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Abiogenesis provides software for the creation of electronic dictionaries.

Authoring and publishing electronic references.

Authors and publishers, this site is for you! Especially if you are interested in creating and distributing electronic references, glossaries and field guides!

Enormous Potential Market

In a cursory search of libraries in the Pacific Northwest, we found listings for over 18,000 dictionaries and glossaries. We didn't even begin to count various types of field guides which would also lend themselves to electronic reference format.

It is reasonable to expect that a large portion of these print publications can be converted to electronic format. Lexicographer makes it faster and easier to do this, and allows you to create commercial quality references with a word processor and Lexicographer's point and click interface. No programming skills are needed!

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Abiogenesis does not warrantee the information here as accurate or factual, and does not intend or imply any endorsement of the companies or products mentioned. This informational service is supplied as a courtesy and we recommend that you use due diligence in evaluating the following sources.

Topics on this Page

Info for Authors

  • Where do I get content to make an electronic dictionary?
  • How do I create a reference file?
  • Where do I get help as a multimedia author?
  • How do I find an e-reference publisher?

    • Electronic Reference Development

  • Which computer(s) should I develop for?
  • How do I locate programmers?
  • How do I turn a print book into an electronic book?

    • Product Packaging

  • Duplication of electronic media
  • Printing
  • Packaging
  • Fulfillment Centers

    • Marketing and Distribution

  • General Marketing Info
  • Advertising
  • Directories
  • Distributors
  • Dealers
  • Internet
  • Trade Shows and Conferences

    • Where do I get content for a dictionary?

    To create an electronic reference, you need content. There are two ways to get this: A. Create a completely new reference from an original idea.

    Ideas: dictionary of computer games terminology, dictionary of parametric design, inline skating, online acronyms, fabric industry terms, etc.

    B. Adapt or convert an existing reference into an electronic version. Sources of ideas and information include: a. Bookstores. (Check out not only the dictionary section, but also subject area specialty areas, which frequently have dictionaries of related terms, and glossaries).
    b. Libraries. (A trip to the local library can be fruitful, or you can browse the lists of libraries which have their holdings cataloged online, like the University of Washingtion, Oregon State University, etc.) We found over 18,000 references, so there's no lack of existing content.
    c. Industry Specialists. A suprising number of industries have their own jargon which they need to convey to their employees, especially trainees. An industry might even be willing to finance your project in return for getting the first copy of your reference, and a percentage of sales of copies to other members of the same industry. Examples might include: dictionary of automotive terms, pulp processing terms, terms of the clothing industry, etc.

    How do I create a reference file?

    We've made it really easy for you to create the file which you wish to turn into a dictionary. Lexicographer works in conjunction with the word processor of your choice. You create a 'tag file' according to our specifications. You only need to learn three tags! Then compile it with Lexicographer, and you've got a dictionary module that can be viewed with Lexicographer!

    You don't have to put the words in any particular order. Lexicographer will order them for you, when it compiles the dictionary, so a team of people can work on the dictionary, each person taking a different section of the alphabet, and then you can combine them all as you go, or at the end, when each section is done. This makes Lexicographer an excellent tool for group projects, or a corporate environment where several employees may be working on a dictionary simultaneously.

    Adding pictures is easy too. You can add an image to each dictionary entry, if you wish, or to just select definitions, and they will be displayed automatically when the corresponding definition is selected.

    Where do I get help as a multimedia author?

    Take a look at our electronic books links to see how this industry is growing. A. Online Resources
    a. Mailing Lists
    i. e-books discussion list (Electronic Books), ebook-list@aros.net Jon Noring
     b. Web sites
    c. News Groups
    i. comp.multimedia
    ii. misc.education.multimedia
    iii. comp.publish.electronic
    iv. comp.publish.electronic.developer
    v. comp.publish.cdrom.multimedia     B. Offline Resources
    a. Conferences and Workshops
    i. Computers and Writing Conference, Logan, Utah, May 30 - June 2, 1996.     b. Associations
    Coming soon!

    How do I find a publisher?

    To help you find a publisher interested in publishing electronic references, we've begun to compile a list. We'll be continually adding to this as more become interested in selling multimedia books and references. Coming soon!
    If you are a publisher and you want to be contacted by authors creating Lexicompatible electronic references, dictionaries, glossaries and field guides, send email to publist@abiogenesis.com. This space available for listings of electronic books publishers. *

    Which computer(s) should I develop for?

    - Lexicographer is currently designed to run on Macintosh computers and Amigas with Mac emulators such as the Emplant. Lexica, our run-time viewing application is designed for the Mac, with a PC port on the way.
    - This means that products developed on the Mac will be cross-platform compatible with three systems. We felt our authors and publishers would appreciate this broad market for their products.

    Macintosh Endorsement. The Mac is an excellent platform. Apple, like every high-technology company, must continue to innovate. If it does, it will do well - and we'll do well selling applications software for the Macintosh. --Bill Gates, August 2, 1995 New York Times

    ....................

    Support Costs Lower on Macs. Gartner Group recently surveyed 312,000 end-users and found that having both Macintosh and Windows in an organization does not lead to higher support costs. Further, Gartner Group confirmed that it costs at least 25% less to support Macintosh than to support Windows/Intel computers. In the US, reprints of the study may be obtained free of charge by calling 1-800-232-9335.

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    Tip. The computer or computers you target when creating your electronic dictionaries should depend on the audience for your dictionaries. For example, our first release of Lexicographer was written for the Mac because many publishers and educational institutions use Macs. We have found the Mac market to be more consistent and downwardly compatible than the PC market. Current versions of the Macintosh operating system still run on many earlier Macs. (Current versions of most of the PC operating systems do not run on the earlier machines, even with upgrades.) So plan your current versions of Lexicompatible dictionaries for the Macintosh market, and we'll keep you informed of the progress of our PC versions.

