Which format is best for color cookbook

sandramonica · 05-02-2011, 03:19 AM

I have been scanning the internet far and wide to get some answers on which ebook format would be best for publishing a cookbook that contains color images as well as offers interactive content with links and video. I have looked at Barnes & Nobel's nook format and that does partly what I would like to achieve. But, then I would also like what 'flip books' offer, eg page turning and text wrap around images. I also would like the cookbook to be viewed off line. Then I wonder about security options. How is it possible to secure the book from being copied multiple times? So to sum up I would like to produce a cookbook that is interactive with the web, but also can be viewed off line, has the feel of a flip book with flipping pages and sound and has security in place to stop it from being copied. It also should be possible to download it on a laptop as well as ipad.

Ideas, anyone, or is this the 'holy grail'?

susan_cassidy · 05-02-2011, 12:35 PM

It sounds like you want to publish only for iBooks (which does not work on a pc). Consider your potential market. If you want protection against copying, you are going to have to require the use of DRM.

It might be possible to do most of what you want via PDF, but most ebook readers will not do a good job of displaying a PDF file.

Jellby · 05-02-2011, 01:35 PM

Actually, it looks like you want to create an application, rather than a book.

DSpider · 05-04-2011, 04:01 AM

ePUB and PDF can have video embedded. They can also have DRM but you should know nearly all DRM can be circumvented (and for those that can't right now, just wait a few months).

But you shouldn't worry about that if the content is good -- and why wouldn't it be good since you're willing to go as far as to add videos to them ?

Page flipping is somewhat of a gimmick. AFAIK, Blio is the only Windows application that can flip pages, except it's tied down to a .xpm-something format (the main reason I unsubscribed from their newsletter, it was disappointing that a year later they failed to provide ePUB support like they said).

On Apple devices there's iBooks and that's about it... Stanza also flips pages but last time I checked it doesn't work with DRM ePUBs.

05-02-2011, 03:19 AM	#1
sandramonica Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: kindle, ipad	Which format is best for color cookbook I have been scanning the internet far and wide to get some answers on which ebook format would be best for publishing a cookbook that contains color images as well as offers interactive content with links and video. I have looked at Barnes & Nobel's nook format and that does partly what I would like to achieve. But, then I would also like what 'flip books' offer, eg page turning and text wrap around images. I also would like the cookbook to be viewed off line. Then I wonder about security options. How is it possible to secure the book from being copied multiple times? So to sum up I would like to produce a cookbook that is interactive with the web, but also can be viewed off line, has the feel of a flip book with flipping pages and sound and has security in place to stop it from being copied. It also should be possible to download it on a laptop as well as ipad. Ideas, anyone, or is this the 'holy grail'?

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05-02-2011, 12:35 PM	#2
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	It sounds like you want to publish only for iBooks (which does not work on a pc). Consider your potential market. If you want protection against copying, you are going to have to require the use of DRM. It might be possible to do most of what you want via PDF, but most ebook readers will not do a good job of displaying a PDF file.

05-02-2011, 01:35 PM	#3
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,516 Karma: 18512745 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	Actually, it looks like you want to create an application, rather than a book.

05-04-2011, 04:01 AM	#4
DSpider Evangelist Posts: 450 Karma: 343115 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Romania Device: PW2 2014	ePUB and PDF can have video embedded. They can also have DRM but you should know nearly all DRM can be circumvented (and for those that can't right now, just wait a few months). But you shouldn't worry about that if the content is good -- and why wouldn't it be good since you're willing to go as far as to add videos to them ? Page flipping is somewhat of a gimmick. AFAIK, Blio is the only Windows application that can flip pages, except it's tied down to a .xpm-something format (the main reason I unsubscribed from their newsletter, it was disappointing that a year later they failed to provide ePUB support like they said). On Apple devices there's iBooks and that's about it... Stanza also flips pages but last time I checked it doesn't work with DRM ePUBs.