Creating a pdf ebook is one of those computer skills that simply requires the right software tool. It's a bit like creating your first web page. But why use PDF format? (Portable Document Format, as popularized by Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader)?

The answer has two main aspects: Firstly, PDFs are portable across nearly all software platforms and computer operating systems, so there is no problem reading the document when you run into a Mac or a Linux. That's true, even if the pdf eBook was created on a windows system.

Secondly, Adobe portable document format appears to be much more secure and doesn't set off alarm bells in those sensitive anti-virus programs!

Let me tell you a story ... I once purchased a fancy eBook generator software program back in 2001 when I first wanted to be a web writer. It compiled HTML files, like web pages, into a program that even included its own little web browser - all bundled into a windows-only .exe (executable program) file. There were many features like bookmarks and security requiring a password, etc.  -- BUT... big mistake, because they didn't know what Bill Gates at Microsoft was planning, which would disable and kill these fancy little .exe eBooks!

Microsoft was getting heavily criticized for security holes and flaws, so out popped Service Pack 2 for Win. XP and from then they became utterly obsessed with Internet Security. The problem was that many computer viruses were being written in the .exe format. (Same as the eBooks of that day!)  So operating systems -- joined by the anti-virus companies -- became sensitized and just would NOT happily download that format off the 'Net without the complaining of raucous alarm bells going off!!

eBook creators, writers and e-Book marketers had to leap at Adobe's PDF format in a hurry in order to survive at their highly lucrative trade. Features became added including secure password protection and pdf-branding with affiliate links for those aspiring marketers doing a viral type of distribution. PDFs can easily be given away and passed around across all computer system types.

How To Create A PDF E-Book

You can actually write a word type document in Open Office, then save it as a portable document format file by clicking on that icon in Open Office, but I've found that when I do this, the hyperlinks I created didn't come out as active links. Alternatively, you can purchase the expensive Adobe Acrobat software pogram or another similar software, or use the Cute printer emulator but again - links not done 100%

I found a great middle range software program with enough features that is almost free. I use this one every day  and it is called eWriterPro. It has a clear, simple interface and can double as an organizer of your articles as well. If you want to be a web author then this software is ideal for creating your ebooks and web articles with. It looks simple but can do everything and I think you'll love it.

Thanks for reading my author's notes on creating Adobe formatted e-Books and articles for easy distribution across The Internet.

Your supporter,

Geoff Dodd, Perth, Australia 6000