The growing trend of e-books

With the development of printing presses in the world, letters printed on paper began to be read. In the last eight centuries, many printing presses have opened in the world, and millions of books have been published. People became accustomed to reading published books. However, with the development of technology in recent times, the style of reading books has changed. The number of people reading books on laptops, tabs, and Kindles has increased more than the number of printed books. That is, readers are attracted to e-books.

Geographer Professor Pitamber Sharma, who has been reading books continuously for six decades, has changed his reading style. Sharma, who reads books printed on paper, now studies through Kindle. "I've been reading my favorite book on Kindle for a few years now," says Sharma. He has experience.

Sometimes they move books found online to laptops or smart TVs. And, they read books while they are asleep. Sharma, who has read more than a dozen books through Kindle, is currently reading Pankaj Mishra's Age of Anger and The John Adams' People, Power and Profit.

Authors Ujjwal Prasai and Ganes Poudel also read books online using modern technology such as mobile phones, tablets, Kindles, or laptops. Prasai, who has been reading the book through Kindle for 7 years, says, "The Kindle given to me by a friend while studying in India has been very effective for me."

Author Poudel, who used to carry previously printed books in his bag, does not forget to carry a tablet or Kindle when he goes on a journey. "The Kindle has become so much easier to read," says Poudel. "The Kindle has become my friend since I don't have to carry a lot of books and read wherever I can." He understands that it is effective.

Not only Sharma, Prasai, and Poudel, but also writers and readers have recently started using technology for study. Mainly with the development of the Kindle, the style of reading books has changed.

What is Kindle?

The Kindle is an electronic device developed by the Amazon company, used to read books and textbooks online. Users can purchase and download books as well as newspapers, magazines, websites, blogs, and electronic editions. You can also study books online by downloading the PDF.

The Kindle version of the e-book can be purchased from the Amazon website. Most users connect to WiFi to download books. The Kindle can store more than 1,400 books. The user claims that reading the letters on the Kindle is as enjoyable as reading the hardcopy.

The Kindle makes it easier for the reader to bookmark than a printed book. Because Kindle has an automatic bookmarking facility. Kindle also makes it easier to find the meaning of words you don't understand as you read. It is also becoming popular among the readers as there is a password facility for the security of the book.

History and status of the Kindle

The Kindle was launched on November 19, 2007. Over 12 years, it has come up with various developed versions. Kindle can publish a book in 5 minutes. The book will be available at Kindle stores from June 24 to 48. Authors receive 70 percent of the royalties from the sale of books published by Kindle.

In an interview with The New York Times on December 5, 2009, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos stated that e-book sales would account for 65 percent of revenue. The remaining 35 percent said there would be an agreement between the publisher and the author. Amazon reports that the Kindle version of British author AL James's novel Fifty Shades of Gray has more than doubled in print sales. Between 60,000 and 100,000 books are published each year in the United States. More than half of them are published online.

According to statistics, Kindle currently has 48.5 million books stored. In which you can find various rare books including world-famous and best sellers.

Where unlimited books hang

At one time, Professor Pitamber Sharma had built a library of printed books at home. Now he has started distributing those books. "With tens of millions of books available online, there is no need for a library at home," he says. "I have started donating my books to the village library." The practice of establishing traditional libraries has decreased now that ample books can be collected online.

More than 2.6 billion e-books are stored in the Good Readers e-library. Founded in 2007, the e-library is considered to be the largest in the world. The library, which currently has 90 million readers, has published reviews of more than 90 million books. It even has the facility to read hundreds of books for free.

The Gutenberg Digital Library was established in December 1971 by American author Michael S. Hart to facilitate the production and distribution of e-books. In which more than 60 thousand books and documents can be obtained free of cost.

In the online library called Open Library, millions of books can be read with various documents including picture books, fantasy, biography, science. In the Jet e-library of the 'B OK CC' site49,059,396 books and 77,194,989 articles can be read.

Similarly, books and articles from around the world can be read and published from many e-libraries including Open Library, Book Bone, Free eBooks.

