An ebook is an electronic file which has been preformatted for viewing on a computer screen. Ebooks can be ...

• novels
• short stories
• poems
• erotic stories
• non-fiction texts
• presentations
• children's stories
• comic books
• travel guides
• etc.

What makes them different from other types of computer files is that they can only be opened in a designated type of software and are usually protected from being freely distributed (copy-protected).

There are many available formats for ebooks and each format requires special software for viewing them. Each ebook reader software has different advantages and limitations, and ebooks may be available in multiple formats. This help site discusses only those types of ebooks which are supported by eBook Eros:

• Adobe
• Microsoft
• eReader
• Mobipocet

The ebook reader software you have installed on your computer will determine which ebook formats you purchase. Or conversely, the type of ebook you have purchased will determine which ebook reader software you must install on your computer.

There are many available formats for ebooks and each format requires special software and hardware for viewing them. All of the formats discussed on this help site will require a computer to download the ebook file. 

Publishers or authors of ebooks decide whether they will allow their ebook to be:

• freely distributed (meaning anyone can copy it and read it) or
• encrypted for only one person to read

Depending on the type of ebook software, the ebook file is either encrypted to a specific computer or device (meaning it can only be read on that computer or device) or it is encrypted to a specific user's account (meaning it can be read on any device or computer which contains that user's secret account information).

If an ebook has been protected for only one person to read, then consumers download the file to their computer and must read the ebook on that computer (or on other devices containing their secret account information). Copies of the ebook can only be read on authorized computers or by authorized users.

If a publisher/author has decided not to copy-protect their ebook, then consumers download the file to their computer and can then copy it to any other computer/device they choose. The ebook may be read on any supported computer and by any user.

Select your favorite eBook Eros title to purchase and follow the payment instructions.  Moments after your transaction is complete, you will receive two messages from eBook Eros; a receipt email and an email with the following text in the subject line: "Downloadable ebook ready!". This message will contain a link which should be clicked to begin the ebook download.  In addition, to the download link email, you can always access your ebooks that are ready to download by going to:

my bookshelf

• Adobe
• Microsoft
• Palm

The answer is usually no. However, Some ebook formats (currently Adobe) allow consumers to print their ebook if the publisher/author chooses to allow this. In many cases, the printing of an ebook is restricted to only a few pages at a time.