eBook Formats Compared

• Adobe Acrobat (PDF)
• Adobe eBook (PDF)
• Embiid
• Gemstar eBook
• hiebook
• HTML
• Instant eBook (et. al.)
• Microsoft Reader
• Microsoft Word
• Mobipocket
• Palm Doc
• Palm Reader
• Plain Text

Adobe Acrobat (PDF)
PRO: A major advantage of the Adobe Acrobat PDF format is that files can be read on many different computer operating systems, and will generally look about the same on each. The file can include images, and there is even some limited support for audio or video clips. Links can be included both within the document and from the document to the world wide web. Text can be searched for words of interest. The publisher can add titled bookmarks, and the user can add his or her own bookmarks and notes if that capacity hasn't been disabled by security settings. Page views are scalable, so you make the view as large as you need to have legible text. The pages can be printed if that capacity hasn't been disabled by security settings. You need the FREE Acrobat Reader software from Adobe to read these files -- versions are available for Windows, Macintosh and Linux/Unix systems. Many systems come with this reader already loaded and ready to run. It also works as a browser 'plug-in' running within your web browser.
CON: If the file is poorly formatted, it may require a large amount of horizontal scrolling to read text that has been greatly enlarged. Attempting to read these files using the Adobe eBook reader software can cause similar problems. The existence to two PDF formats, one for Acrobat Reader and one for Adobe eBook has lead to confusion. Files tend to be larger than with simpler formats, especially if images were not properly optimized beforehand. The largest drawback to this format for authors is the high cost of the Acrobat software from Adobe, though there are cheaper, less versatile options for creating PDF files available from other sources.
OBSERVATIONS: The security measures available to the publisher can help to discourage copyright infringement. This has raised some controversy however, especially when applied to books that are in the public domain. There has also been a 'cracker' program available to bypass the security settings -- that program is not easily available since the programmer was arrested and charged with violating U.S. law, but it is 'out there' and being passed around from one user to another. Some of these files will work on Palm OS readers, but the formatting is rarely ideal, and those with security encryption will not work on Palm OS at all.

Adobe eBook (PDF)
PRO: These files are similar to Adobe Acrobat files, but are formatted for a smaller screen and use CoolType fonts that are more easily read on LCD screens. Software versions are available for Windows and Macintosh systems. Adobe also has a delivery system called 'Adobe Content Server' that allows publishers and libraries to securely distribute eBooks over the web.
CON: Requires Internet Explorer 4 or higher on a PC, Internet Explorer 4.5 or higher on Macintosh. No version is yet available for Macintosh OS X operating system. Requires expensive software to create eBooks, and even more expensive 'Content Server' for those who want a distribution system.
OBSERVATIONS: These files may not work on a Palm OS reader.

Embiid
PRO: Embiid makes the Embiid Reader which will display Universal Book File (UBK) format. It is not yet available for PalmOS but only works under Windows. There is a freely downloadable version of Embiid Reader that will display UBK files, plain text files and simple HTML files.
CON: Embiid Reader is currently not available for computers other than Windows95+. It does not support printing.
OBSERVATIONS: There is a downloadable Embiid Writer program that allows users to create UBK files that are 'weakly encrypted' to only work with Embiid Reader. This company also markets encrypted eBooks in their proprietary EBK format, that can only be read using the version of the Embiid Reader that comes with their purchase.

Gemstar eBook
PRO: Easy to use. Can be read on Gemstar Reb series and Rocket eBook readers, and there is a Windows PC reader program available. You can change font size and orientation, search text, and add notes, highlighting and bookmarks.
CON: The parent company seems to be moving away from user-generated content to a monopoly control model. The Gemstar eBook is not printable.
OBSERVATIONS: The Gemstar Reb 1100 and 1200 readers are successors to the earlier Rocket eBook reader. The earlier versions can read html and text formats.

hiebook
PRO: Easy to use. You can add bookmarks. Can be read on hiebook reader or Windows PC. Includes support for mp3 music, games and other non-ebook bells and whistles. There is a free reader available for Windows.
CON: You must have a Windows computer to load books into the hiebook device.
OBSERVATIONS: They also have HiBuilder, to create eBooks in the hiebook format -- the authoring software is free and can be used for commercial purposes.

