ReaderWorks 2.0 From OverDrive Makes Creating Microsoft Reader eBooks Even Easier

 

REDMOND, Wash. and CLEVELAND — Feb. 19, 2002 — Microsoft Corp. and OverDriveÒ Inc., leading providers of eBook, digital rights management (DRM) and digital media technologies, today announced the introduction of ReaderWorksÒ 2.0, the leading suite of eBook authoring and conversion tools for creating MicrosoftÒ Reader eBooks with Microsoft ClearType® display technology. These exciting new tools make publishing eBooks in Microsoft Reader format even easier. ReaderWorks 2.0 products include new and enhanced features that take advantage of Microsoft Reader version 2.0.

“Microsoft Reader launched our effort to improve on-screen reading and helped enable the flow of premium digital content — we continue to innovate and deliver on that vision,” said Dick Brass, vice president of Technology Development at Microsoft. “The ePublishing industry has responded to our efforts by creating essential publishing tools, such as OverDrive’s ReaderWorks 2.0, and services that make it easy to publish content that is attractive and exciting to book lovers. We continue to invest in technologies that ensure long-term prospects for growth and are delighted that Microsoft Reader has been so strongly embraced by the publishing community.”

“ReaderWorks 2.0 is an affordable, turnkey solution for publishers, editors or authors who want to explore how eBooks can attract new audiences, extend their publishing to digital markets and enhance the overall reading experience,” said Steve Potash, CEO of OverDrive.

More than 250,000 people and thousands of schools and publishers worldwide have used OverDrive ReaderWorks to build Microsoft Reader eBooks with a clean, dynamic layout and print-like display. In addition, leading corporations, publishing and production houses worldwide use OverDrive ReaderWorks to automate eBook production throughout their enterprises. New features of ReaderWorks Publisher 2.0 include the following:

  • The ability to create Microsoft Reader eBooks directly from Microsoft Word documents
  • Navigation Workspace and Tour Wizard tools for creating custom tours through an eBook title
  • Table of contents support for Microsoft Word Bookmarks and additional styles
  • Flexible eBook cover page options including support for building smaller eBook files
  • Enhanced support for external HTML tags
  • Improved support for Open eBook (OeB) and XML tags

OverDrive also offers OverDrive Connect, an ASP service that enables Web site content to be instantly delivered to visitors as Microsoft Reader eBooks. By simply adding a link from a Web site to the OverDrive Connect Server, readers can immediately download any article, document, manual or Web page to their computer, notebook or Pocket PC. With optional DRM technology, premium content and copyrighted material can be securely wrapped and protected for distribution. The available Software Developers Kit (SDK) can be used to automate the eBook process and convert documents, Web site pages and entire libraries into the Microsoft Reader eBook format.

 

Pricing and Download Information

ReaderWorks Standard 2.0 is available at no charge. ReaderWorks Publisher 2.0 has a suggested list price of $149 and is on sale for $119 for a limited time. Current ReaderWorks 1.0 users are eligible for a variety of free and discount upgrade deals. OverDrive also offers an SDK to enable the automation of eBook production throughout the enterprise. The ReaderWorks products are available for immediate download at http://www.overdrive.com/. Microsoft Reader 2.0 can be downloaded for free at http://www.microsoft.com/reader/.

About OverDrive

OverDrive Inc. is a leading provider of eBook, DRM and digital media technologies enabling the secure management and distribution of digital content over global networks. As a strategic partner with Microsoft Corp. and Adobe Systems Inc. (Nasdaq “ADBE”), OverDrive delivers proven technology for premium digital content management, trusted fulfillment and resale for the world’s leading media companies. The OverDrive Digital Content Network is the premier distribution site for digital media on the Web. As a Principal Member of the Open eBook Forum (http://www.openebook.org/), OverDrive is strategically focused on driving specifications and standards for the emerging and rapidly evolving electronic publishing industry. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Cleveland.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software —
any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft and ClearType are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, press only:

Jennifer A. Jackson, OverDrive, (216) 573-6886, ext. 207, jjackson@overdrive.com

Gareth Bannister, Waggener Edstrom for Microsoft, (503) 443-7000,
garethb@wagged.com

Rapid Response Team, Waggener Edstrom for Microsoft, (503) 443-7070, rrt@wagged.com

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed.

 

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