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The Microsoft Reader

What it is, what it's good for, and why it's good for writers. Part 3 of our "Writer's Guide to Electronic Publishing" series.

It's time to take a look at the Microsoft Reader, a software program that, in essence, installs the functions of an e-book reader onto a pc or a laptop.

There couldn't be a better moment for Microsoft to offer this innovation. In spite of all the hype and media coverage about electronic books, the mass market for dedicated e-book readers, like Rocket eBooks and Softbooks, is several years away. The current devices are still too primitive and too expensive.

For now, consumers are more likely to experiment with electronic books using hardware they already have, instead of investing in prototypes of new equipment. That's the opportunity for the Microsoft Reader.

Amazon and Barnes & Noble have already entered agreements with Microsoft to market e-books for the Reader. Both booksellers will customize the Reader to match their company identities, and will offer the software to their customers for free. Similar agreements are pending with publishing giants like Simon & Schuster.

But you don't need to buy an e-book just to get the software. An experimental Beta version of the Reader is available as freeware from Microsoft.

Next : ClearType and the OEB
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