Front Matter in Epubs

[SigilBear]

Wow, linking to a page that redirects links is a great tip!

However, I'm not sure what you mean by a "go" folder. I assume you simply mean that all the links in a book target one specific web page (the "go" folder) that redirects links to other web pages. That specific web page, of course, could never change.

[dwig]

Originally Posted by SigilBear

Wow, linking to a page that redirects links is a great tip!

However, I'm not sure what you mean by a "go" folder. I assume you simply mean that all the links in a book target one specific web page (the "go" folder) that redirects links to other web pages. That specific web page, of course, could never change.

A folder with no pages that display anything. All links in all books would link to some page in this folder. There could be one page for each title, one for each author or editor, ... . All books by a given author would have links to the one common page for that author, etc.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by dwig

This needs to be though out very very carefully.

1. You can't rely on the link being clickable in all reading environments. It must be human readable (e.g. "http://books.mysite.com/bookpage" and not "click here for more info" with the actually url hidden).
2. It needs to be a URL that will be viable for 10 years or more regardless of changes in website design.

A good solution to #2 is what we did long ago at Macromedia.com and many other major site do, that is to link to a page in a "go" folder that merely redirects to the real page. That way, when the site is rebuilt, the book's info page can change however you want with a simple tweak to the "go" page to point to the new page. Once the book is published, the target of the link can never change.

Updating links like that can be a real hassle once you get to book 8, 12 and 14... Also be careful not to step on any of Apple's rules about links (they don't allow linking to competitor sites.)

From a reader standpoint, I go straight to chapter one. I don't read anything else, front or back (maybe the about the author on rare occasions).

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

Updating links like that can be a real hassle once you get to book 8, 12 and 14... Also be careful not to step on any of Apple's rules about links (they don't allow linking to competitor sites.)

From a reader standpoint, I go straight to chapter one. I don't read anything else, front or back (maybe the about the author on rare occasions).

But what about when there are things in front of Chapter One such as Historian's Note, Preface, and other stuff important to the book?

[Notjohn]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But what about when there are things in front of Chapter One such as Historian's Note, Preface, and other stuff important to the book?

I was reading a book by Erik Larsson about the Galveston Hurricane, when I realized that I was reading about people I was supposed to know but to whom I'd never been introduced. I started paging back and found that there was a Prologue that was absolutely essential to understanding the characters and the geography, and which had been passed over by the SRL.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Notjohn

I was reading a book by Erik Larsson about the Galveston Hurricane, when I realized that I was reading about people I was supposed to know but to whom I'd never been introduced. I started paging back and found that there was a Prologue that was absolutely essential to understanding the characters and the geography, and which had been passed over by the SRL.

Bingo! That's the problem with some Kindle eBooks. They don't always start where they should start and you can miss something. This is why I like ePub starting at the cover because I get to see everything without having to go back to see what I've missed.

[BearMountainBooks]

I'd miss it because I go to chapter 1. If I see a TOC, I will make note if there is a prologue but otherwise I miss it. SOMETIMES, I page back to see what I missed...but not usually.

[Jellby]

But then it's your fault, not the book's.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

I'd miss it because I go to chapter 1. If I see a TOC, I will make note if there is a prologue but otherwise I miss it. SOMETIMES, I page back to see what I missed...but not usually.

I read plenty of books with a prologue and that comes before chapter one. So you could miss something important.

You'll be able to read the entire Discworld series in less than 30 minutes as they don't have chapters.

[BearMountainBooks]

I didn't say it was not my fault. I was just mentioning how I read. I read pretty much where the book opens. I'm not saying it's a good idea for everyone, but that's how I do it. I am well aware I could hit "back" and see if there is anything important, but I generally don't bother. I read mostly fiction and I know I've missed a prologue or three.