Which format is best for long-term storage?

klmmc13 · 07-25-2014, 04:25 PM

Hello Everyone --

Which ebook format is best for long-term storage of files? Mobi or Epub? or HTML? or something else??

I'm moving my library from hard-copy / print books to digital and hope to eventually have it all easily accessible for all in the family, and a digital backup on solid state or burnt to discs, etc....

Thanks in advance,
Kathy

crich70 · 07-25-2014, 04:39 PM

I'm partial to mobi myself but then I read on Kindle.

jgaiser · 07-25-2014, 04:53 PM

Actually epub is probably the way to go -- after any DRM has been removed, of course.

Epubs are just zip files with all files for the ereader wrapped up in the zip archive. And with calibre, epub can be converted to just about everything else.

susan_cassidy · 07-25-2014, 05:30 PM

So can .mobi.

PeterT · 07-25-2014, 05:33 PM

Surely ePub has the advantage of being an officially documented format, with the ability to extract contents with no tool more complicated than a de zipper.

JSWolf · 07-25-2014, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crich70

I'm partial to mobi myself but then I read on Kindle.

This is not about what format you like, but about which format is best to archive eBooks in.

My opinion is that if there is no DRM, use ePub. If the source is not ePub, convert it to ePub and save both the ePub and the original.

crich70 · 07-25-2014, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

This is not about what format you like, but about which format is best to archive eBooks in.

My opinion is that if there is no DRM, use ePub. If the source is not ePub, convert it to ePub and save both the ePub and the original.

I meant that I have found mobi good as an archive format.

klmmc13 · 07-25-2014, 06:06 PM

I guess I should have been more specific....

There's no DRM on these files. I want to Archive a copy of my digital library books somewhere not usually accessed, back-up storage, if you will. With Calibre, I've got the ability to create epub/mobi files for individual readers as needed if/when we need it.

Most are fiction, in various formats from .txt file, .pdf of Word files, .pdf image files from Google/IA, epubs, mobi's , even some .lit files (that I no longer have working software to read.)

I'm TRYING to get the largest number of usable texts in the least amount of space, while maintaining the use-ability of the file without much additional "fiddling" when someone wants to "check out the book to read it."
(before I spend several days downloading the plethora of books available at this book-lover's paradise, I'd rather know which format is going to stand up the best to future reading/ backward compatable, whatever you might call it.

I haven't HEARD about issues of older Kindle/mobi books not reading on the newest readers, but I don't get out in those kinds of circles... ya know??
EPUBS, being rooted in OpenSource, I thought would probably be the best option, but, again, I Don't Know... and I am smart enough to come ask people who are much more current and knowledgable than I am on the subject.

Thanks!
Kathy
MamaDragon

Katsunami · 07-25-2014, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgaiser

Actually epub is probably the way to go -- after any DRM has been removed, of course.

Epubs are just zip files with all files for the ereader wrapped up in the zip archive. And with calibre, epub can be converted to just about everything else.

Seconded; I always use EPUB as a base format, even if the book is not delivered as such. If I get a book at Amazon, it comes in AZW3 or MOBI. I either unpack it or convert it into an EPUB (storing the original AZW3 outside calibre after importing it), edit it the way I like it, and then reconvert it back to AZW3, keeping the EPUB as well.

I do the same with LIT files, which is the base format of the old(er) Baen CD's.

Use EPUBs. Even try to convert the DOC-files. With the PDF's, you're basically **&#$. They'll just have to stay PDF, as they don't convert well to any other format.

cfrizz · 07-25-2014, 08:34 PM

It doesn't make a difference which format you use, all that is important is that you back it up and have it in several places. I have all my books on my pc, and external HD, my phone, a sd card, my Sony reader, Samsung mp3 player & Nexus tablet. Save it in one format or all formats.

Victoria · 07-25-2014, 08:41 PM

Sorry to slightly change the topic, but is one hardware solution better than another? For example, external hard drives, DVDs, etc?
Thanks.

RZetlin · 07-25-2014, 08:55 PM

ePub is the most widely used format.

Public libraries, Kobo, Google Books, iTunes, and other eBook stores uses the ePub format.

Only Amazon is the odd one out.

AnemicOak · 07-25-2014, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RZetlin

ePub is the most widely used format.

Public libraries, Kobo, Google Books, iTunes, and other eBook stores uses the ePub format.

