Comments on: Palm’s e-autograph idea: Time to revive it—this time on the Web? And maybe even use it to help p-bookstores? http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:57:10 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Chris Meadows http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/comment-page-1/#comment-1080863 Chris Meadows Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:48:59 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/#comment-1080863 The "autograph" function on the old eReader (which is in fact still present in the PalmOS (and I would assume the Windows Mobile) version to this day) would bring up a "paint" screen such that someone could draw on it with the stylus. The signature would then be saved as a bitmap attached to the file, and you would sync it off your device next chance you got and archive it somewhere safe. Whenever you loaded that book from then on, you would see the bitmapped signature on the title page. The idea was that it would be used for authors doing promotional "e-book signings." They'd be told the "secret code" of how to access the autograph function (just write "AU" in the text area on the title page of an eReader-DRM'd book) and would then append their signature. (Of course, the limitations of the touchscreen and the drawing software meant that the signature would invariably come out looking like the author had one too many cups of coffee that morning.) I don't think it ever really took off, but to be fair it <i>was</i> a pretty neat idea. Of course, this system breaks down with the iPhone/iPod Touch, which—even if it supported autographing—doesn't offer any way to move files back off the device (short of jailbreaking it). The “autograph” function on the old eReader (which is in fact still present in the PalmOS (and I would assume the Windows Mobile) version to this day) would bring up a “paint” screen such that someone could draw on it with the stylus. The signature would then be saved as a bitmap attached to the file, and you would sync it off your device next chance you got and archive it somewhere safe. Whenever you loaded that book from then on, you would see the bitmapped signature on the title page.

The idea was that it would be used for authors doing promotional “e-book signings.” They’d be told the “secret code” of how to access the autograph function (just write “AU” in the text area on the title page of an eReader-DRM’d book) and would then append their signature. (Of course, the limitations of the touchscreen and the drawing software meant that the signature would invariably come out looking like the author had one too many cups of coffee that morning.) I don’t think it ever really took off, but to be fair it was a pretty neat idea.

Of course, this system breaks down with the iPhone/iPod Touch, which—even if it supported autographing—doesn’t offer any way to move files back off the device (short of jailbreaking it).

]]> By: Steve Jordan http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/comment-page-1/#comment-1080699 Steve Jordan Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:05:32 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/#comment-1080699 Autographs are a peculiarly "physical" thing that (if it isn't clear by now, it should be) just don't fit the nature of e-books at all. It's basically a local promotional tool for a physical product, but the very idea of hosting a local function for something that can literally be bought globally, and probably not in the actual bookstore, makes little sense to me. And the differences in hardware and software make an on-the-spot timely transfer of any worthwhile electronic product unwieldy (unless you're limiting your event to "Kindle-only" or "iPhone-only" parties. No, thanks). Until physical bookstores work out a practical method for customers to browse and buy e-books in their preferred format at (or through) the store, I'm not sure where the connect is here. Let the "autograph" and physical giveaways remain in the physical world. E-books are a 21st century digital product, and need a 21st century digital kind of promotion. Autographs are a peculiarly “physical” thing that (if it isn’t clear by now, it should be) just don’t fit the nature of e-books at all. It’s basically a local promotional tool for a physical product, but the very idea of hosting a local function for something that can literally be bought globally, and probably not in the actual bookstore, makes little sense to me.

And the differences in hardware and software make an on-the-spot timely transfer of any worthwhile electronic product unwieldy (unless you’re limiting your event to “Kindle-only” or “iPhone-only” parties. No, thanks).

Until physical bookstores work out a practical method for customers to browse and buy e-books in their preferred format at (or through) the store, I’m not sure where the connect is here.

Let the “autograph” and physical giveaways remain in the physical world. E-books are a 21st century digital product, and need a 21st century digital kind of promotion.

]]> By: Mags http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/comment-page-1/#comment-1080286 Mags Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:41:25 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/#comment-1080286 I haven't done postcards, but I offer free signed bookplates to anyone who sends an SASE. I'm happy to personalize them, etc. A friend designed the bookplates--they have the title of the book and are designed to fit six to an 8 1/2" x 11" page. I then print the page onto a full-sheet label and cut them. I sign it and readers can then stick the plate in their copy of the book, and it's like having a personally signed book. It works pretty nicely. I think I've sent out about 100 of them so far. A label won't really work with an ebook but if an ebook reader wanted to collect signed postcards, that would work great. I haven’t done postcards, but I offer free signed bookplates to anyone who sends an SASE. I’m happy to personalize them, etc.

A friend designed the bookplates–they have the title of the book and are designed to fit six to an 8 1/2″ x 11″ page. I then print the page onto a full-sheet label and cut them. I sign it and readers can then stick the plate in their copy of the book, and it’s like having a personally signed book. It works pretty nicely. I think I’ve sent out about 100 of them so far.

A label won’t really work with an ebook but if an ebook reader wanted to collect signed postcards, that would work great.

]]> By: Paul Durrant http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/comment-page-1/#comment-1079737 Paul Durrant Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:21:49 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/#comment-1079737 Given my previous comment on a similar story, my imagination needs a little attention. :-) I can certainly see being able to store a signature/message captured from a touch-screen as a good way of getting an autograph for an ebook. Given my previous comment on a similar story, my imagination needs a little attention. :-)

I can certainly see being able to store a signature/message captured from a touch-screen as a good way of getting an autograph for an ebook.

]]> By: Jack Tingle http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/comment-page-1/#comment-1079734 Jack Tingle Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:03:47 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/#comment-1079734 Wait, you mean dishonest people might get technically savvy and FORGE serial numbered, registered, digital autographs? Good lord, that could lead to all sorts of crimes. Some less talented people might even start taking ink pens and forging signatures in paper books! Regards, Jack Tingle Wait, you mean dishonest people might get technically savvy and FORGE serial numbered, registered, digital autographs? Good lord, that could lead to all sorts of crimes. Some less talented people might even start taking ink pens and forging signatures in paper books!

Regards,
Jack Tingle

]]> By: David Rothman http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/comment-page-1/#comment-1079644 David Rothman Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:35:33 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/#comment-1079644 Hey, Mike, we're talking about individualized messages to the book buyers---and they can specify them. Much more personal than robosig machines! That said, I like the postcard idea you mentioned. I'd love to hear from people who've actually tried it. Thanks, David Hey, Mike, we’re talking about individualized messages to the book buyers—and they can specify them. Much more personal than robosig machines! That said, I like the postcard idea you mentioned. I’d love to hear from people who’ve actually tried it.

Thanks,
David

]]> By: Mike Cane http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/comment-page-1/#comment-1079642 Mike Cane Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:21:30 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/15/palms-e-autograph-idea-time-to-revive-it-this-time-on-the-web-and-maybe-even-use-it-to-help-p-bookstores/#comment-1079642 Of what use is a digital autograph? That's like the machine the President uses to sign pictures and form letters. http://mikecane2008.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/ebook-signings-the-postcard-solution/ Of what use is a digital autograph? That’s like the machine the President uses to sign pictures and form letters.
http://mikecane2008.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/ebook-signings-the-postcard-solution/

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