I decided to change it to only the first 15 pages. You get the idea from the first 15 and build enough interest for those who might buy. The preview on blurb is so good at full screen that if I could view the whole thing at any time... I'm not sure I would buy it. Also, the idea that in bookstores you can preview the whole thing before you buy makes sense, but I don't think the logic transfers to online print on demand books. When you're in a bookstore thumbing through a photo book... if you really like it, you'll buy it to take home or as a gift. With online previews, it's always there and handy to be viewed at any time. I decided to change it to only the first 15 pages. You get the idea from the first 15 and build enough interest for those who might buy. The preview on blurb is so good at full screen that if I could view the whole thing at any time… I’m not sure I would buy it. Also, the idea that in bookstores you can preview the whole thing before you buy makes sense, but I don’t think the logic transfers to online print on demand books. When you’re in a bookstore thumbing through a photo book… if you really like it, you’ll buy it to take home or as a gift. With online previews, it’s always there and handy to be viewed at any time.

2009-11-20T20:48:55Z

32472

7687

2009-11-20T20:48:55Z

188171

Hi,Just published a 40 page book and selected show all for the preview. However, with full screen preview it actually looks pretty good and you can even read the whole thing. What is the general consensus if you're trying to sell your book? Show all? The first 15? Or an intriguing mix? http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/977457 Hi,Just published a 40 page book and selected show all for the preview. However, with full screen preview it actually looks pretty good and you can even read the whole thing. What is the general consensus if you’re trying to sell your book? Show all? The first 15? Or an intriguing mix? <a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/977457">http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/977457</a>

2009-11-20T19:43:07Z

32470

7687

2009-11-20T19:43:07Z

188171

I can't believe it's taken 2 years since my last blurb book. I was very impressed with the printing on that first book and I understand everything has even improved from there! Can't wait to see what difference "premium paper" makes. :-) http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/977457 I can’t believe it’s taken 2 years since my last blurb book. I was very impressed with the printing on that first book and I understand everything has even improved from there! Can’t wait to see what difference “premium paper” makes. :-) <a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/977457">http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/977457</a>

2009-11-20T17:23:10Z

32460

7685

2009-11-20T17:23:10Z

188171

Never mind. The shipping really isn't that bad and with your current Holiday sale... I decided to just pull the trigger. Really curious if the premium paper version I ordered makes a difference and decided to wait until I get these first books before I put together the larger one. http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/977457 Never mind. The shipping really isn’t that bad and with your current Holiday sale… I decided to just pull the trigger. Really curious if the premium paper version I ordered makes a difference and decided to wait until I get these first books before I put together the larger one. <a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/977457">http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/977457</a>

2009-11-20T17:21:10Z

32459

7679

2009-11-20T17:21:10Z

188171

I discovered the same thing, ie. de-selecting the "All Photos" on the iPhoto stream. I haven't used BookSmart in almost 2 years so when I launched the fresh version... I was like "what are all these iPhoto images doing in here? I didn't import these! How do I get them out of my BookSmart project?"It makes sense I suppose that you couldn't delete the images represented within your iPhoto libraries, but the way it's laid out, it's not really intuitive. Seems like it'd be better if "show all" for your iPhoto library isn't the default setting. Just my $.02 worth. ;-) I discovered the same thing, ie. de-selecting the "All Photos" on the iPhoto stream. I haven’t used BookSmart in almost 2 years so when I launched the fresh version… I was like "what are all these iPhoto images doing in here? I didn’t import these! How do I get them out of my BookSmart project?"It makes sense I suppose that you couldn’t delete the images represented within your iPhoto libraries, but the way it’s laid out, it’s not really intuitive. Seems like it’d be better if "show all" for your iPhoto library isn’t the default setting. Just my $.02 worth. ;-)

2009-11-20T15:40:29Z

32451

7536

2009-11-20T15:40:29Z

188171

Do'h! I didn't see that. Just looked kinda squarish to me and wanted to make sure. From past experience, I know it's impossible to cancel if you make a mistake. Mine says 10x8 so I guess it's the right one. Thanks.Also, if I wanted to put together another book... is there a way I can order from both initially for the same shipping charges? Or, must you pay full shipping and handling on two separate orders? ie. the book I made is a combination of text and photos in the 10x8 format. If I want to make a large square photo book AND text only version in the small b/w size... can I order all three at the same time for the same shipping & handling charges?    Do’h! I didn’t see that. Just looked kinda squarish to me and wanted to make sure. From past experience, I know it’s impossible to cancel if you make a mistake. Mine says 10×8 so I guess it’s the right one. Thanks.Also, if I wanted to put together another book… is there a way I can order from both initially for the same shipping charges? Or, must you pay full shipping and handling on two separate orders? ie. the book I made is a combination of text and photos in the 10×8 format. If I want to make a large square photo book AND text only version in the small b/w size… can I order all three at the same time for the same shipping & handling charges?

