Files that Last is the first e-book on digital preservation directed at “everygeek.” In case your layout doesn’t show you the page links (e.g., on a mobile device), you can read what the book’s about and how to get it here.
Introducing the update page
May 16, 2013
news books, digital preservation, errata Leave a comment
I’ve launched a page of updates and errata for Files that Last, with some new information on the WebP still image format. As I learn about things that have changed or mistakes in the book, I’ll add to the page.
If you spot anything that you think needs fixing, please let me know.
FTL on Amazon
May 13, 2013
news Amazon, books, Kindle, status Leave a comment
Files that Last is now available as a Kindle e-book.
Smashwords was taking forever to get “technical integration” from Amazon, and when I got a query from a friend about Amazon availability, I decided to go with KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). Amazon’s registration process isn’t more painful than you’d expect, given that they need to pay me and report my income, and the submission process gives me more control than Smashwords’ does, though it takes more work to take full advantage of it. (The best way to submit a book to KDP is as an HTML file with detailed CSS, and saving as HTML from OpenOffice gives you that. I had to make some manual changes to the CSS for a good result.) This means there are some differences in formatting between the Smashwords and KDP editions. There shouldn’t be any differences in content.
I’m not thrilled with Amazon’s commitment to DRM, closed platforms, and licensing rather than really selling e-books, but I don’t dislike them enough to cut myself off from that market. So if you’ve been holding out for the Kindle version, wait no more!
Cinco de Mayo sale!
May 3, 2013
promotion Comments Off
Yes, it’s only tres de mayo, but Sunday is a lousy day to hold a sale. Besides, today is International Day against DRM. For today through the 5th, you can get Files that Last on Smashwords — DRM-free, of course — for the super-low price of $3.20 instead of the usual $7.99. Enter the coupon code TT58Q when buying the book to get this price. If you already have it, why not buying a copy for a friend or colleague?
This applies only to copies bought on Smashwords, not on other sites. Sorry if you prefer to buy on the iTunes store, but I’m not able to issue coupons for other sites.
Correction: Earlier I’d listed $2.99. I wasn’t able to set the price directly on Smashwords, so I had to set it as a percentage off and made it 60% off, setting it to $3.20. Apologies to anyone who was annoyed by the discrepancy.
Promoting FTL
April 29, 2013
advocacy books, digital preservation, publicity Comments Off
Looking for a way to get the word out about digital preservation? I’ve added a new page on reviewing FTL to this site. All publicity (well, nearly all) is good!
FTL, now available from iTunes and Kobo!
April 25, 2013
news books, iTunes Comments Off
You can now buy Files that Last from the iTunes Store or from Kobo!
Which way should you go? I’ll say first of all, just buy the book and I’ll be happy. Buying through Smashwords will give me a bigger cut than the other channels, but a sale’s a sale. If you’re planning to read it on an iPhone, iPod, or iPad, getting it from Apple is the easiest way to get it on there. I don’t really know anything about Kobo.
There should be more ways to buy FTL within the next week or so.
FTL for libraries
April 24, 2013
news books, digital preservation, libraries Comments Off
Libraries can buy Files that Last through Axis360 and Cloud Library, or will be able to at some point in the future. Since libraries are clearly key customers, both as users and as lenders, I’ve made the book available to them at a permanent discount, for $6.99. In addition to those aggregators, buyers can buy through Smashwords’ Library Direct.
Librarians, please let me know if you have good or bad experiences buying the book this way, or if you’ve had past experience with these channels.
FTL Launch Day!
April 18, 2013
news books, digital preservation, status Comments Off
Yes, it’s finally here! You can now buy Files that Last on Smashwords for just $7.99.
In fact, you can buy it for less than that — “for a limited time only,” as they say in the commercials. Enter this coupon code:
TL36C
and you’ll get 20% off. But it’s good only till April 20. I can’t figure out whether than means at the beginning or the end of the day or in what time zone, so use the coupon before the 20th to be safe.
You need a Smashwords account to buy the book. It’s free, and I’ve never been spammed. In time Smashwords will make the book available through other outlets; I’ll post here as I learn about them.
I’m thrilled that the book is finally done and available, but now comes the hard work of selling it. Please mention or review it where interested people will see it. There will be ads (I’ve set up a Google Ad Words account), but the real key to the success of the book will be people who read it and spread the word.
Thanks once again to Matt Leger for the cover and Terri Wells for the proofreading, and to all my Kickstarter backers. Special thanks to Jay Gattuso, who backed the project at the Sponsor level. If you’re one of those backers at the $10 level or higher, you should have gotten a coupon code to download the book for free. If you haven’t received it, get in touch with me and I’ll see what I can do,.
Release date: April 18!
April 10, 2013
news books, digital preservation, status Comments Off
I’m going through the proofread copy and making final corrections. You don’t want to know how many embarrassing typos Terri Wells has saved me from. After that, it’s a matter of getting it up on Smashwords and satisfying all their formatting requirements, and on April 18 it will be available for purchase! Everyone who pledged on Kickstarter at the $10 level or higher will get a code to download it for free.
If you’re involved in a Preservation Week event, please think about a way to include a mention of Files that Last.
I’m thrilled, if slightly exhausted, to be bringing this project to a successful conclusion. Thank you all once again for your support!
Going into final editing
April 8, 2013
news books, digital preservation, status Comments Off
I’ve got Terri Wells’ edits back in the mail, so now I have to make a final run through the book. After making all the corrections, there will still be work to get it up on Smashwords. My experience with JHOVE Tips for Developers, which I did mostly as a practice run, shows that it will take several revision cycles to get the book’s style to satisfy all of Smashwords’ criteria. (JHOVE Tips still doesn’t qualify for the premium catalog.) Smashwords doesn’t have any provision for submitting a book as a private draft, so please don’t buy it till I say here that it’s ready.
The amount of support that I’ve gotten on this project has been fantastic. I hope you’ll be as happy with the result as I am.
Unplugging a running computer doesn't help. Not even in an emergency. Especially not in an emergency.
