RM>One, or both of us, have lost track of the original point,
  >which I THOUGHT was the obsolescence of books due to the
  >emergence of intercomputer connectivity?  I'm not arguing
  >the use of connectivity as a learning tool; I'm arguing
  >the continued viability of the book as a learning tool...
RL>There is one problem of using electronic media to read. Unless you have
RL>a laptop/notebook your computer is not portable. I for one did a lot of
RL>my studying on the bus, etc. Also online often costs - or are you
RL>talking of downloading the book? Even so the former argument applies. I
RL>do a lot of "reading" on my computer - my mail  but I'm not about
RL>to curl up with it. I can print out a letter and peruse it later but a
RL>book is a little different.
RL>Electronic media, in the future, may take up a big corner of the
RL>learning market - re: texts but as far as replacing books is concerned I
RL>don't think it will happen. (Not in general at least) I for one like to
RL>slip a paperback into my purse and keep a novel by my bed. Curling up
RL>with a good book is a far cry to sitting at ones desk reading from a
RL>monitor. Which would you prefer? I'll take the cozy chair, comfy bed
RL>or corner anytime. :)
I was at 6 Flags Great Adventure today (physics day), I spent
the day quietly sitting in a nice shady spot, reading a nice
mystery novel... Lugging a laptop to do the same thing would
not have been very convenient!    ;-)
___
 * MR/2 2.26 * He who laughs last uses OS/2 WARP.
--- Silver Xpress Mail System 5.4P1
---------------