The document discusses the evolution and features of EPUB standards, focusing on the transition from EPUB 2.0.1 to EPUB 3.0, highlighting improvements in multimedia support and the demand for enhanced interactivity. It also addresses the implications of proprietary formats like Apple's iBooks Author and various DRM schemes, along with recommendations for software tools and structural considerations for creating EPUB files. Lastly, it emphasizes the importance of adapting to changing distribution methods and the impact of tablets on e-publishing.

1. ePubs in (early) 2012
Walter Lewis & Diane Bédard
OLA SuperConference 2012

2. Standards?
What is ePub?
spec defined by IDPF - International Digital Publishing
Forum
Who is IDPF? adobe, google, overdrive, kobo, sony,
world blind union, random house, daisy etc
… a trades group, not a standards group
PREVIOUS - ePub 2.0.1 (2010)
CURRENT - ePub 3.0 (Oct 2011)

3. ePub2 Philosophy write once/read anywhere
lots of devices/same file
screen agnostic…
 screen flow regardless of size (aka
Dynamic Layout)

4. Scholarly?
 foot notes VS end notes
 citation?
 anchors for a reference?
 embedded milestones to cite from?
 need for back links (not there yet)

5. ePub3 Philosophy packaged HTML content
 audio,
video, objects, colour
fixed layout – working group
tablet-like devices (high end)

6. ePub3
 incorporates features defined by CSS3 Modules and
introduces EPUB-specific CSS constructs.
 defines a restricted subset of SVG 1.1
 defines a set of extensions to the W3C HTML5
document model that Authors may include in XHTML
Content Documents.
 requires XHTML Syntax of HTML5 (5 unfinished)
 scripting and form support are optional
… a conformant Reading System might not be a fullyconformant HTML5 User Agent

7. ePub3
 It is highly likely that this will render obsolete the
current crop of "one-trick pony" light ePub readers
(sony, kobo etc)
 Enter the tablet… full colour, full motion, add apps,
multimedia.. Moved beyond “just the book”

8. iBooksAuthor (.ibooks file)
Apple extension (proprietary)
iPad running iBook app
fixed layout (no re-flow)
accessibility: audio vs. font size
targeting textbook market
distribution/marketing rights?

9. DRM (don’t really mean it?)
Four main ebook DRM schemes at present:
 Adobe's Adept DRM (overdrive, sony)
 Apple's Fairplay DRM (ibook)
 Barnes & Noble's DRM (nook/kobo)
 Amazon's DRM (kindle)
…and “removers” readily available ;-)

10. Structure
of OPF
(why you
want to use
a packager)

11. Xhtml elements

12. Apps we suggest Software (mac/win/linux):
 Calibre:
 ePub Convertor and packager, epub reader
 Sigil:
 a dedicated EPUB editor
 Adobe Digital Editions:
 ePub reader, DRM tester (no linux)
 Dreamweaver or any clean markup editor

13. Structural thoughts #1
 reader app has driver’s seat, will show all content and
likely ignore some design
 XHTML and CSS **MUST** be UTF-8 or UTF-16 BOM
so make sure your editor of choice does this /ensure you
SAVE as this format
 supply all elements (internal to pub package) , not
externally linked

14. Structural thoughts #2
 image element (inline)
 formats allowed are .gif, .png, .jpg, .svg
 alt tag REQUIRED
 object element for anything else
 (very weak support for this element)
Optimal image sizes (OPTIMIZE for WEB)

15. Optimal image sizes
 reminder to OPTIMIZE for WEB
 cover images:
 590 pixels wide x 750 pixels high
 resolution should be 72 pixels per inch (ppi)
 color images saved in RGB colour space
 format can be JPEG, GIF, or PNG.
 Max widths for inside images:


Small mobile screens - assume 320 px wide
dedicated readers - assume 590 px wide

16. Options:
Start with a .DOC
Save
as
HTML

17. MS:HTML vs.
the real stuff

18. Options:
Start with .PAGES
Images:
FLOAT
vs.
INLINE

19. ePub with .PAGES

20. Build with

21. Validators: check your "finished” package
FlightCrew (http://code.google.com/p/flightcrew/)
better tool...download & install Mac, Win, Linux
threepress epub validator
(http://threepress.org/document/epub-validate)
online but often unclear error messages
Other Validators:
xhtml validator (http://validator.w3.org)
idpf validator (http://validator.idpf.org)

22. Packaging it up: CALIBRE

23. iBooks Author (NOT an ePub)

24. iBooks Author:
Sales/distribution rights?

25. Outcome: (on computer)
in Calibre

26. Outcome: (on computer)
Adobe DIGITAL EDITIONS
Img FLOAT – ok
UL – square but…

27. Outcome: (on computer or tablet )
in STANZA
Img FLOAT
working

28. Outcome: (on tablet)
Readers…

29. Outcome: ePub (on tablet)
Img FLOAT issues
in orientation

30. Outcome: iBook (on tablet)
 Fixed Display…

31. Distribution
•Put in your library website
•Bonus points – point to it in the
catalogue (marc 856 tag)
•Upload to iBooks
•Sell to Amazon
•ePub hosting sites
•OPDS – RSS-like feed for ePub

32. Distribution

33. Distribution

34. What to watch…
•Evolving standards…. to ePub3/HTML5
•Fixed layout format push for specialized formats
•Rise of the tablet – to handle new medias
•Re-purposed browsers, rather than built-up
reader apps
•DRM issues

35. Learn more…
ePubs Made Easy:
OLA Educational Institute – 3 weekly sessions
( April 25 to May 9)
… online – with homework! ;-)