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Trade |
Higher Ed |
Reference |
STM |
Standard XML
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- DocBook
- NIMAS
- OWL
- IMS Suite
- SCORM
- IEEE LOM
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| EPUB derivatives |
- Kindle/Mobipocket (EPUB>PRC)
- SonyReader (EPUB>BBeB>LRF)
- DNAML (EPUB>DNL)
- eReader (EPUB>PML>PDB)
- Microsoft Reader (OEB>LIT)
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- VitalSource (EPUB>VBK)
- Kindle/Mobipocket (EPUB>PRC)
- SonyReader (EPUB>BBeB>LRF)
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- Online OEB with indexing extensions
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- Kindle/Mobipocket (EPUB>PRC)
- SonyReader (EPUB>BBeB>LRF)
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EPUB Native
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- Adobe Digital Editions
- Unencrypted Stanza
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| Proprietary XML |
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- Publisher-specific XML, e.g. CenDoc
- Vendor-specific, e.g. Maple, ExamView
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- Publisher-specific XML, e.g. XML/A++
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Non-EPUB derivatives
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- Safari (DocBook)
- Books24x7 (DocBook)
- Phoenix (DocBook)
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| PDF-Based |
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- FlashPaper (PDF>MFP)
- Optimized PDF
- Zinio
- VitalSource (PDF>VBK)
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- Optimized PDF
- Chapter-by-chapter fits journal workflow
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| Image-Based |
- LibreDigital widget
- Amazon SITB
- Google Book Search
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Key Points
- Definitions
- Standard XML - XML defined by industry, national and international standards bodies
- EPUB derivatives - Formats that are derived from EPUB, the standard promulgated by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF). These derivatives can be either transformed from EPUB via a packager, or compiled into a binary file with proprietary DRM.
- EPUB native - There are several platforms that will directly accept and play EPUB files with no intermediate processing.
- Proprietary XML - XML that is proprietary to a publisher or channel participant.
- Non-EPUB derivatives - Formats that are derived from something other than EPUB.
- PDF-based - Formats that are based on optimized PDFs.
- Image-based - Formats that are based on images (such as JPG files), usually with supporting invisible text for searching.
- Format appropriateness will depend on the type of content published.
- Formats play on different platforms and devices
- Platforms consist of:
- Reading software application, e.g. eReader
- Hardware, e.g. PC, Smartphone
- Operating system, e.g. Mac, Windows
- Ingram Digital Services has prepared an excellent eBook compatibility chart
- There is often a distinction made between open and closed formats:
- Open formats can be utilized by multiple platforms
- Closed formats are tied to a single platform whether by structure, or DRM
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