Access to written information has been a significant part of human history. It’s a vital foundation of knowledge building. Many have relied on books from history to literature to expand their understanding of the world. In the digital age, however, when gadgets are more accessible, books also need to evolve. That’s where ePUB comes in. In this article, we’ll discuss what an ePUB is and how it revolutionized how we read and consume content.
What is ePUB?
Short for Electronic Publication, ePUB is a file format that stores digital books or other kinds of written information meant for e-book readers. ePUB has some characteristics that differ from different formats, such as PDF and docx. Unlike PDF and docx, ePUBs are optimized for reading on electronic devices like e-readers, tablets, and smartphones.
What are key features of ePUB?
- Reflowable text: This allows the text to adjust to the device’s screen size, making it easy to read on different devices.
- Open format: ePUB is an open standard, meaning anyone can create and read ePUB files without special software or licenses.
- Rich formatting: ePUB supports various formatting options, including fonts, colors, images, and hyperlinks.
- Accessibility: ePUB files can be designed to be accessible to people with disabilities, such as visual impairments.
A brief history of ePUB
The emergence of electronic reading devices, or e-readers, led to the development of the ePUB format in the early 2000s. With the goal of creating a universal format for e-readers, the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) created ePUB, which has later become a standard for digital publications.
Key milestones in the history of ePUB:
- 1999: Open eBook Publication Structure (OEBPS) was launched. It was a digital book format based on a technology developed by SoftBook Press, a defunct company that created some of the first commercially available handheld e-readers.
- 2007: ePUB 2 was released as a successor to the legacy e-book format OEBPS. ePUB 2 established some of the core features of the modern e-book format such as reflowable text, support for inline images, and the use of XHTML and CSS for layout and styling.
- 2011: ePUB 3 was released, introducing significant enhancements such as fixed-layout support for comics and magazines, multimedia content, and improved accessibility features.
From 2011 onwards, ePUB has received several updates on bug fixes and technical improvements. ePUB 3.2 is the latest version of the format. Meanwhile, ePUB is still the de facto standard for e-books, widely adopted by the reading community, from authors and publishers to e-reader makers. ePUB’s success can be attributed to its open nature, flexibility, and versatility as a format for digital reading.
How does ePUB work?
An ePUB comprises several files compressed into a container, all of which are essential elements of the digital book. These files include the following:
- OPF (Open Packaging Format) file: OPF is an XML file containing the ePUB’s metadata. Metadata includes the title, author, publisher, and all information about the content files.
- HTML (HyperText Markup Language) files: HTML files simply carry the text content of the book. These files include formatting information like headings, paragraphs, and lists.
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) files: These files define the appearance of the HTML content, such as fonts, colors, and layout.
- Image files: These files contain images used in the book, such as illustrations or photographs.
- Other files: Modern ePUBs may include other file types, such as audio and video, depending on the content’s complexities.
How ePUB files are read
To open an ePUB, you will need an e-reader. An e-reader can be a device or an application that extracts the files contained within an ePUB. E-readers are created to display ePUB files properly, ensuring an optimal reading experience for everyone.
The files that need to be extracted are the OPF file, which provides the structure and metadata; the HTML files, which contain the text content; and the CSS files, which define the appearance. The device then renders the content on the screen, adjusting the layout to fit the device’s screen size and resolution.
What are the pros and cons of ePUB?
E-PUBs have benefits and disadvantages. Here are some of them:
Pros
- Portability: Since most devices like smartphones and tablets also have e-reader capabilities, it is easy for people to carry digital books in the ePUB format.
- Accessibility: Unlike traditional books, ePUB content can be customized according to accessibility needs. ePUBs can be adjusted to meet a person’s reading comfort through font size adjustment, contrast enhancer, integration with text-to-speech, and more. These features are especially helpful for those with visual impairments.
- Cost-effective: Compared to physical books, ePUBs are often more affordable.
- Environmental-friendliness: Physical books are printed on paper, which could significantly impact the environment. Since ePUBs are digital, publishers reduce the need to print books, minimizing environmental impact.
- Searchability: ePUBs often allow for full-text search, making it easy to find specific words or phrases within the book.
Cons
- Device dependence: The reading experience can be affected by the device used, with limitations in screen size, resolution, and battery life. Since ePUBs can only be accessed through devices with e-readers, the reading experience will essentially depend on the capabilities and features of the e-reader itself. These factors include screen size, resolution, and even the device’s battery life.
- Format compatibility: While ePUB is a widely supported format, some devices or software may have compatibility issues.
- Lack of physicality: Some readers prefer the tactile experience of holding a physical book, which ePUBs cannot replicate.
- Digital rights management (DRM): Many ePUBs are protected by DRM, which can restrict sharing, lending, or resale.
- Eye strain: Prolonged reading on digital screens can contribute to eye strain, especially in low-light conditions. Experts have warned people about the dangers of prolonged exposure to digital screens. Since ePUBs are only accessible to devices with screens, those who read ePUBs for extended periods without taking breaks or adjusting their reading habits may experience eye strain.
ePUB vs eBook
ePUB and eBook are commonly used interchangeably. But these terms differ in many aspects. In essence, all ePUBs are eBooks, but not all eBooks are ePUBs. Here’s an explainer:
ePUB
ePUB is a file format designed for digital books. It is created to be compatible with devices that have e-readers, a tool that can extract files contained in an ePUB file.
eBook
Meanwhile, an eBook is a broad term that pertains to any digital book, regardless of the format. Formats include ePUB, PDF, MOBI, and others.
Conclusion
Reading habits have changed throughout the years, leading to the evolution of reading materials. Since we’re living in the digital age, adapting to these changes and embracing the benefits of digital reading is crucial. ePUBs have become a significant element in introducing digital reading to people. The file format is truly a game-changer in making reading materials more accessible to many.
