http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/ Engadget Comments for Google makes over a million public domain books available in EPUB format http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
Ah well I suppose it will make conversion in calibre better.]]>Aug 26th 2009 5:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Aug 26th 2009 5:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/25/sony-announces-daily-edition-reader/

Or were you just joking?]]>Aug 26th 2009 5:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Aug 26th 2009 5:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/So, although you may not get free books with the reader itself, there's plenty of free reading material to be had without too much hassle.]]>Aug 26th 2009 6:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/I just downloaded Sun Tzu Art of War and ranz Kafka's "The Trial" and sooner r later I'm pretty sure I'll find the time for reading themtoo.]]>Aug 26th 2009 7:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
Also, I just finished a HSC trial exam, having to write an essay on Frankenstein. Weird.]]>Aug 26th 2009 9:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Aug 26th 2009 5:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Aug 26th 2009 5:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Aug 26th 2009 6:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Aug 26th 2009 6:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Aug 26th 2009 6:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
How would you know they suck? The last book you read had pop-up animals in it!]]>Aug 26th 2009 6:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Aug 26th 2009 6:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
]]>Aug 26th 2009 6:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Aug 26th 2009 7:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
That said, it was pretty dumb of Patrick to say that Netflix offers streaming video for free.]]>Aug 28th 2009 5:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
The 'vast majority' of ALL media sucks.

For every good book, movie, song, or video game, there are easily over 10 that suck.]]>Aug 27th 2009 11:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Aug 26th 2009 6:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
Basically, consumers will want the Sony's device while content providers will want to push the Kindle. Unfortunately, we know the consumer doesn't always get what they want...]]>Aug 26th 2009 6:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
Why would publishers embrace Amazon's locked-in system as this market develops. The whole point with Sony's E-book readers and EPUB is that its OPEN.

If I download a EPUB book I can use it on ANY platform. I don't need Amazon, I don't need Sony, or any one else.

Meaning that publishers & consumers aren't locked into Amazon, Sony, or any other manufacturer. They can set their own rules, and consumers can read their e-books on a Sony device, or a Plastic Logic, or any open device without any worries. Something you can't do with the Kindle.

Let's also not forget that the new Sony devices also includes a 3G distribution system like Amazons, and more importantly native support for PDF, .doc, rtf, files and removable media (SD & MS).]]>Aug 26th 2009 8:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/

]]>Aug 26th 2009 8:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
The main difference between PDF and EPUB is that EPUB is specifically designed for e-Books and is based on XML. Which means it handles font sizes and formatting very well. Many PDF files are poorly handles relative to the screen size of the Kindle; especially when converted to Amazon's proprietary AZW file format.

Either way, only the Kindle DX supports PDF without conversion. Atop that the DX doesn't support the PDF DRM which means a lot PDF files won't work (because Amazon wants to promote their own AZW DRM'd files). The Sony Reader supports both open-format EPUB as well as DRM'd PDF files.]]>Aug 26th 2009 9:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
I wouldn't count out the appeal of being able to use multiple brands of reader at multiple book stores either.

Both devices support DRM. But Sony's is the same system as used by several other manufacturers. Amazon's is exclusive to Amazon, and will remain so.

ePub is already a commonly available format. Amazon's is a modified Mobi file that can only be got from Amazon. ]]>Aug 27th 2009 2:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Aug 26th 2009 6:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Aug 26th 2009 8:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/]]>Aug 26th 2009 8:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/>"yeah except Kindle supports PDF and all free books are available in PDF format"

No, it doesn't. PDF isn't natively supported in the Kindle 2, and the Kindle DX's PDF support is spotty at best.

I planned on using the Kindle DX for a lot of technical documents I utilize for work- almost none of the PDF files I purchase of the white papers and scientific literature can be read in my DX. It can be read in my ol' Sony reader that I've purchased years ago, but its still poorly formatted with a smaller screen.

PDF support in the Kindle is laughable at best.]]>Aug 26th 2009 9:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
You haven't used an e-book reader yet I assume. Otherwise you wouldn't be making such a statement.

PDF is a great format when you play to it's strengths. But it is not an e-book format. E-book readers right now are not good at zooming, and can't pan. PDFs on all current readers are horrible.

ePub, Mobi, even formats like DOC, HTML, TXT etc.. are all far better for e-books. Change the font size and you may as well forget about page layout, because it doesn't work with e-books.

If you want to read PDF files, get a netbook or a laptop. It does that job much better. If you want to use an e-book reader, get proper e-book format files for it, and you will be a happy user. ]]>Aug 27th 2009 2:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Aug 26th 2009 6:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
The books people are up in arms about are not the ones which have passed into public domain. They are the "orphaned" books, in other words the rights holder has passed away and the person who was granted the rights upon their death has not claimed the rights, was not named explicitly, they don't know who it is or how to contact them, etc. That's of course not the only scenario, but the most common one.

So, since the work is not public domain, and supposedly someone out there owns the rights to it, but has not been identified or is not contact-able, it's considered "orphaned". And Google has struck a deal with the publishers that basically grants them the rights to publish those works electronically.]]>Aug 26th 2009 7:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
Ahhh...now i understand]]>Aug 26th 2009 8:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
google has a big name, but their public domain books are marginal at best. i'll stick to something like feedbooks or project gutenberg (not perfect, but decent) for my public domain epubs until google improves the quality of it's books. we don't need 20 versions of Pride and Prejudice, just 1 free one with correct formatting and no errors.]]>Aug 26th 2009 10:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/Sep 6th 2009 3:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/
Super easy process!

http://bit.ly/FsI77
]]>Sep 21st 2009 1:47PM