Writers earn millions from e-books

Many writers in the world earn millions by writing. In which the role of online publishing is important. Amanda Hawking, a 35-year-old American author, has made a lot of money from online publishing. At first, the publishing house refused to publish his book. I didn't even have the money to publish it myself. She later launched her book online. He has sold more than 1.5 million books online. Since then, she has written 17 novels. "I never thought I would make so much money from an e-book," she says.

Stephen Ladder, a well-known British writer, is also one of the highest-paid writers in e-book publishing. Last year alone, he earned 11,000 euros a month from e-books. HP Mallory, an author of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Adventures, sold 70,000 copies in the first two months of last year. His book is one of the best-selling e-books in a short period. Authors like John Locke and Oliver also make a lot of money through e-books.

Reference to Nepal

Readers of e-books are increasing in Nepal. However, most Nepali books are not available in e-books. Author Kailash Rai says that it is compulsory to read Nepali books on the hardcover. She says, ‘I read foreign books online. Nepali books do not have this facility. '

Nepalis living abroad are facing more difficulties as Nepali books are not available online. "It is difficult to send Nepali books abroad," says storyteller Denman Gurmachan. "If there was an arrangement to read online, Nepali books would be accessible to all."

This is not to say that Nepali books cannot be read online. Some limited books on Nepali literature, non-literature, and curriculum can be read and listened to at Library.org. Open Learning Exchange Nepal (OLE Nepal) has been providing e-library since 2009. So far, 6,800 books, 2,319 audiobooks, and 561 videos have been stored. Recently, some publishing houses have started online editions. But that is not enough.

History of the printing press

The writing was not a tradition when human civilization began. It was customary to listen and recite what the ancestors or teachers said. The script was invented when the process was cumbersome and undocumented. Initially, the writing was done on stone and leaf bark through signs. Tustin Lun, a Chinese citizen, invented paper with the help of cotton and linen. Then limited and clear block printing started in China. A wooden block was made for this. The world's first book, The Diamond Formula, was published in China in 650.

The world's first printing press was established in China, which used wood paper. According to a study, the art of making a paper has spread from China to Europe via Arabia. Some researchers have speculated that the printing press may have originated in Europe in the 15th century. According to him, before 1440, there were a few thousand manuscripts in Europe. Later, German goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg founded the press for the first time.

Gutenberg is said to have invented the one-handed machine for improving grape-squeezing machines. Handpress is an improved form of it. Which was made in Colombia, USA? It is only after the commercial development of the printing press in the world that it is found that it entered Nepal. This is the first time that a Colombian printing press has entered Nepal. It is called Giddhe Press in Nepali. The then Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana had brought the press to Nepal from the United Kingdom in 1908 BS.

He had the press given as a gift by the then Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom to be attached to his own palace in Thapathali. V&J The press is called 'Vulture Press' in Nepal as it has the shape of a winged vulture on the front of the machine which is written 'Physicians Makers'. Before that, I had to travel to India to publish a book.

Digital leap of Nepali cinema

With the production and screening of Bhushan Dahal-directed films 'Kagbeni' and Alok Nemwang-directed 'Sano Sansar', Nepali cinema took a new turn in 'Digital Journey'.

According to the filmmakers, the digital technology used in the films made in 2008 has made the Nepali cinema industry more professional and organized. Director Ashok Sharma says that the use of digital technology has increased the quality along with the number of movies. He says, ‘Before the advent of digital devices, only 25 and 26 movies were made here annually. But now there are more than a hundred. '

Director Dipendra K Khanal has the experience of making a difference in the technical side of cinema production after a gap of 25 years. "The use of digital technology has raised hopes along with the quality of the film when it was time for a crisis in cinema," said Dipendra.

The period from the beginning of production in Nepali cinema to the beginning of the digital journey was very challenging and arduous. Cinematographer Deepak Bajracharya, who has deep experience of the time before and after the introduction of digital technology, says, "In the old technology, the director should have relied entirely on the cinematographer, but this is not the case now."

Cinema in old technology

In the old technology, celluloid cameras were used to capture the negative. According to cinematographer Bajracharya, the film shot in negative should have been exposed at the beginning. Later it was developed and printed. For the first time, work prints came out. Editing was done on that basis. Only then was the final print worth watching in the theater released.

