Comtext

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Most Australian textbooks aren't available in ebook format yet, but by October 2011, many titles will be. By 2015 we think 50% of students will use digital textbooks. We've been preparing for the intro of ebooks for a while, and have arrived at five important topics we think are vital you read before launching yourself onto the e-book stage. PLEASE READ THEM!

1. You'll need a laptop or  ebook reader (not an Android tablet yet)
The e-book readers we've used include the Kindle, The ECO Reader, the iPad and the BeBook.  At the moment, we believe downloading to a laptop is best although the iPad or the ACER Iconia (windows based) are OK. We do NOT recommend you go and buy an Android based tablet or any standard eReader. Here's why:

  1. The Android operating system or any standard e-ink eReader will not run the Vitalsource eBook software. Many large textbook publishers use Vitalsource. Android users can use the Vitalsource web-based platform, yet this means being always online when you read.
  2. Android also won't run some pdf eBooks. Many cheaper eBooks are in pdf format.
Other than a laptop, the iPad is a good choice if you have the cash. The Apple student store IS NOT the best price even with your student discount. The best price we could find is from Topbuy.com.au. Click the image at right


2. You may need an e-book reader program (the software) for laptop or desktop reading
These programs are free to download. If you have an e-reader like an  iPad you don't need to download e-reading program. By far, the best free program is Adobe Digital editions. Click the image below to download for free. If buying books that use the Vitalsource software, you'll have to download it before purchasing the eBook.

Click on the image at left to download Adobe Digital Editions, the best free software for reading standard e-book formats.

 

3. How does it work?

When you buy an e-textbook, you will buy it either for a set period (eg, 6 months) or for an entire life. An entire life book will cost you more that say a 3 or 6 month version. The 3 or 6 month versions simply dissolve from your system, whereas a life book stays forever. However, you can't 'sell' your e-textbook unless you sell your hardware (your laptop or iPad) with it.

It is usually only downloadable to 1-3 machines and copying, printing or forwarding the file is impossible. The technology that enables this is called Digital Rights Management (DRM). Yet think about it. Downloading to 1-3 machines means students can actually share the price of a book and download to three separate laptops in the same way as students sometimes share a book.

4. Don't think you'll save a fortune (yet).

We are stunned at the cost of SOME ebooks. At present, the ebooks that are available for Australian universities sell for 70% of the hard-copy cost. Cengage Australia however are now selling ebook chapters for as low as $3.00. This is fantastic value and we sell these through Comtext.

5. Will hard-copy textbooks be available at all?
Yes. This won't change for 20 years. When an e-textbook version is available, we will make the link to the e-book clear.