FAQ

Readium Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the Readium Chrome Extension Beta a consumer-grade EPUB reading system?

No, at this time the Readium beta is expected to be used primarily by authors, publishers, and developers creating and testing EPUB 3 content and tools.

Will Readium run with other browsers or as a standalone reading system?

Probably. The Google Chrome extension framework was a convenient runtime for the initial proof-of-concept but we would anticipate supporting other WebKit-based environments in the future, depending on the priorities and efforts of contributors.

Will Readium support vendor extensions to EPUB?

Readium is focused on showcasing a complete reference implementation of the IDPF EPUB 3 standard. Therefore, proprietary extensions that are not officially part of EPUB are unlikely to be supported. However, exceptions may be made for extensions that are widely supported or are needed for testing purposes. For example, Readium already supports the Apple extension to EPUB 2 for specifying fixed-layout EPUB metadata (META-INF/com.apple.ibooks.display-options.xml, etc.). 

Will Readium open DRM-protected eBooks?

EPUB 2.0.1 and EPUB 3.0 do not specify any digital rights management (DRM) technology; so, all DRM protection schemes for EPUB are by definition proprietary. So, in keeping with the Readium focus on supporting the open EPUB standard, at this time there are no plans for Readium to support DRM-protected eBooks.

Will Readium support other publication formats besides EPUB?

Probably not. Readium's goals are to support digital publications based on the Open Web, so supporting proprietary eBook formats is unlikely to be a priority for contributors. PDF, originally a proprietary format, is now an ISO standard; however, PDF is already well-supported by a variety of solutions, including integrated support in Google Chrome so is unlikely to be a priority for Readium.

Will the Readium Chrome Extension be accessible?

Yes. The first beta did not implement screen reader support or other accessibility considerations (among many other missing features from this very much "proof of concept" initial release). However, accessibility is a key EPUB 3 feature and the DAISY Consortium and other accessibility community stakeholders are supporting the Readium Project with the intention to address accessibility in an upcoming revision.

Will the Readium Chrome Extension be localized to languages besides English?

Yes, in an upcoming revision. Contributions of translation assistance will be very welcome, once the basic internationalization infrastructure is in place.

Can I contribute to Readium development?

Yes, please! Readium has been made possible thanks to number of generous organizational supporters, but there's still lots to do, so additional contributions (code, development resources, and/or financial) are welcomed. Individuals who wish to contribute should check out the github respository for ways to get involved.

 

 

 

 
 

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