Open eBook Forum Announces Ebook Usability Study

Posted on January 22, 2002

The Open eBook Forum, an international trade and standards organization for the ebook industry, announced that Harold Henke, a 20 year veteran of IBM, will lead a research campaign to better understand and promote consumer adoption of ebooks. The program will be part of the OeBF's eBook Industry campaign to expand awareness of the advantages that ebooks offer.

"Working with the OeBF's diverse and global membership, Henke will survey thousands of readers to determine features for the use and navigation of ebooks," stated Mark Dressler, Chair of the OeBF's Education Committee. "The research will feed into OeBF's efforts to make ebook purchasing and use a friendly and comfortable experience," Dressler added.

Henke's survey and research will result in a series of white papers designed to assist publishers, retailers, and manufacturers with their focus on ebook trend lines and customer needs. The results of the survey will be made available at the OeBF website.

A frequent lecturer on electronic publishing, Henke is serving as a Research Fellow to the OeBF while on sabbatical from IBM to finish his doctorate dissertation on the Design of Electronic Books. Henke conducted usability research on electronic books and led IBM's Integrated Product Development Team to define and implement IBM's global electronic book strategy. Henke is the author of Electronic Books and ePublishing: A Practical Guide for Authors, published by Springer Verlag.