On 18 February 2010 13:35, Ian Thomas <il.tho...@iinet.net.au> wrote:
> (not responding to anyone in particular) > > When posting originally, I used “reader” in the sense of software > application – sorry, I do realize it’s the term for the hardware + software > system, I was just a bit slack in my explanation. > > Researching a little on ePUB, reflowable PDF, and some websites like > mobipocket <http://www.mobipocket.com/> I see a huge emphasis on PDAs and > phones. I’ve got a huge prejudice against reading stuff on devices smaller > than my hand – it’s as inappropriate as reading a novel written on a > matchbox. > > It isn't as bad as you would imagine. Or rather, it isn't with good reader software. PDF is not, unless you enjoy scrolling a small view across a standard sized page. Diagrams and pictures are useless. > My reluctant initial conclusion is that the format and medium of choice is > going to require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader v9 and the Adobe Acrobat 9 > product line (creation). Laptop and desktop Macs and iWotsits are going to > be a small (<5%) population that needs to be accommodated for this project, > and these software products support many of those devices as well as PCs and > larger-format eReader devices. > > But for my own private project I’ll have a look at the Adobe Reader Mobile > 9 SDK and the Mobipocket eBook Creator. > ------------------------------ > > Ian Thomas > Victoria Park, Western Australia > ------------------------------ > > *From:* ausdotnet-boun...@lists.codify.com [mailto: > ausdotnet-boun...@lists.codify.com] *On Behalf Of *mike smith > *Sent:* Thursday, 18 February 2010 9:49 AM > > *To:* ausDotNet > *Subject:* Re: [OT] eBook formats > > > > On 17 February 2010 23:30, Ian Thomas <il.tho...@iinet.net.au> wrote: > > I realise “ebook” is evolving or is a moving target, but maybe someone can > shed some light or offer suggestions. > > I’ve seen HTML, PDF, and some proprietary formats. Not sure about XPS > though. > > Are there any standardized formats for eBooks, how can text / graphics be > put into the formats, and what readers are available (free, so that users > can download and then read the stuff)? > > > > There's eReader, which runs on WIndows mobile and Android OSes. It can > read .PDB format files, both DRM and non DRM. Most of these are commercial > > There's a variety of other readers for Android, I use Aldiko (not free, > but not > 10$) which can read and access a huge number of public domain > books online. > > > > Don't even consider a reader that can't go online itself and search / > download books. > > > > The Nexus One appears to be Android with the bugs sorted. It isn't > officially here but Mobicity in Queensland sell them, and it works on my > Telstra SIM. (888 AUD) Multitouch is running on them now. > > > > > > Lastly: any role for .net coding for the conversion / creation stage? > > Or, is Adobe PDF the lingua franca (still)? > > > > It was so bad last time I looked (for reading on a PDA device) I haven't > gone back. > > > > ________________________________ > > Ian Thomas > > Victoria Park, Western Australia > > > > > -- > Meski > > "Going to Starbucks for coffee is like going to prison for sex. Sure, > you'll get it, but it's going to be rough" - Adam Hills > -- Meski "Going to Starbucks for coffee is like going to prison for sex. Sure, you'll get it, but it's going to be rough" - Adam Hills
