*openmargin dialogue

We’re currently putting the finishing touches on the first version of openmargin. Part of this is the API, which will allow developers of eReaders to incorporate openmargin-functionality into their existing app. Although we’re currently developing our own basic openmargin-enabled eReader app on the iPad, we’d like to start talking with external developers as well to see how we can help eachother.

So if you are, or know someone that is, developing an eReader and am/is open for a new way to approach books, get in contact! marc@openmargin.com

The very first newspaper was ‘Publick Occurrences’. It was four pages long, with one page left blank intentionally. People were encouraged to write on it, be part of the conversation and pass it along to someone else. 

Overtime news became big business. People were shut out of this conversation. 

Nick Bilton on Poptech

Bite-Size Edits is a game where players get points for editing. Discover new writers and engage with great authors, while improving the world’s sentences.

Bite-Size Edits was first built to allow authors to crowdsource the editing process by utilizing their social network. The idea is a lot of people get a random piece of text. They are then asked to suggest changes if deemed necessary. All changes are then displayed to the original author who can accept or ignore the edits.

Of course editing contextless pieces of texts becomes a less enjoyable experience once the ‘newness’ wears off, so that’s why recently a gaming element was added. You can rack up points by suggesting edits and as of yesterday these points can earn you free ebooks as well.

I don’t know a lot about book editing, so I can’t judge whether it’s economically an improvement (the service doesn’t cost any money, but does cost quiet some time to moderate the suggestion I can imagine). What I do know though, is the fact it’s an interesting way to foster a community around an upcoming book, so I’m looking forward to further developments at this platform!

Try out Bite-Size Edits.

One year ago we (Ruth, Marc, Joep) were having dinner in a pizzeria in Prague (http://bit.ly/atzRTO).

There we had a brainstorm (ripped placemats as post-its) about our expectations for the post-school era, with ourselves as a starting point.

A few months later, there was the birth of *openmargin. But the very first seeds were planted in this meeting.

We want the very first beginning to be the birthday of *openmargin.

What we’re giving to *openmargin as a present? 
- An addition to the team, in the form of new, devoted people who will help this platform with the first steps.

More about this in the near future!