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I'm currently in the final phases of revising my book on onscreen
editing, and facing a bit of a dilemma related to how to publish.
I'll definitely be self-publishing an e-book version (followed by a
printed version, if I can manage it), which leads to the inevitable
reaction that I should simply produce a PDF optimized for onscreen
use. That'll work just fine, and I already have the tools and know-
how to do this. Plus, it satisfies my inner control freak when it
comes to controlling the layout. <g>
But in doing some preliminary research, I received several strong
suggestions from people who hate reading fixed-format e-books (i.e.,
things like PDF where you can't resize the window and wrap the text
automatically). So rather than blindly going the PDF route, I'd like
to at least contemplate alternatives. I have Mac versions of InDesign
and Word and Dreamweaver as my primary tools, and although I'm
willing to look elsewhere if necessary, I'd prefer to stick with what
I know already (don't have much time to learn and debug new technology).
Here are my criteria:
- Cross-platform (it's got to run on Mac and Windows without much
tweaking; Linux would be nice, but not essential). PDF satisfies this
criterion.
- Ideally, not a proprietary format, so that people have their choice
of reader software. PDF is now "open", but the ubiquity of Adobe
Reader satisfies this criterion.
- Some basic copy protection would be nice -- not true digital rights
management, which I find offensive, but enough that you at least have
to consciously decide to pirate the thing. Again, PDF provides the
kind of basic protection I'd need.
- It must support an index (embedded and created by me) and search
tools. Again, InDesign to PDF will do this.
- It should permit "fluid design", allowing resizing of windows with
text wrap. PDF strikes out here, but that's a "would be nice" feature
rather than a deal-breaker.
So is there any good reason to opt for a non-PDF alternative? I've
contemplated HTML/XHTML, but I want to ship a single file, not a Web
site, and I don't want the hassle of browser incompatibilities if I
can avoid it. Something like .CHM might work, but I don't think it'll
run on the Mac (will it?) and I'm not sure how to create it from my
Mac. Maybe create the HTML in Dreamweaver, then run it through
Microsoft's HTMLhelp compiler on my PC?
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include single source authoring, team authoring,
Web-based technology, and PDF output. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
Now shipping: Help & Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
to 106 languages with Help & Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com
