Several recent technological advances have converged in a way that makes electronic books both technically and commercially feasible. Compared to conventional books, these hybrids combining the printed page and the computer take up less space, are more portable, last longer and permit special editing features.

The rapid progress toward widely commercialized electronic books is due to manufacturers taking advantage of recent developments in information technology such as improved flat-panel displays and increased computer storage capacity. For example, touch screen display technology allows an electronic book reader to touch an unfamiliar word to get an immediate dictionary definition, make the print larger or smaller, or highlight a section without the use of a yellow marker.

To help the emerging industry get off to a solid start, NIST will host the first meeting in history to bring together publishers, portable storage manufacturers, display manufacturers, touch-screen manufacturers, online booksellers, IT experts, teachers, electronics executives and others involved. The workshop's goal is to illustrate the capabilities of hand-held electronic books and identify issues that must be addressed for their successful commercialization. Topics to be discussed include electronic book concepts and prototypes, software and interfaces, storage/content providers, standards and interoperability concerns, and application of flat-panel displays for electronic book readers.

"Electronic Book '98 Workshop: Turning a New Page in Knowledge Management" is being co-sponsored by NIST's Information Technology Laboratory and the Video Electronics Standards Association, at NIST's Gaithersburg, Md., headquarters on Oct. 8-9, 1998.

Register through:

Lori Phillips
B116 Administration Bldg.
NIST
Gaithersburg, Md., 20899-0001
301-975-4513, fax 301-948-2067
[email protected]

Electronic registration is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/confpage/conffutr.htm.

For technical information, contact:

Victor McCrary
A263 Technology Bldg.
NIST
Gaithersburg, Md. 20899-0001
301-975-4321
[email protected]