1. An E-book Primer for English Instructors What are e-books? How can I read e-books? How can I create e-books? What should I consider when using e-books for English instruction? Prepared by Catherine Roop For English 513, Spring 2010

2. What are e-books? Books that exist in an electronic format rather than on the printed page In general, can be read on computers, dedicated e-book readers, and some phones Sometimes are limited to specific devices

3. How do e-books differ from print books? Exist only as files; can be downloaded, stored on a hard drive, and deleted Can sometimes be copied and moved easily, but can sometimes only be used on a single device without the ability to lend or resell Can become corrupted or lost

4. How can I read an e-book? Some formats can be read on a computer, phone, or any e-book reader Some formats can only be read on specific e- book readers

5. Some devices on which e-books can be read

6. How do e-book readers work? E-book readers use a technology called E Ink that looks like ink on a page E-book readers differ from standard computers and phones, whose screens emit light, can cause eye strain, and are difficult to read in bright light

7. The Sony Reader Daily Edition uses E Ink technology

8. How do I get an e-book? E-books can be downloaded from a number of sites online: – Project Gutenberg – Fictionwise – Sites for specific e-book readers, like the Amazon Kindle page and the Sony Reader store Some e-book readers let you download directly into the device, while others require you to download first onto a computer and then transfer to the device

9. How do I read an e-book? Some e-books can be read on almost any computer, e-book reader, or phone (particularly.txt and.pdf files) Some e-books can only be read on a specific e- book reader (for instance,.azw files only work on the Amazon Kindle;.epub files bought in the Sony Reader store can only be read on Sony Readers)

10. Various e-book readers and preferred formats E-book readerStore sellsCan also read Amazon Kindle 2 and Kindle DX.azw.mobi.prc.pdf.txt Sony Reader Daily Edition.epub.doc.pdf.rtf.txt Barnes and Noble Nook.epub.pdb.pdf Apple iPad.epub Amazon Kindle formats via Kindle Application

11. The Apple iPad is not a dedicated e-book reader, but it is often used to read e-books

12. The Barnes and Noble Nook

13. How can I create an e-book? Some file formats can be used as e-books without special processing (.txt and sometimes.doc) To preserve formatting, saving a document as a.pdf will allow it be read on most major e- book readers

14. What are some benefits of e- books? Title availability (even for out-of-print and limited-audience books) Cost (generally cheaper than print books) Portability (can carry thousands of books on a single device)

15. What are some drawbacks to e-books? Incompatibility (some e-books will only work in particular devices) Copy protection (often e-books can’t be lent or resold) Layout and formatting (change when a book is ported into an e-book format)

16. Products mentioned E-book readerFor more information Amazon Kindle 2 and Kindle DX www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015T963C/ ref=sv_kinh_0 Sony Reader Daily Edition ebookstore.sony.com/reader Apple iPad www.apple.com/ipad Barnes and Noble Nook www.barnesandnoble.com/nook

17. Image Credits E-book readerFor more information Amazon Kindle www.markstechnologynews.com Collection of E-book readers www.ebookreadersreview.co.uk Sony Reader Daily Edition review.techworld.com Apple iPad www.devicemag.com Barnes and Noble Nook cdn.cbsi.com.au