The Hampshire Chronicle, the first British newspaper to be published in e-book format last year, has recently switched to a new, less platform-dependent form of electronic publishing.

By adopting Microsoft's freely downloadable Reader software, which is available for laptops and PC as well various pocket PC devices, editor Alan Cleaver hopes for a far wider take-up of the new format.

The earlier experiment with the Rocket e-book in August 2000, (see First British e-newspaper launched ), was hampered by the lack of availability of the device in the UK. Unlike in America, where it is in popular use, the Rocket e-book was not widely available in Britain until high street retailer Argos started stocking it in January 2001.

The eChronicle is currently running an eight-week trial of the new software with 20 volunteers from around the world, including England, Brazil, South Africa and Australia. The initial response has been positive. "Most participants find it a fun and easy way to read a newspaper," said Mr Cleaver.

The software enables speedy delivery to readers. "They can receive the paper - either by email or downloading it from our website - within minutes of the paper being published. In fact, they get it on Thursday evening and even people in Hampshire can't buy it from a newsagent until Friday morning."

Mr Cleaver believes that e-newspapers will soon be regularly published. "The rise of e-books and Microsoft's Reader mean that the electronic newspaper is on its way. It is inevitable."

But he does not believe it signals the end of the traditional newspaper. "It is an opening into a whole new market with very little start-up costs."

For more information on the Chronicle's e-newspaper and to download a free copy, click here.

The Microsoft's Reader software is free to download from www.microsoft.com/reader.

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