2009-11-20T00:49:49Z

32436

7679

2009-11-20T00:49:49Z

188171

I've had some trouble with BookSmart, but after a few workarounds... am finally to the point of ordering my book. I selected the 8x10 landscape book but the preview looks more squarish to me. Is there any way to verify for sure that I'm set up for the 8x10 landscape format?I selected the cover layout to edit and selected the photo box that covers the front. The dimensions read a little over 10x8in before the trim. Is this absolute verification I've got the correct format?Ready to place the order, but need to know where I can absolutely verify my format is correct.  I’ve had some trouble with BookSmart, but after a few workarounds… am finally to the point of ordering my book. I selected the 8×10 landscape book but the preview looks more squarish to me. Is there any way to verify for sure that I’m set up for the 8×10 landscape format?I selected the cover layout to edit and selected the photo box that covers the front. The dimensions read a little over 10×8in before the trim. Is this absolute verification I’ve got the correct format?Ready to place the order, but need to know where I can absolutely verify my format is correct.

2009-11-19T21:49:15Z

32424

7679

2009-11-19T21:49:15Z

188171

I don't know if this helps... but, I've noticed that consistently, when using BookSmart and then opening Word from Office X, BookSmart begins to slow down and then crash. Once it's crashed, you can relaunch and use it a bit longer, and then it crashes again, and again. The only thing to do once it's crashing is to restart the system. If I use BookSmart without launching Word, it seems to not crash at all. It's slow as "heck", but it doesn't crash and if I turn off "show all photos" in iPhoto it's a little better. My iPhoto is old too (version 6)... because I really don't use iPhoto that much and it suffices for my limited use. But, if your  BookSmart app is so closely tied to iPhoto, perhaps that could be an issue? Is there any way to remove the handshaking with iPhoto via preferences? I don’t know if this helps… but, I’ve noticed that consistently, when using BookSmart and then opening Word from Office X, BookSmart begins to slow down and then crash. Once it’s crashed, you can relaunch and use it a bit longer, and then it crashes again, and again. The only thing to do once it’s crashing is to restart the system. If I use BookSmart without launching Word, it seems to not crash at all. It’s slow as "heck", but it doesn’t crash and if I turn off "show all photos" in iPhoto it’s a little better. My iPhoto is old too (version 6)… because I really don’t use iPhoto that much and it suffices for my limited use. But, if your  BookSmart app is so closely tied to iPhoto, perhaps that could be an issue? Is there any way to remove the handshaking with iPhoto via preferences?

2009-11-19T14:21:53Z

32397

7395

2009-11-19T14:21:53Z

188171

I haven't made a blurb book in almost a couple years and am making my second one now. I'd hoped the software had improved. The features seem to have definitely improved.... but this dog is crashing almost constantly. VERY frustrating. I've got too much time into this new book to scrap it and try out Lulu or MyPublisher instead... so, I'm REALLY hoping there's a patch to repair this POS Book Smart app soon. I don't think I've lost data yet, but it's getting dicey. This is just a 40page landscape book with text and images. I'm using a rock solid MacbookPro 2.3Ghz with 3GB RAM, Snow Leopard 10.6.2I do like the features and tools in this app, but I can't remember using a more unstable piece of software. Really hope something is done to fix it because I wanted to make a few books quickly. Using the lastest version installed fresh 2.5.1 (no patch applied) I haven’t made a blurb book in almost a couple years and am making my second one now. I’d hoped the software had improved. The features seem to have definitely improved…. but this dog is crashing almost constantly. VERY frustrating. I’ve got too much time into this new book to scrap it and try out Lulu or MyPublisher instead… so, I’m REALLY hoping there’s a patch to repair this POS Book Smart app soon. I don’t think I’ve lost data yet, but it’s getting dicey. This is just a 40page landscape book with text and images. I’m using a rock solid MacbookPro 2.3Ghz with 3GB RAM, Snow Leopard 10.6.2I do like the features and tools in this app, but I can’t remember using a more unstable piece of software. Really hope something is done to fix it because I wanted to make a few books quickly. Using the lastest version installed fresh 2.5.1 (no patch applied)

