Site Update: Optimizing for eBooks and more…
A few changes have been made (with more to come) at NobleDead.org. Some similar changes will follow at BarbHendee.org as time permits. None of this is truly earth shattering, as we’re just cleaning up and streamlining in preparation for additional content in the future. So here’s what’s up and what’s coming… sooner or later…
Links to Books and eBooks at NobleDead.org
We’ve optimized and expanded (where possible) all links in the “Books” and “Tales” pages using vendor icons for easier identification. A few new vendors have been added. All links now lead to the ebook versions on vendor sites. Don’t worry if you favor print books. We’re careful to link vendor pages that include links to the paperback and hardback editions as well.
Links to EBOOK Applications
We’ve expanded links to personal computer applications for ebooks, should you like to try an ebook without having to throw down a chunk of change for an ereader device. That’s the way we believe anyone should test out ebooks for the first time.
Wait on purchasing a device until you can see / compare them first hand in a store or through family and friends. Don’t let anyone tell you what’s best for you. Barb and J.C. have their differing preferences. Personal comfort choices can only be made with device(s) in-hand.
Of course these links to vendor sites often include apps for Android and iOS portable devices as well. Yes, if you buy certain types of devices not locked into one ebook source, you can shop for ebooks from as many vendors as you please. If we’ve overlooked other apps for vendors carrying our works, you can let us know via the “Contact” page.
The Noble Dead Codex
This is one of J.C.’s wild notions for the future. Now that the site is cleaned up a little on the code side, he’ll put in some of his copious (ha!) free time in returning to it. The first step for such a new section on the site is to continue efforts to get the old Noble Dead Glossary back online… and updated of course.
The Glossary Re-envisioned
So far, attempts to find an acceptable and embeddable “wiki” service have failed completely. Most cannot be secured against public access for editing, which leads too over-zealous content additions that produce spoilers. Wikis are also terrible overall for importing / exporting organized data without excess editing after the fact. Not to mention the most third party wiki services want dominance for all entered data entered in their system to do with as they please; that is not acceptable for copyrighted material.
What all this means is finding a way to produce a localized version of the Glossary without server-side data support that is still searchable and browse-able. This means returning to something based on data export from our own intranet databases that can be interpreted by a browser-side application that runs without the need of annoying plugins. Not impossible, but labor intensive. J.C. is open to suggestions from all about any JQuery or other browser-side web application that can read, structure, and possibly make seachable a data exported to:
- CSV (Comma Separated Values)
- TSV (Tab Separated Values)
- XLS (Excel Spreadsheet)
Online Maps
This is also something that was offered at the old Nobledead.COM site. It is secondary to the Glossary, though it has been requested in recent times. The objective here (in the long run) will be to produce online maps that are a little better than just JPG image files; perhaps something a bit more scalable and zoom-able would be nice.
Again, suggestions are welcome, though J.C. has searched around a bit. The maps in our works (made by J.C.) were compiled from parts generated with several different applications and then laid out using Abode Illustrator. Export to SVG is possible though the result has yet to be tested. Something to keep in mind if you can suggest a browser side web app that might be useful.
Other stuff
Yes, there might be other entries of interest to add to an online reference or codex for readers of works set in the world of the Noble Dead Saga. Again, feel free to suggest anything except online language dictionaries; that would be a monster of a project we would never take on.
The Codex as an eBook
Ultimately, this would be nice down the road. All content in a proposed “Codex” section could be recompiled into an ebook updated once or twice per year. In turn, it would be made available for free at any vendor where we distribute our private works, such as the “Tales from the world of the Noble Dead Saga.” That’s a way’s off as yet, so we’ll end things here. There’s already a lot of writing going on around the house… which is what’s most important to you, right?
