An E-bookPrimer forEnglishInstructorsWhat are e-books?How can I read e-books?How can I create e-books?What should I consider when using e-books for English instruction?

Prepared by Catherine RoopFor English 513, Spring 2010

What are e-books?

• Books that exist in an electronic format rather than on the printed page

• In general, can be read on computers, dedicated e-book readers, and some phones

• Sometimes are limited to specific devices

How do e-books differ from

print books?

• Exist only as files; can be downloaded, stored on a hard drive, and deleted

• Can sometimes be copied and moved easily, but can sometimes only be used on a single device without the ability to lend or resell

• Can become corrupted or lost

How can I read an e-book?

• Some formats can be read on a computer, phone, or any e-book reader

• Some formats can only be read on specific e-book readers

Some devices on which e-books can be read

How do e-book readers work?

• E-book readers use a technology called E Ink that looks like ink on a page

• E-book readers differ from standard computers and phones, whose screens emit light, can cause eye strain, and are difficult to read in bright light

The Sony Reader Daily Edition uses E Ink technology

How do I get an e-book?

• E-books can be downloaded from a number of sites online:

– Project Gutenberg– Fictionwise– Sites for specific e-book readers, like the Amazon Kindle

page and the Sony Reader store

• Some e-book readers let you download directly into the device, while others require you to download first onto a computer and then transfer to the device

How do I read an e-book?

• Some e-books can be read on almost any computer, e-book reader, or phone (particularly .txt and .pdf files)

• Some e-books can only be read on a specific e-book reader (for instance, .azw files only work on the Amazon Kindle; .epub files bought in the Sony Reader store can only be read on Sony Readers)

Various e-book readers and preferred formats

E-book reader Store sells Can also read

Amazon Kindle 2 and Kindle DX .azw.mobi.prc.pdf.txt

Sony Reader Daily Edition .epub.doc.pdf.rtf.txt

Barnes and Noble Nook .epub .pdb.pdf

Apple iPad .epub Amazon Kindle formats via Kindle Application

The Apple iPad is not a dedicated e-book reader, but it is often used to read e-books

The Barnes and Noble Nook

How can I create an e-book?

• Some file formats can be used as e-books without special processing (.txt and sometimes .doc)

• To preserve formatting, saving a document as a .pdf will allow it be read on most major e-book readers

What are some benefits of e-

books?

• Title availability (even for out-of-print and limited-audience books)

• Cost (generally cheaper than print books)

• Portability (can carry thousands of books on a single device)

What are some drawbacks to

e-books?

• Incompatibility (some e-books will only work in particular devices)

• Copy protection (often e-books can’t be lent or resold)

• Layout and formatting (change when a book is ported into an e-book format)

Products mentioned

E-book reader For more information

Amazon Kindle 2 and Kindle DX www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015T963C/ref=sv_kinh_0

Sony Reader Daily Edition ebookstore.sony.com/reader

Apple iPad www.apple.com/ipad

Barnes and Noble Nook www.barnesandnoble.com/nook

Image Credits

E-book reader For more information

Amazon Kindle www.markstechnologynews.com

Collection of E-book readers www.ebookreadersreview.co.uk

Sony Reader Daily Edition review.techworld.com

Apple iPad www.devicemag.com

Barnes and Noble Nook cdn.cbsi.com.au