Many people say that traditional textbooks are disappearing. For some, this is still far from being completely true. There will still be students and book readers who will always prefer hard copies to e-books. Therefore, it is to be expected that even if eBooks become the most common and widely used form of reference materials, traditional books will continue to exist.
Some experts say that the fate of printed books will be like the fate of cassette tapes in the past. When CDs first became popular, there were still plenty of cassette users who had sworn not to give up cassette players and tapes. But eventually, CDs apparently became more preferred and used. Of course, some people still prefer tapes.
In the case of traditional textbooks versus e-books, many still think that it is impossible for printed books to become obsolete. The following benefits of printed reference materials compared to electronic formats may change your mind on this matter.
Printed books can truly ‘proprietary’
Many users truly feel “owners” of the printed books they buy. Full ownership can be gained by making an item part of the owner. For many, that may be in the form of physically owning the material and even writing on it. Ownership is not only physical but also irrevocable. You may agree that having the right to read the content of a digital file is different from having a book that will be by your side.
Printed books can be slow or borrowed
One of the downsides of e-books is that they can never be lent or borrowed, unless you agree to give your e-reader or device to other people, which can be awkward on your part. Ebook distributors ensure that content downloaded at the time of purchase cannot be redistributed or shared with others. Thus, a traditional book has the advantage of being able to serve as many readers or students during its useful life.
Printed reference materials offer experience
Traditional books facilitate the tactile experience. By comparison, eBooks boil books down to parent words. That is where the big difference is established. Conventional books can be held, touched and even smelled, experiences that combine to make books. By contrast, e-books create experiences similar to playing videos and shuffling music: forgettable and not worth it.
Used books are advantageous
And who can ignore the usefulness of used reference materials? Traditional textbooks can be purchased new (expensive) or used (much cheaper). There are still other options when it comes to buying conventional books. This is why e-books will always be expensive as you will never be able to find used e-book copies on the internet.