Nature Publishes a "Post-Gutenberg" Electronic Text 124
lpress writes "Most of today's electronic textbooks are re-purposed versions of print books. Nature has published an e-text that departs from the traditional book format and business model. Their Introduction to Biology e-text was created from the ground up and consists of 196 modules rather than a sequential book and the student gets a lifetime subscription for $49. Nature will continuously update the e-text as the science and pedagogy evolve."
Nice, standard HTML (Score:4, Informative)
They say it's standard HTML. If that's true, it's great - I'll be able to use it on any device anywhere. As long as it can be saved and printed, I'll cheerlead this one all the way.
If they change their mind and add DRM it'll screw up those benefits. So, Nature, do you have the cojones to keep it in an open format?
Re:Levels in a book (Score:4, Informative)
However, a problem with such books is that with material fragmented so much and the structure not visible directly, it is harder for someone to grasp the overall structure of knowledge in the domain if they're first getting oriented.
You can choose to provide, on top of with the multi-level structure:
1. many different "discourses" - linear/navigational paths inside the content. It's like providing many linear books build from the same content (your "prev/next page" nav bar flies on top of the content - instead of being embedded in the pages - and reacts to whatever "ToC" is loaded)
2. Different ontologies [semanticweb.org] to organize the same content based on whatever "knowledge structures" are applicable.
Better yet, if you feel generous, you may provide tools for whatever reader to organize their own discourses/ontologies and share them with others