You are here: DIME Home > Technology > An Introduction to Popular E-book File Formats

An Introduction to Popular E-book File Formats

As we know there are various devices for reading e-books, there are also popular file formats associated with several of such devices. There have always been debates as to which is the best among them, though each of these formats has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the popular file formats include Adobe PDF, Microsoft LIT, Amazon AZW, Mobipocket PRC, PDB, etc. Some popular PC content formats, such as HTML, TXT, and DOC, may also compete as e-book formats. In this article, let’s have a look at some of these popular file formats and their software readers.

Author: Marco Gustafsson
Date: Jul 11, 2009 - 9:54:15 AM

Printer friendly page

As we know there are various devices for reading e-books, there are also popular file formats associated with several of such devices. There have always been debates as to which is the best among them, though each of these formats has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the popular file formats include Adobe PDF, Microsoft LIT, Amazon AZW, Mobipocket PRC, PDB, etc. Some popular PC content formats, such as HTML, TXT, and DOC, may also compete as e-book formats. In this article, let’s have a look at some of these popular file formats and their software readers.

1. Amazon AZW

With the production of Amazon Kindle, Amazon created also a file format that Kindle recognizes, called AZW. With its own DRM (Digital Rights Management) structure, AZW format protects the e-book publishers and authors from possible piracy. Kindle recognizes only this format, and other formats should be translated into AZW before they can be read through Kindle device. In order to do this, Kindle provides a free email conversion system, which helps you download the books in any other format to Kindle through an email.

AZW is loosely based on Mobipocket’s popular MOBI file format.

2. Adobe PDF

Adobe’s PDF (Portable Document Format) is not just an e-book format, but also a popular PC file format. First created in 1993, it became popular long before the e-book revolution started. It was created for storing and transferring portable, printable documents. Adobe’s own PostScript format forms the basis of PDF documents.

PDF documents support compression, password protection, and are viewable in virtually all platforms (hence the name ‘portable document format’). It is estimated that more than 250 million PDF documents are in existence on the Web. Adobe’s software applications, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader were used to create and read PDF files, but in 2008, PDF was released as an open standard, and now there are several applications available to read and edit PDF documents. This has enhanced PDF’s popularity in the e-book arena.

3.  Microsoft LIT

With severe competition from Adobe and other popular e-book formats, Microsoft also came up with their own proprietary e-book format, LIT. Files with extension ‘LIT’ are accessed and read by the Microsoft Reader, available as a free download from Microsoft website. The application is available only for Windows operating system.

Microsoft Reader can be used for reading e-books on portable devices with the help of ClearType technology, which renders improved text on those devices. It was first introduced in 2000.

LIT format also supports DRM (Digital Rights Management), protecting e-book author and publisher rights. You should activate the Microsoft Reader once installed in your PC, tablet PC, or pocket PC, through Reader activation website. You can purchase the e-books in LIT format from Microsoft Reader website as well.

4. Palm E-book Format (PDB)

Palm Database format (PDB) is a proprietary format used in Palm PDAs. It can however be accessed on Windows or other type of OS with the help of specialized software.

Palm’s own eReader is a free program for reading PDB files. This reader is available for a number of devices and operating systems—BlackBerry, iPhone, Macintosh, PalmOS, PocketPC, Symbian, Windows Mobile Smartphone, etc.

You can purchase and download e-books from eReader website, and read them through your device. There are also a number of classics in public domain available in PDB format for free. The purchased books are encrypted for safety.

5. Mobipocket PRC or MOBI

Mobipocket is a French software company that creates the Mobipocket Reader, which can be used to read e-books on your PDA or smart phone. The reader’s native format is PRC. The PRC format and Reader are supported under BlackBerry, Franklin eBookMan, PalmOS, Symbian, PocketPC, Windows Mobile Smartphone.

Mobipocket Reader gives you an e-book library for storing and managing all your e-books. You can edit the metadata associated with the e-books, such as author information, title, publisher, and rate e-books. You can transfer e-books to any of your PDA devices from your PC through a USB connection. You can also incorporate notes and annotations on your e-books and highlight any term. Also, the reader allows you to look up the definitions of any term easily through available dictionaries, which include Longman, Merriam Webster, Oxford, and others.

Conclusion

Those are the most popular of e-book document formats. There are also less popular formats associated with specific reading devices. However, since most readers recognize almost all formats, it is easy for users to read e-books in any reading device. The conversion and publishing of e-books on any of these formats is also easy with the help of specialized software.

Marco Gustafsson is author of articles on eBook Readers, e-inc technology and electronic books. Find more information here on http://www.digital-book-readers.com/

View all articles by Marco Gustafsson

Link to this article:

Related Articles...

