GoodeReader was recently introduced to an international company, FlippingBook, and its software that allows users to upload their content and have an ebook within minutes. Not very revolutionary, given the growing numbers of ebook platforms that let authors upload content and create a book—for free, no less—in the same time frame. Therefore, FlippingBook has been at work on ways to standout by addressing different needs than most other software.
Established in 2004 and releasing updated versions over the years, including the incorporation of cloud-based Publ.com in late 2011, FlippingBook tries to meet the needs of all levels of content producers. With a free version which contains mention of FlippingBook’s logo as well as white-label versions, the software addresses the economic factor for users. More importantly, it also allows for various levels of technological know-how, from the idiot-proof step-by-step option which may be extremely important to businesses, to the more experienced modes which allow installation on several computers and lets contributors collaborate remotely on the same book. Additionally, FlippingBook allows for the production of several different formats for the content, such as the traditional ebook, catalogs, magazines, and more.
FlippingBook has incorporated a number of protections against content theft, while still allowing the author to easily share the material. One of the most interesting features was the ability to embed the entire book for viewing only within a webpage, so potential readers can read the book on a controlled website, without downloading. All of this is offered with what FlippingBook refers to as “unlimited publishing,” since there are no restrictions or limitations on the number of books that can be produced, as well as no limit on the amount of times or locations the created books can be shared.
After viewing the demos and the trial version, possibly the biggest standout is the faster loading speed for the reader. Unlike traditional PDFs, FlippingBook content loads the first few pages immediately, so that as the reader turns the page and continues reading, the next page loads, rather than the more common method of loading an entire document.
While FlippingBook is by no means inexpensive—the software starts at $299 for the basic version and goes as high as $699 for the full bells-and-whistles version—it does produce a user-friendly platform for publishing that offers features that some others do not.
Mercy Pilkington is a Senior Editor for Good e-Reader. She is also the CEO and founder of a hybrid publishing and consulting company.
