Ebooks -- Self-Publishing Your Way to Internet
Success
Part 2 Ebook Formats (PDF)
By Shelley Lowery
The most popular ebook formats used on the Internet are the Portable
Document Format, better known as PDF, and the Hypertext Markup Language,
better known as HTML.
Although both formats are highly popular, you must look at the entire
picture prior to making your decision, as there are pros and cons associated
with each format.
Portable Document Format (PDF)
Adobe® Portable Document Format (PDF) is a universal format that will
preserve all of your original formatting. Not only will it maintain your
specified layout, but it will also preserve your fonts, images and links --
regardless of what application was used to create it. This will enable your
ebook to look exactly as you had intended.
PDF files are very compact in size and are actually smaller than their
original source files. They can be easily published and distributed in a
number of ways:
- In print
- Email attachments
- Internet download
- websites
- CD-ROM
Advantages:
- Anyone, anywhere can open your document regardless of what browser they're
using or what operating system.
- PDF is the preferred format of most publishing sites.
- PDF always prints correctly with any printing device.
In addition to the above advantages, using the Adobe Acrobat 5.0 software,
documents can be viewed across multiple media. For example, tagged PDF
preserves a document's structure so that it can be viewed on Palm OS®
devices as well as on the web. Tagged PDF files also contain information in
regard to the content and structure, which makes them accessible to visually
impaired readers -- with the assistance of screen readers.
Disadvantages:
- A bit limiting on creativity.
- Software is rather expensive at $249.00.
- Users must have the free Acrobat Reader installed on their computer.
Compilers:
Adobe Acrobat 5.0 (Highly Recommended)
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/main.html
This powerful program provides Internet users with the ability to create and
distribute ebooks that are viewable by everyone, regardless of what browser
or operating system. Your documents will be beautifully preserved in their
original layout and will appear exactly as you had intended. With the
release of Acrobat 5.0, users not only have increased document security, but
they also have the ability to create documents that can be easily viewed by
the visually impaired and on Palm OS® devices. In addition, Acrobat
compliments Microsoft Word, as it adds a toolbar shortcut directly to the
program. Simply open your document in Microsoft Word, click on the Acrobat
button, and your Word document will be automatically converted into a PDF
document for distribution.
Cost: $249.00
Easy PDF (Recommended)
http://www.visagesoft.com/easypdf/
Easy PDF is an inexpensive alternative to the Adobe Acrobat software. It
will enable you to quickly and easily create Adobe Portable Document Format
(PDF) documents. It is a true WYSIWYG editor with full drag and drop
support. It includes an image editor for optimizing your images, supports
hypertext and bookmarks and even includes a spell checker and document
security.
Cost: $30.00
Documents formatted in PDF, can not only be downloaded via a link, but they
can also be viewed directly from your website, without being downloaded.
They are very easily distributed and will enable you to easily deliver your
ebook.
In part 3 of this series, we will continue with HTML compiled ebooks.
Copyright © 2001, all rights reserved
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of Ebook Starter. A complete ebook design
kit that takes you step by step through designing, creating and marketing
your own ebook. Give your ebook a professional look in just a few simple
steps with over 100 ebook interface and cover templates. http://www.web-source.net/ebookstarter.htm |
