The Web Books Viewer is an ebook viewer that takes advantage of Web browser's power. It can read EPUB and Web Books offline (without internet connection). Unlike traditional ebook readers, the Viewer does not need installation. It is just a Web page at the following Web address:
Type L (for laptops or large screen)
http://www.web-books.com/Web/L6.html
Type s (for smartphones or small screen)
http://www.web-books.com/Web/s4.html
Type L Viewer
This Viewer works with the latest versions of FireFox and Google Chrome. It will also work with IE10 in a few months. The Viewer contains a new HTML5 feature, called "File API", which is essential for adding local ebook files into your library (a database on your computer or mobile device). The local ebook files (.epub or .webz) may originate from regular download to your computer or mobile device.
File API is similar to file upload. Their major difference is that, during upload, the local file goes to the cloud for processing by the server, while File API allows the browser (on your computer) to directly handle the local file without involving the server in the cloud. Therefore, File API is an important feature for offline reading.
Users won't see any difference between File API and file upload. To add a local ebook file into your library,
click 
at the top left of the Viewer. The page with "Add Books to Library" will show up. Then, simply select an EPUB book (.epub) or a Web Book (.webz) on your computer and click the 'Add Book' button.
To read books offline, the Viewer should be stored on your computer. This is automatically done by browsers. Most browsers do not ask your permission. If they do (such as FireFox), you should select "Allow".
The Viewer can be accessed in the same way as you access a regular Web page. You can add it to favorites (bookmarks), to the home screen of mobile devices, or to the task bar and desktop in laptops. Click here for more info.
Type s Viewer
This Viewer is optimized for the smartphones and tablets powered by Apple's iOS and Google's Android. It also works on two laptop browsers: Chrome and Safari. Two other major browsers, Internet Explorer and FireFox, do not support the Type s Viewer.
The Type s Viewer does not include File API. You need to use the following page to add local files (.epub or .webz) into your library:
http://www.web-books.com/Web/fs.html
It works on Google Chrome and Android (version 3.0 and above). File API is not supported by Apple's products yet. However, you can still use Apple's products (iPhone, iPad, etc.) to read Web Books available on our websites by the following method.
Import from the Cloud
There are two ways you can add books to your library. One of them is via File API which imports local files. Another method is direct import from the cloud. This is the easiest way to read Web Books available on our websites. Simply click the "Import" button in the book info page (example), the ebook file in the cloud will be processed and added to your library. If the import process is successful, either Type L or Type s Viewer will be automatically open, depending on your browser.
Roadmap
- Type s: improve bookmarks, add search, highlighting and annotation.
- Sync bookmarks, highlights and notes across various browsers and devices.
- Support ASCIIMathML and other javascripts.
More Info
Last updated: January 5, 2012