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Wikisource ebook export research: Comparison of download options
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Description

We saw in T256708: Wikisource ebook research: How readers currently download books that people don't always understand what the different file formats mean and which one they might need. Here we're looking at other ebook services, what they offer and how they display it:

ServiceDownload UIFull download UI
Gutenberg (main & full)
Screenshot 2020-07-09 at 8.40.33 AM.png (512×1 px, 272 KB)
Screenshot 2020-07-09 at 8.40.38 AM.png (554×572 px, 117 KB)
Internet Archive (main & full)
Screenshot 2020-07-09 at 8.41.11 AM.png (672×716 px, 159 KB)
Screenshot 2020-07-09 at 8.41.17 AM.png (644×766 px, 192 KB)
Open Library (main)
Screenshot 2020-07-09 at 8.42.05 AM.png (736×1 px, 297 KB)
Manybooks (main)
Screenshot 2020-07-09 at 8.42.31 AM.png (538×836 px, 176 KB)
Screenshot 2020-07-09 at 8.42.38 AM.png (596×790 px, 189 KB)

Common formats and where they work:

  • EPUB - Recommended. Works on most devices.
  • MOBI - Kindle and Calibre.
  • PDF - Works on most devices. Easier to use on bigger screens due to lack of text reflow.
  • Text - Works on most devices. No formatting.

Event Timeline

Let's also study on this can implemented on Mobile view. I appears differently based on the screen size but I do see a Download Epub button on English Wikisource (using WSExport) and a Download PDF (using ElectronPDF most probably) as well. But is not uniform across wikis on whether different formats are available or not.

I am sharing a few screenshots taken on my phone.

English Wikisource
Screenshot_20200827-145234.jpg (2×1 px, 394 KB)
Bengali Wikisource
Screenshot_20200827-150333__01.jpg (2×1 px, 152 KB)
French Wikisource
Screenshot_20200827-150438.jpg (2×1 px, 190 KB)