Format or eReader?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Jon: Don't be hard on 'em. They're new here.

BD: Around these parts, we usually refer to e-book reading devices as "dedicated devices" or "dedicated readers," as opposed to "eReader," which, as Jon pointed out, is the proper name of a particular e-book format (like Mobi and ePub, etc).

Of course, Jon is aware that outside of these parts, calling these devices "eReaders" is fairly common...

I only pick on em these days if they totally full up the word or use it with the same capitalization as the format. But I did answer the question properly after that.

[Book Depository]

Hi Jon,

thanks for being upfront. A lesson learnt there I think. "Readers" is a lot shorter to write then "dedicated devices/readers" as Steve mentioned so I think we shall start writing it like that from now on. Thanks Steve for the backing too.

Jon, how do you prefer to write eBooks? There are so many different ways we have seen: 'e-books', 'ebooks', e books'.

We prefer eBooks (hence the reason for writing eReaders. It just made sense at the time).

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Book Depository

Hi Jon,

thanks for being upfront. A lesson learnt there I think. "Readers" is a lot shorter to write then "dedicated devices/readers" as Steve mentioned so I think we shall start writing it like that from now on. Thanks Steve for the backing too.

Unfortunately, if you say "Readers", people will think you're talking specifically about the "Sony Reader". "eBook Readers" is good .

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by Book Depository

We prefer eBooks (hence the reason for writing eReaders. It just made sense at the time).

The jury's still out on "e-books," "ebooks," "eBooks," etc. Fortunately, none of those is trademarked by anyone, so for the moment, use whatever you're comfortable with!

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by Book Depository

I would love to know how everyone decides how they buy their eBooks regardless of being free or paid for.

A few questions:

• When buying/searching for eBooks do you search by format or by eReader?
  Format. Epub preferred, followed by HTML ('cos it's easiest to convert), RTF (hah), PDF ('cos it's often readable with very little editing/conversion work), LIT, and then other formats which I think of as "hassle to convert."
  
  
• Do you know what format/s your eReader can read when searching or do you expect all eBooks to be read by your eReader?
  I know what formats can be read by
  * Sony Reader
  * RB-1150 (which I still haven't got functional, because the software & Vista don't like each other)
  * Clié PDA
  * My home desktop, work desktop, and laptop.
  And I know what formats are convertible to the ones that work on those.
  (This is perhaps a question better suited to other online locations; most people at MobileRead are very aware of what does & doesn't work on their devices.)
  
  
• Before you bought your eReader did you know about software to convert a format to your eReaders format? If you didn't would you have liked to have been informed by the retailer?
  Some of my first experiences with ebooks were with Baen's free library, so I was always aware of file formats, and knew to look for ones that worked with however I was going to read the ebook. When I look at ebook stores, I'm often very annoyed at how little info they give about file formats--many don't distinguish between PDF and EPub if they're DRM'd, and some print publishers just have a button for "click here to purchase in ebook format." (I tend to think those are PDFs.)

I don't buy DRM'd ebooks at all, so that rather drastically affects which stores I purchase from.

[Xiaopanda]

Originally Posted by Book Depository

I would love to know how everyone decides how they buy their eBooks regardless of being free or paid for.

A few questions:

• When buying/searching for eBooks do you search by format or by eReader?
  Just about always by format
• Do you know what format/s your eReader can read when searching or do you expect all eBooks to be read by your eReader?
  A bit of both, unless I am looking at a device specific site
• Before you bought your eReader did you know about software to convert a format to your eReaders format? If you didn't would you have liked to have been informed by the retailer?
  No, I didn't know about conversion software specifically for e-book convertion, and No, I don't think the retailer should have supplied this info. For the amount you pay for the readers, the onus should be on the retailer to disclose the file formats the reader can ...read.... How you get that format is up to the customer, IMO

Thanks

So, that's what I think in a nut-shell.....

[orwell2k]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Unfortunately, if you say "Readers", people will think you're talking specifically about the "Sony Reader". "eBook Readers" is good .

Which tends to get naturally contracted to eReaders or e-Readers (being shorthand ofr either eBook Readers or Electronic Readers)... it's just that much easier to say, and humans tend to have a penchant for shorthand or nicknames.

I know there's been lots of debates on terminology (liseuse, e-Reader, etc.) and I admit to being one who freely uses the terms "eReader" or "e-Reader" when referring to dedicated eBook devices in general. It is unfortunate there is an eBook format already in existence, but semantics aside, it is a damn good term to use for the devices. From my experience the context usually makes it clear as to whether people are talking about the format or the devices - and to be honest, I've never had cause to stop and think, "what do they mean?".

I even (now) accept people stopping to ask about my device (Hanlin clone) when they see me using it and initially referring to it as a Sony or Kindle. I used to want to go postal - but now I politely correct them at the appropriate time whilst happily demonstrating the device features and the overall advantages of eBooks.

[orwell2k]

Originally Posted by Book Depository

I would love to know how everyone decides how they buy their eBooks regardless of being free or paid for.

A few questions:

• When buying/searching for eBooks do you search by format or by eReader?
• Do you know what format/s your eReader can read when searching or do you expect all eBooks to be read by your eReader?
• Before you bought your eReader did you know about software to convert a format to your eReaders format? If you didn't would you have liked to have been informed by the retailer?

Thanks

Suppose I better answer the survey as well:

(1) I search by book - the inconsistency of availability across formats and often market regions means if I really want a title I need to search for the eBook, then assess the best price/format choice available.

(2) Yes, I choose my devices based on what formats I prefer (in my case, FB2 is a must have, all other formats are optional, although it makes sense to have a major market format (usually DRM) available - it was Mobi, now seems to be ePub (ADE).

