Digital downloads – How are others handling?

[Magus]

Hi folks – I’ve been selling digital downloads for a couple of years now. Only recently have I moved into the realm of the eStore and I’m hoping to make mine live today or tomorrow.

During the process of configuring, I see we add links so folks may download products. When I first embarked on this journey, before I sold my first eBook, I created the eBooks by using an eBook compiler application called Natata. This packaged the eBook into an EXE file. I figured most folks wouldn’t be too keen on just downloading an EXE, so I used WinZip and created a ZIP that contained the EXE. I then provided downloads of the ZIP.

Then I created some training guides that I offered in Microsoft HTML Help format. For those that are unaware, this is CHM format and will work on nearly any Windows system in modern existence. I was also zipping the CHM file.

Then I began seeing requests for the information in PDF content. So my new approach will be to offer PDF version of the books as well. When dealing with PDF, do most folks zip the PDF? And I’m guessing if I were to zip the PDF, then elect to acquire the PDF stamping plug in, that zip would be frowned upon.

Anyone out there also doing ePubs format?

Thanks for reading. Rick

[wzp]

Instead of using an external program to compress the PDF file, concentrate on using compressed images (JPG, not GIF) in your eBooks. There is an article on the subject at:

http://www.verypdf.com/pdfinfoeditor/compression.htm

If the recommended tool does not affect PDF Stamper’s ability to stamp a file, then I guess it’s okay to use. Perhaps you can try one of these (free) tools on a sample file, and then see if Ivy or Amin can successfully stamp it.

[amin007]

The PDF stamper can handle compression all the way upto 1.7 which is as of today the highest you can get with an official adobe PDF creator.

1.7 gives you nice compression while keeping the quality at a decent level.

Also, using compressed images in your document before you create the PDF file is an excellent idea.

[Author]

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