Monographs have to adapt to keep a place in the future

One of the problems of digital editions is the continuing high cost of academic ebooks, which are often the same as the price of the hard copy. There are less expensive ways to publish digital editions (as .pdfs or even ebooks), but compromises will then be necessary. I have chosen this route myself to make my outputs more easily accessible. For this purpose, I use Linux, LyX (LaTEX with a GUI), GIMP (GNU image manipulation programme), and, where necessary for GIS, QGIS. The file is then exported as a .pdf and sent to my local printer. The printer tidies up the .pdf file using Quark. The end product is an acceptable .pdf and 100-off print run for distribution of hard copies to the legal deposit libraries and to institutional libraries. Discounting my time in the basic production, the entire process can be completed for less than £1,000. Whilst the standard may be compromised to some extent, the output is serviceable for disseminating knowledge and information. Dave Postles From my PCLinuxOS desktop