Introduction
Ebooks have become a trend these days making some people think that the value of paper books will diminish resultantly. If we analyze for a minute or two, we will be able to figure out that the world is surrounded by electronically everything.
Astounding technological advancements have influenced almost everything. Shopping, reading, finance, greeting, meeting, socializing, etc. all the actions are carried out electronically. Even book writing has been transformed completely. So, what do we mean by electronically in this scenario?
Well, the use of computing technology while doing different tasks falls into the category of electronically supervised environment. Today ebooks have made their way to almost every house specifically in western parts of the world.
Ebooks
The most conventional definition of an ebook tells that “An Ebook is a kind of book that is available in a digital format, unlike traditional paper books”, fair enough. To have a more vivid understanding, ebooks are futuristic forms of books that are paper-free and can be accessed via the internet.
Besides, ebooks are capable of reading through any handheld device such as mobile phones, tablet computers, ebook readers, etc. The difference is that they are stored digitally saving considerable physical spaces in your study rooms or libraries.
Online Editing Risks
Although ebooks have many benefits including the fact that these are budget-friendly. There are some certain threats as well. Since these are at hand to every netizen, anyone can attempt to modify the actual content. This can certainly harm not only the reputation of the writer but can also misguide the readers.
To counter this very issue, computer programmers are always in search of designing formats to save ebooks that will be more secure from cybercriminals.
Desktop Tools
Moving forward to the tools and software that are commonly used to compose ebooks. No wonder, writing an ebook can be an amazing experience, and this way one can approach a vast number of readers. So, if you have an idea that has the potential to assist the audience in finding an effective solution. What are you waiting for?
Opt for the most favorable desktop tool and start jotting down the key points to first form an outline and then get going. From the desktop tool, we simply mean editing software that is used to write an ebook. For those who mistakenly think that ebooks are first written on paper and then transformed into digital format. That’s quite innocent of them.
Moving forward to a list of desktop tools that can be employed to write an ebook include:
MS Word
Developed by Bill Gates and released back in 1990, MS office is a collection of applications to accomplish daily office work. Reports writing, inventory making, charts, presentations, etc. This is a built-in tool found in every system that has Windows OS.
Writers often prefer to write their books, articles, blogs, etc. on MS word. The usability is way easier to understand. Besides, it offers many options that enhance the overall look and feel of the written text. The MS Word files are saved in .docs format. Whereas, these can also be converted to PDF staying within the MS Word environment.
Open Office
Almost similar to MS Word, “Open office” is another good choice to get started writing ebooks. It is as simple as the Word. Offers the option to change the file type to pdf after completion. Open office is owned by Apache incorporations.
Calibre
Calibre is software that is used to control and upkeep ebooks in multiple formats. It has the best feature to interchange from one file format to another. Calibre is designed in a way that can easily arrange books just like a bookkeeper in a library.
Kindle Gen
Kindle Gen is completely associated with the Azamon eCommerce store. For those who are familiar with this online trading application, it will be quite simple to understand what Kindle is. It works on a command-line interface instead of a graphical one.
If you know how to use the command prompt, you’ll have no trouble utilizing this program. There’s also a ReadMe file with step-by-step guidelines for converting files to KPF (Kindle Package Format). Install Kindle Previewer in combination with Kindle Gen to convert other e-book sources into Kindle in a more user-friendly interface.
Adobe Indesign
Adobe Inc. has developed many multiple online and desktop tools to add more to the digital market. Adobe Indesign is another helpful software that makes it easy for designers and writers to pursue their work creatively. The sub-tools offered are of great importance because they open doors to possibilities to bring many real-world ideas to the virtual world.
If someone is not familiar with how to use the tool, there are several tutorials posted on the internet that can be viewed to have a bird’s eye view. It is also recommended for novice writers to opt for simple editing software to avoid writers’ block.
Scrivener
Proceeding to another software, Scrivener is a book and screenplay writing program for skilled writers. To make an e-book, add your material in the same way that you would for a traditional book. Use the Compile option to convert it to e-book types after you’re finished.
However, it is a bit lengthy process but one can get assistance from online tutorials.
iBooks Author
For the writers who are Apple enthusiasts, iBook Author is a program that enables them to write and edit ebooks. Well, some people might say that this tool restricts users of other operating systems but the fact is that this is designed specifically for the iPad or Mac users.
Apple offers more authenticity and security than other systems and this is a privilege. This safety feature attracts more users and builds trust among them. iBook Author sets the seal on that your ebook composed through it will get more reader attention and resultantly grab more business in the market.
Online Software Tools to Compose ebooks
Beyond Microsoft Word, we examine the top editing, writing, dictating, and converting tools in our collection. Some of them include additional features like grammatical checkers that may help you improve your writing. Others will take your text and turn it into a stunning ebook.
Other than that, multiple online applications are employed to write ebooks. Google docs, WordPress, Vellum, Smart Edit, etc. These gimmicks allow the writers to edit and compose electronic books via the internet.
There are numerous additional online and offline tools for creating an e-book, but these are the most commonly used and encouraged by authors. You may, of course, use more than one of the tools indicated here, particularly if you want your e-book to be offered in as many formats and marketplaces as practical.
The idea is to focus on one tool at a time and master it, then go on to others tools and discover which ones complement your primary tool the finest.
Use of E-Textbooks in the Classroom
E-textbooks have been used as a substitute or new ways to print textbooks in many schools and colleges. As per research, students love to read by portable gadgets, as well as how much they also feel responsible to avoid the wastage of paper.
There are some negatives as well that the gadgets don’t back the whole of their study material and that they couldn’t see sophisticated or color content owing to the device’s low resolution and monotone output.
Usability of Ebook Readers
E-book readers are also known as electronic readers or e-readers are becoming more popular. Two crucial needs for an e-reader are acceptable readability and usability.
There was a lot of interest in reading information on specialist e-reading devices since the beginning of the 21st century. There exist are just a few of the firms that have produced dedicated e-reading devices (e-readers). Simultaneously, Microsoft developed an Adobe software-only reading tool for PCs. Online storefronts for buying e-books were founded about this period. The Amazon Kindle, Kobo Clara, Apple iPad, and many others are among the current generation of e-readers. The display technology in this era of e-readers is different. The active LCD screens have been replaced with “electronic ink” technology, which uses less power and so extends the battery performance and makes the device lightweight.
Closure
The goal of this blog is to examine and compare the features supplied in eight prominent e-textbook reading programs and to analyze their usefulness from such an error analysis viewpoint, given the range of interfaces available in e-textbooks.
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The necessity for e-textbook user interface standards is crucial for e-textbook adoption to succeed in the future. The establishment of such standards these days of common characteristics, recognizable interactivity, and intuitive symbol libraries should be a priority for future study.
The construction of a consumer-friendly digital textbook platform interface is dependent on usability, yet considerable research on UI advancement based on usability principles is scarce. This research fills that gap by examining usability qualities and their accompanying design features from a learning standpoint.
