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Reading and downloading ebooks

The ebooks on this site are in the public domain (not subject to copyright) and may be read and downloaded without charge. If you need help with some of the terms used here, go to the definitions section at the end of this page.

ebooks which are HELD ON THIS SITE are usually available as a text file and as a zipped text file. Sometimes a html file and a zipped html file are provided. Here is a typical listing of an available ebook which is provided in all four ways:--

John BUCHAN (1875-1940)
The Blanket of the Dark (1931)--Text--ZIP--HTML--ZIPPED HTML (contains an image)

If you click the mouse on "Text" the file will be opened and you will be able to read the book online. If you wish to transfer the file to your own computer (so that you can read it when not connected to the internet, using a word processing program, a text editor or ebook reader software) you need to select "Save as" from the "File" menu on your browser and save the file to the location of your choice. It would be best to view the file using a non-proportional font, such as 'Courier New', so that any formatting within the text file is displayed correctly.

If you click the mouse on "ZIP" you will be prompted to save the file to your own computer. The transfer time will be shorter than when transferring the text file, as zip files are compressed. You will need to use a program to unzip the file(s) before you can read the ebook. If in doubt, simply save the text file as outlined in the previous paragraph. Refer to 'zip, zipped' later in this page for details of where to get the relevant program.

If you click the mouse on "HTML" you will be able to read the file online in html format, the format used to create the page you are now reading. If you wish to transfer the file to your own computer you need to select "Save as" from the "File" menu on your browser and save the file to the location of your choice.

If you select "ZIPPED HTML" you will be prompted to save the file to your own computer. The transfer time will be shorter than when transferring the html file, as zip files are compressed. The zip archive may contain images of pictures or photographs which were in the original paper-based book. You will need to use a program to unzip the file(s) before you can read the ebook. Refer to 'zip, zipped' later in this page for details of where to get the relevant program.

Some of the ebooks listed on this site are not actually held on this site. Instead a hyperlink is provided to transfer the user to the location of the actual book. Here is an example:--

Augustus and Frank GREGORY
Journals of Australian Exploration, 1884.

Once transferred to the internet location of the actual ebook, the available formats of the ebook will be displayed. The instructions outlined in the above paragraphs will apply if you want to read and/or download the ebook.

If you have other questions they may be answered at the Frequently asked questions page--almost everything you ever wanted to know about Project Gutenberg and ebooks.

DEFINITIONS

web page

A document displayed on the world wide web (www) or internet. The document you are now viewing is a web page.

web site

A collection of web pages belonging to one internet location. The web site which you are currently visiting is gutenberg.net.au.

text file

A document held on a computer which contains only alphabetic letters and numbers. It is not possible to provide special effects such as italicised letters. No images can be displayed. In some text files accented characters (e.g. é) are included. Project Gutenberg ebooks contain a break at the end of each line so that the file can be read without the words going off the side of the page.

html file

A document held on a computer which can contain alphabetic letters and numbers, images, coloured text and background and hyperlinks.

hyperlink

A word, or series of words, usually in blue underlined text, which when clicked on with the mouse takes the user to another web page or to a different location in the current page. Images can also be used as hyperlinks. The mouse pointer changes from an arrow to a hand when the mouse pointer is pointed at a hyperlink. This hyperlink will take you to the top of this page.

ebook or etext

A document held on a computer (an "electronic" file) which has usually been created from a conventional book.

zip, zipped

Files held on computers may be compressed to reduce the size of the file for storage or transfer between computers via the internet or via email. Winzip is a popular computer program for compressing files, so that compressed files are commonly said to be zipped. Where required, a number of files may be compressed at the same time resulting in a single zip file containing several files. One use for zipping multiple files is to store a html file and its associated images in one zip file. Zipped files compressed with winzip require the same program to unzip them. An evaluation copy of Winzip may be downloaded from the Winzip site. A freeware program, for private users, which will zip and unzip files, is available from Ultimate zip.

ebook reader, or etext reader, software

A computer program developed to allow ebooks to be read on a computer screen. There are a number of free ebook readers on the internet including Toms eTextReader and Spacejock eBook Reader and Text-to-Speech software. (Refer also to the information about ebook readers on our home page)

text to speech software

A computer program which can process an ebook and read it back to the user using simulated speech. The speakers which are attached to most computers must be turned on.

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