Das Buch im Zeitalter der digitalen Medien: von den Anfängen bis in die Zukunft

The author starts out with the question whether in the age of digital media developments an end of book is in sight or whether books still have unique features. After an historical view on the origin and the importance of books in the past he describes some special characteristics of books in contrast to digital means: They store material much slower but in a linearly and abstractly way. Therefore they are better to handle and always at one's disposal. They areintegral and by their tradition and history they compensate for the quickness and shortness of networks. On the other hand, books arealso changingwith the upcoming of digitalising, for example in ways of production and distribution. In tendecy, books may become a medium for elite people. In comparison to the "light" digital media, books are "heavy". In principle, as they have had a beginning they also could have an end. However, at present there is no end apparent.