It's the XML Not the Format

While we have been having some fun over on the Using ePub Blog, the real value blog (yes this one) has been a bit neglected. All the magic of image alignment in formats, and interactive ePubs for iPad work easily because of a rock-solid XHTML foundation.

The superior CSS rendering and behaviour of iPad has meant a radical rethink on the format production options from IGP:FLIP. There is little doubt that richer ePubs will emerge sooner rather than later and their is so much talk on typography.  I have been thinking of taking the Trade Master print presentation template, make a few font changes and add it directly to a ePub for iPad to see what happens. 

Meanwhile, the real story here is we have upgraded the  IGP:FLIP Formats on Demand interface to address the new ePub format ecosphere. We now have two ePub generation options. This is not because iPad is better, it just hits the required standards, but for critical layout issues ADE can't do the job.

ePub Standard

This option generates an ePub that is capable of using all the correct XHTML and CSS statements for image alignment, table styling, font transforms and variants, etc. If a publisher is using IGP:Distribution Manager, and their ePub has been made with IGP:FoundationXHTML, there is a final processing option during distribution to a specific e-retailer or aggregator to process down to...

ePub Simplified (ADE)

This option creates ePubs that have the XHTML and CSS processed with substitute parts. Selecting the Synthesis Small Caps option gives you all caps styled to 0.7em. If your book does not contain, row styled tables, centred images, blocks or any other item or text transforms this will create a full and wonderful ePub. However if your books have any of the previous mentioned parts, they will be turned into Mobipocket like HTML 3.2 under their proud XHTML exteriors. 

The other value of this approach is as more and more publishers of high-touch or non-fiction book produce books only for the iPad, this will deliver productivity and product sophistication benefits.

Index Processing

The other significant improvement is the Index option grouping. Linked Indexes can be processed so they have a chance of working adequately on processor deprived devices, and segmented indexes go a long way to easing the pain of not have link back buttons on most readers. It's the quality and value of the XML that makes these features possible. I am still headily impressed with Formats on Demand as it creates an average 300 page, medium complexity book into an ePub in just a couple of seconds. All the other FOD options are pretty much the same as before, just put into different locations to confuse the users.

Document Designer for Reader

The other big news is that the development team have started on IGP:Document Designer for online, mobile and ePub outputs. This means a pretty complex book can be produced interactively  (look nothing up my sleeve) with two different designs, one boring typographical monochrome version for old-fashioned paper- soot and crème; and a sparkling, coloured, inspiring design for ePub/eBooks.

I am really waiting for the day, when content (not fiction) that deserve better treatment  and theesign, art, interactivity and user experience in the e-book blows the print version away. That day is coming closer.

 

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While we have been having some fun over on the Using ePub Blog, the real value blog (yes this one) has been a bit neglected. All the magic of image alignment in formats, and interactive ePubs for iPad work easily...