How to explain to people how to read ePubs?

robcub · 10-13-2010, 06:23 PM

Obvious question but, how do you distribute an ePub to 500 or people and get them to read it?

I have a client who wanted a document to be read on handheld devices so I created an ePub. I have uploaded it to an account at bookworm.oreilly.com .

But he has got back to me as he didn't realize he'd had to download Stanza.

I wonder if all the other handheld devices that can read ePubs need software downloaded to read them? And is there some generic instruction you can give to people in order to access this format?

Adjust · 10-13-2010, 06:40 PM

No offense to you, but you can't account for stupid...(boss)

Handheld reading devices like Kindle(.mobi not .epub), Kobo, Sony do not need extra software to read epubs, because they are built to do it...

Smart phones, computers, iPad, iPhones etc etc. Do need a third party app to be able to read epub...

iPad = iBooks (why it dosen't come preinstalled is beyond me)
iPhone = Stanza
Computers = Adobe Digital Editions

The list goes on...

robcub · 10-14-2010, 05:07 AM

Thank you, Adjust. I'm quite surprised there aren't ebook readers installed as standard on the iPad and iPhone because there are plenty of iPad and iPhone users who don't know about their ability to read this format.

What about the best method of delivery of an ePub. Is uploading on bookworm.oreilly.com a good way?

Adjust · 10-14-2010, 05:16 AM

Yes or if its only a company newsletter or some such document, then it maybe easier to simply host the epub on the company website. And just point the user to the URL.

Uploading to bookworm and the like would be, IMO, reserved for books people want to sell the epub commercially

Jellby · 10-14-2010, 11:43 AM

They can just go to ibisreader.com

DaleDe · 10-14-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adjust

No offense to you, but you can't account for stupid...(boss)

Handheld reading devices like Kindle(.mobi not .epub), Kobo, Sony do not need extra software to read epubs, because they are built to do it...

Kindle cannot read ePUB at all. It should not be in the above list. If you want the Kindle audience you cannot release only ePUB as your format. You can submit ePUB to Amazon for conversion.

Dale

robcub · 10-14-2010, 05:10 PM

Thank you for the responses. Are books uploaded to the Ibis Reader and O'Reilly Bookworm viewable to other users, or do you need the username and password to access the publication?

I have asked this question in their respective forums and contact areas.

Adjust · 10-14-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Kindle cannot read ePUB at all.
Dale

Isn't that what I said.

I was using it as a well known example of a dedicated eReader

DaleDe · 10-14-2010, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adjust

Isn't that what I said.

I was using it as a well known example of a dedicated eReader

Well, perhaps that is what you intended but you said this list is an example of dedicated readers that can read ePUB with only a confusing parenthetical phrase after the kindle. The second line implied all.

Jellby · 10-15-2010, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robcub

Thank you for the responses. Are books uploaded to the Ibis Reader and O'Reilly Bookworm viewable to other users, or do you need the username and password to access the publication?

They are account-specific. But you can provide a link and any user can create an account (with Ibis Reader it's as easy as entering an email address and password, and voilà) and add the book to his account.

robcub · 10-15-2010, 05:59 AM

I'm sorry, Jellby, I didn't explain that very well. What I meant was, if I create an account and upload an ePub, is it viewable by anyone? The answer is no, at least for the Ibis site. The ePubs are only for the user.

quillaja · 10-15-2010, 08:44 AM

Unless I had a specific reason to use ePub (like I was actually publishing something for people who used ereaders), I probably wouldn't use ePub to distribute a document to 500 people, most of whom probably have no idea what ePub is.

I'd distribute something more standard, like a Word .doc or a PDF, or if you want to share it from the web, you could create a Google Docs version of the document, make it "public", then send everyone the link. All of these would be viewable from handheld devices (like cell phones), and a .doc or pdf would also be viewable on an ereader (generally).

Jellby · 10-15-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quillaja

I probably wouldn't use ePub to distribute a document [...] I'd distribute something more standard, like a Word .doc

Isn't that ironic?

HarryT · 10-15-2010, 11:43 AM

I too would suggest using PDF for the described purpose.

