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| Home | Lesfic | eBooks | MobiPocket | PDA | Reading Devices | Sony reader | Amazon Kindle | iPhone | Links & contacts | IMHO |
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What is an eBook?An e-book (electronic book) is the digital media equivalent of a conventional printed book. Such documents are usually read on personal computers, or on dedicated hardware devices known as e-book readers or e-book devices. Simply put, an eBook is an electronic version of a paper book. |
Types of eBook Files.Unfortunately, there is no standardized format for eBook files. My preferred format is mobipocket (.mobi). This is because I use Mobi Pocket Reader as my 'computer library' in that I keep all of my books and stories in this format so I can look them up easily. I then convert .mobi files to the formats required for my various electronic readers. Here is a link to the different file types available. Wiki eBook File Formats It is not important that you understand all of them. What is important is:
What Program do I need?Regardless of what file format you use, you must load some software to your computer and your reading device. This allows you to download eBooks and read them on both your computer screen and/or your device. If you dont have a seperate reading device all you need to do it download and set-up the software for viewing your eBooks (onto your computer), then download your book and start reading. I have found the best way to read eBooks on your PC and many hand held devices is to use MobiPocket. MobiPocket is a FREE download and works on Windows PC, Palm OS, Mobile Phones, PDA's. Here is the sequence for downloading and using MobiPocket on your PC: Download MobiPocket to your Windows PC
A more detailed description of this is available here: DOWNLOADING MOBIPOCKET TO YOUR PC Matching Reading devices to Software Needs.What Software can I use on my Computer? Choose the reading device (below) and then select the link to find out what software will work best for you. Windows Personal Computer (PC) either laptop or desktop (Windows 7, XP, VISTA, ME, 2008, 2005 etc). Mac OS X Computer Apple MacIntosh laptop or desktop. Linux Operating System (OS). Palm OS (usually PDA or phone). Windows Mobile (PDA, Smartphone). Blackberry (Phone or PDA). |
Benefits of eBooksWhat are the benefits and advantages of eBooks? While many traditionalists may never convert to eBook over paper, here are a few points for you to think about. 1. Ebooks are delivered almost instantaneously. You can purchase, download and start reading them within minutes. You don’t have to go to a bookstore to buy them, nor will you need to wait days, weeks and sometimes more for your book to arrive in the mail. 2. Ebooks are delivered through the Internet, therefore, there are no packing and shipping expenses. 3. No trees are required to manufacture paper for the pages of eBooks. 4. Ebooks take up less space. You can store hundreds and thousands of eBook on your computer. I have over 700 books stored on a 2GB SD card. 5. Ebooks are portable. You can carry a whole library of books with you, on CD, in a laptop, your PDA or phone, or any eBook reader, without worrying about their weight. 6. With today’s technology you can read eBooks anywhere, on the bus, train, airplane and while standing in line. 7. Ebooks are searchable. You can easily search for any information in an ebook, instead of turning page after page. You can make notes or highlight passages for later referral. 8. Fonts can be resized in ebooks, making them easier to read for people with poor eyesight or disabilities. It is also possible to convert eBooks to audio books with minimal fuss. I recently wrote a "Guest Blog" for Women and Words. Here is the link to W&W: http://lesbianauthors.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/ebooks-by-guest-devlyn/ |
Other eBook Reader Software
Although I prefer Mobi Pocket Reader to read my eBooks, there are many other options available.
This link http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_software will guide you through the various options and provide links to the available software. Please note that this information is not my intellectual property, all credit belongs to Wiki.mobileread.
PalmOS document formats A few notes about documents on Palm devices
These readers work on iPhone and iPod Touch. At this stage the Apple iPad works well with Bookshelf. Over time newer apps may be available for using the iPad. I dont have an iPad and recommendthat if ypu need any advice or help on reading lesfic eBooks on th eiPad you contact Boldstrokes Books FAQ.
Most most modern Cell Phones support Java standard for mobile applications (J2ME). Some so-called Smartphoness have a standardized OS like Symbian OS, Linux, PalmOS and Windows Mobile that may also run book readers designed for these platforms. The list of products below includes J2ME applications, but also software that is supplement to the list of products shown under the various OS's.
I still havent worked this out properly but if anyone is reading eBooks on their DS Lite please let me know. It is hoped that a dedicated eBook reading program will become available with the DS XL.
DRM (wiki)
Electronic books are 'read on a personal computer or an e-book reader . Some eBook providers use DRM restrictions to limit copying, printing, and sharing of e-books. DRM Protected E-books are usually limited to a certain number of reading devices and some e-publishers prevent any copying or printing. Thus, many consumers have been reluctant to purchase and use e-books.
There are some instances where you may need to compile files or convert files so that you can read a complete story or read it in the format you want.
I have found the best way to compile a number of documents into a full ebook is via MS Word.
For example: in the Acadamy of Bards if the story is in sections or chapters, I copy and past all text to a word document so it is all in order. I then use MobiPocket Reader to conver to mobi format. To do this open mobipocket and then Import (top menu Bar) select Office Document from the dropdown menu and click on your word document. MobiPocket Reader will convert the document to mobi format and place it into your library as well as saving a copy to your pre-determined folder.
You can also use Adobe Acrobat Professional to compile the sections using PDF format but this is more complicated IMHO.
There are many programs available to convert various formats to more usable formats.
Firstly, you must decide what format you want to end up with. For example: .prc and .mobi are both recognised as MobiPocket file extensions.
MobiPocket Reader easily converts documents of the following formats: PDF, Office documents, HTML, Text, CHM, EPUBS. Simply click on the Import tab in the top menu bar of MobiPocket Reader and select the type and name of the file. Conversion is done quickly and automatically.
See MobiPocket for Dykes for more information about this program and how to use it.
Some files may be in PDB format and these are a bit tricky to convert. You need to download ABC Amber Palm Converter http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html. I have found that if you use ABC to convert PDB to a MS word document then use MobiPocket to convert to a .mobi file. The PDF conversion of PDB does not seem to work as well. PDB files are found at www.pdafiction.com and I have found that where possible, I always download the Mobi version of the pda fiction eBooks.
If in doubt or if I havent covered an area of file conversion you want, the best thing to do is 'google': 'convert xxx to xxx' ( eg convert pdb to mobi) and see what comes up. I have found many of the programs I use via these searches.
In order to convert protected PDF eBooks purchased through SCP, you need to load MobiPocket Creator to your computer (Free program from the internet).
http://www.mobipocket.com/en/downloadSoft/ProductDetailsCreator.asp
Select Import from Existing File - Adobe PDF
Convert to mobi document.
Import document to MobiPocket Reader to read as mobi file. Send to device as you would normally.
Ensure you take note of where you save your file as you will need to go there when 'adding' the file into mobipocket Reader.
Download Adobe Digital Edition http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions/#download
Use Adobe Digital to add the PDF file to the Adobe Digital Library on your computer.
Connect your Sony Reader to your computer and it will show up on Adobe Digital screen.
Click and drag your eBook to the Sony Reader or Sony Reader Card in the Adobe Digital Screen.
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