Discovering the ePub file

Before I start creating an ePub file, I want to know exactly what this specie is. So, I googled my way through the maze of ... No, just kidding, ePub files are pretty straightforward. Here is what I learned.

File features

• It derives from 'electronic publication'. Straightforward, like I told you.
• Its main raison d'être is serving as an extension for e-books.
• It is an open source file, meaning a lot of kind, smart people worked (and are working) hard to create it and sharing it with the world. For free!
• The files exist of a ZIP-file (a package with the content of the ePub file) and XML-code that describes this content. More or less like an IKEA-package containing different pieces and a manual on how to put it together, I think? (Except that you actually have to put the furniture together but that all those smart devices put the ePub file together itself. Feel free to give feedback on this bold comparison.)
• The name of this kind of file is stylized in two ways: 'EPUB files' or 'ePub files'. I prefer the stylish second way 👌. The extension reads '.epub'.
• You can embed all kinds of graphic and interactive tools in an ePub file: video and audio files, hyperlinks and of course pictures (gif, jpeg, ...).

What to do with an ePub file

Open the file

The ePub file is the extension for eBooks that can be used on the widest number of e-reading devices. It can be opened with computer software like Calibre, Adobe Digital Editions, ... Via smartphone apps or in Google Play Books.

Still, you can not always open every ePub file with any program or on any device. For example, Kindle readers can not open ePubs. To read the files on this device, you need to convert them first (see below). Also, the files can sometimes be DRM-protected. DRM-what? It means that the ePub file has an encrypted protection and an authentication system, to avoid illegal usage or distribution of the content. For more technical info I kindly refer you to this extended explanation.

Convert the file

If your device can not open an ePub file, you can try to convert it. This is possible in similar programs in which you can open your files, for example in Calibre. In general, I think Calibre is a very user-friendly free e-book management system.
To read ePub files on your computer, it is recommended to convert them into a pdf, which can be read with Adobe Reader. As is customary in the world of converting, there are also different websites that offer online converting. The website Lifewire (see sources) recommends three: Online eBook converter, ePub converter and Zamzar.

Make it yourself

Before I started this journey I thought you definitely needed Adobe Indesign (or a similar program) to make your own ePub file, but apparently there are more options. In my next post I will pick one of the alternatives and create my first ePub file! I hope so.

I Googled this info together and came upon these very nice and clear sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPUB
- https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-an-epub-file-2621084
- https://nl.wikihow.com/EPUB-documenten-openen
- http://www.freemake.com/blog/is-my-video-audio-or-dvd-protected-how-can-i-know-it/