EL CH 4

When looking at the benefits of EL that of traditional print, one can argue that EL holds more value due to its accessibility and variating traits. However, ch 4 looks deeper into the preserving, archiving, and dissemination of EL. The problem is that electronic literature becomes virtually unplayable, whether it be the software is outdated, or t is not compatible anymore. This is something that traditional print does not have any problems with. That is until the electronic LIterature Organization came up with P.A.D, which is the preservations, archiving, and dissemination of Electronic literature. This allows the literary works to be accessible through a creative commons license that allows the, to be freely disseminated without altering. This opens up EL to a larger audience, making it accessible across multiple different platforms.

The "X-literature initiative" claims that "literature" is a complex formation of web activities that include more than conventional images of reading and writing. There are many more forms of this kind of electronic literature that separate it completely from traditional print. Even though traditional print is in a sense, preserved better through libraries, etc. Electronic literature is more than just reading and writing, it is interactive. In class, we have looked at examples of how EL is more than just reading and writing with examples of Centre Ville, and patchwork girl. These examples further show how electronic literature is evolving.

Ryan Donahue