The Joss Group

Announcing the Digital Publishing Report!

A few weeks ago I posted pn this site the full text of something Jonathan Seybold wrote decades ago about the changes he saw in the publishing and printing industries. I left the post up at the top of the site while we were working on the first issue of our latest newsletter--the Digital Publishing Report--because of a few lines of what Jonathan Seybold said back then have been ringing in my ears lately. He said, "Just when you think something is settled, along comes something new that changes the picture completely."

Now, to be sure, digital publishing is not new news. In fact, as we mentioned in the first issue of the Digital Publishing Report (which you can get here, for free--just that first issue, mind you), even e-books aren't new. What is new, I think is the widespread intensity of interest in this topic from all directions in the industry and from the world at large. It is almost as if, when the world saw the iPad for the first time, a shockwave passed through the graphic arts industry. How wide the spread of the wave, how far it reaches, and what is affected, well, we are all going to have to find out together--in the industry. We will have our chances to ride the wave, too, I am sure.

So, I invited you, as a fellow graphic arts industry professional, to walk with the Joss Group as we make our way together and urge you to become a part of the Digital Publishing Report by subscribing, sending us article suggestions, press releases and poking us when we get it wrong and congratulating us when we get it right. We are all in this together.

To read the press release about the Digital Publishing Report, click here.

New iPad Publishing Webinar Scheduled for March 2--and it is Free!

We posted the details of a new, free Webinar for publishing professionals interested in learning more about tools used to publish on the iPad on the Seybold Report site today. On March 2nd, one of Quark's executives will demonstrate the company's new solutions for creating iPad apps in-house without the need for development services from an outside company or service provider. I saw a demo on the software tools when they announced them last month, and I was so impressed that I asked during the demo if they would do a longer demo for Seybold Report readers and others.

Even if you cannot attend the live, online event on March 2, 2011, please let us know you are interested in this topic by signing up for the event. We will be recording it and by putting yourself on the list for the event you will be one of the first to hear when the recording becomes available for playback.

 

Do Not Miss the Seybold Report Free iPad Publishing Webinar on January 18th!

There is still time to sign up to attend our Seybold Report free Webinar next week on developing an iPad app for publishing. Scott MacGregor, Founder and Publisher, Rapid Media will discuss how his company developed its iPad app. Richard Stephenson, CEO of YUDU Media, will share some of his insights and tips about publishing for the iPad. I (Molly Joss) will moderate the Webinar.

The speakers will discuss strategies and tactics for creating and managing multi-channel
publishing projects, including:
• Reasons to publish on the iPad and iPhone,
• Publishing models to consider,
• The mechanics of getting an iPad edition in the App Store, and
• Lessons learned.

Publishers interested in developing cost-effective multi-channel publishing workflows
will gain the most from attending this seminar. However, anyone interested in
publishing on the iPad or producing e-magazines, e-catalogs and e-books, and publishing
on mobile devices will learn valuable information.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011 at 11 AM Eastern

Where: Online at www.SeyboldReport.com

How: Register at http://www.seyboldreport.com/ipad-webinar.html

Different Kinds of Reading Styles?

As you may know, there are different kinds of learning styles. Some people like to learn by reading. Some like to hear (as in a lecture or speech), and some people just have to get their hands on something or move while learning using the other methods. This is not to say that people cannot learn using any of these methods, but simply that people often prefer one way over another or one way is more effective for them than other ways.

I have found the work of Dr. Mel Levine to be very helpful to me in learning how people learn.

When I read this NYT article about a husband and wife who share a love of reading, but not a love of reading platform (she likes books, he likes reading on his new iPad), I thought about learning styles. I am a firm believer that, used properly and creatively, technology such as the iPad can offer new worlds of learning to more people. Perhaps there are different reading styles--a notion particularly appealing if you consider reading a form of learning--and the more ways (technologies) we have for people to read, the number of people reading will increase and the amount they read will increase.

So, do not give up on printed books just yet. I love printed books and always will. With print-on-demand technology such as the Espresso from On DemandBooks LLC, some day I could go into the local book shop and order up a copy of a book and sip a cup of green tea while they get my book ready. And maybe I just might take my iPad along so I can read the e-book version while I sip. Why not? It might be the best of both worlds for me and the publishing industry.

Time Inc. and the iPad--No Joy Yet

Now, now, Mr. Jobs. Does it make sense to create something as cool as the iPad and dangle that in front of magazine publishers and readers alike and not have a plan for helping magazine publishers handle subscription sales? Why make them use single-issue sales via iTunes? What is the method in this madness?

Read more here.

iPad Publishing Program for Educators

XanEdu Publishing Inc. has launched an iPad publishing program for educators. The company creates custom textbooks for hundreds of schools in the United States. This is, in my opinion, a good example of how textbook and general educational publishing, will change in the next few years. more

Apple iPad Sales Hit Three Million Mark

When I first looked at the Wall Street Journal Web site this morning, there was an article about Barnes & Noble and Amazon dropping the prices of their e-readers on the same day. When I went back to the site an hour or so later, that story had disappeared and in its place was one about Apple having sold more than three million iPads in the first 80 days after release. Telling, very telling.

We are devoting a lot of space in the next issue of the Seybold Report (due out today) to the iPad and its current and possible future impact on publishing and computing in general. If you do not already subscribe, the issue will be available for individual sale starting tomorrow on the Seybold Report site (http://www.seyboldreport.com).

Loving the iPad

Not me. Someone else. Sigh. At the point, I only have iPad envy. But, "I was wrong about Apple iPad" is a fun read. more

More Than Five Million e-Books Downloaded to iPads

With more than two millions iPads sold, I can believe Apple's claim that more than five million e-books have been downloaded to iPads. This is just the start of something brand new in the publishing industry.

Two Million iPads and Counting

And I still have not bought one. I have tried to buy one, but none of the local Apple stores or other outlets have them when I get there. "First come, first served," said one salesman. No waiting lists, just luck of the draw. At this point, I may wait for Rev. 2. I have read, though, that the Wired app remains very popular on the paid app bestseller list in the iTunes App Store. One of my friends who bought her iPad within days of its U.S. release, is an avid Wired reader and has nothing but good things to say about all things iPad.