Only Amazon is the odd one out.

Widely used as in stores selling it yes. Although in the US & UK Amazon has a huge market lead over all those stores in terms of actual numbers.

Of course I agree with the others. ePub is the way to go for long term storage.

JSWolf · 07-25-2014, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victoria

Sorry to slightly change the topic, but is one hardware solution better than another? For example, external hard drives, DVDs, etc?
Thanks.

Multiple external hard drives is best at the moment. It's also the most cost effective.

Victoria · 07-25-2014, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Multiple external hard drives is best at the moment. It's also the most cost effective.

Great - thanks for the advice Jon

07-25-2014, 04:25 PM	#1
klmmc13 formatting student Posts: 47 Karma: 38268 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: South Arkansas, US Device: several models of Kindle; Several Android tablets & 3 Android phones.	Which format is best for long-term storage? Hello Everyone -- Which ebook format is best for long-term storage of files? Mobi or Epub? or HTML? or something else?? I'm moving my library from hard-copy / print books to digital and hope to eventually have it all easily accessible for all in the family, and a digital backup on solid state or burnt to discs, etc.... Thanks in advance, Kathy

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07-25-2014, 04:39 PM	#2
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,310 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	I'm partial to mobi myself but then I read on Kindle.

07-25-2014, 04:53 PM	#3
jgaiser Omnivorous Posts: 3,283 Karma: 27978909 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rural NW Oregon Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle 3, KPW1	Actually epub is probably the way to go -- after any DRM has been removed, of course. Epubs are just zip files with all files for the ereader wrapped up in the zip archive. And with calibre, epub can be converted to just about everything else.

07-25-2014, 05:30 PM	#4
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	So can .mobi.

07-25-2014, 05:33 PM	#5
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,693 Karma: 79983758 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Surely ePub has the advantage of being an officially documented format, with the ability to extract contents with no tool more complicated than a de zipper.

07-25-2014, 06:06 PM	#8
klmmc13 formatting student Posts: 47 Karma: 38268 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: South Arkansas, US Device: several models of Kindle; Several Android tablets & 3 Android phones.	I guess I should have been more specific.... There's no DRM on these files. I want to Archive a copy of my digital library books somewhere not usually accessed, back-up storage, if you will. With Calibre, I've got the ability to create epub/mobi files for individual readers as needed if/when we need it. Most are fiction, in various formats from .txt file, .pdf of Word files, .pdf image files from Google/IA, epubs, mobi's , even some .lit files (that I no longer have working software to read.) I'm TRYING to get the largest number of usable texts in the least amount of space, while maintaining the use-ability of the file without much additional "fiddling" when someone wants to "check out the book to read it." (before I spend several days downloading the plethora of books available at this book-lover's paradise, I'd rather know which format is going to stand up the best to future reading/ backward compatable, whatever you might call it. I haven't HEARD about issues of older Kindle/mobi books not reading on the newest readers, but I don't get out in those kinds of circles... ya know?? EPUBS, being rooted in OpenSource, I thought would probably be the best option, but, again, I Don't Know... and I am smart enough to come ask people who are much more current and knowledgable than I am on the subject. Thanks! Kathy MamaDragon

07-25-2014, 08:34 PM	#10
cfrizz Wizard Posts: 1,576 Karma: 36389706 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Quincy, MA Device: Samsung 54A, Kobo Libra H2O, Samsung S6 Lite	It doesn't make a difference which format you use, all that is important is that you back it up and have it in several places. I have all my books on my pc, and external HD, my phone, a sd card, my Sony reader, Samsung mp3 player & Nexus tablet. Save it in one format or all formats.

07-25-2014, 08:41 PM	#11
Victoria Wizard Posts: 1,017 Karma: 19767610 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nova Scotia Canada Device: ipad, Kindle PW, Kobo Clara; iphone 7	Sorry to slightly change the topic, but is one hardware solution better than another? For example, external hard drives, DVDs, etc? Thanks.

07-25-2014, 08:55 PM	#12
RZetlin Addict Posts: 383 Karma: 3461302 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Aura One, Kobo Glo, Kobo Aura HD (RIP)	ePub is the most widely used format. Public libraries, Kobo, Google Books, iTunes, and other eBook stores uses the ePub format. Only Amazon is the odd one out.