It seems the united eBook hardware and software (and firmware) producers, manufacturers and publishers, are working towards a new eBook standard, that probably everybody can use. Look here:

http://www.idpf.org/ocf/ocf1.0/download/ocf10-20060911.pdf

(and http://www.idpf.org/ocf/ocf1.0/index.htm )

Hi Henkvdg

This format has been around for a while, previously known as Open eBook. The XML specification is at 1.2, the container format (basically a structured zip file) that you point to here was released a couple of months ago.

As you point out - these are open standards along with the OpenReader format (have a look at Alexander Turcic's previous thread in the News section commenting on the 2 competing open formats).

The main current problem with both formats are twofold - firstly not many publishers are publishing for these standards, secondly, there are few software readers around to read the formats with ... :-(

Hi Henkvdg


The main current problem with both formats are twofold - firstly not many publishers are publishing for these standards, secondly, there are few software readers around to read the formats with ... :-(

But isnt the point to first make a new format, then make readers for that format?
It's like HD-DVD & Blu-Ray; They first made the discs, then they introduced the players;

I'm quite sure that after the format is finalised, the readers will appear shortly after;

you're missing a step - make the format - attract content providers - make the player ...
without content the reader and format may be the best in the world ... but it wont do anything ...