shoddy ebooks

[ptc]

I'm an ebook fan and it's beginning to be my preferred reading format for many different reasons, but I have noticed one big drawback - SLOPPY EDITING!

Words left out of sentences, the wrong word in the wrong place, and some words missing a letter or two. It's quite annoying. This seems to be the case mostly with older books I've purchased. A simple spell checker would solve many of these problems.

Very annonying, must be OCR problems. I've ntoiced that more recent titles (like the Da Vinci Code) have no errors and were probably delivered in electronic format and didn't need to be scanned... Is there just not enough demand or incentive ($$$) for publishers to actually proofread the ebook versions before they release them???

[sister bluebird]

I must admit, if I see an ebook or a bit of software that has errors, it really puts me off reading it - subconsciously I'm looking out for the next mistake. Mind you, I used to do some proof-reading (long ago) so maybe old habits die hard.

And you are right with the more recent titles - it is all typeset and kept in electronic format - so that's why they are almost error-free. It's the same text basically, but just delivered a different way . . . and with no print costs per ebook I also think they could maybe be a bit cheaper ;-)

[iboar]

Very annonying (sp.), must be OCR problems. I've ntoiced (sp.) that...

I know what you mean! ;)

Sorry, I just couldn't resist! :cool: We all make make mistakes, though.

I do agree with you that it is annoying to find so many errors. My peeve though is more against sites like CNN and MSNBC that apparently don't edit their articles, and they are supposed to be professional journalists! Many of the eBooks are converted by volunteers.

[ptc]

Many of the eBooks are converted by volunteers

I wasn't referring to the free ebooks converted by volunteers. Those are great, and any errors in a freebie are understandable. Just like my own errors in posts to this board - they don't bother me at all :D

But when I pay for an ebook, I like it to be proofread and error free. It's just distracting when there are obvious errors. Like bluebird above, it really puts me off...

[sister bluebird]

yeah - errors in free ebooks, thats ok in a way - thats forgiveable.

But honestly, if you pay for a book, printed, digital or otherwise - you pay for all the editing and proofing to be done properly.

[bryus]

I agree with the paid eBooks and errors. I found many errors in early Palm Digital Media eBook, but have not noticed them in later eBooks.

Project Gutenberg eTexts seems to be well edited and proofed.