iPad iPad's iBooks: Give Us The Tools

kjk · 02-07-2010, 06:31 PM

http://blogs.zdnet.com/perlow/?p=11986&tag=content;col1

Quote:

Apple has so far stated that the target format for iBooks will be EPUB. This is a huge validation of that format from Apple, and is a move I genuinely applaud, but that move to support that open format raises more questions than it answers.

First is the issue of authoring tools. Currently, the premier authoring platform for EPUB ebooks is Adobe’s InDesign. Given the current state of relations between Apple and Adobe, I think it’s fair to say that it probably makes sense for Apple to have its own set of authoring tools, or for Apple to Open Source EPUB authoring tools so that small publishers or even self-publishers can get into the game. Right now, e-book production for the independent publisher or author is a huge challenge, and InDesign isn’t cheap.

I'd love to see Apple get into providing ePub authoring tools...but not holding my breath on that one.

nekokami · 02-07-2010, 10:12 PM

Sigil?

ChristopherTD · 02-08-2010, 04:18 AM

It would be nice if Apple do produce something, but it is more likely that they will write their own ePub rendering engine which (hopefully) also works on OS/X. They aren't in the frontline of creating books themselves, that will remain with the publishers. The current state of commercial ePub titles is certainly a mixed bag - having spent some of the weekend tweaking the CSS to get them to display nicely I can see they all take wildly different (and often inappropriate) approaches.

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02-07-2010, 10:12 PM	#2
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	Sigil?

02-08-2010, 04:18 AM	#3
ChristopherTD Addict Posts: 343 Karma: 1010002 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London. UK Device: Marvin Reader on iPad Air (via Calibre)	It would be nice if Apple do produce something, but it is more likely that they will write their own ePub rendering engine which (hopefully) also works on OS/X. They aren't in the frontline of creating books themselves, that will remain with the publishers. The current state of commercial ePub titles is certainly a mixed bag - having spent some of the weekend tweaking the CSS to get them to display nicely I can see they all take wildly different (and often inappropriate) approaches.

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