iBooks Author Page Size Question

Pages is the best way to build a generic e-book for iBooks, Kindle, etc. I'm working on an e-book now, and started it in InDesign but moved it to Pages when I found out how much easier it was in Pages. But with both, you get the really dumbed-down output all epub books have been saddled with until now. That's why I love iBooks Author... for the first time, we can do beautiful interactive e-books. This, IMO, was what e-books were meant to be.

As for handcuffs, terrymcd, I'm of the opinion that all epub makers until now have been FAR more handcuffed than iBooks Author. You get text you can't control and problematic graphics that come out entirely unpredictably. For a designer, it's torture to know you have no control over how your book will look. From this viewpoint, iBooks Author unlocks the handcuffs all epub documents have been bound with until now.

I would recommend you stick to the software that is proper for print, then try to learn about resolution and how it affects viewing on screen vs printed materials. Use InDesign or Quark for offset printing and Pages or Word for duplications. iBook makes pretty on screen docs best for viewing on the iPad.

Another Jesse here. I wish I had found this thread a few weeks ago. I'm about to release my second book for iPad, and was naively thinking I might be able to do a small print run with just a little more work on the iBooks Author version. Thanks for answering my questions.

iBooks Author

1.

I've been exploring iBooks Author with the intention of producing a catalogue of my artworks.

So far what I've discovered is that the document page sizes are constricted to the iPad.

That there is no way to customise page size. Is this correct?

I used a number of search terms in the iBooks help doc and found nothing referring to page size, page dimensions, document size etc.

So currently the iPad seems to be the only target device for iBooks Author documents.

However.

Apple has introduced an iBooks reader for Mavericks and OS X, (I'm not using Mavericks at the moment due to security and local sync issues) designing and producing for larger format documents of varying dimensions would therefore seem a necessary requirement for iBooks Author for OS X.

Does anyone know if this is the case?

I would like to produce iBooks that use the iMac's full screen with good quality resolution.

2.

Another concern is user rights, does Apple still require that the creator abide by the following rules, this from http://www.informationweek.com/applications/apples-ibooks-author-software-just-s ay-no/d/d-id/1102397

Quote from article on Informationweek:

The end-user license agreement for iBooks Author, Apple's new tool for creating electronic textbooks, stipulates that works created with the software can be sold only through Apple--free titles are exempted--unless Apple provides written consent. It also states that Apple may refuse to sell electronic textbooks created with its software and that content creators cannot claim lost profits for rejected works.

end of quote.

This seems a bit draconian.

First thing you should get clearly in your mind is that APPLE allow you to use their iBooksAuthor application under certain Terms and Conditions.

Whatever your thoughts, opinions or requirements, they are - to, Apple irrelevant.

The software is provided and designed to meet what Apple want to see in their iBooks store.

1. page size is 1024 x 648 - in Landscape - Portrait would not be suitable for art displays. if you want to use iBA.. thats it - no other options. Help Files > Graphics and Media. Text books have other considerations and are not meant to be an advertising brochure or catalgue of items priced for sale.

On Macs >iBooks the book can be viewed at full screen.

designing and producing for larger format documents of varying dimensions would therefore seem a necessary requirement for iBooks Author for OS X.

You can import Chapters from MS Word and Apple Pages - and have problems with th results!

As this is basically for text with illustrations... it does not really fit the bill for you. AND whatever size you want... it needs to fit the 1024 x 648 page size of iPads.. or they will not allow it into the iBooks store.

2. Apple create Terms and Conditions of Use. Thats it comply or go elsewhere. Why do you expect them to give you free software so you can use it and want to upload where you want. If you want books on other online publishers.. use their softeware of buy inDesign and others which have no conditions.

If you have a gallery showing your work, and I walk in and start taking pictures of them - would you be happy?

Apple invested literally $millions to create iBooks Author software and many thousands of users do so and abide by the T & C laid down.

Apple is not Draconian, its their lawful and not unreasonable, busines Terms and Conditions applied to use of their free issue software. Dont like the conditions? Dont us it

................................

BTW... (I'm not using Mavericks at the moment due to security and local sync issues)

Security? Not a problem with Macs.

Sync?? Not with Windoze.. incompatible. With other Macs - no problems, iPads.. viewing only

Your admonishing and beligerant style of discussion has no place on this forum, is that how you see it?

I see it now and have done for two years - as being factual, and if you have used Apple for 30 years, you should know about Apples "Draconian" Terms and Conditions. Yet you seem to think they should not apply to you!

While I may come across to you as admonishing and beligerant, you appeared to me as a newbie who was moving to Apple for the first time and knew nothing about the OS or the application.