At that time, it was not known whether the film was shot or not. ‘There was no camera to watch on the video-assisted monitor. That's why the director had to rely entirely on the cinematographer ', says Bajracharya.

Initially, the video was shot at 35 mm. Later, the directors started shooting at 16 mm. The manufacturers had estimated that the budget would be halved as soon as it was halved. However, this made the scene of the film worse. Not only film production but also screening was equally difficult. The same film could not be shown in all the halls at once.

According to director Sharma, it used to cost Rs 10 lakh and Rs 12 lakh to make a print of the film. At that time, reel prints of movies were made from 2nd and 3rd to 5th. The same reel had to be carried. Two reels were kept in Kathmandu and two were sent outside.

"The investment would not have been raised in time if we had not been able to screen the film at once," says Sharma. There was also a problem of reel breaking and scratching. We were making low-quality films ourselves. 'At that time, the sound of the cinema was not catchy and attractive. Because the sound was recorded and played on tape.

The change brought by the camera

When director Dipendra K Khanal came to Nepal from Japan in 2008, he brought an HD camera. Until then, films were made on celluloid in Nepal. When he made his first film in digital HD, he faced a big challenge. Along with him, the new directors of Chhimal were boycotted due to digital technology. ‘The film I shot with an HD camera was called a short film. It was said that the technology was brought to spoil the cinema, 'he recalled.

Director Ashok Sharma was also looking for a solution after Nepali cinemas started losing money. "Before the foreign cinema, our cinema did not exist. There is no alternative but to change technology. Then around 2008, we introduced digital technology. But, other filmmakers did not accept, 'recalls Sharma.

At the same time, there were rumors that celluloid could not be replaced by digital. There was a great deal of debate about technology.

Director Khanal took the debate as a conflict between the new and old generations. ‘Old makers used to make films on celluloid. We have started using digital technology, "he said." Conflicts have also increased because of mutual ego. "

Many working on celluloid believed that the depth that comes when pulling on a reel does not come in digital. "It simply came to our notice then. Because, at that time, digital technology was also under construction, 'he says.

QFX operator and filmmaker Nakim Uddin, Bhaskar Dhungana, Rajesh Siddhi, and others had a role in making the technology digital. "We've worked hard to digitize the halls since the film was shot. We have also operated the first multiplex of QFX, 'says operator Nakim Uddin.

They tried to change the cumbersome process of showing the film from the reel to the hall. For this, a digital system was installed in the hall. According to Director Sharma, a modern system was installed in 2 and 4 halls. However, the lack of films to be shown on digital systems added to the challenge. ‘Celluloid used to make films.

No one wants to convert it to digital. We have brought equipment including cameras from abroad so that the production can be done digitally and shown digitally only after the production is done digitally, 'says Sharma. At the same time, a digital camera called SI Tuke was introduced in Nepal through DCN Company.

It was no less difficult to convince producers who did not want to work through digital cameras. "We also distribute the film to digital filmmakers and pay Rs 4 lakh in advance to a producer," he said. And finally, some producers are ready, 'recalls Sharma.

Subsequent films, Kagbeni and Sano Sansar, greatly improved the quality of Nepali cinema. After that, the attention of other producers was also drawn towards the new technology.

After the commercial success of films like 'Loot' and 'Slippery Height', the influence of digital technology increased. With the onset of the crisis, digital technology made the industry move. "The viewers who were watching the four-sided and crimson video were very happy to see the clean screen," says Dipendra.

After that, Red's 'Pho K' camera entered Nepal. Then came 'Six K'. Recently, Dipendra used an AT-K camera in the production of the film 'Aama'. ‘Until now, we have not only cameras but also lenses or many other good devices in the Nepali film industry. I have a high-end camera set in Hollywood, 'says Dipendra.

Producers' investment in cinema halls has been declining due to digital technology. ‘Rs 10 and 12 lakh were spent on re-print. Digital technology does not cost print. In many halls, it was possible to run the film at the same time, 'says Sharma.' Reel also affected the film business. Now the film business is up to 220 million.

