Is it wise to ignore epubcheck warnings and/or errors?

Lancelot13 · 06-04-2013, 01:15 PM

So I dug up some old approved epubs, and out of curiosity, I ran a dozen or so through the new epubchecks. The end result is 9/10 had some kind of errors or warnings or both. Which makes me think someone has been approving without getting these files fully validated or our distributors hasn't been as diligent either before putting our files on sale.

Of course, these files has been on sales for a while now. So my question is would anyone in their right mind continue to turn a blind eye? If so, why? I suspect these old files to be ticking time bombs just waiting to stop working and crash out of newer ereaders? Am I right? or Am I worrying too much about trivial warnings and errors when files still are side-loading and QA okay?

AlPe · 06-04-2013, 04:39 PM

My rule of thumb is that "Errors should be fixed, warnings should be evaluated carefully". In particular, I recommend fixing any error that might break parsing the XHTML pages or the NCX TOC --- as they are the most common causes for a Reading System to "fail" loading the EPUB.

Note, however, that some errors/warnings might have popped up because epubcheck got progressively better and lately it started checking even the most hidden details of the specification, even if they completely (and safely) ignored by any (sanely coded) reading system.

JSWolf · 06-05-2013, 11:22 AM

I suggest fixing all errors and warnings and putting up newly fixed versions.

And when validating, use epubcheck 3.0.1 as it's the current version.

Lancelot13 · 06-07-2013, 08:06 AM

Unfortunately, I'm not in charge of these files. Best I can do is ask questions and raise my concerns. I think epub is becoming the new pdf. Everyone thinks they can create good quality files just because they can. Mistaken quantity for quality is something publishers do way too often these days.

theducks · 06-07-2013, 11:44 AM

Warnings are just that. You have something (usually an extra) that should not cause a problem.
Errors are jut that. Some reader may help you along, but others will not. IMHO fix errors

06-04-2013, 01:15 PM	#1
Lancelot13 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2013 Device: none	Is it wise to ignore epubcheck warnings and/or errors? So I dug up some old approved epubs, and out of curiosity, I ran a dozen or so through the new epubchecks. The end result is 9/10 had some kind of errors or warnings or both. Which makes me think someone has been approving without getting these files fully validated or our distributors hasn't been as diligent either before putting our files on sale. Of course, these files has been on sales for a while now. So my question is would anyone in their right mind continue to turn a blind eye? If so, why? I suspect these old files to be ticking time bombs just waiting to stop working and crash out of newer ereaders? Am I right? or Am I worrying too much about trivial warnings and errors when files still are side-loading and QA okay?

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06-04-2013, 04:39 PM	#2
AlPe Digital Amanuensis Posts: 727 Karma: 1446357 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Turin, Italy Device: Several eReaders and tablets	My rule of thumb is that "Errors should be fixed, warnings should be evaluated carefully". In particular, I recommend fixing any error that might break parsing the XHTML pages or the NCX TOC --- as they are the most common causes for a Reading System to "fail" loading the EPUB. Note, however, that some errors/warnings might have popped up because epubcheck got progressively better and lately it started checking even the most hidden details of the specification, even if they completely (and safely) ignored by any (sanely coded) reading system.

06-05-2013, 11:22 AM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,983 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I suggest fixing all errors and warnings and putting up newly fixed versions. And when validating, use epubcheck 3.0.1 as it's the current version.

06-07-2013, 08:06 AM	#4
Lancelot13 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2013 Device: none	Unfortunately, I'm not in charge of these files. Best I can do is ask questions and raise my concerns. I think epub is becoming the new pdf. Everyone thinks they can create good quality files just because they can. Mistaken quantity for quality is something publishers do way too often these days.

06-07-2013, 11:44 AM	#5
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,804 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Warnings are just that. You have something (usually an extra) that should not cause a problem. Errors are jut that. Some reader may help you along, but others will not. IMHO fix errors

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