HTML
PRO: Due to the World Wide Web, this has become a universal format, with many formatting options, though not the detailed control one finds in word processing documents. Depending on the browser used to view the files HTML supports graphics, animation, sound, java, flash and other multi-media features. Linking, both within the document and to other files on the Internet, is a strong point. Basically, HTML eBooks are like web sites on a floppy disk, CD or your hard drive.
CON: There are no security features built into HTML, so a user can copy and modify your eBook and pass it off as the original. (Web site security is built-in from the server side, and should not be confused with HTML documents, which are inherently un-secured.)
OBSERVATIONS: This is a good format for reproducing inexpensive public-domain works.

Instant eBook (and other proprietary executables)
PRO: These eBooks are executable files that mimic many of the features of HTML, but are secure from tampering by the average user. They may contain all the graphics, links and other features of HTML, including web links. Very easy to navigate. Most of these can support printing if the author chooses to allow that.
CON: Being executable files, these can harbor viruses. Many require you to have Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher on your computer. Most will only run on Windows computers. Some connect to the Internet without prompting to notify the writer's website of their use (not allowed on ePMA).
OBSERVATIONS: Some users refuse to download these due to the perceived virus hazard. Authoring programs vary in ease of use and price, but are generally under $100. Some will import plain text or RTF, but most require the original document be formatted in HTML.

Microsoft Reader
PRO: Can be read on Windows PC, Windows Tablet and Pocket PC devices. Simple to use, this format supports ClearType fonts which make on-screen reading easier. Supports searching, highlighting, bookmarks, notes, changing font size, and text-to-speech. The reader program is free.
CON: Does not support printing. Works on Windows operating systems only.
OBSERVATIONS: There is a free authoring program to create eBooks in this format, as well as more full-featured programs available for purchase.

Microsoft Word
PRO: All of the features of a powerful word processor document are available in this format, since it is in fact the Microsoft word processor format. Due to its ubiquity it has become a defacto standard for documents. Using it for eBooks allows all of the detailed control over formatting you expect from a word processor, including graphics.
CON: This is another insecure format that anyone with Microsoft Word can alter. It will not work on Unix/Linux systems, and only on those Macintosh systems that have Microsoft Word installed.
OBSERVATIONS: For Windows users who don't have Microsoft Word, there is a free reader available that you can use to view, but not edit, MS Word files.

Mobipocket
PRO: The Mobipocket format was designed to work on a wide variety of handheld platforms, and can also be used on Windows PC computers. You can change font size and add notes, and there is a progress bar to show where you are in the eBook. Text can be searched, and when you close the eBook it will re-open at the same place.
CON: This format doesn't support printing. There is not a reader available for Macintosh or Unix/Linux systems.
OBSERVATIONS: Authoring software can be expensive, about $150 for the basic version and $1,000 for the Professional Edition, though a free version is available for personal use.

Palm DOC
PRO: Although features vary with different programs, Palm DOC texts are basically plain text that has been compressed to create smaller files, with added support for bookmarks -- so they work on a wide variety of devices. Most reader software for Palm DOC texts supports changing font size and bookmarking.
CON: The basic format doesn't support text mark-up like bold, italic, underlining, etc. Encryption is not supported.
OBSERVATIONS: The DOC part of Palm DOC shouldn't be confused with Microsoft's .doc format used by MSWord and WordPad. Files in Palm DOC format have the filename extension .prc or .pdb when saved under Windows and other operating systems, but not all .prc or .pdb files are in Palm DOC format. There are many programs that run under Windows, at least one Java program that works on various operating systems, and of course many PalmOS programs that display Palm DOC formatted texts.

Palm Reader
PRO: The Palm Reader is the proprietary reader from Palm Digital Media, and works on any device supporting the Palm operating system (PalmOS), primarily small handheld devices. Font sizes can be changed. Bookmarking is supported. Security encryption is also supported.
CON: This format does not support printing.
OBSERVATIONS: Palm provides authoring software for PC or Mac, but you can only distribute unencrypted books made with it. Encrypted books are only available through authorized outlets.

Plain Text
PRO: The most universally used format, plain text eBooks can be imported into word processors on all computers.
CON: There is no security built into this system, so books can be copied or changed without the author's knowledge or permission. There are few formatting controls, and those vary from one system to another and so are not universal, such as line breaks. There are no provisions for bold fonts, varied font sizes or colors, images or sound support, etc.
OBSERVATIONS: This is the format used by Project Gutenberg to reproduce thousands of public domain works.