…so I can format the files that go into the downloads.
For example are you using PC or Mac, give the OS (just in case: I don’t think I need to know, but..)—if you are using your computer as a reader?
Are you using Kindle, Sony, or some other kind of reader?
Are you using Palm, Droid, or some other kind of device?
Give your future (what you asked for Christmas) as well as present choices. I’m happy to create the other kinds of files, but it’s futzy, and I want to have a list so this’bear of small brain’ can remember what she needs to do.
What you’ll get will be a bundled zip file of whatever number of formats we turn out to need. Right now I have 3.
Give a look at Jane’s site, while you’re at it.
I have a Windows CE device, so .lit … and T. has a (very old) Palm device, so .txt, so that we can convert it into palm .doc or .pdb.
Thanks!
(DRM … bites!)
LIT and PDB are options for me. I can provide that.
I don’t have a dedicated reader yet, but I have 2 laptops using XP and a desktop with Vista. I’ll (eventually) acquire whatever reader has features I like, so go for it! I’m thrilled this is happening: I own too many of your titles that are stored in boxes (ie, I can’t find them!).
Thanks, always.
Currently a netbook with XP and a laptop with Vista. Probably Win7 in the future, and hopefully a Sony Pocket reader for Xmas! According to Sony the reader will take “Unsecured Text : ePub, BBeB Book, PDF, TXT, RTF, Micrsoft® Word”. Not sure how you score that in the format tally…
When I download from Baen it is the one
labeled ‘Mobipoketreader’ that does the
job.
Oops,I was fighting my darn computer and I omitted
the full download name:’Mobipocketreader/Kindle’
so they are apparently compatible.
I use an iMac OS X 10.6 and I’m thinking of getting the Stanza Desktop application as a reader. Among others it can read Mobipocket and epub formats.
For ebooks I use the Sony Reader Touch. It handles a lot of different formats; my preference would be ePUB.
Mac Mini (Power PC chip) OSX 10.5.8. I have already installed Calibre, I’m sure I could manage others if that’s more convenient for you. I also have some version of Adobe Reader installed, etc. I don’t think whatever you come up with will be an immediate problem.
I suppose that I will get a handheld reader of some sort before too long. Frankly I’m not impressed with the $$$/value trade off. Though the last time I checked was a few months ago, which could be generations in computer time. But as a practical matter, I physically can’t read too many novels on a monitor, so before too long (2-12 months) I’ll be getting something.
Reptile, if you have a smartphone of some sort you can probably get a reader for it. I have a blackberry now, and I had a samsung before, and I got programs to read .lit and .pdf files on both of them. If you’re interested, I can send you some links.
So—ePub, mobi,lit,pdb,Sony (I have an app for that!),RTF, RB, and PDF. That’s 7 formats. I can do that. I think.
Nothing ever goes simply. These are the formats I can produce from Calibre:
Output Formats: EPUB, FB2, OEB, LIT, LRF, MOBI, PDB, PML, RB, PDF, TCR, TXT
These are the formats Calibre can read and convert to the list above. Input Formats: CBZ, CBR, CBC, EPUB, FB2, HTML, LIT, LRF, MOBI, ODT, PDF, PRC** (generic), PDB, PML, RB, RTF, TCR, TXT
Calibre doesn’t ‘like’ to convert PDF. Its favorite conversion source is LIT followed by MOBI.
If you recognize your file type in the OUTPUT list, and you know your device name, can you tell me? It’s making me a little crazy.
Mac OS 10.6.2 (on three Macs) – and read books on the iPhone, too – but really just hanging on for the secret iSlate (ha!)
PS – but don’t account for me – I have all the books you’ve listed so far on real living paper …
Hello! It’s been a while since I’ve been around (turns out I signed up for a ton of work when I got into photojournalism, color and design and advanced fiction writing this semester. =P )
It’s exciting, being away and then coming to see all the progress. =]
As for e-reading, I primarily read .pdf files on my blackberry. Sometimes I read .lit files on my computer, but only when I can’t get .pdfs. =]
At the moment (still resisting the hand held reader onslaught..) I would lean towards files in PUB format, for use on a windows mobile smartphone and eReader Pro. I know, tiny screen and all.
PC, with XP, Vista, and 7 all in the mix. Mobi reader is all I’m planning to use.
I will likely be using my laptop primarily, it is XP with Calibre downloaded. On my PC at home I am using Vista, and haven’t downloaded any reader yet, but I am not worried. I have been a longtime purchaser of stuff on the internet and have had a PAYPAL account for a long time. Ready to go!
So far I’ve got what claims to be a file in: mobi, epub, lit, txt and pdf. I’m still working on it.
MOBI: Kindle,
LIT: Microsoft Reader
EPUB: Sony Reader.
Sony Reader EPUB: work everywhere, but it will put in breaks because of the size threshold, needed for SONY devices. In particular for the iPhone/Android phones, choose the SONY output profile.
MOBI but not Kindle: mobipocket profile (I will tag that, so you know which mobi).
pdf: ok for Kindle, various others.
txt: converts via various converters to useable format.
Another issue is how many times I can run these files through a chain of processing without corruption creeping in, so I am giving away the first of the Journals as a freebie, and just need reports as to errors, glitches, etc: if they get unreliable after being run sequentially through the conversion process. I’m going to have to get a pad and pencil and try to figure out how and in what order to produce the files. My readers have to be my laboratory in this, because I only have a PC for a reader, and there’s such a variety of formats out there. I have tested e-Pub, PDF, and mobipocket, and can also test RTF, but with some of the others I can’t get a look at what I’m outputting.
The original Kindle doesn’t really do PDF; the files have to be sent to Mother (Amazon) for conversion. The 2nd and later versions handle PDF natively. As long as MOBI doesn’t have DRM Kindle will handle it. Have a look at Baen to see what they’ve got; there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. http://www.webscription.net .
Mac OSX 10.6.2 Snow Leopard to read on the computer: Preview 5.0.1 or Adobe Reader 9 if in PDF files, eReader Version 2.7fe, Stanza.
iPod Touch: eReader, Kindle for iPhone, PDF Reader Pro
Great progress! Thanks!!!
PC – or netbook – with XP. Nothing else at the moment.
Well, nothing else unless you count the no-outside-access machine running Win98 and the one that’s still running DOS (currently in a box).
Kindle — so my preference is for Mobi.
Elaine
Norman, Ok