Dateline Duke Library — 4/1/2010
The Furman University Libraries have developed a new digital reading platform that allows the content of books and articles to be displayed on the surface of the fountain outside the library. This modern day “fountain document” reader technology boasts many novel features, including the ability to save one’s place in a document and return to it later. (Note that this ability to “freeze” or “thaw” the fountain document may be seasonally unavailable.)
Another notable feature is the ability to turn pages by splashing to create a wave effect across the surface of the fountain document. In order to protect the intellectual property of publishers, fountain documents will not be accessible indefinitely. After 30 minutes of viewing time, the document will become obscurred through a process called “foaming”.
Pictured below are some students in the process of turning pages in their documents, while others’ documents are being foamed out.
Systems Librarian, Scott Salzman, is quick to tout the new technology. “One of the best features of the fountain reader is that it’s not rigid like other digital reading platforms. I mean, nothing is more fluid than water, right?”
As is the case with many new technologies, the fountain document viewer is best experienced through the use of the latest development in viewing technology. The so-called WaterFox browser, developed by two Furman alumni, Sergio and Bryn, is not, they claim a direct challenge to Mozilla FireFox. Though the open source software giant protested, Furman’s legal counsel has been quick to protect its own. “WaterFox is not just a document browser, it’s actually part of the campus, and it can’t be separated from the campus”. Sergio and Bryn continue to deflect accusations that they attempted to capitalize on the Mozilla branding. “There’s just no truth to the rumors that the beta version of our fountain document viewer was developed at Furman’s organic farm, and was to be called EarthFox.”
True to their over achieving pedigrees, alumni Sergio and Bryn have big plans for the future of their novel technology. Code named “Jocasee”, their next water-based reading platform is touted to be able to display “the entire written history of humanity, all at once”. We still have a few bugs to work out, say Sergio and Bryn. “On a calm, sunny day, there’s no better way to read a book than on the surface of the lake. But if it’s windy, you might as well be looking at a wrinkled old newspaper”.
Brilliant: a reading platform capable of spawning its own fashion-and-gear industry (just think what will happen to hip-waders). I love it!
This is SOOO amazing! I’d LOVE to see this swell into a virtual tsunami of applications, particularly an adaptation to “indoor” bathtub reading technology (as opposed to just a Cialis version).
bravo!! excellent idea. i can’t wait to try it! and i don’t have to worry about dropping a book in the water cuz it IS water! ingenious!