Illustration of e-book on computer screen

FAQ-Frequently Asked Questions

E-Book Information

What is an eBook?
What are some eBook formats?

What are the links to the various readers?
How do I decide which format to download?
I downloaded an ebook but I get an error message when I try to open it.
How long does it take to download an ebook?
I bought the wrong ebook by mistake. Can I exchange it?

Barkley Publshing

What is electronic publishing?
What is Print on Demand?
What's involved in creating an eBook?
How will my eBooks be protected from illegal copying?
Are eBooks actually selling?

E-Book Information

What is an eBook?

An ebook is a completely electronic version of a book. ebooks can be read on home computers, laptop computers, and handheld PDAs, in addition to specialized ebook readers. ebook readers are usually pre-installed on newer computers and they can be downloaded for free from the Web sites of software companies like MobiPocket, Adobe and Microsoft.

What makes ebooks so convenient is that they are usually less expensive than a regular paper book. They can be ordered and then instantly downloaded with the reader able to go from purchase to reading within minutes. Hundreds of ebooks can be stored on one device, thus the problem of carrying several books at once is eliminated.

The majority of ebooks come in one of four formats (which Barkley Publishing provides):

Adobe Acrobat .PDF which includes the Adobe Reader and the new, (and very convenient) Adobe Digital Editions. This works for PC's and Macintosh computers.
Microsoft Reader .lit for Windows Mobile™ 2003 based Pocket PC and Phone Edition devices, Windows Mobile 2003, Second Edition based Pocket PC and Phone Edition devices, Windows Mobile 5.0 based Pocket PC and Phone Edition devices. (It is not compatible with Windows Mobile-based Smartphone devices.)
MobiPocket Reader .PRC, for mobile devices, such as PalmOS, PocketPC, Symbian OS, Blackberry, Franklin, iLiad, Pepper-Pad, BenQ-siemens, smartphones and also Windows PC and Tablet PCs.
eReader .pdb Palm OS, Pocket PC & Windows, Windows Mobile Smartphone, Symbian, Windows, Mac, OQO

There is also a specialized reader by Sony. The screen, while looking more like ink on paper is also only in black and white, so color illustrations are not possible. However, Adobe PDF's are viewable on the Sony Reader as long as they are not copy protected with any DRM (Digital Rights Management.) Amazon.com has just recently premiered their version of an ereader called the Kindle, also only in black and white. Check their site for details.

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What are the links to the various readers?
Adobe Reader PDF format: http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/

Adobe DigitalEditions PDF format: http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions/

Microsoft Reader .lit format: http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/default.mspx

MobiPocket Reader .PRC: For handheld devices, most of the time this software is preloaded into the device by the manufacturer. If not, you can go to: http://www.mobipocket.com/en/DownloadSoft/ProductDetailsReader.asp and click on the icon of your device to be taken to your device's specific reader download.

For the MobiPocket Desktop for PC (only)-a digital bookshelf for organizing and reading your ebook library collection: http://www.mobipocket.com/en/DownloadSoft/ProductDetailsReader.asp

eReader .pdb format: http://www.ereader.com/product/browse/software

How do I decide which format to download?

Adobe PDF will look the most "designed" keeping the graphic style and layout a designer can accomplish for a paper book. The type does not reflow as the page gets resized and any inset images will remain embedded exactly as placed. However, the other reader software for the handheld readers does allow for reflowing text. This is very convenient when it comes to resizing text, but does not make for "pretty pages." If you plan to read the book solely on your computer, it would be better in the PDF format. However, if you need it for a handheld device, check with your manufacturer to find out if they recommend MobiPocket Reader, the eReader, or the Microsoft Reader. These formats are good but just without the additional "graphic" formatting. However, any illustrations will be included.

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I downloaded an ebook but I get an error message when I try to open it.

Another common problem is that some 'interference' or interruption during the download can cause an ebook file to become corrupted. The only way to solve this problem is to download the ebook again.

If the ebook appears to download instantly -- or in just a few seconds -- this is because Windows is calling upon the previously downloaded version which is stored in your 'Temporary Internet Files'. To ensure that you're getting a 'fresh' download, go to C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files and delete the previously downloaded version that's stored in that folder. If you're still experiencing difficulties, you may need to reboot your PC and try downloading again.

If none of this helps solve the problem, please contact the retailer.

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How long does it take to download an ebook?
How quickly your ebook downloads depends on your internet connection and the file size of your chosen product. It can take anywhere between one minute and six minutes for a DSL connection. Of course dial up connections will take longer.

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I bought the wrong ebook by mistake. Can I exchange it?
Return Policies differ from one retailer to the other. Please contact the retailer who sold you the e-book.

Barkley Publshing

What is electronic publishing?

Electronic publishing is any file produced and distributed to a reader through the internet, and so this includes web sites, eBooks, as well as software, music and video files, as well as Print on Demand.

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What is Print on Demand?

Print on Demand is the latest revolution in the printed book, where the file for the book is stored electronically, and one copy of the book is printed for each order, and shipped to the buyer. This removes the stock and distribution costs in normal print publishing. Barkley Publishing uses Lightning Source as its printer. That way we do not have to pay for storing books or the possibility of overprinting. The order comes in, the number of books requested is printed and shipped. Though we are primarily invested in ebooks, we do understand that the printed book in many cases is preferable, therefore we make that product available to our customers when possible.

What's involved in creating an eBook?

To create an eBook you need to use the software for the relevant file format, or get an electronic publisher to do it for you. You can find a list of links to electronic publishers on our submissions page, as well as to some software vendors.

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How will my eBooks be protected from illegal copying?

eBooks are protected with Digital Rights Management software (DRM). DRM protects eBooks from being copied and distributed for free by making an eBook readable only on the computer that it is downloaded to. Copies of the eBook file cannot be made, and the file cannot be read if it is moved to another computer. Furthermore, some ebook formats cannot be printed.

Are eBooks actually selling?

Absolutely, eBook sales have continued to soar as stated by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF), the eBook industry trade and standards organization ( http://www.idpf.org/ ). From the first statistics generated in 2002, sales for Electronic Book sales were about 6 Million USD. For 2006, the sales exceeded 20 million USD. The first two quarters along of 2007 total over 15.5 million. These statistics are provided by the Association of American Publishers (AAP). Please see http://www.idpf.org/doc_library/industrystats.htm for further information.

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