[Athen] Cengage Learning

[Robert Beach]

I've had good luck with Cengage.  Of course, I'm of a different mind set.  I prefer the PDF files.  For some reason, I really don't have much trouble opening the large PDF files they send in Acrobat Pro.  In fact, I just had a book over 900 pages that my very old machine handled just fine.  After I open the large PDF, I extract pages, breaking the large file into chapters, which doesn't really take much time either.

My student workers and I refuse to work from Word files that the publishers provide.  They are always such a mess that it is more effective and less frustrating to buy a book, cut, scan, and go from there.  This is if we cannot get the PDF files.

Actually, now that I have my brand spanking new DR9080C, I see us doing more slicing, dicing, scanning, etc. <grin>

Cengage does allow you to request Word files.  However, just because it is on their list of options, doesn't mean it is available for all titles.

Just my 2 cents worth.



Robert Lee Beach
Assistive Technology Specialist
Kansas City Kansas Community College
7250 State Avenue
Kansas City, KS  66112
Phone: 913-288-7671
Fax: 913-288-7678
E-Mail: rbeach at kckcc.edu

From: athen-bounces at athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces at athenpro.org] On Behalf Of Kelmer, Susan M.
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 8:31 AM
To: DSSHE-L at LISTSERV.BUFFALO.EDU; Access Technology Higher Education Network
Subject: [Athen] Cengage Learning

Does anyone have any better luck getting materials from Cengage than I am?  They always send us a web link to download/save their stuff, and it is ALWAYS in one giant PDF that I can barely open, much less do anything else with!  The latest is a World Geography book, 744 pages, in one freakishly HUGE file and the only thing I can do is export it and then try to break out the chapters, then edit, then record the audio.  So far, my high-end computer is balking at doing this, it took more than 8 minutes for it to open the file in Adobe Professional to begin with.  I don't hold out much hope that it will actually be able to do the job in the end, and machines don't get much faster than what I've got sitting on my desk.

In these cases, it's quicker to buy, cut, and scan the book!

How on earth are we supposed to get through to these publishers, anyway?  I want a Word file.  Or a Text file.  Or an HTML file.  ANYTHING but a PDF.

Susan Kelmer
Adaptive Technology Specialist/
Lab Coordinator, Campus Labs and Classrooms
St. Louis Community College - Meramec
314-984-7951

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