How come Apple can't use its own software to create this guide as a pdf or an iBook?

Question

Level 8

41,241 points

How come Apple can't use its own software to create this guide as a pdf or an iBook?

Does Apple actually use its own software?

The woefully few manuals it manages to provide now are all created in Indesign and desperately need the critical eye of an editor to correct the errors, ommisions, obsolescence and plain confusing statements.

As Apple's efforts grow ever more obscure, awkward, contradictory and difficult to use, it tells it Users next to nothing about how they all work.

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Jun 25, 2013 3:18 AM

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Answer 1

vinnyvg

Level 4

1,880 points

Jun 25, 2013 4:00 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

I agree, and its amazing how literally tens of thousands of "us" ever got through the maze and uploaded books.

What I did was create a " test book", open every menu option and see what it did.

Then I read this forum for hours catching up with the issues faced by others as they slid along the learning curve.

Some of the forums members have their own iBA guide books on sale in the book store now, so there is a wealth of information to be found.

Dig in and it will get easier...

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Answer 2

PeterBreis0807 Author

Level 8

41,241 points

Jun 25, 2013 7:20 AM in response to vinnyvg

Oh that wasn't for me Vinny!

As you can see I arrived here from the knowledgebase page.

Although I am only just starting to play with iBooks Author to see what it can do, I am pretty experienced with Pages and have done exactly what you suggested, which is what I also did in Pages, Numbers and Keynote.

Now if only Apple would follow suit!

I am sure I will find the same gotchas I found in the iWork & iLife suites. In fact I have already found where the authors of iBooks Author failed to check back and see how it was done in Pages. Which is odd because it looks like iBooks Author is very much a spin off from Pages.

Peter

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Answer 3

K T

Level 7

23,895 points

Jun 25, 2013 8:01 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

As always, feel free to use the 'Provide iBooks Author Feedback' menu item via iBA for features you'd like added in the future, changes to related workflow, etc.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/ibooks-author.html

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Answer 4

PeterBreis0807 Author

Level 8

41,241 points

Jun 25, 2013 10:23 AM in response to K T

At least iBooks Author is actively being developed.

Pages might finally be getting some Apple love after 4 years of feedback from a legion of users.

Peter

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Answer 5

vinnyvg

Level 4

1,880 points

Jun 25, 2013 8:20 PM in response to PeterBreis0807

LOL, I saw the points tally and thought at first you were opening a thread to motivate some ideas to pass back!

I assumed also that the points did not come from iBA and like others... were experienced and skilled dealing with Pages etc,.

Fact is Apple cloned iBA from Pages - which is basically a sound concept and suits a purpose.. but the cry as always been... "give us a decent manual". Apple in their wisdom apparently did not conceive that people would use iBA having never used pages. I actually purchased iWorks back in 2005 for my then new PowerPC G5 10.4.11 tried it and went back to MS Publisher!

18 months or more on depending on iBA's release, most users are pretty much capable now but a few new comers from other software packages do seen to have trouble getting information to start up.

From Apples point of view.. their project worked, the software as it is as flooded the book store with product dedicated to iPads and therfore income for Apple only. I have no doubt the next update will deal with some of the isssues sent in as feedback.

Meanwhile, welcome to the club.........

from a not so sunny Central Coast!

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