By Graham K. Rogers

Part of Apple's Education event in New York this week was the introduction of an application specifically created for making ebooks: iBooks Author. While there are a number of programs that will do the task of creating an ebook, most have some drawbacks. This new application will make it easier for those who are already engaged in education output should they want their work to be available to a wide audience. There are some drawbacks, but the process itself has been streamlined.

The ebook is a format that is perfect for the iPad, which is why Apple has taken the initiative here. Other features of the Education event included an update to iBooks (the iOS app) and new features on iTunes U (including an app for the service). The whole is an attempt to integrate the writing and availability of textbooks and course materials, and of course to sell more Apple products.

Outline

This is not a general consumer product and is aimed at those who have specific requirements. It may well be, however, that home users may be tempted into making their own ebooks for family use or students could create content for sharing.

Each of the templates, produces a different style of layout. A writer would probably settle on one and stick with that. Although I opened each of them for a quick look, I selected "Basic" and I waited while the gearwheel turned and components were assembled.

The interface will be familiar to anyone who has used iWork with a range of tools above the main working panel, one of which is the Inspector: this is one of the keys to adjustment of any file. The familiar media, colors and fonts indicate also that this integrates fully with the other parts of the OS X installation, with instant access to Audio (GarageBand, iTunes, Music, Podcasts, iTunes U and Books), Photos and Movies.

iBooks Author

An item in the Insert menu allows a user to insert a chapter from either a Pages or Word document. Many already use these and some works already written could easily be made available. I tried with the ebook I had written in Pages and the whole was available in a few seconds. In theory all I would have to do would be to publish and the job would be done.

As I wanted to use iBooks Author to a greater extent and I also wanted to create chapters, I copied the text (from a PDF file) and pasted that into the application, bringing in images as needed, setting it up as a new work.

When I had used Pages before and an Open Source application called Calibre, one of the difficulties was not just to imagine what output would look like, but to actually see how it displayed. This involved Export to iTunes then a sync of the iOS device, a check, then a repeat of the process. iBooks Author allows a basic idea of the finished item when we examine the thumbnails in the sidebar, but there is a sort of master-stroke here -- typical of Apple's attention to what is needed by the user -- in a tool icon, marked Preview.

I initially expected that this would bring up an iPad or iPhone interface as is done in Apple's Developer tools, but I was asked (by way of warning panels) to connect the iPad to the computer and ensure that iBooks was open. I was then able to transfer a preview copy to the iPad and examine it in its native environment.

In the library, this preview was marked by the word, Proof, in a blue band across the top right corner of the cover. I was able quickly to check the design, in both landscape and portrait modes, then make any adjustments and try again. Portrait mode may be disabled in the Inspector.

When I had created an earlier ebook in Pages, I had to reformat the whole thing as I was not able to export using columns: single page format was only possible. Although I did not try, this app does allow a number of options.

A chapter is broken into sections and these are in turn made up of pages. As one builds the book with the sections, so the Table of Contents is changed automatically and each item in the list is available as a hyperlink: clicking on any item, takes the reader directly to the text. It took me a long time set this up in Pages: here it is instant.

As in earlier ebook output, I had some problems with images. Placement with floating text needs some adjustment; while with one build of the developing book, I found no images displayed at all. An adjustment with a couple of the images (we may choose between Inline, Floating and Anchored) fixed this.

Along with the outline of the book and the Table of Contents is a Glossary which an author may build as the work is written. This may be done either by entering each word one by one, or by highlighting a word in the text and right clicking (on the MacBook Pro I use this was a click of the trackpad with the Option key pressed). A menu appears with a number of actions, including the Glossary option. The word is entered in the Glossary and highlighted in bold in the text. By clicking on the highlighted text a reader is taken directly to the entry where the definition is written (by the author).

When a word has been entered into the Glossary it is not possible to use the menu to enter it (and the links) again. However, if the word is highlighted in the Glossary, a small toolbar appears above the text. Highlighting the same text adds it to the glossary list, but it does highlight the second entry. Clicking on the list item within the Glossary takes a reader to the item in the text body.

Exporting

The PDF option allows three quality levels (Good, Better, Best) in the same way as may be found in iWork. This format is valuable to some who provide printed copies of their textbooks within a localised environment. A triangle click gives access to security options: using a password to open, print or copy contents. The text export strips out all formatting and images, providing a basic text view which may be useful for editing.

Comments

Image Courtesy of Apple

As soon as I finish the revisions to the version of the book I am creating, that will be online and there will be no charge. For those who want to sell their textbooks -- and this is a lucrative market after all -- they are restricted only to distribution via the Apple iBookstore.

Catch 22. There is no iBookstore here for the sale of books. The access in this neck of the woods allows only copyright-free content to be downloaded: the books that were created mainly by Project Gutenberg, with one or two minor exceptions, like Winnie the Pooh and a Yellow Submarine special. Unless there is to be a change, or those producing textbooks here have access to the iBookstore in another country, they will be unable to sell their output in the country of origin, nor will those in the country be able to access that content, unless it is distributed free. There is a dissatisfying hole in this system that leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. I have colleagues who are producing textbooks and who might want to work with this software, but these restrictions will not be acceptable.

I was however able to register in the iTunes bookstore for a free content account, allowing me to download the iTunes Producer via Apple Connect. However, this one step forward brought me to two steps back when the login to Apple Connect indicated "Apple ID does not have permission to access iTunes Connect" (Catch 23?). I was not entirely surprised. Depending on where other users live, they may have more luck with this. However, things turned round 180 degrees when I checked email and linked to the site via a message. I was able to enter iTunes Connect once I had agreed to conditions and the download was ready for me. Might we expect other changes in the iBookstore here as content is produced?

As an experiment, I tried an export from this application in the Amazon Kindle app on the Mac. It did not import, as that only allows use of downloads from the Amazon Kindle store. Similarly, works that I have downloaded from Amazon are not available for me in the iTunes app, and hence iBooks: the source determines the app that must be used, which is not just an Apple restriction.

The application that Apple has produced here has a number of limitations, especially for those outside the mainstream markets of the US or EU. However, the range of export options, as well as the export for free distribution, is still likely to make this a useful tool for many.

As a production tool it is highly flexible. Although I have used other applications for creating ebooks, I was able to hit the ground running with iBooks Author. While there is still some learning for me to do, the app has a user-friendly feel to it. With its range of valuable options (import, creation of content and export) it will have uses outside its intended purpose.

Additional Note

Where I have a problem with the licensing situation concerns the more extreme limits that are placed on those who work in certain countries (and Thailand is one) where there is no such sales outlet. At this stage I am not even sure if the free content will be made available. This is an unfortunate restriction and one that needs to be lifted soon. Apple is unfairly creating a disadvantage to writers who will be locked into providing free content only in those countries. Some might wish to benefit from their labours.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs.