For this project, I will be working on the blog one 2 tree with my fellow group mates.
Very exciting video put out by Adobe tv about ePubs. I couldn’t figure out how to embed this video, but you can watch it here.
My type teacher just forwarded this link to me. Adobe has recently released some free software for publishing in different digital mediums. You need CS5 — sadly I still have CS4, but if someone has CS5, you should definitely check it out and tell me what it’s like. Also interesting is the new capability to design publication apps for the iPad. Here’s a video by Terry White.
We were briefed for our next project yesterday. Essentially, the classes are looking at developing a second generation eBook. eBooks are great, they can link up with several other mediums such as music and video, allowing for a totally different experience that we haven’t been exposed to with regular books. This will revolutionize education — it’s quite exciting. Looking at how libraries will choose to deal with this evolution will be interesting too. Will they set up systems like iTunes and Netflicks for movie rentals? I’m looking forward to working on this project and envisioning a new realm in design.
“With the iPad we finally have a platform for consuming rich-content in digital form. What does that mean? To understand just why the iPad is so exciting we need to think about how we got here.
I want to look at where printed books stand in respect to digital publishing, why we historically haven’t read long-form text on screens and how the iPad is wedging itself in the middle of everything. In doing so I think we can find the line in the sand to define when content should be printed or digitized.
This is a conversation for books-makers, web-heads, content-creators, authors and designers. For people who love beautifully made things. And for the storytellers who are willing to take risks and want to consider the most appropriate shape and media for their yarns.”
Quote taken from Craig Mod‘s article “Books in the Age of the iPad”
Like Craig Mod, I don’t believe the book will totally disappear, production will be mediated – less books but better quality. I’m ready to embrace the digital book, it’s done wonders for people already. Take by grandparents, my 85 year old Papa can’t read the newspaper, his eyesight is poor; however, with the iPad the back-light screen allows him to read the type. He loves Youtube and watches movies of his hometown in Poland. With my Nana’s hip replacement, she’s unable to go upstairs where her computer is located. With the iPad she’s able to communicate with her sisters in Australia through email. I think looking at the possibilities of introducing this technology to seniors is exciting. Having my 81 year old grandmother explain to me how to use the iPad is kinda cool.
