The Mac advantage in writing an ebook...

Today, Macs have a big advantage for those who want to write an ebook. One option that Macs have when you go to Print is that you can create a PDF file. Since PDF is the most common file format for ebooks, Macs have a clear advantage because you don't need the Acrobat software that is necessary if you're using a Windows based computer.

NeoBook and Easy Book

Two of the early ebook authoring applications, NeoBook and Easy Book are still alive and well. They create Windows based ebooks. You can download versions to test out before you buy them.

In the beginning there was Dart, MultiMedia Workshop and Writer's Dream

The first time I heard of ebooks was in 1994 when I got a book called Paperless Publishing by Colin Haynes. The book described how people could write books electronically. The software that was suggested Dart, MultiMedia Workshop, and Writer's Dream. Writer's Dream, incidentally, still is my favorite way to create an ebook, even though it's no longer available. All of these programs create executable files so that they could only run on PC computers. All were DOS programs...that's pre-Windows. Mac owners were out of luck.

At the time, Writer's Dream was created by Jeff Napier of Another Company. Another Company had an area on AOL. That's how I got online in the first place, looking for Another Company. Writer's Dream eventually became a Windows application. Unfortunately for Writer's Dream and all the other programs, Adobe came along and created the PDF format. The other formats essentially died out. Yes, there are still some left, but, the PDF format is the primary way ebooks are made today.

I'll write about the few surviving applications that make .exe files. Incidentally, as a current (and very happy) Mac user, I really don't mind the fact that the .exe applications have dimished in use. I just think it's worth finding out a little about the history of ebooks.

Writing an online ebook...

Although most ebooks are meant to be downloaded and read from your computer or printed out, there are ebooks that are meant to be read online. Ubooks, as they are called by the creator, Mike Capstick, are really ebooks that you can read online. The nifty thing about Ubooks is that they are made using a single text file and the inexpensive (only 20 bucks) software. You can find out more about Ubooks at http://cybertrain.info/ubooks.html and you can see an example (made by me several years ago). I really have to update it. It's been online for a while.

[Incidentally, although I provided some advice in making the software, I get no money from it's sale. The only thing I get is a free copy when he upgrades it.]

Kinds of ebooks...

Over the years I've found different kinds of ebooks. Some people write ebooks with a get-rich-quick theme. Titles like How I Made a Zillion Dollars in 2 Hours don't interest me too much. I figure if they made that much why would they bother to write the ebook. If it was me, I'd be doing more interesting things. Another kind of ebook is a more professional business type. It gives information that others want without the get-rich-quick theme added on. Of course, there are ebooks of all kinds. It's difficult to tell what you've come up with unless you download it. The bad part is that sometimes you have to pay for something that you find out isn't worthy. There aren't many return policies for ebooks.

What's an ebook?

There is no really good definition of an ebook. Just about any electronic file that is created using a text editor, word processor or PDF creator can be an ebook. They can be a few pages or hundreds of pages. Some are distributed for free, others are sold. Frequently, you will see a traditional paper version of a book with an identical ebook companion for folks who prefer to read their books on screen. Write them and enjoy them...don't get hung up with the definition.