[Anonymouse]

To explain: I read about this in the Metro, and it vividly called to mind a scene from the Torchwood pilot in which Toshiko passes a scanner over a book - and the entire book is read into her computer. Now, it seems, it won't be long before this can actually be done!

On watching that scene I'd always thought it might somehow be possible, but I'd no idea as to exactly how - by some application of electric or magnetic fields and metal-infused ink, maybe. But it seems even that isn't necessary. It'd be a tremendous help for libraries to create backups of their stock, or individuals to backup their collections. True, a digital copy isn't having the book in your hands, but at least you don't lose the text if you lose your collection in a fire.

My collection's been accrued over more than 40 years. As soon as this technique becomes available mainstream, I'm using it!