Re: 2 questions about a reference eBook

--- In [email protected], "Janet Liebsch" wrote:
> My hubby and I 
> self-publish a reference book that helps families and businesses 
> prepare for and respond to most types of emergencies and natural and 
> man-made disasters. My discussion topics / questions are…
> 
> #1) We recently started offering our 284-page paperback and 298-page 
> eBook direct to consumers but, since there's a LOT of formatting, 
> bullets, etc, we only offer our ebook in PDF. Is PDF-only a real
> pain for ebook readers and, if so, do you have a preferred format? 

PDF works well enough on laptops and desktops, but not so well on
handhelds. What devices will people be using in the midst of an
emergency? You know most will wait until the event to crack the book.

> Also ~ some officials have scolded us saying we have TOO much 
> information in our book. Well, yeah - we do have a lot of data in 
> it ... but it's a reference tool that could save a life.

My copy of "Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured"
is 7/25"x10" and has 481 pages and is WELL indexed.

My copy of "ST 31-91B US Army Special Forces Medical Handbook" is
divided into numbered segments, but is nearly the same thickness as
the first book mentioned.

If we're having a typical Florida weather event with storms,
floodings, downed trees, cell phone and power outages, and ripped-off
roofs, I won't depend on a non-waterproof, proprietary-battery-powered
device for emergency care info unless there's no other option.

> #2) Do you find large reference manuals too cumbersome to use as an 
> ebook? (We have hundreds of web links in it so feel ebook is a 
> compliment to our paperback, but it may not be too practical during
> a time of crisis [i.e. no power]!)

A big, easy-to-navigate paper book will be more practical during a
3-day storm event and its aftermath than a water-sensitive handheld
electronic device that can't be reloaded with fresh double-A or 'C'
batteries.
With a litte care turning pages, even a soggy paper book can survive
and still be used during such an event.

> I'd welcome and appreciate any input and/or feedback and thank you 
> for allowing me to post.

You've got mine. I've treated wounded and injured people in heavy rain
and hot, dusty environments no current portable ereader would have
survived for very long, not even in a ziplock freezer baggie.
Ebooks are still largely indoor tools and entertainment.
Ed Howdershelt - Abintra Press
Science Fiction & Semi-Fiction
http://www.AbintraPress.com
My Fictionwise Ratings: http://tinyurl.com/26v45



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