Transcript An E-bookPrimer forEnglishInstructors - UNM

An E-book
Primer for
English
Instructors
Prepared by Catherine Roop
What are e-books?
For English 513, Spring 2010
How can I read e-books?
How can I create e-books?
What should I consider when using e-books for English instruction?
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 ebook 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 ebook 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
.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
Amazon Kindle 2 and Kindle DX
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 ebook 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