Beyond the Web: TEI, the Digital Library, and the Ebook Revolution

Abstract

Between August 2000 and August2002, the Electronic Text Center at theUniversity of Virginia distributed over sevenmillion freely-available electronic books tousers from more than 100 different countries. Delivered in a variety of formats, including.lit and .pdb, these ebooks have providedproof-of-concept for the adaptive uses of TEIstandards beyond the World Wide Web – standardsthat the Electronic Text Center has employedsince its inception in 1992. The first half ofthis paper discusses the mechanics of ebookproduction at the Etext Center, the limits ofthe current technology, and the conversionworkflow we hope to implement in the future.The second half discusses user response to ourebook collection, classroom applications ofebook technology, and the advantages anddisadvantages that different formats offer toscholars and instructors in the humanities.