Looking for epub rendered as well as a pdf

[All4Fun]

I hope I convey my post appropriately...

It's well understood that pdf's strengths is that it can display or render text in a manner that the author/publisher intended.

Amongst other things, epubs strengths is that it is reflowable but also can render comparable to a pdf with some effort.

What I'm looking for is an example of a free (or not free) epub with some "eye candy" ( a mixture of text, graphics, charts, columns, whatever) similar to how it might look as a pdf.

I realize this is subjective and this is meant to stir the "pdf is bad as an ebook format" debate. However, I still have an affinity towards pdfs because of how well a document can be rendered and I'd like to see an example of an epub that rivals the presentation of a pdf.

Thanks

[nrapallo]

Originally Posted by All4Fun

I realize this is subjective and this is meant to stir the "pdf is bad as an ebook format" debate.

I think you meant "this isn't meant"...

However, I still have an affinity towards pdfs because of how well a document can be rendered and I'd like to see an example of an epub that rivals the presentation of a pdf.

Thanks

I do love the look of professionally prepared .pdf's, however, I also don't like the way they transfer/convert to (reflow) ebook formats. In which case, PDFRead comes to the rescue!

I'm spoiled by the original image (pardon the pun) and cannot accept second fiddle when I convert .pdf to ebooks formats.

I have not seen elaborate .epub's (with complex graphic layouts) other than some well-illustrated ones Jellby has produced. But then again most of those .epub's contain full screen graphics and not overlays like magazines do.

p.s. Also from the Toronto Suburbs (Vaughan)....

[netseeker]

Recently JSWolf posted a good example: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...590#post431590

I don't know if it's exactly what you are looking for, but it's worth a view or two.

[All4Fun]

Originally Posted by netseeker

Recently JSWolf posted a good example: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...590#post431590

I don't know if it's exactly what you are looking for, but it's worth a view or two.

Thanks netseeker. I'll take a look.

[All4Fun]

So I took at the JSWolf's epub example and I was impressed with the formatting for the chapter headings and the formatting used for "About the Author" at the end of the book. I'm going to put it on my 505 and see how it looks and reflows on it.

[nrapallo]

Originally Posted by All4Fun

So I took at the JSWolf's epub example and I was impressed with the formatting for the chapter headings and the formatting used for "About the Author" at the end of the book. I'm going to put it on my 505 and see how it looks and reflows on it.

But it only seems to work within ADE as it makes extensive use of svg graphics; which are not (yet) fully supported by many browsers (firefox/IE) nor by the calibre viewer or mobipocket reader.

[netseeker]

Originally Posted by nrapallo

But it only seems to work within ADE as it makes extensive use of svg graphics; which are not (yet) fully supported by many browsers (firefox/IE) nor by the calibre viewer or mobipocket reader.

JSWolf wrote it does work on the PRS-505 as well as on the PRS-700. I can't try it myself at the moment (my wife is reading with my PRS-505).

I don't see why it should matter if Firefox or IE or the Mobipocket Reader do support SVG's or not. None of the three claims to be ePub-capable.

[nrapallo]

Originally Posted by netseeker

I don't see why it should matter if Firefox or IE or the Mobipocket Reader do support SVG's or not. None of the three claims to be ePub-capable.

It doesn't, but I was going for the conversion-angle; to then try and convert this .epub to other ebook formats for ebook hardware readers other than the Sony PRS-505/700.

Perhaps, in time, ADE will be more widely supported and this will be a moot point.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by netseeker

JSWolf wrote it does work on the PRS-505 as well as on the PRS-700. I can't try it myself at the moment (my wife is reading with my PRS-505).

I don't see why it should matter if Firefox or IE or the Mobipocket Reader do support SVG's or not. None of the three claims to be ePub-capable.

there is a browser add on that support ePUB called OpenBerg Lector

Dale

[netseeker]

Originally Posted by nrapallo

It doesn't, but I was going for the conversion-angle; to then try and convert this .epub to other ebook formats for ebook hardware readers other than the Sony PRS-505/700.

Your rolling eyes are making me feel giddy.
The ePub-spec limits the supported features of SVG... Don't blame the format - just write better ePub-conversion software.

[nrapallo]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

there is a browser add on that support ePUB called OpenBerg Lector

Dale

OpenBerg Lector v5 isn't supported in Firefox v3.0; is there a newer one?

[netseeker]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

there is a browser add on that support ePUB called OpenBerg Lector

Dale

Thanks Dale, unfortunately it doesn't seem to work with current versions of Firefox.

PS: forget it, nrapallo was faster.

[nrapallo]

Originally Posted by netseeker

Your rolling eyes are making me feel giddy.

I hope it's a warm feeling and doesn't cause you too much discomfort...

The ePub-spec limits the supported features of SVG... Don't blame the format - just write better ePub-conversion software.

I'll try with the .imp format, but will leave the calibre viewer support to Kovid and team as well as the mobipocket reader support to... ... AMAZON.. yeah, right!

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by nrapallo

OpenBerg Lector v5 isn't supported in Firefox v3.0; is there a newer one?

It's open source! Well, it seems that it hasn't been touched recently. It does claim to have SVG support. have at it.

Dale

[nrapallo]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

It's open source! Well, it seems that it hasn't been touched recently. It does claim to have SVG support. have at it.

Dale

Thanks, Dale, I just noticed that too, as the OpenBerg wiki states that (since summer 2007) it's not been updated for FireFox v3.0.