An additional failing of the PDF is that the security parameters can be set in such a way that not only can you not print the document, which is pretty much the default for all ebooks, but you're also unable to export text, or create notations or bookmarks. More recent versions of Acrobat Reader are including the availability of these options, but the security level embedded in the document can limit or disable these tools.

An alternative is Bullzip's PDF Printer. It's a freeware Windows Printer option that allows you to output any printable document as a PDF file. Because it's freeware, it's good for both personal and commercial use. Personally, I've never used it, but it gets decent ratings on Download.com.

Microsoft Reader
I can't say it's necessarily THE second most prevalent ebook reader, but Microsoft's Reader is definitely in the running. You'll find that many books not available in other formats are available for Microsoft Reader. Unlike Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader is only available for Microsoft operating systems, i.e. the Windows Family for PCs, Laptops and Tablet PCs, the Windows Mobile and Pocket PC operating systems; and now for Origami as well. So in this aspect, it's not compatible with Mac or Palm OS devices.

Being available on both PCs and Windows Mobile devices, Microsoft Reader is able to reach a very large segment of the market. And with free plug-ins available for Microsoft Office, it's quite easy to construct your own ebooks. A note on the plug-in... it was designed for Office 2000/2003. I was able to install it in Office 2007, but was unable to get it to work.

In any event, all of the document structure that Reader is capable of displaying is retained; images, tables etc., which is a major plus since most writers using the Windows platform will likely be using Office for their writing needs.

Creating books for Microsoft Reader can be as simple as installing the Read in Microsoft Reader conversion add-in if you have an older version of Office, formatting the document the way you would like it to appear, and clicking the button; the plug-in automatically does all the work.

Another method is the free ReaderWorks Standard from Overdrive. ReaderWorks Standard will do pretty much the same work as Read in Microsoft Reader, except it's a standalone program; so it will work on any Windows OS computer. In Figure C, you can see the interface for ReaderWorks Standard.

FIGURE C


ReaderWorks Standard will create Microsoft Reader ebooks for free. Roll over picture for a larger image.

The Standard version is only for personal use though. If you would like to create ebooks for commercial purposes, i.e. to sell, then you'll need ReaderWorks Publisher, which retails for $120. There are no catches to the user license either. You can create as many Microsoft Reader ebooks as you like, and sell them anywhere, at any cost, with no further obligation to Overdrive.

In addition to only being available on a Windows operating system, Microsoft Reader has a few other failings. First, is that it has to be activated in order to work. Now, this may sound like a simple matter of having an Internet connection and clicking "Activate," but it isn't always that easy. If you have changed the installation directory for the software, it will not activate properly. I only learned this after much frustration and repeated attempts on my Windows Mobile handheld.