eBook Creation
Submitted by mountainmarkg on Sat, 05/13/2006 - 23:17.
Greetings to all! Does anyone have any recommendations on eBook creation software? I have a manuscript about ready for a good eBook topic, but the abundance of eBook generator hype featured on the search engines is not helping me find quality, unbiased recommendations. Thanks.
Hi mountainmarkg,
I searched for days trying to find the right e-book software. I ended up just paying my designer to do it in Adobe InDesign, and converting it to PDF. The PDF standard is probably the most ubiquitous.
Here are my thoughts on a few of the other applications I tried:
eBook Generator by Armand Morin
Had several bugs, did not perform as advertised.
eBook Pro by Internet Marketing Center
Hard to use. Templates did not look very professional. Only works on Windows.
eBook Gold
I liked this program, but it only works on Windows.
I decided to just create a PDF. It's not as secure, and doesn't have the same flexibility as an HTML ebook program, but it works on everything, and everybody knows how to use it.
Best,
Jeremy
If you have a Mac, you can now create a PDF eBook with clickable links using Pages 2.0.
It's easy to create a book with Pages... well, it's a Mac! :D
Bryan
I just bought my very first Mac this year; so far it's been great! It's hard getting used to the new shortcuts, but I think I'll figure it out pretty quick. It's got a lot of great built-in software and it seems to be integrated tightly into the OS.
Best,
Jeremy
mountainmarkg,
You can use OpenOffice Writer as your word processor and use the "Export Directly as PDF" button to instantly generate a pdf file.
For those not familiar with OpenOffice, it's a free alternative to the expensive office suite products on the market.
Here's a quote from their website:
OpenOffice.org is a multiplatform and multilingual office suite and an open-source project. Compatible with all other major office suites, the product is free to download, use, and distribute.
You can find it here: http://www.openoffice.org/
Alan
I use a Mac too...a wonderful software and machine. I am glad to see you and another poster are familar with Macs.
Even though running Windows on Macs is now possible (not for me), there are many times when Mac users have to do things differently from Windows users. It's good to know we can get both Windows and Mac points of view on these forums.
--stask
You could make an ebook using macromedia flash, but it may be a bit of an overkill for what yur need. Flash is a great medium if your planning to have animations or any type of interactive learning in your book.
The other good thing is that you can design the template anyway you like, this means it will look really professional and stand out from the rest.
Personally I think that often people will buy on the look of a book more so that the overall content :) You only have to go to a bookshop to know that a nice cover makes you pick a book, up off the shelf.
Pdf is great also if used properly and can be awesome for manuals and quick referance but its not as slick looking. Flash can also be used to make a thing called a stand alone projector so the client wont need to have software installed to be able to read the book.
Anyway thats my 2cents worth let me know if you want to know more. :D