Comments on: New easy-to-use iOS app works with library-owned e-books and eliminates need for browser-based downloads http://www.teleread.com/library/new-easy-to-use-ios-app-works-with-library-owned-e-books-and-eliminates-need-for-browser-based-downloads/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:51:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: David H. Rothman http://www.teleread.com/library/new-easy-to-use-ios-app-works-with-library-owned-e-books-and-eliminates-need-for-browser-based-downloads/comment-page-1/#comment-1217251 David H. Rothman Tue, 09 Oct 2012 16:45:32 +0000 http://www.teleread.com/?p=72630#comment-1217251 Thanks for your comments, Michael. I agree that e-formatting could be much better in so many cases. At the same time, an optimal presentation for me won't necessarily be the same for you (you might hate the boldface I want). Customizability, in situations where individual needs and preferences can greatly differ, Is one of the key precepts of good ergonomics. Font size is hardly the only variable here. Thanks, David Thanks for your comments, Michael. I agree that e-formatting could be much better in so many cases. At the same time, an optimal presentation for me won’t necessarily be the same for you (you might hate the boldface I want). Customizability, in situations where individual needs and preferences can greatly differ, Is one of the key precepts of good ergonomics. Font size is hardly the only variable here.

Thanks,
David

]]> By: Michael W. Perry http://www.teleread.com/library/new-easy-to-use-ios-app-works-with-library-owned-e-books-and-eliminates-need-for-browser-based-downloads/comment-page-1/#comment-1217243 Michael W. Perry Tue, 09 Oct 2012 15:22:07 +0000 http://www.teleread.com/?p=72630#comment-1217243 In one sense, you and I differ greatly. I no more want the ability to tweak all aspects of how an ebook text looks than I want the ability to adjust the timing etc. of my car while I drive down the road. The author and publisher should be delivering an easy-to-read, pleasant-to-the-eyes book. The automaker should be delivering a car that drives well. Readers and drivers should have to correct their failures. And no, I don't have any problem with larger fonts for those with vision problems. The real issue is that the devices themselves are primitive in what they can display and the software to create appealing texts still has a long way to go. The matter isn't being helped by the fact that corporate executives either don't care about how an ebook looks (Amazon) or think glitz, gimmickry, and a muddled mix of costly medias (i.e. videos in a print book) are the keys to the new age of publishing (Apple). In practice, we may not be that far apart. Both you and I don't like how ebooks come to us. You want to be able to fix them. I think they shouldn't need fixing. In one sense, you and I differ greatly. I no more want the ability to tweak all aspects of how an ebook text looks than I want the ability to adjust the timing etc. of my car while I drive down the road. The author and publisher should be delivering an easy-to-read, pleasant-to-the-eyes book. The automaker should be delivering a car that drives well. Readers and drivers should have to correct their failures.

And no, I don’t have any problem with larger fonts for those with vision problems. The real issue is that the devices themselves are primitive in what they can display and the software to create appealing texts still has a long way to go.

The matter isn’t being helped by the fact that corporate executives either don’t care about how an ebook looks (Amazon) or think glitz, gimmickry, and a muddled mix of costly medias (i.e. videos in a print book) are the keys to the new age of publishing (Apple).

In practice, we may not be that far apart. Both you and I don’t like how ebooks come to us. You want to be able to fix them. I think they shouldn’t need fixing.

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