Font size flexibility and e-books
An often overlooked feature of most e-book displays is the ability to change the size of the font. Especially in recent years, I have noticed that the average font-size in p-books has been getting smaller and line-spacing has decreased, making the text harder to read for anyone without good eyesight.
Years ago, I remember searching the Large Print section of our local library, trying to find intelligent reading-matter for an elderly relative who, although suffering from failing vision, had nothing whatever wrong with her mind. It was not easy.
And of course, if even an ebook-display does not permit sufficient enlargement, there is no reason why electronic text should not be magnified as much as required on a high-contrast computer screen.
This is an important something to be added to the P-versus-E debate. P-books don’t need recharging, are easy to flip through, they smell nice, “do furnish a room”, and all that; but do they take up zero space, never need dusting, never fox, and never disintegrate because the publisher has skimped on the binding? And do they allow you, if afflicted with failing sight, to minimize your isolation and go on accessing the pleasure and companionship to be found in reading?
November 28th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I showed my Kindle to someone who could read only large print books and she immediately wanted one. Large print books are not in great supply, are expensive and are difficult for elderly people to hold. She bought one even though she didn’t have a computer and even at the then $400 price, it will pay for itself, $25 at a time.
November 29th, 2008 at 11:33 am
most of that is only true when the ebook isn’t an ebook but a computer file, because i can gurantee that your kindle wont outlast your paperback unless your purpusely destroy the paperbacks.
Font size is an issue but remember that one of the reasons for Locked formats is artistic control over the output and if someone decides form is impotent the ebook once again wont be able to scale up unless it falls back to a plain computer file.
December 1st, 2008 at 10:59 am
I would also suggest people with vision difficulties or failing eyesight check into the free talking books program offered through the Library of Congress/NLS BPH. This program offers free talking books (now includes digital books as well), and is a life changing program for many who use it.
Jaime/Talking Books Librarian at http://talkingbookslibrarian.blogspot.com/