(3) Yes - due to my geographical location the earliest eBook dedicated devices (like Sony Libre) were not available to me to buy, so I had to make use of a PDA (Pocket PC Acer n10) for reading eBooks. In my research I came across the Russian developed FB2 format, reader software (for PC, PDA and Pocket PC) and the conversion tools needed. I tried using standard reader software on my Acer n10 (MS Reader and MobiPocket Reader) but their instability and poor formatting always forced me back to using FB2 formatted books and reading them with Haali Reader (Russian software).

[jasonkchapman]

Originally Posted by Book Depository

I would love to know how everyone decides how they buy their eBooks regardless of being free or paid for.

A few questions:

• When buying/searching for eBooks do you search by format or by eReader?
  The book comes first, so I look in places where I'm likely to find a format I can use--so I guess it's format.
  
• Do you know what format/s your eReader can read when searching or do you expect all eBooks to be read by your eReader?
  Yes, I do, but I also know how to make use of what formats I can find that I can't use with my Sony.
  
• Before you bought your eReader did you know about software to convert a format to your eReaders format? If you didn't would you have liked to have been informed by the retailer?
  Since I've been doing the e-book thing for something like ten years, I was ahead of the curve on formats and conversions. I learned from places like c.p.e.m. For new folks, more information is always better, as long as it's simple, clearly written, and kept current. Pointers to places like MR, are always a good idea.

Thanks

I know I'm not the kind of sample you're looking for, and the faster the market grows, the more of a minority folks like me will become. I'm definitely not the demographic that the market is aiming for, but I though I'd chime in anyway.

[Seli]

For a start I will have to look for a shop that will sell to me.

[*]When buying/searching for eBooks do you search by format or by eReader?
I search for Title/author first and worry later about the format

[*]Do you know what format/s your eReader can read when searching or do you expect all eBooks to be read by your eReader?
One of the reasons I bought my model is the wide range of files it can handle. I know approximately what files it can handle and which ones I like to read (so less likely to take pdf for example).

[*]Before you bought your eReader did you know about software to convert a format to your eReaders format? If you didn't would you have liked to have been informed by the retailer?
I spent at least 2 years in making the decision of buying an e-ink device, so I knew quite some things at the time I decided. DRM issues were more important to me then conversion options.


# Before you became a member of this forum and bought your eReader did you know anyhting about eBooks/eReaders?
I read the forum some time before becoming a member and also followed discussions elsewhere, including print press.

# What reasons made you chose your eReader? Was it format or device based?
Large amount of formats, open structure in both hard-and software with quite a selection of firm-ware options available, no lock-in with vendor, price; availability at the time I bought it (in a slight hurry).

[sony_fox]

I like the others search for a specific title/author first. Only then do I check that it's geographically ok, and in a format I can use.

I know what formats my reader will take.

I don't buy books in other formats. I wouldn't trusts website that offers to software to convert formats. I use calibre, but haven't sucessfully converted anything. I want the book I buy to work straightaway.

I joined mR to research the different Ereaders available. Choice was partly device features, format and availability.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by orwell2k

I know there's been lots of debates on terminology (liseuse, e-Reader, etc.) and I admit to being one who freely uses the terms "eReader" or "e-Reader" when referring to dedicated eBook devices in general. It is unfortunate there is an eBook format already in existence, but semantics aside, it is a damn good term to use for the devices. From my experience the context usually makes it clear as to whether people are talking about the format or the devices - and to be honest, I've never had cause to stop and think, "what do they mean?".

The problem arises when people buy "eReader" format books, mistakenly thinking that they will work on their reading device. I prefer not to use the term for that reason, although it's probably a "lost cause" already.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The problem arises when people buy "eReader" format books, mistakenly thinking that they will work on their reading device. I prefer not to use the term for that reason, although it's probably a "lost cause" already.

Never say never! Never say die!

In writing my reference book (this is NOT a PLUG!!), I discovered the easiest way to keep things clear was to use the terms "device" and "format" regularly when describing hardware and software. It can seem a bit formal, but generally it results in significantly less confusion, and it's not as if the words are jaw-breakers.

[MikeB1972]

* When buying/searching for eBooks do you search by format or by eReader?
Book first then format (ePub for preference than something open - html/rtf etc)
I never bother searching by eReader
<rant>and before anyone pipes up I don't call it an eReader in my house, I call it a book - the same as I call my DVD recorder a DVD, my DAB Micro System a HiFi and I say tape it instead of Sky+ it, it's easier that way</rant>
* Do you know what format/s your eReader can read when searching or do you expect all eBooks to be read by your eReader?
I know the formats my books can read.
* What reasons made you chose your eReader? Was it format or device based"?
The BeBook was format based (open source, large amount of formats etc)
The Jetbook Lite was device based (Small & Sturdy - I just wanted something that was easy to carry around)

Getting the right format in the UK is not much of an issue since those upstart colonists started to refuse to sell us stuff, most everything is ADE ePub now.

[orwell2k]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Never say never! Never say die!

In writing my reference book (this is NOT a PLUG!!), I discovered the easiest way to keep things clear was to use the terms "device" and "format" regularly when describing hardware and software. It can seem a bit formal, but generally it results in significantly less confusion, and it's not as if the words are jaw-breakers.

So eReader device or e-Reader device would be (barely) acceptable? At least as far as avoiding possible confusion?

As I said, I have never encountered the confusion problem myself on this terminology, as the context is clear, but I can undertstand the mistake being made by someone new to the whole world of e-.

I will endeavour to be more consistent in my usage of the term eReader device (there, I did it!).