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In my case people would rather have a pdf file instead of a exe file for downloading. WHY?

by bjornbrands
13 replies
Hi there,

I bought eBook pro a while ago. I thought it is really nice software to create a ebook. When I started to publish this book people were contacting me to see if the info was also in Pdf.

In my case people would rather have a pdf file instead of a exe file for downloading. I think the ebook looks a lot better when it's made with ebook pro then as a pdf file. Can anybody tell me why people rather have an ebook in pdf file?

Also what are good programmes to create a pdf ebook, or do you write your book in (for example) Word and create a pdf file with PdfCreator?

Cheers
Bjorn
#case #downloading #exe #file #pdf #people
  • Profile picture of the author Lou Diamond
    Hello,
    I have not seen a new ebook in .exe format
    in quite some time.
    The biggest fear is getting a virus,also what if a
    customer has a mac.
    Will the exe. file work in both?
    Just go with PDF like all the pros do.
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    Something new soon.

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  • Profile picture of the author Kristi Lane
    People are likely concerned with the possibility of a virus. I create pdfs with Word and Adobe Acrobat but Open Office Writer is a good alternative.
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      The problems of fear of viruses and Mac users have been mentioned.

      There's also the fact that some of the programs that publish in executable format require that you be logged on to the net while reading.

      Then there's the challenge of printing the books, which many people prefer to do, and which some of these critters make difficult to impossible.

      There are also issues of compatibility with various versions of Windows, existing or future.

      Along with the executable format come the problems created by "security" features. You know... the piracy-focused stuff that the creators think will help them. They often keep you from moving your products from one machine to another, which sucks for people who switch between computers (desktop and laptop) or who buy new ones.

      Even if your ebook compiler doesn't create any of those problems, many people don't want to risk them.

      It is often not a good idea to turn data into software.


      Paul
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      Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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  • Profile picture of the author TimGross
    An .exe file could contain a virus or cause some destructive elements to the user's system. A PDF is passive and there's no danger of opening it.

    Also - Some .exe files are automatically blocked as file attachments sent by email, since .exe files can so often be malicious.
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    • Profile picture of the author Gravitehx
      Pdf-s are also sometimes easier to use than exe-s, people feel comfortable and safe using pdf-s.

      Open Office is really good for creating pdf-s - simple, fast and free.
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  • Profile picture of the author winkypee
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Eric Lorence
      In my experience, I feel many people abused EXE books, and just simply used them to link to a website to read the material, if there was any information, it would be buried under page after page of ad's and OTO's.

      The sites would come down many times making the Ebook useless, especially older resell rights and outdated products, bundled and rebranded to make them look new.

      Some would not uninstall, shutdown, or even reduce to the task bar when prompted.

      And many would not even release the information contained within unless you registered for multiple additional programs and JV offers.

      On of these in particular stated bluntly, "In order to bring you this great product at such a fantastically low price ($20) it is REQUIRED that you sign up for the wonderful partner offers."

      (This was NEVER mentioned B4 the purchase!)

      There were eight of them, what a crock!

      I avoid EXE books like the plague.

      Best!
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    • Profile picture of the author Kim Standerline
      Originally Posted by winkypee View Post

      Executable files are a big no-no, although I've never heard of an e-book in exe format.
      That's because they are rarely created in this format now

      Personally I'd never buy an ebook in exe format mainly because I like to print them out to read and I don't want any nasty little viruses.

      If I can't print it, I don't want it and I suspect many people think the same

      I didn't realise ebook pro was still on the go, if I remember rightly, it was Cory Rudl's product

      Kim
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by Kim Standerline View Post

        That's because they are rarely created in this format now

        Personally I'd never buy an ebook in exe format mainly because I like to print them out to read and I don't want any nasty little viruses.

        If I can't print it, I don't want it and I suspect many people think the same

        I didn't realise ebook pro was still on the go, if I remember rightly, it was Cory Rudl's product

        Kim
        I got an ebook as a bonus in .exe format the other day. Every time I tried to download it, my virus software lit up. It might have been legit, but I'll never know.
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  • Profile picture of the author AgileHosting
    Can't even open an .EXE on a Mac... granted Macs are not a huge market share, but if your target market tends to use Macs more than the average population, then the .exe format is going to exclude a significant portion of your buyers.

    Bailey
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  • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
    Not sure if they're still doing it, but IMC were fairly recently continuing to promote eBook Pro, particularly to newbies.

    They were focusing on the security aspect (eg the facility to password-protect) and just glossed over the fact that nobody has actually been using .exe ebooks for years. A bit naughty IMO.

    Bjorn, you could do as you suggest and create your ebook in Word then run it through PdfCreator or you could use a program such as eWriter Pro, which I use and can recommend.

    Frank
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    • Profile picture of the author bjornbrands
      Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

      Not sure if they're still doing it, but IMC were fairly recently continuing to promote eBook Pro, particularly to newbies.

      They were focusing on the security aspect (eg the facility to password-protect) and just glossed over the fact that nobody has actually been using .exe ebooks for years. A bit naughty IMO.

      Bjorn, you could do as you suggest and create your ebook in Word then run it through PdfCreator or you could use a program such as eWriter Pro, which I use and can recommend.

      Frank
      Does anybody know eWriter pro? Looks ok.
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  • Profile picture of the author Henry Artz
    I like PDFs because i can print them. I use OpenOffice to create my ebooks. The best thing : it's free. It's also user friendly.
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