books vs. ipad
I commented this, but I think it is relevant to how we design for screen.
http://craigmod.com/journal/ipad_and_books/
The most interesting part of the article is about content.. Formless content and Definite content..
how do they relate, and how do you take the content we are familiar with in books, and translate it (the same content) in a way that is it understood in a new medium? but so it works for that medium to it’s full advantage..
“in the context of the book as an object, the key difference between Formless and Definite Content is the interaction between the content and the page. Formless Content doesn’t see the page or its boundaries. Whereas Definite Content is not only aware of the page, but embraces it. It edits, shifts and resizes itself to fit the page. In a sense, Definite Content approaches the page as a canvas — something with dimensions and limitations — and leverages these attributes to both elevate the object and the content to a more complete whole.
Put very simply, Formless Content is unaware of the container. Definite Content embraces the container as a canvas. Formless content is usually only text. Definite content usually has some visual elements along with text.”
the ipad totally shifts the idea, is it easier to read a book on screen?
you make your own opinion.
about 2 years ago
I saw when you commented this article on Logan’s post so I figured I would comment on it. This article covers a lot. And I think you make a good point about the difference between the Formless and Definite content. To me, I think the iPad is going to do a lot for the book and magazine industry. There is definitely a plus to the physical content of books, but in terms of the the legibility on screen being easier than to read a normal book, I wasn’t sure until I found this video that I posted about a 99 year old woman who started reading and writing again using the iPad.
This kindof falls off the argument about content, but I think either way, the iPad will be able to embrace the content of books and or magazines, in the same manner as the actual physical printed pieces do. But after viewing the video, it impressed me how a 99 year old woman, who had never owned a computer before, can work, navigate through, and understand the iPad. She claims its because of the backlit screen and enlarged type that makes it possible for her to read again. The idea of books switching to the iPad gives opportunity to those (old, young, and all of the above) the ability to change the content based on their knowledge? reading skills? etc. It could be interesting.