eBook Software is Dead - PDF is the Way to Go
When eBooks were in their heyday (well not quite, but for a while there they were the next big thing) the way to go about creating one was not in the PDF format, it was in a EXE format via a dedicated eBook compiler.
Those days are long gone now (thankfully). I personally never liked the compilers. They had a bland interface that produced poorly designed ebooks - correct me I’m off the mark.
So if you are a budding information publisher and looking at whether to go with the exe or pdf format here’s some food for thought…
WebDesingforSmallBusiness.com takes a look at the two…
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file format that is established by Adobe. It is now wide spread standard for exchanging and archiving documents in electronic format. They are printer friendly and the design is more like a classic paper book.
EXE (Executable) is a file format that is used by Microsoft operating system Windows. This is actually a program file that contains the book pages inside it self and the presentation of the content is like website. You browse the book much like in Internet Explorer.
Sooner or later you will probably be faced with a dilemma - should you create your eBooks as EXE files or PDF files? But really, there should be no dilemma.
PDF is widely considered to be the ‘industry standard’ for eBook publishing, and for good reason.
PDF is the industry standard by a country mile. People understand it. They are comfortable using it. And unlike the EXE format, you will never get a virus with a PDF download.
There’s also a great third-party industry that has grown around the PDF format - lots of useful free and low-priced products to be had (look for a post coming up shortly on 25 pdf converters and a more ongoing in-depth look at the power and functionality of PDF).
I’ve also noticed a big trend over recent times. I have been tracking the eBook industry since 2001, gathering data of techniques used to develop and market them. In 2001, the vast majoirty of eBooks (I tracked 122 ebooks) were being delivered in the EXE format. Jump forward a few years, and in 2006 I’m monitoring 172 eBooks and guess what? 153 of them are solely delivered in PDF format. That is a big turnaround. And should end any discussion: PDF is the way to go.
What do you think? Is the EXE format dead and buried? Is PDF the way to go - share your views.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Further Reading…
Delivering Your Ebook – Which Format Will Your Readers Choose: PDF or EXE?
11 Responses to “eBook Software is Dead - PDF is the Way to Go”
By Deborah on Jun 22, 2006 | Reply
Because I primarily use a Mac, I couldn’t open exe-based ebooks. When I had access to a PC and decided to buy such an ebook, I was very disappointed with them overall. Worse, they had annoying passwords, which sometimes didn’t work.
I don’t know if the exe format is dead, but I do know that I don’t see as much of them as I did back in 2003.
PDF is definitely the way to go for the ebook author and reader for the reasons you mentioned.
To correct you about the viruses: I did receive one PDF that had a virus. So it is possible, although I think the possibility of receiving another infected file is something like 1 in 10,000.
By Mike on Jun 22, 2006 | Reply
The PDF format is so much better than EXE that it isn’t even close.
Bang ! ( That was a gavel ) Case closed !
I’ve also read a million times that there is no way to get a virus fron a PDF, so I’d think if it were actually possible, it would be front page news.
By Deborah on Jun 22, 2006 | Reply
This happened when I tried to download a PDF file from an email. Yahoo alerted me to the virus, which I have to say really surprised me. I’ve uploaded and downloaded hundreds (if not thousands) of PDF files without incident. This was a rare occurrence.
By Mike on Jun 22, 2006 | Reply
I wouldn’t doubt that there might have been an attachment to the email, but not in the PDF. I don’t think it’s possible, but…hey, I learn something new every time I say never !
By Martin Neumann on Jun 22, 2006 | Reply
Mike: Yep. Case Closed.
The only instance I found was in 2001 - CNet
“This is the first worm to use Adobe Acrobat PDF format as a platform. However, it only works under the full ‘developer’ version of Acrobat. The common Acrobat Reader program is not affected by this worm.”
I too don’t ever recall seeing or hearing of a pdf virus and I’ve dealt with thousands of pdf files over the years.
I guess it’s something to look into.
By Stuart on Jun 23, 2006 | Reply
But does it come in other colours … oh wait, that’s something else entirely :)
Seriously though - do PDFs work on hand-helds?
By Stuart on Jun 23, 2006 | Reply
Oh - and one other thing - the PDF programme that you mentioned here the other day Martin also has an option to export as an eBook.
I haven’t had time to play with it yet so I don’t know what the end result looks like.
By Teli Adlam on Jun 24, 2006 | Reply
I believe I’ve only resorted to downloading an .exe ebook 3 times in my lifetime. Had I known they were executable files before my purchase, I probably would not have purchased (and yes, I’m on PC).
PDF should be considered the standard by all who wish to delve into the ebook publishing arena.
Granted, you probably won’t get a virus as a direct result of the PDF itself, but Acrobat Pro allows you to execute actions (i.e. open a URL) when an ebook is opened by the end user.
Someone with a lot of time, knowledge, and skill combined with an insecure computer and inexperienced user could find a way to use this maliciously.
That said, it’s highly improbable that someone will start spreading a virus via PDF files. It simply wouldn’t be fruitful with all the security features Adobe has in place to help the end user.
All in all, PDF ebooks are at least a hundred times better than executable ebooks.
~ Teli
By Nick Partner on Jun 25, 2006 | Reply
The fact that exe’s require windows is a huge problem especially given that at least one of the ebook readers is run on Linux.
My one problem with PDF is whether we want pdf’s to become de facto when it is linked so heavily on one company, Adobe. Yes they publish the spec and whilst apparently anyone can use it, Microsoft was blocked from incorporating it into Office 2007.
Having said this, it is really that hard for people to get it in any format they want / their reader supports. Cross compilers certainly exist since apart from MS Office (currently) most other Office suites already support an “export as pdf” facility.
As far as I am concerned what is far more worrying is the DRM software which all e-readers are trying to use, and which are proprietory. The idea of DRM not working with free media such as project Guttenberg seems a much pressing matter.
By Martin Neumann on Jun 26, 2006 | Reply
Stuart - don’t take my word on it, but I do believe they work on pda’s.
the “export as an eBook” - play with Stuart and let us know - although I’m not sure what the difference would be.
By Martin Neumann on Jun 26, 2006 | Reply
Teli - very well said, and I agree with you 100%. That’s the way I understand it as well: you won’t get a virus directly from the pdf but there might be a hole or two from any embedded actions included.
Nick - I’m not sure Microsoft was blocked from including it in Office 07 - There’s a slapping match going on between MS and Adobe. From an outsider, it appears that MS want to challenge PDF with their own format - XPS I think.
Ahh, DRM. The whole DRM issue is in a shambles. There are so many ideas floating about I don’t think we’ll see something for quite a while. That, or someone like Sony will try try and jump in and take the market.