5 things that you can keep track of using a GPS device. Jun 21, 2011 - 10:27:08 AM GPS Tracking is a brilliant use of technology.  As part of a satellite tracking system, a small device can be used for so many different things from tracking a person to tracking an airplane!  As long as the device is somewhere on the planet, with reasonable coverage of the above skys, you can track it!... [Read the full story]

WebDigg - The Revolution in Web Statistics Jun 21, 2011 - 8:20:59 AM If you want to know how much traffic is coming to your site, which pages are bringing the most traffic, Alexa stats, Whois information, twitter posts, Safety Report, competitors websites, where are your visitors coming from, and when is traffic coming in, you just have to analyze your website’s statistics.... [Read the full story]

The Advantages Of Digital Radio Unplugged Jun 12, 2011 - 9:37:44 PM Digital radio is radio with digital quality sound, uninterrupted relay, and much better reception. There are many advantages of digital radio when compared to other kind of transmission. Some features or advantages are mentioned below.... [Read the full story]

Technology products: do they make life easier or more complicated? May 26, 2011 - 4:29:35 AM In the last few years technology has invaded our lives, changing our habits, the way we work, study, have fun and communicate. Every day a new technological instrument is launched on the market, be that cameras, new pc or mobile models, more and more sophisticated televisions and so on. And if adults consider all this as something new, the new generations, the ones that were born and have been growing in this technological epoch, consider all these constant evolutions and the launch of new, advanced products as something very natural, and not only interesting.  ... [Read the full story]

---

Newest Articles in Popular Topics:

Business & Marketing	Computers & the Internet	Entertainment	Health & Fitness
Finding Ways To Save Money And Maximize Revenue In Business Cooper's Golf Park Tees Off Their New Website Fiinovation Adjudged CSR Team of the Year & Caring Company at World CSR Day Reasons Why Kale Realty is the Best Real Estate Firm in All of Chicago Montreal Tech Startup Kangaroo Rewards Launches Mobile Loyalty Program for Local Merchants	It is time we break out of the SEO Shelter 3 Strong Reasons You Should Start Your Own Blog Evolve Your Career With CompTIA A+ Certification Exam High speed VMware Backups - Powered by UltraBlaze(™) from Vembu Things to Consider When Selecting a Domain Name for Your Website	Fling Boom "Launches" This Holiday Season Beautiful Abstract Canvas Art is Up for Grabs Buying Art as a Gift: Tips From an Expert Complete Guide to the 2014 Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival Released by Jackson Mountain Homes Learn Blues Music Online-Alternative to Traditional Piano Lessons	Causes and Treatment of Acne What Type Of Constipation Home Remedies Are There? Manual Wheelchairs: Buying One Instant Facelift with Dental Implants Lasik Surgery Leading Correction Of Vision Issues
Home & Family	Shopping	Sports	Travel
Enhance Your Learning Experience Through Best Responsive Elearning Development Tools Best Apps for Learning German Esvees is Cranbourne's Elite Hair Dressing Company Ozone Generator Practical Tips When Choosing Gates and Gate Openers for Your Home or Business	Why Cases are Required for Mobile Phones? Are Dealership Services Worth It? 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Named Must-Shop SUV for Towing from AutoTrader.com Online Selling With An Appraisal Advantage Macsome AudioBook Converter released New Version V2.0.4	Aditi Ashok signs off with a double Softball Coaching: Avoid Becoming A Nattering Nabob of Negativity Softball Coaching Tips - The Funnel Approach Pick Up Specialized Advice on Jumping Exercises Which Are Highly Effective Vertical Jump Training Tactics to Increase Your Athletic Performance	Tips for Choosing the Right Paris Short Lets Hostels - the best choice for working womens and college students Perfect holiday? Book a cruise and sail in Croatia! Say Aloha to Your Best Vacation Ever with Kohala Coast Properties The Perfect Guide for a Fantastic Family Trip to Kansas City

 

Follow & Share Your Favorite Video Articles

Tell a Friend About This Site

Tweet about this site

Follow @dimeco

Recommended Associates

Putting Up a Small Commercial Printing Business

So You Might Be Unemployed And Desire To Become A San Francisco Real Estate Investor Now

Meditation and Mindfulness: Dealing With Emotion

CPA Websites: Five Essential Ideas for Composing Convincing Articles

Set Goals In Order to Come Up With Your Action Plan

Is the Air in Your Home Safe to Breathe?

Coarse Fishing Tackle Review: The JW Young 13ft Trotter Rod

Section 1031 Exchanges For San Diego Real Estate Investors

Phoenix Real Estate Investing For Highest Possible Earnings

Legendary are the Volk Racing TE37 Wheels

Developing the Next Generation Wall Station (ChaseDesk™) for Healthcare - A Case Study

What are step down transformers?

Introducing Sharehype, the Revolutionary Tool for Online Marketers

Rewards To Shopping For Austin Real Estate On The Web

Hydroponics for Beginners

Do you write?

Would you like submit your articles and have them approved on a priority status? Find out more about how you can become a Priority author for pennies a day! Click here.

News Feed

Dime-co.com Home

Business (9328)

Computers & The Internet (5740)

Entertainment (1348)

Family (958)

Finance (1963)

Health (4246)

Home and Living (6670)

Marketing (6113)

Shopping & Product Reviews (2624)

Sports (694)

Travel and Vacations (1689)

Video Articles (1)

Editors Pick (1)