Computer books get outdated quickly and often you need technical information on a narrow topic, just in time for some upcoming project. I think ebooks (or e-docs as Amazon calls the technical documents) are the best way to deliver this type of information. When you need technical information in a hurry, you probably don't have the time to run to the bookstore or the library (and who says the bookstore even has a book with the information you need) or wait for a print book shipment from an online store. When you need it fast, electronic delivery is the best way. Even if you have the time to wait, what you need might be just 50 pages of detailed information on a specific technology (or the detailed steps to perform a specific task) and it's doubtful that any publisher would want to print and distribute a 50-page or even a 100-page book. For this type of tech information, ebooks are ideal.
As for the rapid aging problem of print computer books, ebooks would make it possible to keep the content up to date, correct any errors easily, and, best of all, not expend resources printing lots of copies. That should lower the upfront costs of publishing and enable authors/publishers to sell content at lower prices in many different formats such as a whole book, one or more chapters, or selected sections from multiple books. Of course ebooks can and should be more than just an electronic version of print books; ebooks can include multimedia content (for example, simple animation that illustrates concepts and steps with annotated text or even audio narration), better navigation within the book, and links to online resources related to the topics covered in the book.
There is the question of the ebook format. I hope the ongoing work by the OpenReader Consortium will give us a universal distribution format for digital publications. In the meanwhile, unencrypted PDF files would have to do. In fact most of the Amazon e-docs—the ones that cover technical topics— are offered as downloadable PDF files (take a look at the E-Books & E-Docs category in Amazon).
Tags: books ebooks epublishing edocs amazon openreader PDF
All valid points, Naba. Are you (or anyone else reading your blog) aware of a good couple of e-book examples where the content was designed for an online deliver platform, not simply a port of a printed product? I still worry that the port from print to e-book is one of the things holding things back on this. It's so easy to create a PDF from printer files and then wonder why nobody wants to pay for it. You talk about simple animation and how it can be incorporated into an e-book. I think we need to consider the platform from the start and create a rich, layered product where cross-links are liberally used, both to other parts of the book and online resources outside the book. I also think that mini-pop-up windows would be useful. I can't tell you how many times I read something, wanted to know just a bit more, but didn't want to flip to an index, for example. Why not have those short definitions, descriptions or cross-links pop up when you hover over them and disappear when you move away? Those are just some simple ways I think we need to distinguish an e-book from a print book. I'm sure there are plenty of additional items that could be added to this list.
Posted by: Joe Wikert | May 31, 2005 at 07:55 PM
Joe, I have to admit that the ebooks I have seen so far seem to be just PDF files of the print version except for some embedded links. I haven't even seen one with simple animation of a screenshot, let alone more advanced design of the kind you describe. I agree that we need more complex design than a PDF with embedded animations, but I don't know what format would work best. There is also the matter of gradual migration to the new ebooks - - I mean if you wanted to put some ebook titles on market tomorrow, you'd have to settle for PDF or something similar (although I'd still try to add the extra oomph of some animated steps). That approach might still get some sales (especially if the price is way lower than a print book) provided the subject of the ebook is something that a buyer needs.
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