e-content and e-reading


Is our long history with writing for and reading print on paper affecting the way we create and publish content on digital and connected devices?  Are many of us still struggling to 'forget the paper paradigm'?The increased ownership of mobile and smart devices means we are already adapting our content publishing processes and there will be even more change in the future - wearable devices; smart TVs; speech-based interfaces let alone new devices and channels we haven't even begun to imagine!Content breaks free!In a fascinating post for Harvard Business Review, Karen McGrane explores the new models we should be using to help us move on from the print-focused content.  Her advice includes:

  • Stop thinking about 'pages'  - focus on content 'chunks'
  • Content 'chunks' can be  assembled in different ways for different channels
  • Don't focus only on text - the new content is a mixture of graphics, video and interactivity
  • Because content presentation will change with each platform, content must be separated from 'form'
  • Content creators need to understand how digital publishing is different from print
e-books vs. paper - a blending of the bestThe growth in e-book adoption and innovation has been well recorded here and elsewhere.  Several initiatives are looking to take the best of these different reading experiences to enhance the user's experience.  Springwise has noted the launch of the Booke app which sets out to combine the best of paper and digital reading.The app allows readers of a physical book to upload a picture of the front cover (or the ISBN) and search for keywords (using typed or spoken commands); save comments, notes and sections of text and share their activity with others.The app reflects several key trends in reading including social/shared reading.[Follow Val Skelton on Google+]

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