Your post gives the impression you have not even seen iBA opened on a Mac as you seem unable to grasp the page size is dictated - for its use ONLY on iPads - and is fixed.

What security issues are you concerned about?? The 230 page thread - which I have not read throughout is dated and seems to cover just about every Apple machine and Application except... iBooks Author!

My issue is with the current restrictions around using iBooks Author as noted in my post.

By "Restrictions" do you refer to Applr Terms and Conditions of Use... and in 30 years you have never had to deal with this ? Apple state how and where you can use their free software - you seem to have all the tools required for creating ePubs/eBooks and much better than iBA, which you do not have to use ..as you will know - to get books into the iBooks Store.

Well, the discussion is a bit hot. Here is some cold water.

iBooks Author is designed for the "shape" not the size of an iPad. Any exported file other than iBooks, PDF is what I use, can be scaled and even projected, which I do in my museum. Big screen it is beautiful. The PDF exported from iBooks Author is significantly more sophisticated than the ". ibook" version. The resulting file in my experience is more than six times the size. Adobe Pro can save this as a Reduced Sized PDF which is smaller and more capable than the .ibook file. The .ibook version is also deficient in color, especially in text backgrounds which become an irritating two tone for certain colors. Side by side comparisons are disheartening for those of us who wish to present our work through the Apple Store.

Now I have broken my own policy and provided way too much "free" information. The basic point is devastating for Apple should it be generally understood. My communications to Apple no longer receive acknowledgement. Times have changed from that the days of our little user group in south Renton, Washington.

Aside: I remember my first repurposing of programs with claimed copyright. We used a mechanical device which read out a file of the machine code for any program, especially those with copy protection which operated only at the higher level language. That is how we actually built text editors into word processors. This happened when the word hacker meant someone clumsy when cutting weeds with a sickle.

ssm

Thanks stevemeans

Even though there are lot of reasons to produce a book using iBooks Author; interactivity, video and other media etc, in the long run the restrictions around iBooks are too limiting for me to have to bother learning it.

Author's rights appear constrained. See for example:

http://www.betatales.com/2012/01/22/why-i-dont-dare-to-publish-with-apples-ibook s-author-app/

Page sizes and proportions are restricted to the iPad even though the document can be viewed full screen on a desktop Mac.

So at the moment I'll forgo using iBooks Author in preference to using InDesign, Pages or Adobe Acrobat. My aim is to produce a catalogue of my work for free distribution to interested parties, a simple PDF will do even though I have Flash interactive works on my website that I would like to include.

PS

It would be nice if Apple included in iBooks Author an option to produce books fro specific platforms, ie., 1. iPad, 2. iMac and other Macs inc laptops.

I help individuals with whom I have ongoing contact, constantly, with consequent shortcomings, but I have stopped offering cluttering complete explanations in public forums. Any change in the object of discussion can render a specific comment unnecessary or unnerving. These forums have lost their user group origin and roots for me.

I agree in the main. I appaer to come across as admonishing and beligerant, to some but I suspect that you as have I, have become a little overwhelmed at time by the growing numbers who come on this and other groups - under the impression that they are "moderated" by Apple staff.
Too many come on ranting about the problems with Apple or its methods, and "draconian" T&C and more and more about lack of support, when the facts are... most if not all have done zero to understand the whole process from signup to getting a book completed and in that store. At almost every stage they resort to this or other iBook related groups some ask help.. some berate the lack of instant support or a ready made solution to a problem they have... mosty created by lack of knowledge and an avoidance of reading the help files.

I am told I did not "cite my sources" ! The term indicates to me that there is a tendancy to aquire information from where ever and its OK to use it if you tell people where you got it from!

Sadly all the suggestions I make on the groups are from either reading the info provided by Apple and using the application enough to learn what it can and cannot do. I avoid replies about widgets... most are a waste of time and others are so easy to use, it beggars belief that they need explaining. So do I cite source as "My Head" or " reading the help files".

About the only reason I - apparently - waste my time, is that among all this I come across those who want to learn but dont know where to start. I have long email exchanges with support about a number of things and the maze they create to get from A to B via Z!

The group "decorum" ended long ago and the reward points need to be kicked out - they are not used anyway these days- people turn with a problem, expect "Apple" to sort it out and then vanish when they get a cure!

Hiowever, First thing you should get clearly in your mind is that APPLE allow you to use their iBooksAuthor application under certain Terms and Conditions.

All the application you purchased from Apple - to my knowledge - did not/do not have the restrictions as applied to iBooks Author. You can create ePubs with Pages and sell where you will - not so with iBA and it that and only that that I refer to.

When Apple has provided something for free I have take it. That is Apple's choice, but it does not change Apple's responsibility and it does not change my rights.

