AustLit

'The Internet has already significantly altered the established modes of production and distribution within the publishing industry. The initial response of Australian publishers, however. has been rather guarded, with many maintaining an intellectual and emotional commitment to the book in its traditional form. For consumers, by-passing established distribution channels with electronic delivery systems makes sense in a country where. physical distribution of stock has always been a challenge. Some sectors of the book industry will be better placed to make the transition to on-line publishing and most companies are re—examining their businesses in the context of both physical and virtual realms. Information-based publishers in particular have developed strategies to use different levels of technology. Butterworths, for example, a company specialising in law publications, legal databases and specialist legal services, now uses the new technologies as an active part of its distribution and marketing.' (Introduction 131)