Proboscis | Diffusion eBooks Generator

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ABOUT DIFFUSION eBOOK GENERATOR

Proboscis is developing an online application allowing visitors to the site to create their own DIFFUSION eBooks. The aim is to extend the usefulness and accessibility of the DIFFUSION publishing format beyond designers with access to dedicated desktop publishing software – to create an online community tool that is useable by anyone with access to the internet.
This version of the system is a prototype.

Development Team: Giles Lane, Diab Al-Kudairi & Marcel Weiher
The Generator is being written in Python using ReportLab.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Simply paste text and images into the online template, using carriage returns to apply basic layout control. When you are happy with your content and layout, submit the form to the DIFFUSION server which will automatically generate a PDF file to download or have emailed to you.

In future you will be able to specify whether your eBook is for private or public use – if you choose to make your eBook public, a record will be created in an online database and a copy of the eBook stored online. Others will then be able to browse the Public eBook Generator Library and download selected eBooks.

WHAT CAN I USE IT FOR?

The DIFFUSION format is extremely flexible and can be used in many ways, such as for:

publishing essays, short stories or poems
creating simple, easy to distribute manuals and instructions
distributing lecture notes to students
creating a portable family picture album
creating a visual record of a journey
making a personal diary or journal
electronic portfolios for artists
anthropology / ethnography notebooks & diaries for fieldwork
local newsletters or pamphlets
an iterative tool for brainstorming & innovation workshops

GENERATOR LIBRARY

A library of submitted Generator eBooks will be maintained by Proboscis.
Visitors will be able to browse eBooks generated by others according to author, title, date, genre, description and keyword.
Users of this service will be able to create a account that will allow them to save their eBooks to our server (subject to acceptable use), adding such search criteria as genre, keywords and a short description.

FEEDBACK

We are keen to learn more about the usefulness of the application, as well as usability issues. Once you have submitted your text/images, a feedback form will open in a new webpage inviting you to give us your thoughts. We appreciate all comments in the spirit of open development of useful online tools.

OPEN SOURCE, CREATIVE COMMONS & DERIVATIVE WORKS

Proboscis will make the code for creating the Generator available to others to design and create their own eBook Generators under a Creative Commons License. This specifies that you must attribute credit to Proboscis as the original author of the Generator and that you share alike any modifications or transformations that you make to the work.

Proboscis particularly hopes to find partners who may be able to develop other language versions of the Generator to widen the potential uses and user base of the Generator beyond the English-speaking world.


	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Privacy Policy \| Acceptable Use Policy Last updated January 19, 2004