With the advent of the iPad, demand for content is growing. One new development that ties in seamlessly with Optima's current activities. An e-book (interactive pdf, epub or app) as a supplement to a regular publication or as an independent publication offers plenty of extra opportunities.
Publications that are released digitally are called e-books. The most well-known form is the pdf. A pdf file can be opened and read using a pdf reader. It can be made interactive by adding hyperlinks. This could be handy for such things as the table of contents and for web page addresses where supplementary information can be found. However, the pdf is static when it comes to design. All technical specifications, such as (for example) type page, type area, font or font size are fixed.
An epub is more dynamic. The size of the screen determines the type page and type area. This also means there is no trouble reading an epub document on an iPhone. Want to change the font? No problem. Want to change the font size? No problem. The way the publication is displayed can be set by the user. But the standard epub reader also has its limitations.
An app offers many more options. It has its own icon on the desktop and a publication that has been compiled entirely according to the user's wishes. All the functions of a tablet can be utilized.
Publishing a dissertation exclusively as an app is now a reality. A first in which Optima was actively involved. But not everyone will instantly opt to have a digital edition alone. A graduation ceremony is rich in traditions and the dissertation is certainly one of these. But an e-book in addition to the books is without doubt a valuable complement. Part of the print run can be replaced by an e-book. And a digital version like this scarcely has any limitations. Feel free to pop by for a demonstration.