Electronic publishing is the technical process of producing electronic publications with the help of computer technology and generally includes processes from preliminary devising, source preparation, art design, programming, post production to delivery via network, etc. It is apparent that electronic publishing relies on computers as the production tools and the mass duplication of the original work is also computer-centered. The editing process essential for traditional publishing is replaced by preliminary devising, source preparation and art design, etc. Therefore electronic publishing involves more complicated efforts and higher technical and technological standards compared to publishing in the traditional sense.

• 1) Construction phase – the editors process and organize information from the author(s) into usable texts.
• 2) Distribution phase – includes the period from completion of text production to availability to readers.
• 3) Reception phase – readers receive the information provided

Electronic publishing is classified into two types, namely "Online Electronic Publishing" and "Offline Electronic Publishing

For online electronic publishing, the electronic means of production are employed throughout the following three stages. "Electronic composition" refers to the process of generating texts in electronic form with the help of computers, "electronic distribution" refers to the distribution of the texts through computer networks beyond non-electronic distribution channels such as postage, and "electronic reception" refers to reader access of the information with the help of the Electronic Data Processing (EDV) devices as contrasted with non-electronic means of information reception such as paper-based materials.

For offline electronic publishing, electronic texts are not distributed in electronic forms but rather in non-electronic forms such as posting floppy disks and CDs containing the electronic texts for readers to access with a local computer. The three-phased classification method mentioned above deviates from that of ours. The "Construction Phase" is essentially equivalent to our Edition Phase and it seems that "duplication" is not mentioned because the processed and usable electronic texts can be easily duplicated.

The addition of a "Reception Phase" after the "Distribution Phase" is probably in consideration of the characteristics of electronic publications. Unlike images and texts in magazines which can be viewed by any reader without difficulty, the reading and reception of contents of electronic publications are much more complicated and require special or appropriate electronic devices. The publisher cannot dump the texts on the readers without considering whether they can "receive" the materials. In fact, publishers of both printed and electronic publications should take into account the effects of communication, i.e. whether readers can or will receive the publication and how to achieve most effective utilization.