We’ve had some inquiries requesting that we explain the concept of downloadable books, (aka e-books), and that we include some visual references. We’ve posted a FAQ page on our sister site at gwgbooks (http://gwgbooks.wordpress.com/faqs/), but most of those questions are aimed at writers who want to get their own books into e-book format. So, to our readers out there who are new to electronic books, or just want more information about how to view them on your computer, this page is for you.
A PDF e-book is simply a data file, like a letter you would write in Word. You double click the file to open it, just as you would one of your Word documents. The only difference is it will open in a different program called Adobe Reader. See the photos below for a screen by screen comparison.
Book file opened in Word
Book file opened in Adobe Reader
Note that you can easily change the way you see your book by selecting “view” on the top menu bar. The photos above show the book viewed on a widescreen monitor. If you don’t have a widescreen, you might want to use single page view, depending on the monitor’s screen size. You have several choices. Try them all out to see which works best for you (just put your mouse pointer over your selection and click. A check mark will show up to the right of your choice.) In the photo below, “Two-up” is chosen, which means two pages will be displayed.
Most people will already have a copy of Adobe Reader on their computer. PDF files are very common on the internet; you’ve probably viewed them many times during the course of browsing the web. To check if you have this program installed, just click on the Maggie Inside Out page on the sidebar to the right and click on the “Maggie first three chapters web” link near the top of the page.
If you click on the link and the chapters are viewable on your screen, you have Adobe Reader installed. If you get a message saying the file can’t be opened and asking you what program you would like to use to view the file, then you don’t have Reader installed. If that is the case, follow the steps below to get your free copy. (You might want to print this page first, or better yet, open the Adobe site in a new browser window.)
Go to Adobe’s Reader website at http://get.adobe.com/reader/.
You will be taken to the following page:
The first thing you need to do is choose which operating system is on your computer (which version of Windows or Mac).
Find your operating system in the drop down list and click on it. You will be taken to the corresponding download page.
Click on the yellow “download” button. If you don’t want the free virus software from McAfee, be sure to uncheck the box that says “Free McAfee Security Scan Plus.”
If a dialogue box appears after you have clicked “download” asking you whether you want to run or save, click run. The program will be downloaded and automatically installed. You will probably be asked to restart your computer after the install. Once you do, you will be ready to start reading our books on your computer.
Okay, so now I have the reader. How in the heck do I get your books?
The easiest way to buy our books from this site is to use PayPal, a free service that allows you to make purchases on the internet without going through all the trouble of registering your credit card and/or banking information every time you want to buy something on the internet. You register all of that information with PayPal just once on your initial signup, and that’s it. You have created an account and are ready to start making purchases. PayPal will take care of dispersing the funds. PayPal has provided all the information you need to get started on its website. Just go to www.paypal.com. (Again, you might want to print this page or open a new browser window.) You will see this welcome screen:
Scroll down to “New to PayPal” on the left side of the screen and click on “Sign up”.
You will presented with the option to select one of three types of accounts. Click on the yellow “Get started” button under Personal.
You will then be taken to a new screen where you enter your personal information.
When you have filled in all of your information, click on the yellow “Agree and Create Account” button. That’s all there is to it!
PayPal is a very secure site. I’ve used it for over ten years without any problems. However, if you don’t wish to open an account, you’re welcome to pay by check or money order. Just email me at cak007@msn.com or Julia at jlouisesimpson@gmail.com and we will send you our mailing information.
Feel free to email either of us with any other questions you have, or leave a comment in the box below and we will respond in a timely fashion.
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