Manning ThoutReader EBooks
We are proud to announce the new Manning Thout Reader™ ebook format created by OSoft and developed in the open-source community. We are confident Manning ebook readers will find the features and abilities available through Thout Reader ebooks will far exceed those of our previous ebook format.
Key Features of Thout Reader Ebooks
- Organize a Library of Thout Reader ebooks and reference material.
- Browse through the entire library's content from a single interface.
- Search across multiple ebooks, documents, or folders in as much detail as you need.
- Bookmark favorite references.
- Append any ebook or document in the library. Easily make notes, updates and corrections.
- Public Notes upload your notes to a public server and download notes (from the author or others) that are placed directly in the referenced section of the book.
Why we chose the Thout Reader for our new ebook format
- Thout Reader ebooks are not "hard coded" to a specific machine. Once you buy an ebook and download the reader, you can install it on any of your personal computers.
- Only one ebook license is needed per user.
- Users can use free and powerful creation tools with which to convert their own content and add it to their reference library.
- Thout Reader is designed specifically for a developer's needs and is supported by the open source community.
- The open source architecture provides limitless opportunities for customization and growth.
What to expect
- Output - The ThoutReader takes advantage of the fact that XML is the preferred method of exchanging data over the web. The ThoutReader is not a typeset paginated view (.PDF) designed to replace postscript and replicate the printed page on the monitor. We argue that is not the best way to view documentation on a computer. Thout is designed to make printed material more useful in an electronic format. Pagination is "relative" and flows based on the content selected. For example, you may view an entire chapter, section, or sub-section on one screen. ThoutReader packages inputs data as XHTML and displays it as HTML. It would be similar to viewing your content on a website. .PDFs are often "fuzzy" on a computer monitor and are best viewed as printed documents. ThoutReader formatted ebooks are more environmentally friendly.
- Manning Design – The same meticulous care Manning
puts in their printed books has gone into the ThoutReader implementation.
This includes:
- Wider margins.
- Customized Table of Contents.
- Color-enhanced images.
- Easy-to-read fonts.
- Greater style sheet capabilities to support desired colors.
- Ability to print sections from the ebook.
What's next
OSoft will be releasing these major ThoutReader enhancements in the next few months.
- Timed Key - Manning will soon be able to bring the book store browsing experience directly to your computer. With a timed key, you can browse any of the Manning titles (the complete ebook, not just a sample chapter or two) for a short period of time before you make your buying decision.
- Printing - Manning believes you should be able to print your ebooks. Although the current ThoutReader content can be printed by "copy & paste" in a word processor, we are working closely with OSoft for native ThoutReader printing support.
Getting Started
If you would like to start using Manning ThoutReader ebooks, please see our ThoutReader Setup Guide for instructions.
Coming soon! Manning TR ebooks!
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