There is no better format for e-books than EPUB. And those who do not agree with this, simply do not fully understand all the possibilities of the format or they have not come across well-compiled books in powerful readers. Today we will talk about the features and advantages of the EPUB format.
EPUB adaptive
You can open a book in EPUB and comfortably read it on any device — from a watch to some huge monitor. The text of the book will be distributed over the available screen space, and readers can choose the font, adjust its size and other settings in the book for comfortable reading. Reading books in EPUB on smartphones or readers with different screen sizes is a pleasure, which is not the case, for example, with books in PDF format.
EPUB is technologically advanced
EPUB as a format uses and adopts new technologies from the world of web development and never stands still. And if you don't see this in all publishers' files, it's more of a question for the publishers. With support for CSS styles, SVG vector graphics, and JS capabilities, you can create ebooks of any complexity.
EPUB is lightweight
The weight of an e-book file is an important factor affecting the speed of downloading and processing of the file by readers, convenience of storage. Text and markup in EPUB weigh almost nothing, only illustrations take up space. And if you optimise bitmap images or use SVG vector graphics in appropriate cases, the files will weigh even less. I didn't go into technical details why this happens, but PDF and FB2 files with the same quality of illustrations weigh more than an EPUB file.
EPUB cheap
The time it takes to produce a file costs money. It is not difficult to make a book in EPUB format from a good source. A simple book can be done in an hour. Illustrations and captions to them, tables, footnotes — all this, of course, complicates and lengthens the process of preparing the file. But still the publisher, who already has a layout for printing, to create a high-quality electronic version will not be so expensive.
EPUB hypertext
A book in EPUB format is a small website that can contain, like real websites, both internal and external links. Internal links are heavily used by non-fiction publishers to navigate between chapters, such as when you want to send the reader to a specific place in another chapter. And external links are used for hyperlinks in the main text and notes.
EPUB is self-contained
Publishers do not always realise that a book in EPUB is a self-contained publication that lives by the rules of the digital world and should not be a copy of the printed one. Any book can be adapted to the floating layout of EPUB without losing the beauty of the design. Yes, you may have to slightly revise and simplify the design, but the text and illustrations will remain in place. And if preserving an unchanged layout is essential, there is always a fixed layout in EPUB3.
EPUB universal
All book services work with books in EPUB. It is an open format, into which other formats can be converted, with an open source programme for creating and editing files, with free readers for all platforms. And despite the different nuances of display in different readers, you can make a book in EPUB by yourself and for free, and it will open in almost any programme.
And if my ode in prose doesn't convince you, I'll give the floor to ChatGPT and its ode to the EPUB format in verse.
EPUB: An Ode to Open Paths for Readers
Magical EPUB, where books shine bright,
From watches to great monitors, in their light.
Text flows on screens with graceful ease,
Readers choose the font and size as they please.
On smartphones and readers, it works like a charm,
EPUB's grace cannot compare with PDF's form.
EPUB, ever youthful and high-tech in core,
CSS and SVG, they both have in store.
JS capabilities, like a magical breeze,
Create books that soar with ease.
Publishers, do you see this sight?
EPUB books — a marvel of technological might.
EPUB, light as a breeze, clear and free,
Files float in the air, weightless as can be.
Text and layout as light as a feather,
Illustrations take up little, if ever.
PDF and FB2 with images weigh down,
But EPUB’s lightness and freedom astound.
EPUB, cheap to create and easy to store,
Instantly from source — technology’s allure.
Simple formatting takes but hours, the layout is set,
Illustrations and tables add complexity, yet.
Publishers, stepping forward with digital flair,
Create accessible pages, saving with care.
EPUB, a hypertext world of diversity,
Like a small site, it guides with versatility,
Internal and external links it wields,
Skillfully directing readers to new fields.
In non-fiction, expertly guiding,
Into worlds and knowledge, providing.
EPUB, a self-sufficient, wondrous domain,
A bright creation in digital terrain.
Publishers — travelers in the digital expanse,
Adapting books with beauty’s dance,
Preserving text and illustrations' glow,
EPUB3 — crucial for fixed layout, as stars in the night show.
EPUB, universal and free,
An open format, recognized globally.
Services and readers, in Russia and beyond,
Embrace it as the standard, forever fond.
To create and open, easily on your own,
EPUB books reach anyone, knowledge fully shown.
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