What is an eBook? eBook Course Packet - eBooks are color-coded in RED. The eBook course packet, identical in content to the printed course packet, is an Adobe PDF encrypted document, which is viewed on one's own computer using Adobe's free eBook reader. Shortly after ordering and paying for an eBook, the student ordering the eBook will receive an email containing instructions on how to download both an eBook-Reader and the eBook packet. Readers will be allowed to view, bookmark and annotate text. They will also be allowed to pring page ranges as well as copy & paste text. Important: A downloaded eBook course packet can reside on only one computer. It is important that you open the instructional email on the computer you intend to download the eBook to. The eBook-Reader software is available here. Cluster Computer Warning eBook Course Packets can NOT be loaded on cluster computers. You must download your eBook Course Packet to your own computer. Sample: Before purchasing a course packet eBook, students should try the free sample eBooks that RIS has made available. Click Here. All course packets available from this site pass through an RIS copyright clearance process. eBook FAQ Q: What is an eBook? A: An eBook is an Adobe PDF encrypted document, which is viewed on one's own computer using Adobe's free eBook reader. Q: What do I need in order to view an eBook? A: To download and view an eBook, you will need Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 4 or greater for PC, version 4.5 or greater for Mac) and Adobe's eBook Reader. To download IE, click here. To download free eBook Reader software, click here. Q: I have downloaded an eBook to one of my computers and I now want to view the eBook on a different computer. How can I do this? A: You can not. The eBook course packet can only reside on a single computer. Q: I have an eBook course packet that allows copying. When I try to copy/paste text, why does it look different from what I see on screen? A: Most eBook course packets are created from a scanned image, which is essentially a picture of a document. That picture goes through a process that attempts to turn the picture of words into text. When you look at an eBook, you are looking at the image. When you copy and paste, you are actually getting the text that was created from the image. The process of converting the images into text is not 100% accurate and there will be some unexpected results. Some parts of a page (or entire pages) may not be converted as text. Q: How can I make my eBook look better on my computer screen? A: Please refer to the troubleshooting section of the "Adobe Acrobat eBook Reader Getting Started" guide that came with your eBook Reader. Also, try changing your screen resolution to 1280x1024 pixels. Q: When I try to highlight text in my eBook, not all of the text can be highlighted, why? A: Most eBook course packets are created from a scanned image, which is essentially a picture of a document. That picture goes through a process that attempts to turn the picture of words into text. When you look at an eBook, you are looking at the image. When you highlight text, you are actually highlighting the text that was created from the image (it only appears that you are highlighting what is on screen). The process of converting the images into text is not 100% accurate and there will be some unexpected results. Some parts of a page (or entire pages) may not be able to be highlighted. Back to Top