MacNotables #1003 [46:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tonya Engst of TidBITS and Take Control Books spends a lot of time in the world of ebooks, and has some fascinating insights on the most recent developments in the most rapidly-changing part of the publishing industry. Tonya covers the recent flood of ebook readers and the inelegant approach manufactures are taking, the blurring lines between web content, publications and ebooks, and what is needed to produce next-generation ebooks. She has some surprising thoughts on what is needed in ebook standards and why tomorrow’s ebook won’t look like today’s. Tonya also discuses the “silliness” of CES, and suggests an unusual possibility for Apple’s new device: cloth!
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 MacNotables #917 [52:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As the head honcho at Take Control books, Tonya Engst is closely watcing the changes in the eBook market, and delivers her take on how it has developed and exploded. Tonya comments on the Kindle and Kindle DX, their effect on textbook and newspaper publishing, and more. She also covers why users love the iPhone as an ebook reader, explains some challenges to ebook publishing you haven’t thought about, and how they affect you, and why size may trump function in selecting your ebook reader.
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 MacNotables #907 [33:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In the second of a two-part conversation, Tonya Engst of Take Control Books and TidBITS discusses her adventures with group calendaring and how she has settled (for now) on Google Calendar as the best way to manage a host of participants and deadlines. Tonya talks about the flexibility of Google Calendar, how it integrates with web sites, iCal and the iPhone, and why that is important for users of all descriptions. With the release of the new Kindle 2 and the Kindle for iPhone app, Tonya shares her perspective on the changing landscape of eBook publishing and use, and why it isn’t as simple as you might think.
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 MacNotables #904 [52:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

If you haven’t joined Twitter yet, then you need to hear what prompted Ted Landau to get involved. Ted and Chuck Joiner talk about why Ted decided to give Twitter a try and what he gets out of it. Ted explains the methods and benefits of participating, some of the things you need to keep in mind to get the most out of Twitter, and why it is different from other social network options. If you think you’ve heard it all before, you haven’t. Ted then turns his attention to the future of the newspaper industry, how online publications have turned things upside down, and some of the variables that will determine the outcome.

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 MacNotables #902 [45:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Taped live in the PodLoft at Macworld Expo, the panel of Bryan Chaffin, Tonya Engst, Andy Ihnatko and Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus join Chuck Joiner to discuss this year’s show, what might happen at next year’s show and what it has to do with the Great London Fire, deliver some show picks, and comment on the nomination of Andy for NASA Administrator.

Bryan Chaffin

Tonya Engst

Andy Ihnatko

Bob LeVitus

Chuck Joiner

The video version of this session is available as MacVoicesTV #917. Read the rest of this entry »

 

 MacNotables #836 [57:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tonya Engst discusses some new changes and enhancements that are in store for Take Control ebook owners and customers. The pace of change in the Apple product and software world is increasing, and even the regularly updated Take Control books can’t always keep up. Tonya talks about how they will be delivering online supplements to Take Control titles that go beyond their current update, updating the production process to address their current and future plans to make Take Control books available on many different mobile platforms and more.

Tonya then turns her attention to Apple’s announcement of new MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops, the feature sets of each model, and why she will soon be the owner of a new MacBook.

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 MacNotables #831 [41:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It isn’t often that Andy Ihnatko lets his guard down and talks seriously about his methods, his mindset and his career. This is one of those rare times. Andy discusses “new media” and why it really isn’t that new, how the current political process is being affected by new media (or vice versa), and what being a journalist really means. How “Max Headroom” predicted the current state of journalism, why he feels teaching is part of his mission, and how the many new media options increase his reach are included in Andy’s comments, along with some advice for young people who are contemplating journalism as a career.

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 MacNotables #825 [45:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Want to break into the world of Mac journalism? Tonya Engst and Ted Landau talk about how to get started, and why you might not want to quit your day job right away. As the Mac market grows, so does the competition. Tonya and Ted talk about the benefits (or not) of formal training, visibility, practice, networking and more. Think it is all sounds like a lot of work? Find out about different aspects of Mac coverage and why some simple, common-sense characteristics could be what sets you apart in your quest to become the next high-profile Mac journalist.

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 MacNotables #815 [38:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tonya Engst is the owner of an Amazon Kindle. Is she a proud owner? Find out as Tonya discusses why she felt this eBook reader was important enough to own, and why her Amazon shopping habit helped make the decision. The Kindle has received mixed reviews, and Tonya shares her perspectives on usability, readability and the superior buying experience awaiting new Kindle owners. She also covers what was left off of this first version of the unit, the ups and downs of putting your own documents on the Kindle, support for audio media, and the evolving mechanics of eBook ownership.

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 MacNotables #807 [27:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In the second of a three-part series, Adam Engst, Andy Ihnatko and Chuck Joiner debate the relationship between the ease of use of today’s creative tools and the amount of time it takes to learn and use them. Are all the choices available to today’s Mac user a dream come true or a source of frustration. The MacNotables don’t agree on the point and discuss their views on the question.

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