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fjtorres · 08-10-2009, 08:29 AM

The issue isn't the format itself but the ecosystem around it.
Formats are just specifications; ink on paper if even that.

Comparing ePub to Mobi is comparing a format without dictionaries to one with.

One that has been around for maybe a year and requires you to in effect roll your own to get a good reading experience on the crappy ADE app on Hanlin, vs one that has been around for ages and is broadly supported.
ePub is simply immature as is the Hanlin ADE release.

Now, take ePub out of ADE, either with the earlier mobi-supporting firmwares or OpenInkpot and you have a usable format.

But mobi is simply more functional "out-of-box" *today*.
Plus, as a legacy format that has been around for ages it is something that a lot of early adopters have on hand and works everywhere. no repackaging or bending over backwards required.

Add in that up to this very moment most of the Hanlin vendors are still hyping Mobi format support as a reason to buy their product, to then turn around and say "oh, we changed our mind" is bound to annoy some folks.

08-10-2009, 08:29 AM	#16
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	The issue isn't the format itself but the ecosystem around it. Formats are just specifications; ink on paper if even that. Comparing ePub to Mobi is comparing a format without dictionaries to one with. One that has been around for maybe a year and requires you to in effect roll your own to get a good reading experience on the crappy ADE app on Hanlin, vs one that has been around for ages and is broadly supported. ePub is simply immature as is the Hanlin ADE release. Now, take ePub out of ADE, either with the earlier mobi-supporting firmwares or OpenInkpot and you have a usable format. But mobi is simply more functional "out-of-box" today. Plus, as a legacy format that has been around for ages it is something that a lot of early adopters have on hand and works everywhere. no repackaging or bending over backwards required. Add in that up to this very moment most of the Hanlin vendors are still hyping Mobi format support as a reason to buy their product, to then turn around and say "oh, we changed our mind" is bound to annoy some folks. Last edited by fjtorres; 08-10-2009 at 08:32 AM.