[LINK] Government gives thumbs down to PDF format

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

> 
> I don't think anyone intends pdf to be the format of choice for online
> communications.(but) pdf is the only way to see it as it was published.


Perhaps of interest .. the government, 'Book Industry Strategy Group' is
now seeking public views regarding the future of books in Australia. :-)

And they note, their supporting documents are all available as PDF files.

<http://www.innovation.gov.au/Industry/BooksandPrinting/BookIndustryStrate
gyGroup/Pages/default.aspx>


Book Industry Strategy Group:  Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, 
Industry, Science and Research announced the establishment of the Book 
Industry Strategy Group (BISG) on 15 February 2010.  

The formation of the BISG recognises the importance of the Australian 
book industry and the need to develop viable strategies for operating in 
the digital age and improving supply chain efficiencies.

Have Your Say

Digital book production and global online distribution are fundamentally 
changing the nature of the book industry.  In this time of rapid change, 
the BISG is seeking your view on the future of books in Australia.

By making a written submission, you will be directly contributing to the 
debate on the future of books in Australia.  The submissions form a vital 
part of broad research being undertaken by the BISG to determine the 
needs of Australian consumers and book industry practitioners.

The period for submissions has been extended.  Submissions can be made 
online from Monday 18 October 2010 until Monday 31 January 2011. 

Note: You need Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.0 or above to view the PDF files on 
this page. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your 
computer and/or can not view or print the PDF document, you can download 
a free copy of the software from the Adobe website. 

Should you experience technical difficulties in accessing the online 
form, please complete the attached document and submit it by email to 
bisgs at innovation.gov.au.  Alternatively, please contact the Secretariat 
on 02 6213 7898 or by email to be sent a paper-based version by mail.

Submissions will be placed on the Department's website for public 
viewing  This will include the name of your organisation (or your own 
name if you are submitting as an individual) and your responses to the 
four submission questions.  Your contact and personal details will not be 
included.

If you do not wish for the content of your submission to be included on 
the website, please nominate this on your submission.  Please note that 
your name/organisation will still show in the list of submissions 
received.

Submissions received will not be available publicly until they have been 
checked by the Department for suitability for publication on the 
Department's website.

Membership of the Book Industry Strategy Group

Chaired by The Hon Dr Barry Jones AO, the BISG membership brings together 
representatives from across the industry to map out the way forward for 
this important sector.

Terms of Reference

The BISG will operate according to set terms of reference and is 
scheduled to report against these to Government in September 2011. 

Meeting 1

The BISG held its first meeting on 1 June 2010.  BISG members considered 
and agreed on a comprehensive work program to address the eight terms of 
reference including a series of major research projects which will engage 
industry and consumers.

Research

The first research project provided a snapshot of the extent to which 
digital technologies were in use in Australia's book industry as at July 
2010.   The rapid changes occurring in the industry will mean that some 
information contained in the report is no longer current.

Nevertheless, it provides information on the changes that are occurring 
along the supply chain.  The report was prepared for the exclusive use 
and purposes of the Book Industry Strategy Group.  

Preliminary discussions with BISG members and industry operators have 
identified five key areas of focus.  These topics will be explored in 
depth with practitioners from each element of the book supply chain to 
build a comprehensive picture of industry needs:

Competitiveness 
Efficiency 
Rights 
Australian content and 
Strategic planning. 

During October 2010 a series of roundtable meetings were held for 
authors, publishers, booksellers and printers to identify the key issues, 
challenges and opportunities for each industry subsector.

Research will be undertaken via three methods -

Public submissions 
Market analysis and 
Stakeholder workshops. 

The BISG is currently seeking the views of consumers and industry on the 
changes facing Australian readers and book producers through a public 
submission process - see above.

The market analysis research will analyse the Australian book industry 
and relevant international markets.

A series of nine stakeholder workshops will be conducted in February and 
March 2011, with a focus on future scenarios for Australia's book 
industry.  In addition to six subsector-specific workshops, there will be 
two workshops involving the whole book supply chain.   The final workshop 
will be a culmination of all of the previous workshops.

Contact

The Secretariat
Book Industry Strategy Group
(02) 6213 7898
bisgs at innovation.gov.au
--

Cheers,
Stephen