ELECTRONIC BOOKS ON FLOPPY DISKS

With the advent of laser-scanned compact disks for computers known as
digital CD ROM, a wide variety of text information, including some large
reference books, became available to personal computer users. Now, the
time has come for the publication of selected fiction and non-fiction
books on standard poppy diskettes.

The Voyager Company of Santa Monica, California has developed and is
retailing electronic books for Apple Computer's Powerbook"' portable
computer. Previously published titles are being distributed. But, that
small machine displays text and line art only in monochrome.

Another publishing company, SCIENTIFIC SPECIALISTS of Fawnskin, California,
has published a new electronic book for IBM"'compatible PC's. Its first
release is entitled: "AMAZING NEW TRUTHS ABOUT YOUR EMOTIONS." Authored by
Doyle P Henderson, it's being heralded as: "truthfully containing the most
valuable new information in the world." The book details a new process
enabling people to permanently eradicate their fears, anger, and many
other undesired thought-induced human emotions--without knowledge of
psychology or medicine.

Surprisingly, the entire 450+ page book (less the index) has been released
as shareware. As such, the files may be freely copied, read, and studied
by computer users. However, the registered copyright does not authorize
users to print out the document.

The company claims this is the first important scientific breakthrough ever
announced by (and released using) computer diskettes and the shareware
concept. The publisher believes that the book has such great value, that
even after reading it on their computer displays, people will still want
to buy one or more professionally typeset, printed bound copies. Those
FlexSpyn 8 1/2" x 11" printed books also lay flat when opened (while
referring to the step-by-step tutorial). Copies are available for $39.50
plus $3.00 for S&H in the USA.

Two different computer processes were used to produce the two editions of
the book. The printed version used Ventura Publisher Gem desktop
publishing (DTP) and Trinity Software's INDEX!"' programs. Conventionally
printed books were published from high-resolution laser printer outputs.

At the same time, copies of the final files were converted for the floppy
disk edition. The Ventura DTP typographical tags and other codes were
stripped out or converted using Q-Plus' VENEDIT software. Numerous macros
were developed for that purpose.

A special format embedding color codes allowed use of the company's new
proprietary book-displaying software. It converted the coded ASCII text
files into attractive scrollable, colored, self-displaying (.COM or .EXE)
files. Those master files were compressed for diskette and electronic
bulletin board (BBS) distributions.

The electronic edition, distributed as BOOKSOFT"' bookware, already has
been uploaded to numerous bulletin boards (e.g., EXEC-PC) and national
on-line services like Compuserve." Diskettes have been given to various
computer user groups and are also offered at minimal costs both by the
publisher ($5.00 per set, postpaid, and by several popular catalog
shareware disk vendors around the country.

Scientific Specialists calls its process of producing electronic books: "PC
DiskTop Publishing." That's the art of publishing self-displaying books
and other such documents in an easily read format on diskettes.

What with large high-resolution color monitors becoming popular, the
company thinks the time has come for the publication of good books on
floppies. Viewable on almost any IBM compatible PC, BOOKSOFT's electronic
books eliminate users' viewing struggles. These files aren't like those
ugly one-color README.DOC files that quickly scroll off the screen,
require a text viewer, or have to be printed out to be easily read.

BOOKSOFT files automatically install to any hard drive from any size or
density floppy, or from any directory after download from a BBS or LAN. A
"point-and-shoot" menu lets users scroll the contents with arrow keys to
select a chapter to view. Or they can press highlighted hot-keys, or use a
mouse. There's no need to remember or type chapter file names. Each book
chapter displays itself when selected and run.

The format uses colored headings, emphasized words and phrases, and easily
read text--with two spaces between sentences. Extended ASCII characters
permit the use of simple graphics, boxes, and charts without incurring
huge byte consumption. When compressed, the entire book takes less than
1MB disk space. It fits nicely on one high-density floppy of either size.
The company claims its BOOKSOFT line of electronic books installs easy,
checks any drive's available space, and looks great on almost any PC.

Even travelers can now read good books using their light-weight laptop
machines while in flight or at hotels and motels away from home. And
office workers can read novels or good non-fiction books during breaks or
lunch periods--using diskettes kept in their pockets. (The next BOOKSOFT
book is a romantic novel about scuba diving entitled: "Blue Fantasy" by
Snirley Kennedy.)

To make shareware distribution economically practical, BOOKSOFT'' carefully
selects books (primarily non-fiction) that have high and lasting value.

Even though users may read the entire book using a PC, they still may want
to buy the printed edition. Because the disks are sold near cost, the
company's profit potential comes from the sale of its printed books after
a reader has examined the book-on-disk. But, users get real value from
their so-called "shareware registration." To date, orders for both disks
and printed books have begun coming in from all over the country--and
Canada as well.

The company points out that excellent books that might otherwise go
unpublished today can now be widely and profitably distributed both on
disk and in limited print quantities by using the two computer "disktop
and desktop" publishing methods.

Additional information on the text conversion software, copies of BOOKSOFT
floppy disks, or printed books may be obtained from Scientific
Specialists, PO Box 385, Fawnskin, CA 92333, or by calling: (714) 866-6263
 (or check the America Online download libraries for copies of their
releases)

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