How to Create Interactive Ebooks
Ebooks or electronic books are available to read or download online, either for free or for payment. They contain elements that the reader can activate, such as links to external websites, animations, music files, explanatory messages or forms to fill out. They can be transferred or distributed, copied or emailed. They are often in PDF (Portable Document Format) format, which is essentially a page-by-page image of the text and graphics in the document. To create a simple PDF ebook involves only producing a document with word-processing or graphics software and printing (saving) it as a PDF file. Most computers already have the necessary software to do this. For a more complex ebook, you'll create an HTML file -- like a Web page -- then compile it creating an "EXE" file (for an executable application) or a ".MOBI" file (specifically for use on mobile devices).
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Instructions
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Create a simple PDF ebook
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Download a free PDF creator and install it according to the software's instructions. It will create a new "printer" on your computer, which will appear in the print menu as a selection in the drop-down list under "Printer Name."
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Type the document using word-processing software, such as Microsoft Word. You can insert hyperlinks in the document. Save it as a ".DOC" file first.
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Click on "File" and "Print." Select the new printer in the print menu and click "OK." Select a folder in which to save the file. The document is now a PDF file that can be shared and opened on any computer.
Create an HTML ebook
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Download a Web page template from the many available on the web. Type the text and insert the links, images and sounds that you want to appear in the page.
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Save it as an ".HTML" file. Save all image and sound files in the same folder.
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Download and install an ebook compiler such as SbookBuilder 10. Navigate to the application folder and double-click "SbookBuilder.exe" to start the program.
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Click on "Select Folder" and select the folder (directory) where your book files are stored. Click "Select Homepage" and select the main document HTML file. Click on "Enter Title" and name your book. Click "Create E-Book." Give a name for the working file. The software compiles the files and creates an ".EXE" (executable) file that the reader can run on any Windows computer with active links, clickable images and sounds.
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Tips & Warnings
PDF files are readable on any computer, regardless of the operating system. This makes them the most workable type of file for selling ebooks.
Some people are reluctant to download ".EXE" files because of the fear of virus attacks. ".EXE" files only can be used on computers with Windows operating systems. This can make them inaccessible to the many people who use Mac computers or computers with Linux operating systems.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit young girl read the book on white image by Anatoly Tiplyashin from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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hey! I was hoping you could help me. I have to create an interactive eBook (texy+small animation files +sound). are there any open source programs I can use?
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The information contained here is excellent. Simple, yet profound and relevant.
