Quick Format Question

MarcusStringer · 07-11-2010, 08:41 PM

Hi Guys,
Wasn't sure where to put this...so here it is...
Was asked by a client to quote on supplying ePub file (which is fine with us)

But they then, in the same breath wanted a secondary quote for supply of:
ePub, AER and PRC

I cannot find any information about AER or PRC?
The only thing I came up with was reference to PDF/AER

Does anyone here know what these stand for?
I don't want to ask the client (and for them to think I don't know what I'm doing)

Thanks
Marcus

dreams · 07-11-2010, 08:49 PM

Here is a link to the MR Wiki information on formats.

Prc/mobi is what I usually notice, but I am not very knowledgeable about formats.

You can check the wiki and hopefully a more knowledgeable member will chime in soon.

fjtorres · 07-11-2010, 09:19 PM

PRC started out as generic PALMOS extension for a variety of data files.
In the ebook arena, PRC is a file extesion for Mobipocket files and can be created by Mobipocket Creator (free at mobipocket.com) or other tools like MobiPerl or Calibre. The format can also use the extension .mobi and (if DRM-free) .azw for use with Kindle ebook readers and apps.
For more detail:
http://www.mobipocket.com/dev/articl...mobiformat.htm

pholy · 07-11-2010, 09:24 PM

The prc format is the same as mobi (more or less), and well handled by Calibre.

But AER? I never heard of it either...

You could try telling the client it's an old obsolete format the industry is trying to avoid... but if I'm wrong we both look like idiots and you are out of work..

Maybe try to get the client to tell you why they want it or where it will be used, and then you might find out what it really is. Then come tell us, please...

Good luck - Sr. Systems Programmer & Consultant, retired (still alive!)

MarcusStringer · 07-11-2010, 09:27 PM

Thanks Guys.
So effectively, I can continue using the ePub format and running it through kindleGen to create the .mobi file? (which will work with PRC readers anyway, right?).

That's one down...Good idea...pholy
I think I will have to ask some leading questions on this one...????

fjtorres · 07-11-2010, 10:00 PM

As long as you don't use DRM azw = prc = mobi.

The only AER format I know of is 3d graphics files for ADOBE ATMOSPHERE.

Toxaris · 07-12-2010, 03:16 AM

Perhaps he means eReader format and mistakes it being from Adobe? In that case it would be PDB.

AlexBell · 07-12-2010, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

As long as you don't use DRM azw = prc = mobi.

I don't think that's true, though an ebook readers which which can read one can read the other two - I think there's one called a Kingle (or something similar) which can do this.

The difference between mobi and prc versus azw is that if one removes the DRM from a mobi or prc file one gets a clean mobi or prc file. If one removes the DRM from an azw file one gets a collection of folders, and a big HTML file with horrible CSS.

Regards, Alex

fjtorres · 07-12-2010, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexBell

The difference between mobi and prc versus azw is that if one removes the DRM from a mobi or prc file one gets a clean mobi or prc file. If one removes the DRM from an azw file one gets a collection of folders, and a big HTML file with horrible CSS.

Regards, Alex

Uh. No.

You may be thinking of azw1 (Topaz) format which is glyph-based and a generally-despised abomination.

azw, though, is *exactly* the same format as Mobipocket internally.
DRM-free azw files can be generated by the OP's creation tool of choice, Kindlegen, and merely changing the extension makes them readable by any mobi-compatible reader app. Conversely, DRM-free files generated by mobi creator renamed as azw are readily readable by Kindle hardware and readers apps.

I've done both.

Topaz on the other hand is only available in DRM-infested form and it is best avoided whenever possible.

AlexBell · 07-13-2010, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Uh. No.

You may be thinking of azw1 (Topaz) format which is glyph-based and a generally-despised abomination.

azw, though, is *exactly* the same format as Mobipocket internally.
DRM-free azw files can be generated by the OP's creation tool of choice, Kindlegen, and merely changing the extension makes them readable by any mobi-compatible reader app. Conversely, DRM-free files generated by mobi creator renamed as azw are readily readable by Kindle hardware and readers apps.

I've done both.

Topaz on the other hand is only available in DRM-infested form and it is best avoided whenever possible.

You're quite correct, I did presume that Topaz and azw are the same. Thanks for the clarification.

I share your opinion about Topaz, and would never knowingly buy an ebook with this format.

Regards, Alex

07-11-2010, 08:41 PM	#1
MarcusStringer Member Posts: 21 Karma: 14 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Maryborough, Vic, Australia Device: Adobe Digital Editions	Quick Format Question Hi Guys, Wasn't sure where to put this...so here it is... Was asked by a client to quote on supplying ePub file (which is fine with us) But they then, in the same breath wanted a secondary quote for supply of: ePub, AER and PRC I cannot find any information about AER or PRC? The only thing I came up with was reference to PDF/AER Does anyone here know what these stand for? I don't want to ask the client (and for them to think I don't know what I'm doing) Thanks Marcus

07-11-2010, 09:19 PM	#3
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	PRC started out as generic PALMOS extension for a variety of data files. In the ebook arena, PRC is a file extesion for Mobipocket files and can be created by Mobipocket Creator (free at mobipocket.com) or other tools like MobiPerl or Calibre. The format can also use the extension .mobi and (if DRM-free) .azw for use with Kindle ebook readers and apps. For more detail: http://www.mobipocket.com/dev/articl...mobiformat.htm Last edited by fjtorres; 07-11-2010 at 09:21 PM.

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07-11-2010, 08:49 PM	#2
dreams It's about the umbrella Posts: 25,112 Karma: 56250158 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony 505\| K Fire \| KK 3G+Wi-Fi \| iPhone 3Gs \|Vista 32-bit Hm Prem w/FF	Here is a link to the MR Wiki information on formats. Prc/mobi is what I usually notice, but I am not very knowledgeable about formats. You can check the wiki and hopefully a more knowledgeable member will chime in soon.

07-11-2010, 09:24 PM	#4
pholy Booklegger Posts: 1,801 Karma: 7999816 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Device: BeBook(1 & 2010), PEZ, PRS-505, Kobo BT, PRS-T1, Playbook, Kobo Touch	The prc format is the same as mobi (more or less), and well handled by Calibre. But AER? I never heard of it either... You could try telling the client it's an old obsolete format the industry is trying to avoid... but if I'm wrong we both look like idiots and you are out of work.. Maybe try to get the client to tell you why they want it or where it will be used, and then you might find out what it really is. Then come tell us, please... Good luck - Sr. Systems Programmer & Consultant, retired (still alive!)

07-11-2010, 09:27 PM	#5
MarcusStringer Member Posts: 21 Karma: 14 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Maryborough, Vic, Australia Device: Adobe Digital Editions	Thanks Guys. So effectively, I can continue using the ePub format and running it through kindleGen to create the .mobi file? (which will work with PRC readers anyway, right?). That's one down...Good idea...pholy I think I will have to ask some leading questions on this one...????

07-11-2010, 10:00 PM	#6
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	As long as you don't use DRM azw = prc = mobi. The only AER format I know of is 3d graphics files for ADOBE ATMOSPHERE.

07-12-2010, 03:16 AM	#7
Toxaris Wizard Posts: 4,520 Karma: 121692313 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Heemskerk, NL Device: PRS-T1, Kobo Touch, Kobo Aura	Perhaps he means eReader format and mistakes it being from Adobe? In that case it would be PDB.

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