Siliconchips Services Ltd.

Menu
Let’s talk

EPUB 2 or EPUB 3?

Leave a Comment / By /

What is EPUB?

XML-based, EPUB is the most widely-supportede-book format other than PDF; that is, it is supported by almost all hardware and software (desktop) readers except for Kindle(whose proprietary formats often contain an originatingEPUB file anyway).

EPUB 2 was the industry standard as of 2007, being supplanted in 2011 by EPUB 3, now on its second minor revision. The EPUB 3.0 format was developed to address the perceived shortfalls of its predecessor, including:

  1. Lack of suitability for high-design publications such as graphic novels and children’s books.
  2. Lack of support for equations formatted as MathML,meaning that equations were included as images, which don’t always render clearly.

So EPUB 3 has been around for eight years, but many publishers worldwide are still using EPUB 2. Why? Simply put, for many publishers (and self-published authors), EPUB 2 still meets all their needs. It can render reflowable text, tables and images in a way that works across the whole device spectrum, right down to the lowliest (oldest) devices, because – while those devices might be regarded as obsolete by technophiles and those consumers who must have the latest gadget even if their old one still works –many people still use them, with the logic that ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.

This leaves publishers in the position of having to cater to the lowest common denominator. Newer devices are always backwards-compatible, but older devices just can’t parse some of the under-the-hood wizardry of the newer formats.

So which format should you choose for your eBook?

In terms of cost – and leaving aside Fixed Format, which we’ll deal with in a separate post – there’s really no difference in the cost of converting a reflowableEPUB 2 or anEPUB 3. The difference ultimately comes down to whether you need EPUB 3’s special capabilities, e.g.:

  1. The ability to set mathematical equations using MathML.
  2. The option to include audio and video content.
  3. Accessibility metadata – letting your readers knowspecific information about the usability of your publication, allowing them to decide whether your content is appropriate for their needs.
  4. Including ARIA descriptions andimproving the accessibility of images by using aria-describedby (see here).

Still confused?

At Siliconchips Services, we have beenmaking both EPUB 2 and EPUB 3 eBooks since their conception and are happy to help you decide what is best for your content – feel free to contact us!

Image credit: CaioResende from Pexels

#EPUB3 #XML #eBook #EPUB #Kindle #EPUB2

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What our clients love about us

"I have been working with Siliconchips for six years now as the editor of a scholarly journal that publishes 140 articles per yer. Our articles demand careful attention to the detail of graphs, tables, typefaces, and symbols. I am very satisfied with the high level of quality that Siliconchips brings to the typographical challenges posed by our articles. Their copy-editing and typesetting services are first-rate. The team is fast, diligent and resilient. All queries are answered within 24h, and accurately incorporated into the final proofs. The team is patient, courteous and precise with even the most demanding tasks. It is a real pleasure to be able to work with such professionals."

PROF. DO. JOHN ROORYCK Editor-in-Chief, Glossa: a journal of general linguistics

"We have been working with Shahid Chowdhary for a number of years and the service has been exemplary. Over that time we have had numerous books typeset, with content ranging from simple to complex and that includes recreating engineering books from old files are a data loss. We also put all our eBook conversions to Shahid. In all they do, under the emanating from Shahid's leadership, Siliconchips is totally professional, timely and observant – all the qualities a publisher needs! Whatever your size and requirement, don't hesitate to make that call or send that e-mail to Siliconchips."

KEITH WHITTLE MD Whittles Publishing

"I am delighted to have Shahid as a friend and mentor. He is a superb professional in the digital publishing space. He helped me transform my two ebooks for digital selling. Highly recommend for any such projects. You will find him available and always humble to help you."

HAMMAD SIDDIQUI

"Oneworld Publications have used Siliconchips as one of our main typesetters (both for print and ebooks) for a number of years, and we have always found their service to be excellent, professional, accurate and fast."

TEAM ONEWORLD PUBLICATION London

Corporate Social Responsibility

Contributing Towards Stronger Communities

Proud to support:

Scroll to Top

Umesh Nair

International Executive with focus on Global Growth -20 years working experience in Germany, Singapore, India,Asia, Middle East, Switzerland, Europe across a cultural multi-functional environment.

