vide." They can be
read on a computer or a secondhand PDA costing just a few dollars. Solar-powered
PDAs offer a good solution in remote regions and developing countries.

Later on, it is hoped machine translation software will be able to convert the
books from one to another of 100 languages. In ten years from now, it is
possible that machine translation will be judged 99% satisfactory (research is
very active on that front, but there is still a lot to do), allowing for the
reading of literary classics in a choice of many languages. In 2004, Project
Gutenberg was in touch with a European project studying how to combine
translation software and human translators, somewhat as OCR software is now
combined with the work of proofreaders.

37 years after the beginnings of Project Gutenberg, Michael Hart describes
himself as a workaholic who devotes his entire life to his project, because he
thinks electronic books will become the "killer ap(plication)" of the computer
revolution. He considers himself a pragmatic and farsighted altruist. For years
he was regarded as a nut but now he is respected. He wants to change the world
through freely-available books that can be used and copied endlessly. Reading
and culture for everyone at minimal cost. Project Gutenberg's mission can be
stated in eight words: "To encourage the creation and distribution of eBooks,"
by everybody, and by every possible means. While implementing new ideas, new
methods and new software.

According to him, there might be 25 million books belonging to public domain in
the main regional and national libraries in the world, without counting various
editions. If Gutenberg allowed everyone to get print books at little cost,
Project Gutenberg could allow everyone to get a library of electronic books at
no cost on a cheap device like a USB drive. So far, in April 2008, 25,000
high-quality books were available for free.

Let us give the last word to Michael, whom I asked in August 1998: "What is your
best experience with the internet?" His answer was: "The notes I get that tell
me people appreciate that I have spent my life putting books, etc., on the
internet. Some are quite touching, and can make my whole day." Ten years later,
he confirms that his answer would still be the same.

8. CHRONOLOGY

[*1971/07 = year/month]

1971/07: Michael Hart keyed in The United States Declaration of Independence
(eBook #1) and informed the first 100 internet users. Projec