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Choosing Your eBook Readers
You will need one or more ebook readers to enjoy all of the published content available. With this software, you’ll be able read freely produced and copy-protected works on your computer or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). No single piece of software can read every ebook format, so expect to download more than one. On the upside, there is a free version of each reader for every ebook format.
The HTML/XHTML Format (Readable on: Web Browsers)
There are ebooks that are produced as HTML/XHTML files (.HTM or .HTML). Essentially, these are self-contained web pages that can be read by any web browser. There are too many browsers to mention, so I’ll just name three for the computer: Netscape, Internet Explorer, and Opera.
The Opera browser has the distinction of being designed from the start to run on embedded devices such as kiosks, smart-phones, and PDAs. But don’t let that limit you, PDA users. Many independent web browsers/ ebook readers are available at numerous download sites (tucows.com, pocketpcpassion.com, and freewarepalm.com, to name a few). You don’t need an Internet connection to view an HTML ebook, just install the browser and go. A downside is that you will be scrolling through the text rather than “turning pages”. This may have a bad effect on your reading experience.
The .LIT Format (Readable on: Microsoft Reader)
This reader was created to give the PocketPC PDAs the look and feel of a trade paperback, but it’s also available for Windows-based computers. It uses ClearType technology to smooth the edges of text, making letters look as if they were printed with ink rather than pixels. This option only works on color and grayscale displays.
The .PDB Format (Readable on: PalmReader)
As the number one PDA in use, the Palm Handheld has a ready audience with its PalmReader software. You’ll find first- and second-run works from the major publishing companies at PalmDigitalMedia.com (the publishing branch of Palm), which produces PalmReader. A “Pro” version is also available for sale. It has more features, including on-the-spot definitions of words via its dictionary. This reader is also available for PocketPCs.
The .DOC Format (Readable on: Mobipocket Reader, and others)
Don’t confuse this with a Microsoft Word file. This format began life serving word processors, but only for Palm PDAs. The Mobipocket Reader, which also made its start catering to the Palm PDA crowd, can display the format in ebook form. It has since branched out to PocketPC PDAs, smart-phones, and computers. So, the DOC format is readable on these devices as well. Mobipocket eBook Readers, along with high-quality content, is available at Mobipocket.com.
The .PDF Format (Readable on: Adobe Reader—once known as Acrobat Reader)
PDF files were originally created to perfectly copy the look of the printed page, across all computer platforms and all printers. It has since branched out. To allow .PDF files to be easily read on PDAs, the Adobe Reader application (on the computer) has to reformat the file before its handed over display application on the PDA. This is called re-flowing, and gives you access to the thousands of .PDF files produced before ebooks existed.
The .RB Format (Readable on: RCA REB-1100)
This is the only format readable by the Rocket eBook dedicated, ebook-reading device. This device has the look and feel of a large paperback book and is meant to be as easy to use as a portable tape recorder. (A major selling point, even to consumers who shy away from the “complexity” of computers.)
The .FUB Format (Readable on: Franklin eBookMan)
This is the proprietary format for the Franklin eBookMan, designed as a dedicated ebook-reading device first, and PDA second. At a fraction of he price of PocketPCs, the eBookMan was introduced as an entry-level device using Microsoft Reader. But that never happened. For a while, this left Franklin’s own Franklin Reader as the only reader software for the device. Then Mobipocket ported their ebook readers to the device, giving eBookMan owners access to titles outside FUBs. Currently, there are thousands of titles available in .FUB, including medical texts.
So Many Readers, So Little Time
This is by no means a complete listing of ebook readers available. But after a few years of turmoil, the list is stabilizing. Publishers who want to produce content for the “latest and greatest” ebook format are certainly going to do so. But they’ll first produce a version for one of the formats mentioned above.