2009-11-18T14:41:27Z

32352

7395

2009-11-18T14:41:27Z

188171

I have the same problem... I tried to simply import about 90 images I was going to work with. I selected ONLY the images I wanted to use in the book, and HUNDREDS of images populated the library.  I also noticed the simply creating this book dropped my harddrive space by 2GB!!! This is only about 200MB of images. I've tried right clicking the images I don't want in the library but the "delete" option is greyed out.  Heip please.  Using a Mac with SnowLeopard 10.6.2 I have the same problem… I tried to simply import about 90 images I was going to work with. I selected ONLY the images I wanted to use in the book, and HUNDREDS of images populated the library.  I also noticed the simply creating this book dropped my harddrive space by 2GB!!! This is only about 200MB of images. I’ve tried right clicking the images I don’t want in the library but the "delete" option is greyed out.  Heip please.  Using a Mac with SnowLeopard 10.6.2

2009-11-16T21:10:21Z

32304

7536

2009-11-16T21:10:21Z

188171

Hmmmm.... anyone there? Sending support the question a better route? Hmmmm…. anyone there? Sending support the question a better route?

2009-03-30T05:01:00Z

24521

5740

2009-03-30T05:01:00Z

188171

Well... now I just looked through the B/W demo video and you CAN put B/W images in. Now I'm not sure if this is a good option for a B/W photography book or not. Anyone know for sure? Well… now I just looked through the B/W demo video and you CAN put B/W images in. Now I’m not sure if this is a good option for a B/W photography book or not. Anyone know for sure?

2009-03-29T18:12:51Z

24506

5740

2009-03-29T18:12:51Z

188171

Oh snap! Just found it... nevermind... just for b/w text. Oh snap! Just found it… nevermind… just for b/w text.

2009-03-29T18:06:32Z

24505

5740

2009-03-29T18:06:32Z

188171

I haven’t done a blurb book in about a year and was getting ready to do a new one. Might do one of just black and white images… and noticed there’s a new B/W choice. Is this just for text books without images? Or would it be appropriate for black and white photography as well? Skip Hunt Austin, Texas <a href="http://skiphunt.carbonmade.com/">http://skiphunt.carbonmade.com</a> <a href="http://www.skiphuntphotography.com/">http://www.skiphuntphotography.com</a> <a href="http://skiphuntphotography.tumblr.com/">http://skiphuntphotography.tumblr.com</a> I haven’t done a blurb book in about a year and was getting ready to do a new one. Might do one of just black and white images… and noticed there’s a new B/W choice. Is this just for text books without images? Or would it be appropriate for black and white photography as well? Skip Hunt Austin, Texas <a href="http://skiphunt.carbonmade.com/">http://skiphunt.carbonmade.com</a> <a href="http://www.skiphuntphotography.com/">http://www.skiphuntphotography.com</a> <a href="http://skiphuntphotography.tumblr.com/">http://skiphuntphotography.tumblr.com</a>

2009-03-29T17:14:18Z

24504

5740

2009-03-29T17:14:18Z

188171

Ummm... was this the wrong topic for this question? Seems like it has to do with "book printing".  Is the new B/W (text) books ONLY for "text"? Or, would they be appropriate for B/W photos too?   Ummm… was this the wrong topic for this question? Seems like it has to do with "book printing".  Is the new B/W (text) books ONLY for "text"? Or, would they be appropriate for B/W photos too?

