Introduction
The Institute of Digital Learning have found eBooks as a very
effective way of engaging audiences with online reading of written content of
research publications. Examples of recent uses can be found here and here. The ability to
use this publication method that reduces the need for hard copy publications
offers organisations new ways of reducing their carbon footprint and enabling a
green use for ICT.
When exploring and testing multiple services within online
publishing, it quickly becomes apparent that the majority (if not all) of the
companies/brands/software's are extremely alike in both their function and
their appearance. The likes of 3D Issue, My eBook, Yudu and Calameo all share
obvious similarities and yet each demonstrate alternative approaches to the
same concept. This makes it particularly difficult to assess what it is exactly
that each one is offering, therefore several visual examples and listed
features provide a clearer insight into the realm of digital publishing.
Firstly, after searching through a long list of recommended
services, the products worth final consideration were determined as follows:
My eBook
- www.myebook.com
Yudu
- www.yudu.com
3D Issue
- www.3dissue.com
Web Publication - www.webpublication.co.uk
Digital Publishing Company
- www.digitalpc.co.uk
Flip @ Once
- www.flipatonce.com
Calameo
- www.calameo.com
Zmags
- www.zmags.com
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As mentioned previously, all of these applications share huge
similarities and incorporate most of the same functional characteristics. In
most cases it seems fairly straightforward to incorporate 'extra' features into
the standard eBooks, indeed this seems to be play a huge role in their online
advertising. Most brands claim it is possible to create simple, rich media
publications in a very short space of time.
Further to this, the cheaper option to 'self-produce' eBooks
should mean that once a commercial license is obtained; it will allow an
unrestricted creative opportunity to add as much rich content as desired,
utilizing any additional mediums you may wish to showcase.
A Selection
of Visual Examples & Functionality
My eBook:
Well executed with a
fluid sense of motion, large range of rich media content including flash,
customizable reader, hyperlinks to external sources and a feeling of fun while
being used.
Calaméo:
Simple to use with
fluid navigation, embedded rich media content with the option of external
links, customizable reader with effective zoom function.
Zmags:
Extremely
professional feel to it, full animations across pages and fluid page flips,
page previews, rich media content and all manner of hyperlinks.
Prices &
Packages
Some of these companies offer a range of staggered
packages/subscriptions for their product that allow different groups of people
to purchase a license that suits their needs more directly. For example, an
individual author/researcher who produces the occasional paper from time to
time would require a reduced subscription from that of a housing development
company looking to produce 10,000 brochures. This works well because it offers
diversity between prices, presenting several options for payment.
The most common approach seems to adopt a fee for the
production of a page, or a set amount for a specific number of pages. This
could almost work as a credit-type system meaning if for example, 100 pages are
paid for but only 60 are used for a publication, then another 40-page document
could be produced at a later date based on the original payment/subscription.
Obviously the more pages purchased in bulk, the lower the rate of each page.
Therefore if the license was shared between departments in an organisation, it
would present a more economic method of production.
Summary
From
a quality and engagement perspective, My eBook, Zmags and Camaléo all
demonstrate an impressive portfolio of content and professionalism that
provides an opportunity for showcasing some fantastic work. Zmags in particular
offers huge scope for interactive elements and self-customization, combined
with a rich foundation on which to build publications for organisations, but
would undoubtedly incur high cost levels. However Camaléo presents a product
closely on-par with Zmags in terms of quality for a modest fee that may ultimately
lean in its favour for future investment.