The open ebook community and the Internet Archive are pleased to announce the release of the first production version of the Open Publication Distribution System (OPDS) Catalog format for digital content. OPDS Catalogs are an open standard designed to enable the discovery of digital content from any location, on any device, and for any application.
The specification is available at: http://opds-spec.org/specs/opds-catalog-1-0.
Abstract
The Open Publication Distribution System (OPDS) Catalog format is a syndication format for electronic publications based on Atom and HTTP. Catalogs enable the aggregation, distribution, discovery, and acquisition of electronic publications. OPDS Catalogs use existing or emergent open standards and conventions, with a priority on simplicity.
Introduction
The Open Publication Distribution System (OPDS) Catalog format is a syndication format for electronic publications based on Atom [RFC4287] and HTTP [RFC2616]. OPDS Catalogs enable available electronic publications to be:
* discovered, using optional search or a range of optional browsing techniques TODO
* acquired, using direct downloads, lending, or vending
An OPDS Catalog is made up of one or more Feeds. Each Feed is either a list of links to other Feeds or a list of Entries. An Entry describes an available electronic publication and includes basic metadata, the publication's format, and how the publication can b
This document describes the Open Publication Distribution System (OPDS) an application of the Atom Syndication Format intended to enable content creators and distributors to distribute digital books via a simple catalog format. This format is designed works interoperably across multiple desktop and device software programs for acquiring and consuming eBooks ("Reading Systems"). The focus of this document is to outline the requirements for preparing catalogs for use by compatible Reading Systems; formal compliance requirements for Reading Systems will be documented elsewhere. This application of Atom was initially defined and implemented by Lexcycle for the Stanza application.
