Can I read whole books on the web ...asked Smari.

A. New York-based Rosetta Books at www.rosettabooks.com offers works by Arthur C Clarke, Fay Weldon, Kurt Vonnegut Jnr, Aldous Huxley and Pat Conroy to name but a few. This is one�of the first established and best commercial retail sites for downloading complete books. Otherwise,

just type ebooks into any search engine and you'll be amazed at how many sites and categories come up.

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Q. Are the book just in parts or complete

A. Both. Stephen King has published his latest novel The Plant in parts for the web only, but says that each part stands alone and can be read on its own. Most are complete works.

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Q. Is it possible for unknown authors to get published on the web

A. Yes. There are electronic publishers out there just dying to get their hands�on your manuscripts. Take legal advice before entering into any agreement over rights, though.

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Q. Do you read them on screen or print them off

A. Most sites stop you printing the books off. But they are designed to be read in chapters on screen, be it laptop, desktop or palm.

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Q. Are the any copyright problems

A. Not for you the reader, but there is a big legal case about to start between Rosetta Books and the giant Random House. Basically, Rosetta Books has just gone to some best-selling living authors who signed contracts with their agents before electronic publishing had ever been thought of, and got them to sign new contracts with them for electronic rights. Not surprisingly, their current publishers are not best pleased with Rosetta Books for what they regard as author poaching. Rosetta think they have a good case though.

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Q. Are there any technical problems with downloading

A. You need the appropriate Reader software which you can usually download free from any commercial retail ebook website.� Most currently offer MS Reader and Acrobat reader, and some will soon have books in Gemstar and Peanut� formats for palms.

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Q. Are books cheaper on the web

A. Yes, generally speaking, but since most online retailers of downloadable books are American it is hard to make a comparison. Lots of best-selling authors' works from Rosetta Books are priced online at less than seven dollars.

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Q. Will it eventually replace traditional paper and print publishing

A. Unlikely, we have a physical and emotional relationship with books that reading on screen just cannot replace. But, like all new technology, it will eventually find its niche and sit happpily alongside traditional print media.

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by Nicola Shepherd