Publishing In The Digital Era

What is Electronic Publishing?

Types of Electronic Publications:
Electronic Books (E-books)
Electronic Journals (E-journals)
What is Electronic Publishing?
 Electronic publishing (EP) defined as “the use of
computers to facilitate production of a printed
product through photocomposition” and “the use
of computers and telecommunications systems to
distribute data to users electronically”. (Kist,1987)
 EP takes many formats, including information resources
of all kinds, educational aids, and games, and other
entertainment products.
 Electronic presentations such as e-journals open many
avenues for improving and extending access to
information, but those involved in publishing them need
excellent skills in writing, editing, and graphics design to
present them effectively.
What is Electronic Publishing?
 Characteristics of EP in the digital era:
 Production and distribution of the document
should be through electronic means.
 Its purpose is to disseminate information.

 It can be accessed and viewed through the

computer or other electronic devices.
 It may be interactive.

 Digital media are used to receive, store, and

transmit information from computer to computer.
Types of Electronic Publications
Electronic Books (E-books)

 Defined as “handheld, stand-alone analogues,

devices such as ultra-portable electronic spell
checkers, dictionaries and other similar reference
tools” (Feldman, 1990)
 The first major initiative in producing electronic books
was the Smart Book in 1984.
 E-books should have the following features:
 Electronic text presented visually to the reader. Images and
audio may also be available.
 Features similar to a physical book, such as the table of
contents, dogged ears or bookmarks, and pages.
 Contents should include the subject, plot or series.
Types of Electronic Publications
Electronic Books (E-books)

 E-books are usually accessible from CD-ROMs, the

Web, or using an electronic handheld reader.
 Benefits of e-books:
 High capacity of storage;
 Speed of use (shorter time);

 Wide range of formats;

 Portability (smaller handheld reader);

 Immediate access to new information and ideas;

 Search and retrieve according user needs.

Types of Electronic Publications
Electronic Journals (E-journals)

 E-journals is defined as “any journal, magazine,

e’zine, Webzine, newsletter or type of electronic
serial publication which is available over the
Internet”.
 There are three types of access systems for e-
journals, which allow either direct or indirect access:
 Delivery systems, where the information is distributed
directly by publishers to users;
 Access systems, which provide access to e-journals from
different publishers, usually on a common topic;
 Identification tools, which are directories and guides.

 Generally, e-journals have been more popular that

their book counterparts.
Types of Electronic Publications
Electronic Journals (E-journals)

 Some benefits of e-journals are:

 Fast;
 Easy;
 Convenient to access;
 Current;
 Searchable;
 Browsable;
 Hyperlinked;
 Retrieved archived issues.
 E-journals have experienced exponential growth since
1991.
 They have played a key role in scholarly
communication by helping researchers and scholars
publish their research in a relatively inexpensive way.