    How do I locate programmers?

    Tip. Well, actually you don't need any programmers to create Lexicompatible dictionary modules. That was the whole point in the way we designed it! At most, you may need the services of some fast accurate word processing specialists, but no programming skills are necessary to compile a commercial-quality dictionary. However, you may wish to use programmers for related products or services, so we thought we'd provide a section here where ultra-talented programmers, who we have screened for their skills, qualifications (and enthusiasm) can let you know they are available for contract work.

    How do I turn a print book into an electronic book?

    Prior to Lexicographer there were two basic ways to produce a computer dictionary: use a general purpose authoring system, or hire programmers and pay long-term development costs (often $300,000 - $2 million). We feel that Lexicographer is a better solution than a general purpose authoring system. It is faster, more targeted, easier to use and produces, we think, more suitable output with better features.

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    Tip. There are three basic ways to produce a computer dictionary with Lexicographer:

    1. take a reference which already exists in word processed form, add tags, and use Lexicographer to compile it into a Lexicompatible dictionary module;
    2. acquire rights on an existing print reference and OCR scan or type the document in and compile it;
    3. create a text file from scratch and use Lexicographer to compile it into a Lexicompatible dictionary.

    ....................

    What kinds of dictionaries can you produce? Here are just a few ideas: dictionary of dinosaurs, dictionary of plant names, dictionary of musical instruments, biographical dictionary of Presidents, glossary of engineering terms, dictionary of difficult words, index of clothing industry terms, dictionary of roses, school dictionary, dictionary of word origins, medical dictionary, dictionary of law, etc. We also have a more extensive listing of dictionaries and ideas.

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    Duplication of electronic media

    Tip. Lexicographer dictionaries vary in length, depending on the number of word entries, and how many pictures are included. You may be able to less extensive dictionaries on diskettes. Larger dictionaries will probably require CD-ROM, or, if being sold to a service bureau, corporation or educational institution, it may be possible to distribute it on one of the new read-writeable cartridge media like the Syquest EZ drive or Iomega Zip drive.

    Document Preparation and Printing

    Tip. The printing industry has changed, and is still changing rapidly. Most service bureaus are standardized on Macintosh computers, though more PC resources are becoming available. Many will now let you modem files to their site, and some are beginning to offer internet file transfer options. While this site concentrates on electronic printing services, some general printing references are also included.

    Product Packaging

    Tip. Finding suppliers, and purchasing minimum quantity orders (usually 500 - 1000 minimum or more) are two big challenges facing small publishers and entrepreneurs wishing to sell computer software. We offer some tips, solutions, suppliers and resource sites that can help you overcome some of these persistent problems.

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    Fulfillment Centers

    Tip.Fulfillment Centers provide a variety of services, including marketing, packaging, warehousing and shipping. They are a good option for a small company which doesn't want to maintain a large staff or warehouse space, or for a large company which wants to source out short-term projects, so as to not maintain a full-time staff for seasonal or project-related activities.

    General Marketing Info

    Coming soon!

    Advertising

    Tip. The importance of advertising cannot be overemphasized. Whether you do it yourself, or hire an agency, it is probably the most essential element to your success, when combined with sales follow-up. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, we recommend a trip to the library or book store. Look for books by Caples and Ogilvie, and some of the newer books on guerilla marketing techniques for small businesses. If you are an established company looking for additional venues for your current advertising, here are some resources to investigate.

    Directories and Associations

    Tip. Directories are an excellent free advertising outlet. There are many computer software directories where you can list your Lexicompatible dictionaries for free. Many of these directories also offer advertising space. The advantage of a listing in a directory or a catalog is that many people keep these directories for an extended period.
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    Distributors

    Tip. Manufacturers are understandably hesitant about giving out the names of their distributors, since the competition, especially in the software industry, is tremendous. We will endeavor to research and provide listings for distributors interested in carrying electronic references for corporations and educational institutions. If you know of a distributor who would like to be listed, have them contact us by email or phone.

    Dealers

    Tip. You can help yourself by helping your dealer. Dealers have enough to do with getting inventory, helping customers, supporting products, and running their stores. You can assist them in presenting and marketing your products by providing sales literature, demonstration software and other basic marketing tools. Here are some listings of dealers interested in carrying educational and business software products who may be willing to carry your Lexicompatible dictionaries.

    Internet

    Tip. Never underestimate the power of a new technology or communications channel. It amazes us to hear people say that the Internet is a fad, but then the same was said of the telephone and the automobile. We think it's unlikely that the Internet will go away, though it will surely evolve into something more sophisticated and similar to interactive television. Reliable research studies show the participation on the net is probably in excess of 12 million people, many of whom spend five or more hours per week online. This constitutes a sizeable market. If you are planning to set up a domain name and web pages (and we recommend that you do), here are some resources to assist you.

    Trade Shows and Conferences.

    Tip. It is our intention to attend and exhibit in as many relevant trade shows as possible. We would like to extend low-cost options for our third-party developers to display their products in our booth, and, in the future, hope to coordinate group purchase of space in order to present a unified, attractive presence at the shows we attend for our company, our products and our partners in product development.

    Printing and Publishing

    Writing

    Librarianship and Books

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    Computers and Software

    Multimedia

    Education

    Advertising and Marketing

    Women

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    Email suggestions and comments to pubpage@abiogenesis.com (Sorry we don't use an automatic tag for this mailto, but we were getting too many spam messages from robot junk emailers.)