ePub or LRF for reading?

Greg G · 03-02-2009, 10:10 PM

I am trying to decide if I should stop formatting my books as LRFs and switch to reading ePubs now that Calibre is doing such a great job of handling multi formats. I like that I can convert ePub to anything else while LRF seems to be a dead end format (can't convert it). Right now I create both an ePub and a LRF and read the LRF.

I tried an ePub version and it seemed to really lag on the 505 though I tried again later and it seemed ok. I do find myself not liking the fixed page count on ePub. If there are 200 pages then 3 page turns might take you from page 1 to page 2. If you increase the font size then there are still 200 pages but it could take 5 page turns to get to the next page. I guess I just got used to the way LRFs are handled.

What do you guys think?

-Greg

dordale · 03-03-2009, 01:16 AM

I think both formats are perfectly acceptable and am glad that I now have a choice.

But, for now I'm sticking with LRF. I agree with you Greg--I like the way LRF uses actual page turns to calculate the number of pages remaining.

I also like to access the table of contents frequently when I'm reading (to see how many pages the next chapter is, etc). I notice that accessing the TOC in ePub format can take quite a while--where with LRF it's fairly instantaneous.

One advantage of ePub is the ability to embed fonts directly in the document (haven't tried this, but there are excellent instructions in other threads). When I get a little time, I'm going to experiment with this.

dordale

astra · 03-03-2009, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dordale

But, for now I'm sticking with LRF. I agree with you Greg--I like the way LRF uses actual page turns to calculate the number of pages remaining.

I also like to access the table of contents frequently when I'm reading (to see how many pages the next chapter is, etc). I notice that accessing the TOC in ePub format can take quite a while--where with LRF it's fairly instantaneous.

That's why I use only LRF.

DDHarriman · 03-04-2009, 05:54 PM

Do both formats, use the one you feel more confortable with at that moment.
If you change your mind later, use the other...

I myself do not use ePub until Sony (or another eBook reader) has full justification for ePub, thus for me it's simple, in the sony, I use mostly LFR or PDF.

JSWolf · 03-04-2009, 06:19 PM

ePub does allow you to change the font easier then LRF.

FizzyWater · 03-04-2009, 10:54 PM

So far, I've not been able to create an ePub in Calibre that doesn't crash/reboot my reader. I'm not blaming Calibre entirely - I start with Microsoft Word to make RTFs, convert them to Mobi files, and use the Mobi-created HTML files to make the LRF or ePub.

So there's probably a lot of extraneous garbage in my files that ePub is just not robust enough to handle.

I'm not much of an HTML coder - never even figured out how to use CSS - let alone XML. My coding all comes from 3.2 or earlier days. I don't think I'm going to be able to make a good ePub until someone comes up with an easy-to-use WYSIWYG word processor that doesn't gunk up the HTML conversion with lots of custom coding.

Stingo · 03-05-2009, 07:12 AM

I have generally opted for LRF. That said, lately I've been using epub for the newsfeeds and for some comics and I'm impressed with how fast and stable it now is. I use Calibre to create these epubs.

Amalthia · 03-05-2009, 03:05 PM

I'm having trouble with font size on epub. I used the same HTML file I used for my LRF conversion on the LRF the font came out at size 12 Times New Roman on the Epub version I think it's size 10 Times New Roman.

I'm also not sure I like the lack of right justification or the numbers on the actual screen. I like the way LRF displays the numbers and it seems more stable at the moment in terms of converting documents.

mtravellerh · 03-05-2009, 03:08 PM

I prefer epub because that format is readable on a lot of platforms and is more flexible.

03-02-2009, 10:10 PM	#1
Greg G Groupie Posts: 181 Karma: 66 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NJ Device: Kindle Papwerwhite	ePub or LRF for reading? I am trying to decide if I should stop formatting my books as LRFs and switch to reading ePubs now that Calibre is doing such a great job of handling multi formats. I like that I can convert ePub to anything else while LRF seems to be a dead end format (can't convert it). Right now I create both an ePub and a LRF and read the LRF. I tried an ePub version and it seemed to really lag on the 505 though I tried again later and it seemed ok. I do find myself not liking the fixed page count on ePub. If there are 200 pages then 3 page turns might take you from page 1 to page 2. If you increase the font size then there are still 200 pages but it could take 5 page turns to get to the next page. I guess I just got used to the way LRFs are handled. What do you guys think? -Greg

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03-03-2009, 01:16 AM	#2
dordale Wizard Posts: 1,731 Karma: 3472866 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony PRS-650 & 350; Kindle Voyage; Kobo Aura HD, Aura One, and Forma	I think both formats are perfectly acceptable and am glad that I now have a choice. But, for now I'm sticking with LRF. I agree with you Greg--I like the way LRF uses actual page turns to calculate the number of pages remaining. I also like to access the table of contents frequently when I'm reading (to see how many pages the next chapter is, etc). I notice that accessing the TOC in ePub format can take quite a while--where with LRF it's fairly instantaneous. One advantage of ePub is the ability to embed fonts directly in the document (haven't tried this, but there are excellent instructions in other threads). When I get a little time, I'm going to experiment with this. dordale

03-04-2009, 05:54 PM	#4
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	Do both formats, use the one you feel more confortable with at that moment. If you change your mind later, use the other... I myself do not use ePub until Sony (or another eBook reader) has full justification for ePub, thus for me it's simple, in the sony, I use mostly LFR or PDF.

03-04-2009, 06:19 PM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,037 Karma: 129333114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	ePub does allow you to change the font easier then LRF.

03-04-2009, 10:54 PM	#6
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	So far, I've not been able to create an ePub in Calibre that doesn't crash/reboot my reader. I'm not blaming Calibre entirely - I start with Microsoft Word to make RTFs, convert them to Mobi files, and use the Mobi-created HTML files to make the LRF or ePub. So there's probably a lot of extraneous garbage in my files that ePub is just not robust enough to handle. I'm not much of an HTML coder - never even figured out how to use CSS - let alone XML. My coding all comes from 3.2 or earlier days. I don't think I'm going to be able to make a good ePub until someone comes up with an easy-to-use WYSIWYG word processor that doesn't gunk up the HTML conversion with lots of custom coding.

03-05-2009, 07:12 AM	#7
Stingo Fanatic Posts: 559 Karma: 1334691 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Miami Device: KH2O, KPW2, KDXG, KPW1, K3, S505	I have generally opted for LRF. That said, lately I've been using epub for the newsfeeds and for some comics and I'm impressed with how fast and stable it now is. I use Calibre to create these epubs.

03-05-2009, 03:05 PM	#8
Amalthia Wizard Posts: 1,159 Karma: 32196 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Anchorage, AK Device: Sony Reader PRS-505, PRS-650, PRS-T3, Pocketbook HD2	I'm having trouble with font size on epub. I used the same HTML file I used for my LRF conversion on the LRF the font came out at size 12 Times New Roman on the Epub version I think it's size 10 Times New Roman. I'm also not sure I like the lack of right justification or the numbers on the actual screen. I like the way LRF displays the numbers and it seems more stable at the moment in terms of converting documents.

03-05-2009, 03:08 PM	#9
mtravellerh book creator Posts: 9,635 Karma: 3856660 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Luxembourg Device: PB360°	I prefer epub because that format is readable on a lot of platforms and is more flexible.

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