Don't like formating of most free books

[markbot]

I've noticed that most free books have this formating where there is a space between paragraphs. I really don't like this because it means less text fits on the page. This is probably so it is easier to read on a computer screen.....thus not meant for ebook devices.

[NatCh]

Personally, I prefer the space between paragraphs, even on my PRS500.

[Hadrien]

Originally Posted by markbot

I've noticed that most free books have this formating where there is a space between paragraphs. I really don't like this because it means less text fits on the page. This is probably so it is easier to read on a computer screen.....thus not meant for ebook devices.

I agree. Try those on Feedbooks, we indent the paragraphs instead of adding an extra white space: http://www.feedbooks.com/help/kindle

[slayda]

Originally Posted by NatCh

Personally, I prefer the space between paragraphs, even on my PRS500.

My old eyes have an easier time reading with the blank space between paragraphs.

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by Hadrien

... we indent the paragraphs instead of adding an extra white space....

Heh, I like to have both indents and the extra line. Ain't it funny how much personal preferences can vary on such things?

[Hadrien]

Originally Posted by NatCh

Heh, I like to have both indents and the extra line. Ain't it funny how much personal preferences can vary on such things?

Yeah, I also noted this sort of personal preferences with margins.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by markbot

I've noticed that most free books have this formating where there is a space between paragraphs. I really don't like this because it means less text fits on the page. This is probably so it is easier to read on a computer screen.....thus not meant for ebook devices.

Take a look at most of the free books on MobileRead. You'll see them indented without the excess line space.

[tsgreer]

And I honestly don't mind it either way. I usually don't really notice...

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by markbot

I've noticed that most free books have this formating where there is a space between paragraphs. I really don't like this because it means less text fits on the page. This is probably so it is easier to read on a computer screen.....thus not meant for ebook devices.

The answer is simple - create your own books, like many of us do here. That way you can format them the way that YOU want them.

I suspect the reason for blank lines between paragraphs isn't for computer screens but the opposite - PDA screens. These are very narrow, and indents don't work very well.

When you've created your books, please upload them here so that others can share them. Look forward to seeing the results of your work.

[markbot]

i hope that one day they have it such that u can change the formatting! it's an ebook...this should be one of the benefits of ebooks over paper books.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by markbot

i hope that one day they have it such that u can change the formatting! it's an ebook...this should be one of the benefits of ebooks over paper books.

You can change the formatting. Use tompe's "mobi2html" tool and you can "explode" any DRM-free MobiPocket-format book into its Open eBook source. Do whatever the heck you want to it (it's just HTML), then rebuild the book with the free "MobiGen" tool.

[Hadrien]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You can change the formatting. Use tompe's "mobi2html" tool and you can "explode" any DRM-free MobiPocket-format book into its Open eBook source. Do whatever the heck you want to it (it's just HTML), then rebuild the book with the free "MobiGen" tool.

I guess that what markbot would like to see, is such an option on the device itself. Somewhere in the settings, you could switch between "no blank space" between paragraphs, or "blank space".

That's actually something that could be possible with most formats. In epub for example, you could have a different stylesheet that would basically add this blank space after the </p> tag.