If you have never used an eBook you might be a bit reluctant to try it out, it might seem like one more step in the never ending march of technology. Well it is, but it is also a step that I believe offers endless possibilities. I believe eBooks are a huge step towards releasing publishing from the hands of corporations and placing it in the hands of writers.

So Exactly What is an eBook?

An eBook is a digital file, just like the one you are reading now, it can hold the content of any printed book but it can also hold a lot more. Because and eBook is accessed on a computer it can contain files and links that use all your computer's capabilities. Photographs, video clips, sound files, links to websites and active files where you add information for the eBook to respond are all possible.

So an eBook is a bit like a big webpage, it provides you with a story or information and it lets you see or hear that information in many different formats.

Where does My eBook Reside?

This entirely dependent upon the author/publisher, I have made 'Thailand4Kids' a file that you download to your computer. 'Thailand4Kids' is a travel guide so I think it is important that you are able to keep it mobile. You can load 'Thailand4Kids' on to your laptop or PDA, or even place it on a CD.

However, to protect my copyright 'Thailand4Kids' is encrypted, you will need a Username and Password to access 'Thailand4Kids' and you will have to log on to the internet once a month to re-confirm your password. Other than that the eBook 'Thailand4Kids' will be on your computer for you to read whenever you wish.

That Encryption Sounds Complicated

I have chosen to use a piece of software called eBookPro, it is very user friendly, you will have no more trouble logging on than you do when logging onto your emails, even less so because after the first time you log on you will not have to enter your user name and password.

Do I Need to be Connected to the Internet to Read my eBook?

No you do not need to be connected to the internet to read 'Thailand4Kids', you of course need to be connected to the internet to make the initial download and you need to connected to the internet once per month to re-confirm your password, but don't worry that reconfirmation is automatic, it is very easy for you the user.

What if I loose my Password?

That's simple, just drop us an email with the email address you used when you bought 'Thailand4Kids' and we will check your details then send you your user name and password.

How Long Does it take to download Thailand4Kids

'Thailand4Kids' is a file of 16MBites, if you are downloading on Broadband this should take only a few minutes but if you are using a dial up service the file could take a more than an hour to download. If this is a problem, email us and we will look at providing you with copy of 'Thailand4Kids' on disc, you will still need a User Name and Password but at least you will be able to get access to the book with reasonable speed.

Are There Any Restrictions With eBooks?

Yes there are a few, please understand that digital files are extremely easy to reproduce and pass to other people, I have already had one piece of my work stolen and published in a British news paper under someone else's name, theft of copyright is a very common crime, for this reason there are some basic restrictions to using 'Thailand4Kids'.

• You are of course subject to the restrictions of copyright

• You will be given four password licenses, that is you can load ''Thailand4Kids onto 4 computers or onto the same computer 4 times. (Be aware of this, if you have to re-load 'Thailand4Kids' because you have had to re-format your computer or PDA that will use once license).

• You cannot print 'Thailand4Kids', there are important parts of 'Thailand4Kids' that you might need to print, I have provided access to printable files for those parts but I have had to restrict printing of 'Thailand4Kids' as printing comes with too much of a risk in terms of reproduction.

• You cannot 'screen grab' sections of 'Thailand4Kids', this would make it too easy to cut and paste onto other websites.

Its not all Restrictions

'Thailand4Kids' is mobile you can load it on Laptop or a PDA, the font can be read by 'Text to Voice' readers and can be enhanced by software for the visually impaired.

This eBook Thing Sounds Good, I Think I Would Like to Have a Go Myself

It is good, it puts the publishing in the author's hands, for me that has meant I have written the guide I wanted to write, I have not had to add or exclude information to suit some corporate business plan and because my book is a parent talking to parents I think that is important.

If you have a book you want to publish and you want some tips, get in touch. I'll be more than happy to do what I can to help you on the way.