Intro Post

[aranel-took.livejournal.com]

Hello, I just got linked to the Ebook Library today!

I've been playing around with getting my fanfic on my iPod Touch using the eReader software. The holidays kind of put that on the back burner, but I'd like to work on it again. Can eReader files be used on the site? I learned about Stanza from another post, so I'll give that a try, too.

My current fanfic focus is DC Comics - Green Lantern, and my OTP is Hal Jordan/Kyle Rayner. My fic is on LJ (sector_2814) and I have a website (Sector 2814).

Comments

[amalthia]

I have no problem adding eReader .pdb files to the site. I just don't know how to create the files myself and as long as there is an accompanying RTF file formatted for e-ink devices I'm okay with it.

The default format is RTF because that's the one format everyone can read and convert into their format of choice. I've looked into converting pdb's into other file types and it looks like there is a command line tool and from what I read it's rather problematic. Basically, it looks like a format that's easier to convert to rather than from. :( So that's why I'd like an RTF accompanying any eReader files.

There are multiple stories on the site that have 3 or 4 formats available for them and I have no trouble adding an extra one if you're willing to upload the file format. :)

If you would like to make more eReader formatted stories available let me know a can give you admin access to add that format to stories already hosted on the archive.

To add new authors we'd have to get permission first.

[aranel-took.livejournal.com]

Providing RTF versions is no problem.

Creating eReader books requires the eReader Studio. I don't know if any other software can create them. Studio isn't free, so I can convert stories for people so they don't have to buy software for a format they don't use themselves. The actual reader software is free for both desktops and the iPod/iPhone and Palm OS.

I'll also need "DC Comics" added as a category.

Thanks!

[amalthia]

Would you like any sub-categories for DC Comics like Batman?

I have a Marvel Universe but I'm not sure what comics DC produced beyond Batman.

As for creating eReader books have you looked through MobileRead Forums? I'm sure there is a way that does not require paying money. Also does the ipod read ePub files?

[aranel-took.livejournal.com]

Green Lantern for the subcategory.

I checked the site again and eReader does have a free creation software, called Dropbook, but it requires marking up the text with the Palm Markup Language. I have Studio, so I've never used Dropbook.

I've also downloaded Calibre and Stanza, so I'll try to make other formats as well. I think Stanza might be able to deal with PDB, but I haven't had a chance to play with it yet.

[amalthia]

My internet just came back and I have to get to bed in about 5 minutes. I'll add the categories tomorrow. :)

Calibre is my conversion program of choice but normally I'm converting to either ePub or LRF.

[aranel-took.livejournal.com]

I did PDB, PDF, RTF and HTML versions for one of my short stories to test things out.

I tried converting to ePub and LRF in Calibre, but ePub seems to have lost all the special characters and formatting (even italics) and I can't check the LRF because Sony's desktop reader is Windows-only. So I'll just stick with doing those four.

I noticed that many/most of the files on the site are zipped. Is that a requirement? I can zip all of mine if necessary, I just want to make sure of the requirements before I post anything. (I'll be storing the files on my own site, btw).

Thanks!

[amalthia]

I don't know if you know this but Calibre has a built in LRF viewer. you don't need Sony Connect software to view LRF files.

[aranel-took.livejournal.com]

That's what I get for not reading the directions. *facepalm"

OK, LRF looks fine. So does ePub, so I guess it was Stanza that was messing that up (it's a bit buggy opening PDBs as well). So I can add those, too.

For the PDFs - I didn't change the size, just used 8.5"x11". What dimensions (and font size) do PDFs need to be for the 6 inch screens?

[amalthia]

here are the pdf settings you'll need to use. :) The margins I think you can mess around with until you find what you like best but the width and length are the dimensions of the screen if I remember correctly. for me I found that Times New Roman 12 or 13, indented paragraphs (no space between paragraphs) seems to look the best. However, for LRF files Calibre does that part automatically if you're converting from HTML.

3.47 width (inches)
4.54 length (inches)

.01" Top
.02" Left
.02" Right
.001" Bottom

(header/footer .0")

And yeah, I heard something about stanza being buggy. MobileRead has more information on what's going on but since I've been kind of sticking to creating LRF files it hasn't been an issue I've looked into closely. Though I do hear sometimes the Table of Contents won't display in the epub reader but once it's loaded to the device it works. I'm waiting for more time to pass and more bugs to get worked out before switching formats.

p.s.

[amalthia]

zipping files. I stopped zipping files unless they were over 2MB because I was finding too many of the zips were corrupt...I wasn't too happy about that. So I just started uploading as is unless the files are HUGE which some are when you add images.

As for PDF are you changing the page size for the 6 inch screens?