2009-03-29T14:42:35Z

24499

5728

2009-03-29T14:42:35Z

188171

I haven't done a blurb book in about a year and was getting ready to do a new one. Might do one of just black and white images... and noticed there's a new B/W choice. Is this just for text books without images? Or would it be appropriate for black and white photography as well? Skip Hunt Austin, Texas http://skiphunt.carbonmade.com http://www.skiphuntphotography.com http://skiphuntphotography.tumblr.com I haven’t done a blurb book in about a year and was getting ready to do a new one. Might do one of just black and white images… and noticed there’s a new B/W choice. Is this just for text books without images? Or would it be appropriate for black and white photography as well? Skip Hunt Austin, Texas <a href="http://skiphunt.carbonmade.com">http://skiphunt.carbonmade.com</a> <a href="http://www.skiphuntphotography.com">http://www.skiphuntphotography.com</a> <a href="http://skiphuntphotography.tumblr.com">http://skiphuntphotography.tumblr.com</a>

2009-03-28T19:06:19Z

24469

5728

2009-03-28T19:06:19Z

188171

Jack, Sweet. But, now I don't have an excuse for putting off the work publishing my next book. ;-) Jack, Sweet. But, now I don’t have an excuse for putting off the work publishing my next book. ;-)

2008-04-11T16:55:51Z

11794

2524

2008-04-11T16:55:51Z

188171

I would prefer to have to not buy another book just to take advantage of new promo upgrades. I think I'll just hold off and wait unless the staff says the upgrades will be backward compatible. I would prefer to have to not buy another book just to take advantage of new promo upgrades. I think I’ll just hold off and wait unless the staff says the upgrades will be backward compatible.

2008-04-09T19:37:39Z

11707

2524

2008-04-09T19:37:39Z

188171

@ Jack.. coolness. Can you at least say if these new ways will be retroactive for books already online? I'm getting ready to do a new one.. but if already having it online will make it a "legacy" book and not get the new promo treatment you're hinting at.. then maybe I should hold off another month before publishing? @ Jack.. coolness. Can you at least say if these new ways will be retroactive for books already online? I’m getting ready to do a new one.. but if already having it online will make it a “legacy” book and not get the new promo treatment you’re hinting at.. then maybe I should hold off another month before publishing?

2008-04-09T13:34:27Z

11689

2524

2008-04-09T13:34:27Z

188171

Well, the idea was.. that when I'm shopping in a book store, if I can't flip through a sample copy first, I simply won't buy. Unless I know the artist and am a fan of their work. Those art books that are shrink-wrapped with no sample copy to browse through, don't even get a second look from me. If there were a low-res flash or other technology that allowed you to browse the entire contents before you buy, I think sales would improve. On the other hand, there's the idea that maybe the first 15 pages in a pdf that blurb delivers... serves to entice the buyer into wanting to buy the book to see the rest? Not sure, but I can say from my own personal buying habits.... I need to be able to browse an art book before I decide if I'm going to own it or not. Well, the idea was.. that when I’m shopping in a book store, if I can’t flip through a sample copy first, I simply won’t buy. Unless I know the artist and am a fan of their work. Those art books that are shrink-wrapped with no sample copy to browse through, don’t even get a second look from me. If there were a low-res flash or other technology that allowed you to browse the entire contents before you buy, I think sales would improve. On the other hand, there’s the idea that maybe the first 15 pages in a pdf that blurb delivers… serves to entice the buyer into wanting to buy the book to see the rest? Not sure, but I can say from my own personal buying habits…. I need to be able to browse an art book before I decide if I’m going to own it or not.

2008-04-08T13:46:46Z

11650

2524

2008-04-08T13:46:46Z

188171

Doesn't have to be done manually. This artist put together a book at a competitor and the resulting preview is a flash flip book of the entire thing. <a href="http://www.photoworks.com/storefront/detailBook.jsp;jsessionid=DED6E39C3FA7B42FC5632414820BDA7B?prID=22181159&key=TomRomeo&toh=s&cb=PW&guest=true&svr=web7">Link</a> Doesn’t have to be done manually. This artist put together a book at a competitor and the resulting preview is a flash flip book of the entire thing. <a href="http://www.photoworks.com/storefront/detailBook.jsp;jsessionid=DED6E39C3FA7B42FC5632414820BDA7B?prID=22181159&key=TomRomeo&toh=s&cb=PW&guest=true&svr=web7">Link</a>

