Why include only an NCX table of contents?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

I've noticed a lot of fiction (novels) on paper doesn't have a contents page.

For fiction it's no harm to have it, but it's not needed and people rarely use it even reading a paper novel unless they lose their place.

Another good thing about the NCX Toc is that it adds no extra pages to the eBook.

[Quoth]

The eBooks don't use paper and number of pages depends on font and screen size. An inline Contents page is a tiny overhead. It doesn't matter if it's there or not. More bother to remove it than leave it.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

The eBooks don't use paper and number of pages depends on font and screen size. An inline Contents page is a tiny overhead. It doesn't matter if it's there or not. More bother to remove it than leave it.

One thing I really dislike a lot is when the publisher links the chapter header to the HTML ToC. That has to go. That is obsolete formatting that doesn't need to be.

I delete all the files from the eBook I don't have a need for. No HTML ToC. No adverts. No previews. No review quotes. No list of other books from that author. No other rubbish not related to the book. S&S & Penguin as good at such rubbish. I also remove most embedded fonts. I also get rid of any graphics not being used. I also recompress most graphics. When I am done, the eBook is a bit smaller is size. Also, it's error checked and the code is cleaner and the format more consistent.

I have never had a problem with any of my Sony Readers or my Kobo H2O. I think most problems are do to a problem in the code.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

One thing I really dislike a lot is when the publisher links the chapter header to the HTML ToC. That has to go. That is obsolete formatting that doesn't need to be.

You mean you don't like accidentally tapping on the chapter header and opening the HTML ToC? <snicker>.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DNSB

You mean you don't like accidentally tapping on the chapter header and opening the HTML ToC? <snicker>.

Nope. I don't like the way it looks.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Nope. I don't like the way it looks.

Wolfie:

Yes, if the book is old enough that they still link back to the TOC. That's...I mean, every once in a while, I still see a linked Chap. head, but that's pretty obsolete these days.

We all know you don't like toc.html files, Jon. But some people DO, as the original questioner indicates. To me, having both is so much rain off a duck's back.

Hitch

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Wolfie:

Yes, if the book is old enough that they still link back to the TOC. That's...I mean, every once in a while, I still see a linked Chap. head, but that's pretty obsolete these days.

We all know you don't like toc.html files, Jon. But some people DO, as the original questioner indicates. To me, having both is so much rain off a duck's back.

Hitch

But why prefer the HTML ToC when you cannot easily get back to it in most cases but you can easily get to the NCX ToC? If the HTML ToC was stuck in the back as the last page(s), then it would be easy to get to.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But why prefer the HTML ToC when you cannot easily get back to it in most cases but you can easily get to the NCX ToC? If the HTML ToC was stuck in the back as the last page(s), then it would be easy to get to.

Because, Wolfie, for Amazon in particular, the GoTo menu has always worked just fine. You have to remember, millions of books, originally in MOBI/PRC/HTML, all pretty much using the GoTo. Click GoTo, TOC and regardless--this is the relevant part--how old the ebook is, you'll be taken to either the HTML toc or the NCX.

Hitch

[Turtle91]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But why prefer the HTML ToC when you cannot easily get back to it in most cases but you can easily get to the NCX ToC? If the HTML ToC was stuck in the back as the last page(s), then it would be easy to get to.

So what I do (from anywhere in the book) is click on the ToC button/label which opens up a list of all the contents in the book. Then I find the listing for "Table of Contents". When I tap on that it takes me right to the Table of Contents!

</sarcasm>

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Turtle91

So what I do (from anywhere in the book) is click on the ToC button/label which opens up a list of all the contents in the book. Then I find the listing for "Table of Contents". When I tap on that it takes me right to the Table of Contents!

</sarcasm>

Oui, but that can work differently, depending on what's IN the book. ;-) What's accessible to the book, I mean.

H

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Wolfie:

Yes, if the book is old enough that they still link back to the TOC. That's...I mean, every once in a while, I still see a linked Chap. head, but that's pretty obsolete these days.

Hitch

It may be obsolete, but I bought a 2021 HarperCollins title that has, not only the chapter heads, but EVERYTHING linked. Dedication, Epigraph, Author's Note, Glossary, Copyright, everything. Bright blue and clickable.

I thought that sort of thing had gone out of style long since in ebooks, but there it was!

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by graycyn

It may be obsolete, but I bought a 2021 HarperCollins title that has, not only the chapter heads, but EVERYTHING linked. Dedication, Epigraph, Author's Note, Glossary, Copyright, everything. Bright blue and clickable.

I thought that sort of thing had gone out of style long since in ebooks, but there it was!

Geeze, I should drop them a line.

Hitch

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Turtle91

So what I do (from anywhere in the book) is click on the ToC button/label which opens up a list of all the contents in the book. Then I find the listing for "Table of Contents". When I tap on that it takes me right to the Table of Contents!

</sarcasm>

Most new eBooks no longer have a Table of Contents entry in the NCX ToC.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by graycyn

It may be obsolete, but I bought a 2021 HarperCollins title that has, not only the chapter heads, but EVERYTHING linked. Dedication, Epigraph, Author's Note, Glossary, Copyright, everything. Bright blue and clickable.

I thought that sort of thing had gone out of style long since in ebooks, but there it was!

2000 called. They want their obsolete formatting back.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Most new eBooks no longer have a Table of Contents entry in the NCX ToC.

Select first entry and go back a page?

It's what I have to do on the Word processor as the first heading is at the start of the actual text.