Special thanks to Digital Production and Trafficking Manager Sarah Olmanson for challenging us this week!
Yesterday, we posted an eBook quiz. Let’s take a look at the possible answers and see how you did!
1. How many eBook formats are there?
Best answers: B and C
a. Too many to count
I wouldn’t go that far!
b. 20 to 30
If you are talking formats (as in the file extension and standard), then yes, there are about 20 to 30 formats that have been used. Thankfully, there are only about five that are currently used frequently: ePub, Mobi, KF8, AZK, and PDF.
c. 2
If you are talking user experience, you will typically notice two styles of eBooks: fixed layout and reflowable/fluid layout. A fixed layout book mimics a printed book as closely as possible and is typically used for titles that have a lot of illustration, such as children’s books. Making the text larger requires zooming in on a portion of the page. A reflowable or fluid layout allows the reader to adjust or reflow the text to his or her own preference. Different e-readers and devices can make the book look different. Typically, the user can change the font, size of text, and background color—it depends on the device they are using.
d. 1
Nope. But most eBook creators wish it were so!
2. What is an ePub?
Best answers: B and Da. An eBook; all eBooks are ePubs
Nope! Not all eBooks are ePubs.
b. An eBook: all ePubs are eBooks
Yes! All ePubs are eBooks.
c. The eBook format I read on my device
Maybe. It depends on the device you are reading on.
d. An international standard for an eBook format that works on many types of devices, but not all devices
Yes! ePub is a widely used eBook standard that is maintained by the International Digital Publishing Forum.
3. What electronic devices can you read an eBook on?
Best answers: A, C, and D
a. Smartphones
Yep! Smartphones will read many different types of eBooks if you use the correct app: Google Play Books, iBooks, Kindle App, Overdrive Media Console, Blio, Bluefire Reader…to name a few.
b. Any eBook can be read on any device
Nope. With as many formats of eBooks as there are, it is inevitable that only certain formats can be read on certain devices.
c. Kindles, iPads, and Nooks
Yes! These devices have been created for the digital reading experience!
d. Desktop computers
Yes. Different file formats will require different software to read, but if you have the correct software, your eBook can be read on your desktop computer (although getting it there might be a different story).
4. What is DRM?
Best answer: D
a. An eBook format
Nope.
b. Digital Reading Medium
Nope.
c. Dry Run Mediator
Nope.
d. Digital Rights Management
That’s it! DRM is the term for different technologies that prevent eBook readers from creating copies of their eBooks and sharing them. It is intended to protect the copyright of the author and publisher. Not all eBooks have DRM, but those that do will be difficult to transfer between devices if you do not have an account that syncs your e-library across devices.
5. What is an enhanced eBook?
Best answer: A
a. A book in a digital format with added features that wouldn’t be possible in a print book, such as embedded audio or video
Yes. Other features that might be added include narration and interactivity. Lerner Interactive Books and Audisee eBooks with Audio are great examples of enhanced eBooks.
b. An app on my phone
No. Book apps are their own separate piece of software, so they aren’t technically an enhanced eBook.
c. A book in a digital format for which the author has added more to the story such as new chapters or alternative endings
No, although I’m not saying it couldn’t happen. The term “enhanced” is added to eBooks when a digital feature is added to the eBook.
d. A book in a digital format that has a bigger font size
Nope. Reflowable eBooks such as those in the mobi or epub file formats allow users to change font size, so that wouldn’t be considered an enhancement.
Hope you enjoyed our quiz! Let us know if you have questions about eBooks that you want answered in the comments below. We’d love to help. Happy reading!