Books in the Digital Era: The forum posting

I have looked at the online works of Alex Appella for sale. She is undoubtedly a book artist and sells her books online. Although there are examples of her work... it isn't really set up as a book or a book structure... whatever that may be. I think she's just using this webspace for advertising basically. This should not be regarded as a book. More a pamphlet on where to buy the goods :) Here are a few of her links.

http://www.transientbooks.com/AlexPortfolio/magiccarpetpoem/magic%20carpet%20eng%20link.htm
http://www.transientbooks.com/alexappella/alexbooks.html
http://www.transientbooks.com/alexappella/alexamerskitz.html
http://www.transientbooks.com/alexappella/alextrilogy.html
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I have looked at Ruth Hadlow's 'Pattern Book' work online - and I believe it is a digital version of the artists book. I believe that work such as this should indeed be considered an artists' books. I know that the format is digital and it's new. But surely this is just another ground breaking way in which to document, express, construct teh artist book? It was always non conformist, even from a traditional viewpoint. It would ínterrogate"the book format and take it to new levels. Ruth HArlow's, Pattern Book combines, typed and handwritten text, images, drawings, photographs, symbols on gridded and plain paper.... it creates a story. A message. Depicting art and experience and expression.... a journal of sorts. I believe the structure of the online book helps, to be able to flip through the pages at will. I really like this format. To me it is still book like. No i can't feel the pages, but it still functions as a book.
The absense of physical form here............... It's just another medium. another format. Like the pamphlet, the postcard, the codex...... its yet anotehr medium we can create with. And share with such wide audiences. I dont believe this will overtake the book. Nothing compares to a book. It is the original. It offers its own set of treasures, being tactile, smell, more conveniently read, not requiring electricty to operate.....

http://www.ruthhadlow.net/patternbook/