OK, so the Terms and Condition of use as, seen on the Apps download page do not apply to you?

This does not apply to you?

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If you want to charge a fee for a work that includes files in the .ibooks format generated using iBooks Author, you may only sell or distribute such work through Apple, and such distribution will be subject to a separate agreement with Apple. This restriction does not apply to the content of such works when distributed in a form that does not include files in the .ibooks format.

or this...

1. General.

A. The Apple software, any third party software, content, documentation and any fonts included in the software (collectively the "Apple Software") are licensed, not sold, to you by Apple Inc. ("Apple") for use only under the terms of this License. Apple and/or Apple's licensors retain ownership of the Apple Software itself and reserve all rights not expressly granted to you.

I am no "apologist" for Apple - but I do feel if I am dealing with those who present as having little if any knowledge of products/applications - that in giving suggestions to them.. I would be lacking if I failed to point out certain conditions which may refer to the question asked.

I think I am done with this now.

You quote accurately but do not understand:

"IMPORTANT NOTE:

If you want to charge a fee for a work that includes files in the .ibooks format generated using iBooks Author, you may only sell or distribute such work through Apple, and such distribution will be subject to a separate agreement with Apple. This restriction does not apply to the content of such works when distributed in a form that does not include files in the .ibooks format."

The " .ibooks" format only works on the Apple Store and on Apple devices. The ".ibooks" version can only be sold with an agreement with Apple. If a person uses iBooks Author for publication elsewhere, that person must export the content as a PDF or text. From PDF and / or text almost any publication format is possible. By the way, the PDF version of most of my works appears better on an iPad than does the .ibooks version

"1. General.

A. The Apple software, any third party software, content, documentation and any fonts included in the software (collectively the "Apple Software") are licensed, not sold, to you by Apple Inc. ("Apple") for use only under the terms of this License. Apple and/or Apple's licensors retain ownership of the Apple Software itself and reserve all rights not expressly granted to you."

"1. General" refers to the Apple software and its components, not to a file produced by that software. The user of the software does not by that use give up any rights to ownership of his or her creation.

Your interpretation borders on slander and misleeds potential users. I would think Apple could take action against you should they find damages and deep pockets.

Yes, you should pay attention to what fonts you use so that you do not steal an Apple proprietary font.

It is also best not to refer to iBooks Author or the .ibooks format in your final iBooks version if you want Apple to accept it for publication in their store. For some individuals this has been grounds for rejection. There are a couple dozen other hints for a smooth transition, but each usage is different.

The "slander" you refer to is from the iBooks Author terms and conditions of use!

So Apple had better sue Apple!

I suppose for somebody taking the attitude you do with regard other programmers code... i.e.We used a mechanical device which read out a file of the machine code for any program, especially those with copy protection which operated only at the higher level language. That is how we actually built text editors into word processors. ....has no need to read terms and conditions - and "drowningindata" admits be did not bother trying to learn anything... which makes him one of those I described.. and you dont know the difference between my comments and copies of Apples software licence.

Fine pair.

Oh my, Vinny. Please do recheck my post. I assure you I take copyright very seriously and have never had anyone ever suggest otherwise. You know nothing of the early days and ways and you get current legal statements entirely wrong. I had hoped you might enjoy the little story about early code. The word "hacker" is an honor term among early computer developers, most of us are still around and kicking.

The part to pay attention to is the filetype referenced in the Apple disclosure. A user of iBooks Author software has three current options for "exporting" or "finalizing" a work: .iBooks, PDF or text.

If the author selects to finalize the work in iBooks format then the only available option is to publish with Apple and with a formal agreement with Apple.

The other two options are not referenced and not covered in the Apple wording. This is a crucial distinction.

In the matter of Apple's behavior as a leader of technology and as an ethical partner with countless endeavors, I strongly disagree with your criticism and repeat my warning that I consider your misreading and ongoing blather to be slander.

This is not to say that I like each and every Apple product just exactly as it comes to me. I have been in the feedback loop continuously for half my 71 years, I have worked as a liaison between hardware and software engineers and worked as a systems engineer. I take the work seriously and I always respect the rights of the author.

In the days of APPLE ][ User Groups there was very little software and what you now enjoy comes directly from the vitality and creativity of those User Groups. Many of us still work with and for Apple at every opportunity and I am not aware of any abuses such as you exhibit in your rants and errors. It was a bit of the Wild West back then, Vinny, and there were some folks who placed "illegal" blocks in their software, completely in violation of Apple policy. Apple supported the user groups which publicly supported the sale and use of the device I mentioned. I bought it at an Apple Store.

