4 ms·

The article says that page flips are better than scrolling for iPad books. I'd say it's one of the form options (http://craigmod.com/journal/ipad_and_books/ ht

The article says that page flips are better than scrolling for iPad books. I'd say it's one of the form options (http://craigmod.com/journal/ipad_and_books/ http://craigmod.com/journal/ipad_and_books/) that designers for an iPad should get to choose. Do you want your book to scroll or flip, or leave that up to the reader? For example, a book of long poems may work well to scroll through each poem, but flip between different ones. The innovative thing about a digital screen is that it de-couples length of a text from the need to flip the page.

MikeCapone 17y ago
Exactly. A choice should be given. But I agree that for the book format, page-flipping should be the default and is more reader-friendly than an endless scroll (as long as the page flipping animation is non-annoying and fast).
wanderr 17y ago
I think the choice should be up to the reader. Especially in texts with figures, tables and illustrations, there's a better chance of being able to see an illustration and the text describing it on the same screen if scrolling is an option, whereas if the text/illustration are separated by a page break and your only option is page flips, you're SOL.
- glhaynes 17y ago
  The very best in most cases would be for the designer to make the 'right' choice for the content... in other words, the best is for the user is to not have a choice but never want one in the first place. It's a joy to use something that's had that level of care put into it. Of course, when that doesn't happen, you need options.
  - jsharpe 17y ago
    That doesn't work when the 'right' choice depends on user preference. The designer can't make a single right choice, because there isn't one in the vast majority of cases. I am reminded of Malcolm Gladwell's talk about tomato sauce. Some people like chunky. Some people like plain.
    - wanderr 17y ago
      Even if there were a right choice, what are the chances of designers choosing it?
- blahedo 17y ago
  If side-by-side pages are allowed (they are) then this is less of a concern. But the real thing you want for texts with figures, tables, and illustrations, is the ability to split-screen. I certainly hope that feature is at least in the pipeline....

MikeCapone 17y ago

Exactly. A choice should be given. But I agree that for the book format, page-flipping should be the default and is more reader-friendly than an endless scroll (as long as the page flipping animation is non-annoying and fast).

wanderr 17y ago

I think the choice should be up to the reader. Especially in texts with figures, tables and illustrations, there's a better chance of being able to see an illustration and the text describing it on the same screen if scrolling is an option, whereas if the text/illustration are separated by a page break and your only option is page flips, you're SOL.

glhaynes 17y ago
The very best in most cases would be for the designer to make the 'right' choice for the content... in other words, the best is for the user is to not have a choice but never want one in the first place. It's a joy to use something that's had that level of care put into it. Of course, when that doesn't happen, you need options.
- jsharpe 17y ago
  That doesn't work when the 'right' choice depends on user preference. The designer can't make a single right choice, because there isn't one in the vast majority of cases. I am reminded of Malcolm Gladwell's talk about tomato sauce. Some people like chunky. Some people like plain.
  - wanderr 17y ago
    Even if there were a right choice, what are the chances of designers choosing it?
blahedo 17y ago
If side-by-side pages are allowed (they are) then this is less of a concern. But the real thing you want for texts with figures, tables, and illustrations, is the ability to split-screen. I certainly hope that feature is at least in the pipeline....