BillSmithBooks · 10-15-2010, 06:09 PM

1) People can download the file, change the extension from .epub to .zip, unzip it and read in a standard browser (assuming the mobile devices have zip software).

2) I'd also encourage posting the document using the Google docs or just a standard blog or download: Use pdf, rtf/doc format (any word processor can read RTF, some struggle with doc) or good old-fashioned HTML.

10-13-2010, 06:23 PM	#1
robcub Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: ADE	How to explain to people how to read ePubs? Obvious question but, how do you distribute an ePub to 500 or people and get them to read it? I have a client who wanted a document to be read on handheld devices so I created an ePub. I have uploaded it to an account at bookworm.oreilly.com . But he has got back to me as he didn't realize he'd had to download Stanza. I wonder if all the other handheld devices that can read ePubs need software downloaded to read them? And is there some generic instruction you can give to people in order to access this format?

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10-13-2010, 06:40 PM	#2
Adjust Addict Posts: 351 Karma: 70000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Australia Device: ADE, iPad	No offense to you, but you can't account for stupid...(boss) Handheld reading devices like Kindle(.mobi not .epub), Kobo, Sony do not need extra software to read epubs, because they are built to do it... Smart phones, computers, iPad, iPhones etc etc. Do need a third party app to be able to read epub... iPad = iBooks (why it dosen't come preinstalled is beyond me) iPhone = Stanza Computers = Adobe Digital Editions The list goes on...

10-14-2010, 05:07 AM	#3
robcub Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: ADE	Thank you, Adjust. I'm quite surprised there aren't ebook readers installed as standard on the iPad and iPhone because there are plenty of iPad and iPhone users who don't know about their ability to read this format. What about the best method of delivery of an ePub. Is uploading on bookworm.oreilly.com a good way?

10-14-2010, 05:16 AM	#4
Adjust Addict Posts: 351 Karma: 70000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Australia Device: ADE, iPad	Yes or if its only a company newsletter or some such document, then it maybe easier to simply host the epub on the company website. And just point the user to the URL. Uploading to bookworm and the like would be, IMO, reserved for books people want to sell the epub commercially

10-14-2010, 11:43 AM	#5
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,516 Karma: 18512745 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	They can just go to ibisreader.com

10-14-2010, 05:10 PM	#7
robcub Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: ADE	Thank you for the responses. Are books uploaded to the Ibis Reader and O'Reilly Bookworm viewable to other users, or do you need the username and password to access the publication? I have asked this question in their respective forums and contact areas.

10-15-2010, 05:59 AM	#11
robcub Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: ADE	I'm sorry, Jellby, I didn't explain that very well. What I meant was, if I create an account and upload an ePub, is it viewable by anyone? The answer is no, at least for the Ibis site. The ePubs are only for the user.

10-15-2010, 08:44 AM	#12
quillaja Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 42 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: sony reader touch (prs-600)	Unless I had a specific reason to use ePub (like I was actually publishing something for people who used ereaders), I probably wouldn't use ePub to distribute a document to 500 people, most of whom probably have no idea what ePub is. I'd distribute something more standard, like a Word .doc or a PDF, or if you want to share it from the web, you could create a Google Docs version of the document, make it "public", then send everyone the link. All of these would be viewable from handheld devices (like cell phones), and a .doc or pdf would also be viewable on an ereader (generally).

10-15-2010, 11:43 AM	#14
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I too would suggest using PDF for the described purpose.

10-15-2010, 06:09 PM	#15
BillSmithBooks Padawan Learner Posts: 243 Karma: 1085815 Join Date: May 2009 Location: www.OutlawGalaxy.com, Foothills of NY's Adirondack mountains Device: My PC...using Puppy Linux (FBReader, Calibre, Kindle Cloud Reader,	1) People can download the file, change the extension from .epub to .zip, unzip it and read in a standard browser (assuming the mobile devices have zip software). 2) I'd also encourage posting the document using the Google docs or just a standard blog or download: Use pdf, rtf/doc format (any word processor can read RTF, some struggle with doc) or good old-fashioned HTML.

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