news.volyx.in

Your ePub Is fine (andreklein.net)

919 points by sohkamyung · 28 days ago · 308 comments on HN

Article summary

The article discusses issues with ePub compatibility, particularly with Adobe Digital Editions, and how it affects eBook readers. The discussion reveals that the problem lies in the ePub standard's lack of backward compatibility and the use of outdated technology by some eBook readers. This leads to errors and failures when trying to read eBooks with modern CSS features. The article and comments highlight the importance of supporting backward compatibility and following standards.

Main themes

  • ePub compatibility
  • backward compatibility
  • CSS standards
  • eBook readers
  • Adobe Digital Editions
  • standards compliance

What commenters say

  • The ePub standard's lack of backward compatibility is a major issue for eBook readers, causing errors and failures when trying to read eBooks with modern CSS features.
  • Adobe Digital Editions is using outdated technology that is not compliant with current CSS standards, leading to compatibility problems.
  • The CSS standard is designed to be forward-compatible, and parsers should ignore unknown or invalid properties, rather than causing catastrophic failures.
  • Some commenters argue that the problem lies with the spec and the author's attempt to conform to it, rather than with Adobe or other eBook readers.
  • Others believe that eBook readers should prioritize supporting backward compatibility and following standards, rather than trying to keep up with constantly changing specs.
  • The use of modern CSS features in eBooks can cause problems for older eBook readers, and authors should be aware of these limitations when creating their content.
  • Some commenters suggest that using alternative eBook formats, such as kepub, can help alleviate compatibility issues with certain readers.