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Content Service Creation
eBook service created for
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Table of Contents
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Create a new eBook Service
Problem
Build a new eBook service based on a proprietary, text-based eBook
file format. eBooks were to be readable with HandStory, the
"Swiss Army Knife of media viewers" for Palm OS and
Pocket PC devices.
Design
- eBooks: paragraphs and poetry were reformatted, chapters marked
clearly, a static table of contents was created for each book,
and book summaries and author bios were researched and written.
- eBook Service: the service includes an introductory page,
author and "book details" pages (see below),
an "eBook Basics" page, and a copyright page
Solution
- Created an eBook layout specification that compensates
for the limitations of the HandStory eBook format
- Created custom regular expressions and macros to convert texts
to small-device format
- Created the HandStory eBook Service according to the following
three-stage plan:
- Created eBook market share by building a free library of
public domain texts that are formatted small devices.
- Converted the eBook section of the Web site to a database-driven
commercial ebook service
- Began contacting publishers to establish partnerships. However,
U.S. development division was closed following a change in
company leadership in Korea.
Notes
Software programmers failed to add any of the following
to the eBook format during a year and a half of requests:
image support, pre-programmed bookmark support, and OPF compatibility.
Because the Web programmers failed to develop PHP database
capability, I stepped in and built the MySQL db and PHP code.
[ Contents ]
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eBook Title Page
[ eBook Specification
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Author Page at publisher site
Problem
HandStory customers require information about authors and titles
in order to find books of interest. This information must
be available while keeping the customer at the HandStory site.
Design
A single page dedicated to each author provides the author's biography
and summaries of each title available for download from the
HandStory site.
Solution
PHP and MYSQL are used to generate author pages from two database
tables (the author and book tables). For free
titles, a download link is provided. For commercial titles,
a link to a book details page is created (see below).
Notes
Any book with a price greater than zero is considered commercial.
The price is changed automatically whenever the e-commerce
partner sales page is generated (see below).
Some of Phillip's accomplishments in this project stage: page
design based on appearance of other sections of the Website,
all content, MySQL database, PHP code.
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Publisher Author Page
[ Snapshot
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Book Details Page at publisher site
Problem
Book buyers are accustomed to browsing before buying-- therefore,
the ability to flip through pages and read excerpts is important
for the HandStory eBook service.
Design
Solution
The Book Details page is generateed with a single PHP program
that uses MYSQL to read from the book DB table. If screenshots
are not yet available, a "coming soon" message is
automatically displayed in place of screenshots.
Notes
Some of Phillip's accomplishments in this project stage: page
design based on appearance of other sections of the Website,
all content, MySQL database, PHP code. Integration of Javascript
for dymanic display of images and text excerpts. Creation of
excerpts from each of the books using regular expressions to
access separate text files.
[ Contents ]
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Publisher Book Details Page
[ Snapshot
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Book Details page at e-Commerce
provider site
Problem
- Capture attention in a crowded online marketplace
- Create the atmosphere of a traditional book for an eBook format
that does not allow cover images.
- Guide new users through unique software requirements (i.e.
reader software must be installed before eBook download).
- Design download page with an HTML size limitation of 8 kb.
Design
- Design is bordered, and has an internal consistency, both
of which sets it apart from the surrounding content.
- The banner art evokes the emotion of a traditional book without
suggesting that a book cover image exists. The page includes
a book summary and links to the publisher details page (the
page at HandStory.com) in order to enable the customer to
browse the book.
- The design uses its own internal links to guide customers
to software download, demo download, and purchase, rather than
relying on the Handango links which ignore the unique requirements
of this file format (i.e. reader software must be installed
before eBook download).
Solution
- PHP and MYSQL are used to generate all content and links.
- HTML is pre-compressed to fit within the 8 kb limit.
- The book database table is updated with new book price
and sales ID number, making the eBook automatically available
for sale on the publisher site.
- Images and stylesheet are stored on the HandStory site, but
are referenced in the HTML of the Handango-hosted page.
Notes
Some of Phillip's accomplishments in this project stage: All
design, coding, and posting to host site. All steps listed in
Solution, above.
[ Contents ]
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Retailer Book Details Page
[ Snapshot ]
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