According to cinematographer Bajracharya, the last Nepali film to be shot in celluloid format is 'Goodbye Kathmandu'. Cinema making in the world today is done through digital technology. However, some directors in Hollywood and Bollywood are still drawn in the negative.

Less improvement in sound

Earlier, the sound of the film was played in 'Monona'. Which is why the sound of the film sounded hoarse. However, with the advent of digital technology, 5.1 sound systems began to be practiced. Gradually the tape was displaced. The sound was recorded on the computer. Amrit Shrestha, an active sound engineer in the field of cinema, says that it has become easier to work after the sound has been recorded on the hard disk of the computer. ‘Before, a long song had to be sung all at once. Now you can sing in pieces. The dub also has a lot of mixing and sound designing technology. We are currently working on 5.1. It can also create good entertainment, 'he says.

However, sound engineer Pradip Kumar Upadhyaya is of the opinion that there is still a lot of work to be done in a recording. According to him, there is a lack of technical knowledge about sound. He is of the opinion that the producers and filmmakers have not made the sound a priority in the film. "The film manages to entertain as well as inform. It does not seem to have been written with the technical aspect in mind. But, it is better when the film is written with both sides in mind, 'says Upadhyay.

Director Khanal also admits that Nepali cinema is weak in favor of sound. ‘There is a big difference between the sound of Bollywood and Kollywood’, if we listen to the sound of Nepal, we get a lot of difference. The reason why our sound is not original is because of design problems, 'he says.' The sound design needs time and technology to do it using our own original instruments. We lack that. '

Sound engineer Shrestha says that the biggest problem is not being able to become a professional. He feels that the technical side is not given much priority. "There is no discussion with technicians in filmmaking," he says. "We lack expertise." You have to do everything yourself. I had to look after the department alone. That's why I couldn't be creative. '

Challenging digital journey

Director Manoj Pandit understands that technology has added a lot of ease to the 25-year journey of the cinema industry. He says that cinema technology, which was only available to a limited number of people in the past, is now in the hands of ordinary people. ‘Before, cameras needed a lot of light. The team of technicians was also big. At that time, it was not enough for the common man, 'says Pandit.' Cinema was made only for the interest of a limited number of people. Because of that, it was profitable along with the interests of the classes. It was arbitrary on the basis of efficiency. '

However, critic Anup Subedi does not accept that the development of technology has increased the quality of cinema. "New cameras and technology have come, but how creatively we have used that technology," asks Subedi.

He does not accept that the market of Nepali cinema has increased. He says, ‘Nepali cinema is not yet available in a large part of the Terai. Its market is only around Mahendra Highway and in Kathmandu. Technology has had little effect on the market. "

Director Khanal also admits that even though there are enough technical equivalents now, the results are not satisfactory. He is of the view that the problem behind this is the lack of new manpower on the technical side. This time around, more than 50 new directors made their debut in the film. Producers and artists are also trying to direct themselves. However, no one wants to become a cinematographer or editor in the technical field. Nepali films always despise the technical side, 'Khanal explained.

Cinematographer Bajracharya is of the view that the technology introduced in Nepal has also been misused. ‘When the drone first entered a Nepali film. Drone scenes began to appear in every film. It was so repetitive that it was boring to watch, 'he says. According to Bajracharya, no matter how much new material is used, it doesn't make sense if it doesn't attract the audience.

There is technology, there is no quality cinema: Anup Subedi

Digital media has made filmmaking technically easier.

Samsung is bringing the cheapest smartphone

Samsung launched its entry-level smartphone, the Galaxy A01, last December. This phone is the cheapest for Samsung's A-series phones and is becoming popular.

Now Samsung is introducing its Galaxy A0 in a cheaper and newer version.

According to the news, Samsung is preparing to produce a new version of Galaxy A01. Not only will this phone be cheaper than the existing A01, but its battery will also be removable. Remember that the removable battery feature has become very rare in the new models of smartphones that are currently coming in the market.

It is said that the name of Samsung's new phone may be Galaxy A01E. Benchmarking platform GeekBench has revealed various facts about this new phone.

According to GeekBench, the Galaxy A01E, which comes in the Bnjanghan model number, will have a quad-core processor and a 3,000 mAh battery.

