Comments on: TeleRead E-book Primer Part Two: Formats

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10/25/10--07:31: By: Geert (chan 2009524)

The Nook also supports the Adobe Adept DRM. With the Nook you can buy ePub DRM books at almost every bookstore, except Amazon and the iBookstore.


10/25/10--10:00: By: Doug (chan 2009524)

As Geert said, the B&N NOOK is works with both B&N's DRM and Adobe Adept DRM. I think the Sony folks might be upset that you relegated their Reader line to the "lesser-known e-book devices" that use Adobe Adept DRM. E-books checked out from the library almost always come with Adobe Adept DRM, either in EPUB or PDF format. It doesn't really affect anything written in the article, but Amazon uses two separate formats: Mobi and Topaz. Both formats are compatible with Kindle and Kindle apps, and neither is compatible with other devices. Another unimportant point: Barnes & Noble still provides e-books in Secure eReader format to their Mac and Blackberry apps. The B&N NOOK can read Secure eReader and most non-secure eReader e-books (there currently seems to be a glitch with specific non-secure ones, especially from ManyBooks).


10/25/10--10:19: By: Chris Meadows (chan 2009524)

OK, fixed the Adept compatibility and missing Sony Reader issues. Thanks for the critical eye. :) As for the Amazon thing, I considered pointing that out, but I'm trying to simplify things for new e-book readers and since even MobiPocket Amazon format books can't be read on plain MobiPocket readers it seemed academic. I considered going into more detail on eReader, but given that even B&N only uses it for some of its e-books, it seemed like it would just add more confusion to an article mainly aimed at the most popular reader devices. Perhaps I'll do an "Island of forgotten e-book formats" primer supplement at some point.


10/25/10--11:10: By: Zoe (chan 2009524)

"Some PDF files have Adobe’s Adept DRM on them, which means they have to be read on Adobe Digital Editions." That's a little confusing; it makes it sound like PDFs with Adept DRM have to be read on the computer using the Adobe Digital Editions program. The Sony Reader and the Nook can both read PDFs that have Adept DRM. (I don't know about the Kobo.) Also, since with some ebook stores it can be difficult to tell what form of DRM their books have, it might be worth mentioning that with the exception of B&N and the iBookstore, every place that sells DRMed ePub books uses Adept DRM. (Are there any other exceptions to this? I can't think of any.)


10/25/10--11:20: By: Chris Meadows (chan 2009524)

Good suggestions. I've made those changes, too.


10/25/10--12:26: By: AnemicOak (chan 2009524)

"Also, since with some ebook stores it can be difficult to tell what form of DRM their books have, it might be worth mentioning that with the exception of B&N and the iBookstore, every place that sells DRMed ePub books uses Adept DRM. (Are there any other exceptions to this? I can’t think of any.)" This is true at this time. Because of the deal B&N and Adobe have though it is possible that eventually the "password style" DRM will be offered elsewhere. Just as other manufacturers have the option to allow their devices to read that form of DRM (too bad Sony opted not to on their new readers).


10/25/10--16:02: By: gary frost (chan 2009524)

Other format components for book display include scale or size of page components, contrasting pace (slow or fast navigation through content, cross work classification of multiple books, contrasts of language of delivery, and so on. Getting the device to display is only one level of the delivery of book format


10/26/10--05:28: By: Frode Aleksandersen (chan 2009524)

(Are there any other exceptions to this? I can’t think of any.) Just because they sell the books doesn't mean they're compatible. The Nook can read adobe DRM'd books for the Sony for instance, but the Sony readers can't read adobe DRM'd books for the Nook. Sony can fix this easily enough through a firmware update, but so far they haven't bothered (maybe in order to restrict people to buying from their store?). I think it would be easier to understand all of this by making a simple table matrix showing what formats and DRM each reader supports. Unfortunately the one on mobileread hasn't been updated in a long time.


10/29/10--09:17: By: Barbara Henry (chan 2009524)

I agree with Frode Aleksandersen that this crazy patchwork quilt of file formats and ereaders and stores would be best illustrated with a simple table matrix. I do presentations on ebooks and ereaders at local public libraries and find the average person goes "huh?" at all this file format stuff. I may try to make a table myself for classes coming up on Nov. 9 and 10. thanks for all the good information.