Google e-books launched on Monday. But before you rush off to download Ulysses, read the following article
Fister, B. (2010) The illusion of Google’s limitless library Inside Higher Education, December 6
If you are Canadian (or indeed anywhere except the USA), you can’t buy books through the Google bookstore, at least yet, although if you want a free photocopy of Jane Austen or other out-of-copyright prints, then you’re OK. Also Amazon has stopped shipping Kindle readers to Canada. (Is there a US conspiracy here? Can’t wait for WikiLeaks).
However, don’t despair Canadian readers – there’s still Kobo books, which is format independent, which means you can read their books on almost any digital device.
Dr. Tony Bates is the author of eleven books in the field of online learning and distance education. He has provided consulting services specializing in training in the planning and management of online learning and distance education, working with over 40 organizations in 25 countries. Tony is a Research Associate with Contact North | Contact Nord, Ontario’s Distance Education & Training Network.