The phone that comes with the Android 10 operating system will have 1 gigabyte of RAM. The main camera will have a dual setup like the Galaxy A01M and a 5-megapixel selfie camera. Agency

Samsung is bringing the cheapest smartphone

Samsung launched its entry-level smartphone, the Galaxy A01, last December. This phone is the cheapest of Samsung's A-series phones and is becoming popular.

Now Samsung is introducing its Galaxy A0 in a cheaper and newer version.

According to the news, Samsung is preparing to produce a new version of Galaxy A01. Not only will this phone be cheaper than the existing A01, but its battery will also be removable. Remember that the removable battery feature has become very rare in the new models of smartphones that are currently coming in the market.

It is said that the name of Samsung's new phone may be Galaxy A01E. Benchmarking platform GeekBench has revealed various facts about this new phone.

According to GeekBench, the Galaxy A01E, which comes in the Bnjanghan model number, will have a quad-core processor and a 3,000 mAh battery.

The phone that comes with the Android 10 operating system will have 1 gigabyte of RAM. The main camera will have a dual setup like the Galaxy A01M and a 5-megapixel selfie camera. Agency

Twitter employees will always be able to work from home

To avoid the epidemic of coronavirus, the social network Twitter has said that it will allow its employees to work from home forever if they want.

He also said that coronavirus infections are affecting employees working from home. More than 5,000 Twitter employees have been working from home since March.

According to a Twitter spokesperson, Twitter was the first company to go 'work from home model' because of Kovid-11. But Twitter is not expected to be the first company to return to the office.

Corona test: What are RDT and PCR?

Two methods of corona testing

The Kovid-19 epidemic has affected millions of people. Effective treatment is being sought, but not yet discovered. The spread of the infection has been rapid in Nepal recently. Complaints are growing in Nepal that the test itself is not effective.

There are two methods of corona testing in Nepal to find out if a person has a corona infection - PCR and RDT.

What is PCR?

PCR (Polymerized Chain Reaction) is a modern technology for detecting the genetic genes of a bacterium. It is being used to find out if there is a coronavirus infection in the body. PCR is used to test the protein by extracting a swab (nasal or throat fluid) sample.

The PCR method quickly copies millions to billions of specific DNA samples. This will help scientists to take the smallest sample of DNA and study it in detail. PCR was invented in 1983 by American biologist Kerry Mullis at Sets Corporation. This is the basic method for genetic testing, including analysis of old DNA samples and the identification of infectious agents. PCR has now become a common and often indispensable technology, used in medical and clinical laboratories in a wide range of research in biomedical medicine and criminal forensics.

Simply put, PCR detects viruses in the body. Therefore, it is considered reliable for coronavirus testing. According to experts, the PCR test is best done within 10 days of the week of infection. After 10 days, the actual results may not come from the PCR test method.

PCR helps to detect any bacterium, not just the corona. Its main function is to detect the gene of the target bacterium. This method has been found to give more than 70 percent correct results.

What is RDT?

RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Test) is a medical diagnostic test, which is quick and easy. It is used for initial or emergency medical examination. Blood is drawn from the body and the test results can be seen in 20 to 25 minutes.

It is being used to detect disease-fighting antibodies in the body. Corona's RDT test is not effective in Nepal, raising questions about its reliability. The WHO also does not consider this method reliable for corona testing. Experts say that it is best to use it only for general surveys.

Different results of RDT and PCR

The results of RDT and PCR in Nepal so far have been very different. Why does this happen? Infectious Diseases Specialist of Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital, Dr. According to Sher Bahadur Pun, the results also depend on the time of testing of the infected. He says, ‘RDT only shows up after about 12 days of infection. It does not show if you have just been infected. The PCR shows up when checking. '

He says the type of antibody also varies with the test results. There are two types of antibodies, IGN and IgG. If IGN is seen, it means that there is a new infection. It appears on the PCR ', he explains,' IgG may not show on the PCR. As it appears after about two weeks, it does not appear on the PCR test. '

According to him, the PCR test is positive in the newly infected person and the RDT is negative. However, testing 10 days after infection can show PCR negative and RDT positive.

(With agency support)