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NIC GIBSON, CORBAS CONSULTING

nicg@corbas.net www.corbas.co.uk

XML AND EPUBPREREQUISITES FOR THE FUTURE

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► Cost reduction

► Multi-format publishing

► Incremental sales opportunities

SO, WHY ARE WE

DOING THIS AGAIN?

In association with

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REVISION NOTE –

WHAT IS XML?►A text-based mark-up language

►Uses a tag based structure to describe content

►Readable by both humans and computers

►Create your own language or use a standard one

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► The ultimate transfer format

► Semantic content

► Queryable

► Automatable

XML – A NEUTRAL

FORMAT

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► Convert existing content

► XML should simply be part of the workflow

for new content

GETTING THAT

CONTENT INTO XML

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► Manual conversion

► Automated conversion

APPROACHES TO

EXISTING CONTENT

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► What format is it in?

► Authors use Word

► How can we get it into something

more useful?

WHAT ABOUT

NEW CONTENT?

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WORD TO XML► There are tools for this

► You can try a style-based approach

► You can try an “AI”-based approach

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THE OLD WORLD WORKFLOW

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XML LAST WORKFLOW

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XML FIRST WORKFLOW

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► We can create some EPUBS

► Why EPUB?

► Can be an intermediate format

NOW WE’VE GOT

SOME XML...

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► iPad

► Sony Reader

► B&N nook

► Springalex

► iPod

► IREX Digital Reader

► iRiver Story

► (Kindle)

WHY EPUB?► Digital Editions

► Stanza

► Firefox

► Ibis Reader

► Bookword

► (iBooks)

► and more

...

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► Automated conversion from XML

► Export from InDesign

► By hand

► Proprietary applications

from suppliers

HOW?

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► Automation

► Design – http://www.epubzengarden.com/

► Quality control

HOW TO DO IT

WELL?

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► XML to EPUB can be automated

► Consistent design helps

► Simple design helps too

► See Stilo Whitepaper“Pitfalls on

the Path from Print to EPUB”

AUTOMATION

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► It’s not the same as book design

► It’s not the same as web design

► Create an eBook design

► Involve techies, but don’t let us drive it!

DESIGN

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► It’s not the same as proofreading

► XML can make proofreading easier though!

► Not only does it need to look right, the

implementation is important

QUALITY CONTROL

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► Permissions for backlist materials

► Fonts are a problem

► Create a specification

► Doing it again is easy

► Some content is hard

► There are companies that

can help

THINGS TO REMEMBER

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Copyright © Corbas Consulting, 2010

FREE WHITEPAPER“Pitfalls on the Path from

Print to EPUB”

Looks at some of the issues publishers

need to be aware of when attempting

to automate the conversion of content

to EPUB

See also stilo.com/migrate

Visit Stand Z575to request your copy