Our environment takes a colossal beating every day from the effects of clear-cutting, endangering not only the organisms that naturally reside in these wooded areas, but humanity itself. It is for the greater good of our species, including all the flora and fauna that share this planet, that we continue to extend the reach of computer technologies that will eventually replace the printed word.

Dick Brass, Microsoft's vice president of technology development, has laid the blue print of how e-publishing will eclipse printed material in less than two decades at an August 1999 Seybold Seminars conference in San Francisco [source].

The beginning of his vision detailed that by the end of 2001, one million e-books will be distributed around the world; reaching one billion by the end of the following year. This snowball effect would continue until the digital revolution creates peripheral industries and services, such as electronic newsstands. Currently, the majority of e-readers use their laptop or PC, but the development of the Rocket e-Book is sure to make e-books more accessible and affordable for everyone. With the capacity of approximately ten standard sized novels, it is unlikely that the future will hold any lack of variety.

The last advance that will spell the end for print media, is the creation of a display device that can simulate the crisp, flexible and portable sheet of paper that we have become so fond of.

Traditional print media should go the way of the dinosaur and be considered an outdated relic for future generations to ponder, because our environment must be preserved for our own sake!