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1 – 10 of over 3000Qian Pu, Xiaomin Zhu, Donghua Chen and Runtong Zhang
This paper aims to provide an optimization method of workflow for publishing houses and electronic book (e-book) studies in the field of digital publishing.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide an optimization method of workflow for publishing houses and electronic book (e-book) studies in the field of digital publishing.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the studies of publishing houses in Beijing, the present conversion workflow is illustrated using a functional modeling methodology. Then, the workflow is analyzed using 5W1H (why, who, what, where, when, how) methodology and optimized using ECRSI (eliminate, combine, rearrange, simplify and increase) principles. To validate the optimization effect, the workflow before and after optimization are generated and implemented by the ExtendSim® simulation software.
Findings
The simulation results show that under similar circumstances, both quantity and quality of the products are improved after optimization, which indicate that the optimization method is effective.
Practical implications
Electronic PUBlication (EPUB) has significant requirements to satisfy the needs of the mobile reading market and to earn increased profits, whereas some e-books are still preserved in a portable document format (PDF). This study results in the enhanced EPUB quality and production efficiency of the PDF-to-EPUB format conversion workflow in publishing houses. Publishing houses around the world can refer to this study to make a similar optimization when handling PDF-to-EPUB.
Originality/value
This research introduces the traditional industrial engineering analytical techniques to the workflow optimization of e-book conversion. Compared with the most of other methods used to optimize workflow, this method is simpler, more efficient and more suitable for e-book format conversion.
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Siegfried Schomisch, Maria Zens and Philipp Mayr
The purpose of this paper is to offer insights into the usability, acceptance and limitations of e‐readers with regard to the specific requirements of scholarly text work. To fit…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to offer insights into the usability, acceptance and limitations of e‐readers with regard to the specific requirements of scholarly text work. To fit into the academic workflow, non‐linear reading, bookmarking, commenting, extracting text or the integration of non‐textual elements must be supported.
Design/methodology/approach
A group of social science students were questioned about their experiences with electronic publications for study purposes. This same group executed several text‐related tasks with the digitized material presented to them in two different file formats on four different e‐readers. Their performances were subsequently evaluated in detail.
Findings
E‐publications have made advances in the academic world; however e‐readers do not yet fit seamlessly into the established chain of scholarly text‐processing focusing on how readers use material during and after reading. The authors' tests revealed major deficiencies in these techniques.
Originality/value
The usability test of e‐readers in a scientific context aligns with both studies on the prevalence of e‐books in the sciences and technical test reports of portable reading devices. Still, it takes a distinctive angle in focusing on the characteristics and procedures of textual work in the social sciences and measures the usability of e‐readers and file‐features against these standards.
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Adina Mulliken and Kerry Falloon
The purpose of this paper is to explore a topic where blind participants expressed significant concern: obtaining full text and accessible full text.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore a topic where blind participants expressed significant concern: obtaining full text and accessible full text.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative study includes 18 open-ended telephone interviews with blind academic library users in the USA. The study uses the viewpoint that understanding blind peoples’ perspectives is essential for equal accessibility.
Findings
Locating full text via link resolvers seemed problematic. Inaccessible articles and complications and delays creating accessible versions of print books limited participants’ use of materials. Enabling technologies and services were highlighted.
Research limitations/implications
Caution should be used when generalizing from this study due to its sample size and methodology. The study is not a web accessibility test, which would analyze coding, nor a usability test, which would observe users. Additional research would be ideal; however, libraries should not wait to attend to accessibility.
Practical implications
In addition to improving digital accessibility, to address difficulty obtaining full text, libraries could offer to locate full text for blind users and implement SmartLinking and single sign on authentication. To deal with inaccessible full text, libraries could work with disability offices to obtain accessible materials and to convert materials to accessible format. DRM free HTML or EPUB e-books can have accessibility advantages. Outsourcing conversion to accessible format can also help. Libraries could offer reader service to assist blind users locating relevant sections of books to convert.
Originality/value
Compared to previous studies, this study includes a larger number of blind screen reader users; describes some unique issues; and includes blind users’ own interpretations.
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Ana Catarina Silva and Maria Manuel Borges
The purpose of this paper is to provide a characterization of the editorial design methods of technical books in a hybrid publishing context.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a characterization of the editorial design methods of technical books in a hybrid publishing context.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper starts by characterizing editorial design as a discipline itself within graphic design, which is then further identified as in urgent need to adapt strategies to technologies, communication processes and existing information flows. Along with the literature review, the paper includes an analysis of one particular case study, O’Reilly Media.