After 36 years I get to hear from someone insisting to prove his own illieracy that I might be or might have been disrespectful of author's rights. That is very annoying. My comment stands as uttered, it is nostalgia for a time less cluttered by mashed potato nonsense. It is not illegal to view code. It would be illegal to steal that code and sell it for profit. It would be illegal to alter that code and sell it as if it were the original. Wow, there are so many ways to be illegal. It is also illegal to knowingly speak out against a person or a business when you have ample opportunity to know you are lying. Since you have publicly read a proper explanation and continue to slander Apple you risk a great deal. You have provided no alternative reading and no evidence that there is a hidden intent behind Apple's clear definition of fair use. You are not an idiot. You are a slanderer. Perhaps you have a following, in which case the German Pied Piper could apply.

A person of character who finds himself in error responds directly with the correction. Consider the current NBA situation where prejudice and unwarranted ego run amok.

Until you know the whole story and until you actually produce some worthy code and until you stop underage drinking in the back seat of a car owned by your mother, please quit hiding behind yip yap. I fear you will misunderstand the "humorous" portions of this paragraph. If so, expect me to become more firm and direct the contents elsewhere.

You shall never know respect if you do not show respect. Goats are my favorite barnyard animal. Please quite trying to get mine.

drowningindata wrote:

Author's rights appear constrained. See for example:

http://www.betatales.com/2012/01/22/why-i-dont-dare-to-publish-with-apples-ibook s-author-app/

Only for the .ibooks format. It's important to read the current license agreement for yourself and not rely on outdated press articles on the first one.

I do not agree with vinnyvg's interpretation of that agreement. In my view Stevemeans is correct on this.

I started my reply to you thus:-

iBooksAuthor application under certain Terms and Conditions.

Whatever your thoughts, opinions or requirements, they are - to, Apple irrelevant.

The software is provided and designed to meet what Apple want to see in their iBooks store.

Which part of this did I get wrong?

Apple allow free use of iBooks Author - under the acceptance of their Terms and Conditions.

Thats it - no mystery - no cons - no hidden agenda - no taking control of your copyright.

IF one decides to use iBA - doing so indicates acceptance of Apples conditions.

If one does not like those condition or thinks they are opreresive, dictatorial or whatever - very simple solution...do not use it.

Your link points to another individual griping about the T&C for iBooksAuthor and seemingly this :-

Because there is a catch.

It is hidden in the terms of use:

If your Work is provided for a fee (including as part of any subscription-based product or
service), you may only distribute the Work through Apple and such distribution is subject to the following limitations and conditions: (a) you will be required to enter into a separate written agreement with Apple (or an Apple affiliate or subsidiary) before any commercial distribution of your Work may take place; and (b) Apple may determine for any reason and in its sole discretion not to select your Work for distribution.

It stinks!

So Apple wants me to spend months writing a manuscript, taking photographs and putting it all into a coherent story. Then I will spend a few hours (remember it is SO EASY!), maybe days if I am really getting into it, creating a great ebook using their tool. In return they want more or less full ownership of my work!

In return they want more or less full ownership of my work!

This is rubbish - he retains full copyright - unless he enquires what Apple requires with a separate written agreement he has no fatcs to report and offers a wild opinion. Logically having use free software and wishing to act outside the T&C - Apple will require something back. Which is not unreasonable. So.....

.....why all the fuss - he does not like what Apple stipulate - OK.. dont us iBooks Author.

The example he gave is extracted from the Software Licence.

Adobe inDesign has no such restrictions, use where you will how you will.... after you have paid a lot of money for it.

iBooksAuthor is FREE and its aimed at the millions of little guys and girls who otherwise would never be able to create and publish their work easily and in front of proably the world biggest audience.

It is not aimed at Dan Brown, Stephen King, Ken Follet and a ream of big name authors or institutions with the primary aim of making big money. Its also become a gateway for some authors who found success via iBooks store and have also been able to publish elsewhere.

You appear to be on a reverse course, you use inDesign to do what you want and publish where you want - now you look at iBA and do not like what you find.

You can use inDesign to create your brochure/catalogue and still use the ePub to the iBooks Store and you face no restrictions from Apples software licence.

The simple facts of life regardless of what the "goods" are, if the owner, manufacturer, creator, the one with them in his hand, offers those goods for sale with conditions, its the buyers choice, accept or walk away.

Apple offer iBooks Author free to use under the terms and conditions included in its Software License.

if you do not like the terms and conditions - dont use it!

All of which has nothing whatever to do with your question aboout page size after not checking the software!

vinnyvg wrote:

The example he gave is extracted from the Software Licence.

Not from "the" Software License. From an old version of the software license that became obsolete over 2 years ago, when Apple changed it to make clear that the restrictions only apply to the .books format.