle 10.0 if mated with OLPC, Miro and the Internet Archive
Posted by Christopher Markman
Just some ideas spurred by this silly Apple concept video from the 80s. The last 20 years have certainly expanded computing power but at the same time I think this demonstrates how we've moved toward more viable human-computer information interaction... also, c'mon, a bowtie?
I know playing futurist is a bit like a one-person checkers game, so bear with me:
- Free wireless internet, everywhere.
- Large battery capacity and a hand crank or some easy way to optionally live off the grid.
- Uses free and open source software, physically the devices has no proprietary ports.
- Data is shared via bit-torrent between devices to decentralize server and power load.
- It wouldn't just zoom. You should be able to resize the image based on needs, maybe using a nano-scale projector (that didn't overheat) or some sort of non-clunky goggle or other ocular enhancement.
- Annotation, ala Skim or Youtube's new commentary function (pop-up video style)
- it would have built in analog capture functionality for use in physical libraries. In other words, when I go to the library I could digitize journal pages for my own use with a sliding page scanner rather than a copier. Reasonable audio capture for classrooms and conferences and a decent camera would be nice but not necessary.
- fits in your pocket, free with library donation. Sold for a profit, maybe even branded by the library that provides it (who would have of course bought it wholesale and sell it well below retail prices)
As as a side note, the Texas Library Association says Libraries more important than ever. While true – and the irony of economic downturn and support of public services – might we be a bit biased in this research? Isn't this like saying 9 out of 10 TV manufacturers recommend watching television over other forms of entertainment? I should probably withhold judgment without having seen the actual research paper. In the meantime, I think we can all agree that this doesn't make for a very catching headline.
[Link originally found via Library Stuff]
Posted: February 22, 2009 11:25 am | 0 comments
Tags: Digital Libraries, Internet Archive, Kindle, Miro, Mobile Devices, olpc, superfluous futurism