Specialties: Business Strategy & International partnerships, Global Alliances network in Startup, Technology,Airlines, Aviation, Travel, online travel, E-commerce Business, Luxury Retail, BPO, b2b, ERP Software BusinessDevelopment – Sales, Go to Market, Growth Specialist, Incubation, Entrepreneur in Residence, Senior ClientPartner, Consulting, Market Research – Coleman Research, Lynk Global, Guidepoint, Insight Alpha, GersonLehrman Group.

Mr. Manoj Mehta

Mr. Manoj Mehta, is a Science Graduate and a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), practicing as a Chartered Accountant since 1984. He had the great opportunity to complete his article training with M/s. S.V.Ghatalia & Co. (now part of E&Y, one of the big four Consulting Firms in India).

He has got vast experience of 40 years in the profession. His core strength is in the field of Finance, as a Corporate Advisor to public, private and multinational companies in the field of financial planning, raising debt and equity, structuring,  etc. His forte is strategic business and financial planning, compliances, deployment of funds, optimum utilization, budgeting, Preparation and analyzing of qualitative Project feasibility reports, anything and everything related to advising on financial decision making.

He holds trusteeship of a few charitable trust to show his philanthropy side.

He has held leadership roles and has been in the forefront in articulating values and beliefs in a team building approach.

Paul Evans

Dr Paul Evans has a long career in publishing in STM and business sectors since graduating from Oxford University and first working as a computer programmer. He worked for Reed Elsevier in a variety of roles for nearly 25 years (in UK, Netherlands and China) up to, in later years, Senior Vice President at the global headquarters in Amsterdam. He then became Managing Director for SAGE Publishing’s Asia Pacific company at its hub in Singapore for 7 years, doubling its size and performance. Latterly he was for three years Director of Nature Research China with Springer Nature in Shanghai and an adviser to the Chinese government for his industry, and then on return to the UK during Covid he has worked for Maverick Publishing Specialists as a consultant and Charlesworth Publishing Services as Director of Partnerships.

He has also taken a strong interest in education initially as a teacher in Japan, as a lecturer and course leader in Publishing Studies at a Scottish university, and now in working in UK education areas.

Bharath Ramadoss

Head of Production and Operations, has been with Siliconchips since 2015. In his time with us, he has managed a team of dedicated and experienced production team members, both in books, journals development.

A graduate of University of Madras, Bharath has a strong experience in quality, complex workflows in the publishing industry. His skill set includes e-publishing, project and team management, XML and HTML, content development, workflow improvement, and now working closely with technology team and developing various tools and platforms.

He enjoys cricket, and you will find him playing every Saturday.

Becca Mosher

Becca Mosher, US Editorial Project Manager, helped to develop the Siliconchips editorial department in 2015, and her team continues to grow. A graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and University of Missouri – Columbia, Becca has been in the publishing industry since 2007, where she has specialized in e-book project management, editorial management, and editing in a wide variety of styles at all levels, from proofreading to developmental editing. She is proficient in several languages and adept at client relations.

An avid board gamer, Becca teaches different games at a “Learn to Play” night once a week.

Abhijit Pathre

Abhijit Pathre, our Director of Account Management, manages data, accounts, delivery and operations, and maintains client relationships. He is highly experienced in the technology field and possesses excellent communication and problem-resolution skills; prior to joining Siliconchips Services, he was with Hutchison Global Services, working in 3G, and Goldshield Business Solutions, a UK-based Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firm.

He leads with a humbleness that compels the team to follow his direction. His firm commitment and his vast fifteen-year experience spanning various industries contribute to his essential role as a member of the Siliconchips Services team in India.

Shahid Chowdhary

Shahid Chowdhary began Siliconchips Services in London in September 2010, with one basic idea: to build an organisation committed to value-based leadership and promoting a culture of trust, transparency, integrity and mutual respect.

Shahid received his graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Srinagar and his post-graduate in Marketing and Finance from NMIMS, Mumbai – both leading engineering and business schools in India and he was certified by Baan in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). He has acquired numerous professional qualifications in innovation, strategy and leadership development throughout his career, including Leadership Management Institute (LMI) in the US and Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) in London. Over the years he has worked with various multinational companies in India, the US and the UK, including engineering, software development and publishing companies.

Shahid is the driving force behind Siliconchips Services; he focuses on new markets, business development, human resources development and planning for the continued growth of the company. He unites his teams across borders, and encourages a cohesive working community to give our clients a professional and pleasant experience with Siliconchips Services.

Over the weekends, Shahid spends time with his two daughters, practicing martial arts, and volunteering at the stables for his love of horses.