http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/item/9287/
Could be used for:
Ubuntu documentation
Project Gutenberg
Wikibooks
...and many more

The ebooks would simply go to a folder called ebooks (and a categorized sub folder if specified). A simple launcher in "Places" would provide access via Nautilus for browsing capability (using thumbnail views of ebook file types)

This would provide great benefit to Edubuntu users in particular due to the availability of classic literature in Project Gutenberg and the textbooks from wikibooks.

[63 votes] Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #9287


]]> en-us Fri, 30 May 2008 22:53:11 +0000 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:01:25 +0000 QAPoll module http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/9287/
That idea could contribute to Ubuntu's marketing putting it as an education defender in partnership with the Gutemberg project, for example.]]> Fri, 30 May 2008 23:39:02 +0000
All kidding aside, making a special installer program that would download the books from the Project Gutenberg website (or have a mirror under Ubuntu's domain) would be much more time- and space-saving than having a repo (which would be larger than having compressed text files, because .deb files have all that extra info).

Plus, repos are typically used for apps and stuff that need to be periodically updated.]]> Sat, 31 May 2008 05:12:59 +0000 I think technosaurus is not restricting his idea to Gutemberg... it was just an example.And what is he problem about continuously upgrading the books or leaving them static ?

The difference it would make is that we could search locally for books in the same way we do for software. Easy to search an install is really what makes the difference in Debian for many people btw.]]> Sat, 31 May 2008 16:23:21 +0000 Sat, 31 May 2008 17:02:31 +0000
The classic literature (such as those found in project Gutenberg) could be pretty much static, whereas wiki-textbooks could be maintained with current upstream updates roughly twice a year or so.

Writing a whole separate program to browse one of the many sources of ebooks would exclude the others, whereas writing a script to package them would be just as easy if not easier, with the added bonus of single-source, easy browsing and compression (more than makes up for all the DEB stuff)

Readily available and easily browsable ebooks would also be an outstanding enhancement to the Ubuntu mobile edition, since these types of devices typically make great ebook readers.
]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:52:23 +0000
Repos are for stuff that ARE PERIODICALLY UPDATED! If you have a large cache of debian packages...sure, it's about the same thing, but you don't have a thousand machines checking this repo for upgrades (which there aren't) every day. Seriously, repos are for documentation at most.]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:25:51 +0000 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:03:14 +0000
I think I'm going to try this task (or something similar). I work full-time and have limited time to work on things, so don't expect something next week. ;)

My idea is more of an eBook/Project Gutenburg browser/reader. It goes along with a generic idea I've had for YEARS. I'd like to set it up so that you can browse Project Gutenburg (or possibly other website). You can read book on the screen (try to make it "easy on the eyes") or save it locally in such a way the program will let you keep bookmarks and notes.

If you have any questions or suggestion, please send them to me. king underscore termite [%AT%] hotmail *$dot$* com
]]> Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:35:45 +0000 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LibriVox

* http://www.gutenberg.org/
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Gutenberg]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:01:25 +0000