Findings
The paper provides arguments to conclude that the classical approach to the designer’s workflow should be reviewed and the way of framing the editorial problem should also be different: it should focus on the content.
Originality/value
The paper includes implications for the improvement of digital workflows and design processes in the STM hybrid publishing field.
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Academic librarians who are planning for the future need to be knowledgeable about the short‐ and long‐range outlook for print. They must also consider what will happen if…
Abstract
Purpose
Academic librarians who are planning for the future need to be knowledgeable about the short‐ and long‐range outlook for print. They must also consider what will happen if libraries abolish most or all of their books. This paper aims to explore current and future academic e‐book usage, and to suggest ideas for response to collection changes.
Design/methodology/approach
This article examines a wide range of studies and comments on this timely topic.
Findings
The disparity between the reception of e‐books in the general population and the adoption of them in the academic world suggests that print is still important to faculty and students. Given the advances in e‐book technology, the increasing popularity of online/distance education courses, the adoption of the new EPUB 3 format, and the ubiquity of mobile devices, e‐books are expected increasingly to replace print volumes in academic libraries.
Originality/value
What has received little attention in the literature is the complexity of the issue of e‐book reception in the academic world. This article looks at current and future e‐book usage from the perspective of several large studies on diverse aspects of academic life, including students' perceptions of libraries, their information‐seeking behaviors, faculty research habits and information needs, students' reading habits, and the impact of emerging technologies on teaching and learning. Providing insight into current and future academic e‐book trends, this article suggests practical ways to respond to these trends.
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Alenka Kavčič Čolić and Andreja Hari
The current predominant delivery format resulting from digitization is PDF, which is not appropriate for the blind, partially sighted and people who read on mobile devices. To…
Abstract
Purpose
The current predominant delivery format resulting from digitization is PDF, which is not appropriate for the blind, partially sighted and people who read on mobile devices. To meet the needs of both communities, as well as broader ones, alternative file formats are required. With the findings of the eBooks-On-Demand-Network Opening Publications for European Netizens project research, this study aims to improve access to digitized content for these communities.
Design/methodology/approach
In 2022, the authors conducted research on the digitization experiences of 13 EODOPEN partners at their organizations. The authors distributed the same sample of scans in English with different characteristics, and in accordance with Web content accessibility guidelines, the authors created 24 criteria to analyze their digitization workflows, output formats and optical character recognition (OCR) quality.
Findings
In this contribution, the authors present the results of a trial implementation among EODOPEN partners regarding their digitization workflows, used delivery file formats and the resulting quality of OCR results, depending on the type of digitization output file format. It was shown that partners using the OCR tool ABBYY FineReader Professional and producing scanning outputs in tagged PDF and PDF/UA formats achieved better results according to set criteria.
Research limitations/implications
The trial implementations were limited to 13 project partners’ organizations only.
Originality/value
This research paper can be a valuable contribution to the field of massive digitization practices, particularly in terms of improving the accessibility of the output delivery file formats.
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The years following the 9/11/2001 terrorists attacks saw a marked increase in community and hospital emergency preparedness, from communications across community networks…
Abstract
Purpose
The years following the 9/11/2001 terrorists attacks saw a marked increase in community and hospital emergency preparedness, from communications across community networks, development of policies and procedures, to attainment and training in the use of biological warfare resources. Regular drills ensured emergency and health care personnel were trained and prepared to address the next large-scale crisis, especially from terrorist and bioterrorist attacks. This chapter looks at some of the more familiar global health issues over the past two decades and the lessons learned from hospital responses to inform hospital management in preparation for future incidents.
Search Methods
This study is a narrative review of the literature related to lessons learned from four major events in the time period from 2002 to 2023 – SARS, MERS, Ebola, and COVID-19.
Search Results
The initial search yielded 25,913 articles; 57 articles were selected for inclusion in the study.
Discussion and Conclusions
Comparison of key issues and lessons learned among the four major events described in this article – SARS, MERS, Ebola, and COVID-19 – highlight that several lessons are “relearned” with each event. Other key issues, such as supply shortages, staffing availability, and hospital capacity to simultaneously provide care to noninfectious patients came to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic. A primary, ongoing concern for hospitals is how to maintain their preparedness given competing priorities, resources, and staff time. This concern remains post-COVID-19.
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