[LINK] 'Interactive' books for kids

[Michael Skeggs mike@bystander.net]

I had a brief look at a couple of these. They remind me very strongly of the
"multimedia CD-ROMs" that were around in 1994 or so (thanks for making me
feel old), stilted American voices reading the words on screen, clumsy
interfaces that vary from title to title at the whim of the designer,
limited animation and an almost powerpoint like linear progression. Very
clunky. I suppose it might be an achievement to have these work via flash
over the network, but my first reaction was "how quaint".
My second reaction was that my 8yro would find them more boring than a real
book, and my 5yro would lose interest pretty quickly too. Seeing how the
prices quoted were $1000, presumably for a library or school subscription, I
can't imagine who the audience for these would be. If the kids are really
taking to these "like ducks to water" I can only assume they have been in
some time warp from 1989 and have never seen a computer before.
Thanks for passing it on all the same.
Regards,
Michael Skeggs


2009/3/3 <stephen at melbpc.org.au>

> Perhaps of interest .. here's what one Au kid's bookseller is up to ..
> (Mind, talk about graphic-intensive sites, the splash age is 1 graphic)
>
> > From:   Tom Danby <tdanby at intbooks.com.au>
> > Date:   Tue, 3 Mar 2009 16:51:52 +1100
> > Subject:  Free Trial of Interactive Books - Primary
>
>
> . if you are interested in testing the new interactive non-fiction
> and graphic fiction books online, Capstone have opened up a test login -
> go to  www.interactivebooks.net.au - click Find Out More and then the
> red book with the arrow.
>
> The login name is rep and the password is digital - valid until March 14th
>
> These book files are tiny Flash based versions of the books and I am
> told that they are only just scratching the surface of what is
> possible to imbed in these files. The degree of animation has
> increased ten fold in recent editions and they are releasing LOTE
> editions now.
>
> I am finding this all a bit mind-boggling, but the kids are taking to
> these like ducks to water. Yours in mild amazement, Tom Danby
>
> --
>
> Cheers,
> Stephen
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