2008-04-05T01:39:06Z

11576

2524

2008-04-06T01:35:41Z

188171

I've noticed a couple of the Blurb competitors (Geez! Can you believe how many companies are getting into the POD game?) anyway... I've noticed that a couple of Blurb competitors show their book preview as a Flash-based flip book to look through the entire book instead of just the first 15 pages as a PDF as Blurb now does. Any chance Blurb will change to this kind of preview instead? I think it's MUCH better and gives the buyer much more confidence before buying if they can at least see beyond the first 15 pages. I see that Blurb is already using a flip-book style like I've described on their "Book Ideas" page. Can publishers get that kind of preview too? I’ve noticed a couple of the Blurb competitors (Geez! Can you believe how many companies are getting into the POD game?) anyway… I’ve noticed that a couple of Blurb competitors show their book preview as a Flash-based flip book to look through the entire book instead of just the first 15 pages as a PDF as Blurb now does. Any chance Blurb will change to this kind of preview instead? I think it’s MUCH better and gives the buyer much more confidence before buying if they can at least see beyond the first 15 pages. I see that Blurb is already using a flip-book style like I’ve described on their “Book Ideas” page. Can publishers get that kind of preview too?

2008-04-03T15:00:54Z

11524

2524

2008-04-03T15:00:54Z

188171

I want to layout a new photo book, but this time I was going to offer 3 versions of the same book. All identicle except for the size. Is there a trick or easy way to do that with BookSmart? Or, must you lay them all out individually?Also, if I'm making all three sizes available of the same book.. do I have to order a copy of each for myself? I want to layout a new photo book, but this time I was going to offer 3 versions of the same book. All identicle except for the size. Is there a trick or easy way to do that with BookSmart? Or, must you lay them all out individually?Also, if I’m making all three sizes available of the same book.. do I have to order a copy of each for myself?

2008-02-04T20:25:24Z

9876

2150

2008-02-04T20:25:24Z

188171

On the one book I did.. I ordered both a hard and soft cover to compare. The internal pages looked pretty much the same. The dust cover printing on the hardcover book actually looked slightly better than the actual book. Perhaps the 7x7 dust jackets are done on the indigo?Can someone at blurb say whether or not anything has changed regarding print quality in the 7x7 size since October? thanks.  On the one book I did.. I ordered both a hard and soft cover to compare. The internal pages looked pretty much the same. The dust cover printing on the hardcover book actually looked slightly better than the actual book. Perhaps the 7×7 dust jackets are done on the indigo?Can someone at blurb say whether or not anything has changed regarding print quality in the 7×7 size since October? thanks.

2008-01-15T22:22:01Z

9001

1972

2008-01-15T22:22:01Z

188171

I put together my first book back in October. Just did the 7x7in and was pleased for the most part with the printing. However, at the time only the larger books were printed by indigo presses and the small ones were an HP printer. At the time I decided.. though the 7x7in HP printed books were acceptable... I decided that next time I'd go ahead and do the larger book to get the nicer indigo printing. Recently, someone asked me about the blurb book quality on another gallery site and I told them I found the 7x7 books certainly acceptable, but that the next time I'd move up a size to get indigo printing. They told me that the 7x7in books had improved in quality since October and that now ALL books were being printed on the indigo presses.  Is this true? I want to do more books in the 7x7in size as portfolio pieces (not necessarily to sell ~ though I'd welcome that too) I need the quality to be the best and in my experience the indigo is a better press. I really don't need the larger book size for these... so, if they are now in fact being printed on the indigo in the 7x7 size.. I'd be thrilled.    I put together my first book back in October. Just did the 7×7in and was pleased for the most part with the printing. However, at the time only the larger books were printed by indigo presses and the small ones were an HP printer. At the time I decided.. though the 7×7in HP printed books were acceptable… I decided that next time I’d go ahead and do the larger book to get the nicer indigo printing. Recently, someone asked me about the blurb book quality on another gallery site and I told them I found the 7×7 books certainly acceptable, but that the next time I’d move up a size to get indigo printing. They told me that the 7×7in books had improved in quality since October and that now ALL books were being printed on the indigo presses.  Is this true? I want to do more books in the 7×7in size as portfolio pieces (not necessarily to sell ~ though I’d welcome that too) I need the quality to be the best and in my experience the indigo is a better press. I really don’t need the larger book size for these… so, if they are now in fact being printed on the indigo in the 7×7 size.. I’d be thrilled.

2008-01-15T15:51:06Z

8965

1972

2008-01-15T15:51:06Z

188171