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Microsoft's e-publishing week

May 28, 2000 - © Richard Loeffler

This week belongs to Microsoft. Microsoft announced this week that OverDrive Inc. has created a comprehensive set of authoring tools and services to enable publishers to create eBook titles based on the Microsoft Reader platform using Clear Type display technology. A beta version called ReaderWorks Standard will enable individuals to convert titles from Microsoft Word, HTML, ASCII, and OEB files into Microsoft Reader format. The beta version is now available via a free download from the ReaderWorks web site . Next out will be ReaderWorks Publisher, a upgrade to the Standard that will prepare Microsoft Reader-compatible files for sale and distribution by eBookstores. With MicrosoftWorks Publisher, eBook authors can create XML files that contain marketing and copyright protection data in ONIX, XrML and Microsoft Digital Rights Management architecture. The ReaderWorks family of products will consist of: ReaderWorks Standard, a free download ReaderWorks Publisher, an upgrade to the Standard that will allow authors to prepare titles for sale and distribution by e-Bookstores. ReaderWorks Software Developers Kit, including developer tools for integrating the automated production of eBooks in Microsoft Reader format. ReaderWorks Professional suite of tools for volume producers of LIT files in a batch environment.

Along with the software, OverDrive will be offering a range of education, training and conversion services to e-publishers and e-stores. As Microsoft is "partnered" with Barnes and Noble on-line, this means that authors can create their books and make them available for sale at BN.com Barnes and Noble .com has created an exclusive area for Microsoft Reader books on their web site. Their intention (BN.com & Microsoft) is to turn it into an electronic superstore offering books exclusively in the Microsoft Reader platform. To promote its e-book section, Barnes and Noble is launching a yearlong celebration of books and technology with an 80 foot long interactive technology centre that will go to over forty cities in the US this year.

Time Warner AOL is finally getting into the eBook publishing by creating a new company to be know as iPublish.com. It will be a dedicated Internet publishing division to be launched in early 2001. The division will offer existing print content from Time Warner in digital format. The format chosen by Time Warner will be Microsoft Reader. But not only will Time Warner publish its own material, which includes best-selling authors David Baldacci, Walter Mosley and Robert Kiyosake, but it will invite the public to submit new manuscripts for possible electronic publication. This division to be know as iWrite will be where reader-members will be able to submit new works. In addition to this there will be a division called iLearn where Time Warner's authors and in-house experts will share their knowledge with the site's users.

The copyright of the article Microsoft's e-publishing week in E-Books is owned by Richard Loeffler. Permission to republish Microsoft's e-publishing week in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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