JAVA eBook Conversion, Anyone?
The complete documentation of java eBook conversion using mjBook can be view here, you can find the complete list of java enabled phones here. Aside from eBook, mjBook is also capable of converting your pictures into a digital photo album… hmmn, I can’t wait to try that too. Yeah, I admit I did have a great time using this software.
The first important thing to do is prepare your text format file. View it on your notepad, edit if necessary. If you want to have tags on your java book for easy page searching… this is the process you should do. Add <p1> for introduction, <p2> for chapter and <p3> for section before the word. (example: <p2>Chapter 1) Do this to all chapters and parts you want to tag. This is just an option, if you didn’t do the process, you still have the first page, last page, % position and the bookmarks on the navigation option of finished java eBook. I prefer to do it anyway. You have to set tag <img picture_file_name> to have a picture on your ebook like book cover. (example: <img d:\books\pictures\bookcover.png>) Make sure that you use png format.
- Open the mjBook software (see screenshot), at the upper right portion, choose your phone screen resolution. I choosed 176*208 for my 6630.
- Input other details such as eBook name, Author and other information. Select the prepared txt file on “source text file”. Checked the tags analysis if you put the <p>‘s in your text file.
- The “max size of text path” default is 90,000 bytes or 90kb. Text file size bigger than 90kb will split your file into many java eBooks. I did convert a 799kb text file, just imagine how many java Ebook it made. To mobile phones with lower or limited memory, this is the solution to read the eBook partially. I’ve set it to 1000000 bytes or 1mb just to make sure it would not split my eBook.
- Fonts! Choose “MS Windows and phone fonts” for a variety of fonts available, then choose your font, font style, font size, font and background color. Click wordwrap. Choose your desired layout, portrait or landscape.
- Images. The flash screen image will be shown only on start up of the java eBook. The 2nd one is for the icon, it can be seen on java eBook menu (upper part) and at the phone’s menu.
Recheck your settings then start converting.
Related entries:
JAVA eBook Conversion Using Tequila Cat
Look Mom, I’ve Made My Own Java eBook!
Have You Downloaded An eBook With jar Extension Name?
JAVA Enabled Mobile Phones
Download: mjBookMaker.zip
Look Mom, I’ve Made My Own Java eBook
Yesterday’s entry regarding java eBooks made me wonder if I could really made adjustments on java eBook. The answer is NO. You cannot made adjustments to a converted java eBook BUT if you have the original txt format file, you can make changes on how your eBook would be. My conclusion yesterday proved me right… that the quality of the original source file is a plus factor to obtain a great output. I’ve made my own eBook with few trials and errors. I guess, the java eBook file I’ve downloaded before didn’t used the file conversion software I’ve discovered yesterday or maybe he didn’t made enough configuration on converting the file.
I came across to this mjBook 4.7 software last night, it is a recently updated free software. At first, I thought it was a mobile application, I’ve transfered the zip file right away on my 6630 last night. Silly! Anyway, I’ve used it this morning and run a few trials. I happen to have a txt format file so I used it. I’ve mentioned from my earlier entry that this java format eBook doesn’t need a reader, it is an executable file meaning an eBook is equivalent to one mobile application. I’ve modified the font, font color, font style, background color, and icon. I feel great with this software. On mobile, you can still make some settings configurations.
This software can make java eBook compatible with all java enabled devices. So, mobile application compatibility is not a problem anymore with this software. When converting a file make sure that you choose the right mobile resolution. With this software, java eBook is indeed NOT a No-No to me.
Have you downloaded an eBook with jar extension name?
I’ve downloaded a java eBook ages ago and managed to install it on my phone. If I didn’t browsed on my folders this morning, I almost forgot that it’s installed on my phone. Java ebooks are executable files on symbian phones, the exact counterpart of exe eBook files on computer. These files doesn’t need any application or software to read them. Java or jar files are converted primarily for java enabled mobile phones. The “Harry Po” icon at the screenshot below is a java eBook, it doesn’t looked appealing compared to other eBook icons. Let’s face it, the icon is also a plus factor to mobiles phones. Have you imagined what would it looked like if you’ve installed several java eBooks with these icons?
Screenshot of the book itself is on the right side. I admit, it took me a while to figure it out on how to use it. It did open on full screen, it tooked me a while to search for the settings. Just click the zero “0″ key for the settings. At the settings page (shown below), use your cursor and move from left to right to change your settings. I’ve closed the eBook many times when I navigate to “Info” or 6 key. The only thing I like is the “Goto” – “Go Chapters“… the only page that’s not hard on my eyes and for easy chapter scan. It depends on the theme you’re using.
For java eBooks, if you’re not desperate to read that eBook, I guess you won’t download it. First of all, I find it isn’t “user-friendly”. You can change the font size but not the font color and background. Did you notice the first screenshot above, the eBook itself? The lines are broken at a certain level then continue on the next line, we should also reconsider the quality of the original file format before it was converted. Well, I hope I have spare time for java conversion and find it myself if there’s a way to adjust the things I don’t like. What’s the use of mobile reading if you’re frowning while reading? At the moment, java eBook is a No-No for me.
How To Open Different eBook Formats
I assumed that you have a symbian phone and FExplorer installed. I always count on FExplorer when it comes to eBook manipulation. For the record, FExplorer v1.17 is a free third party file manager.
I always do this, checking the eBook file and to which application it suits best. It is as simple as assigning an application to a certain eBook format or file extension. The process is almost the same with the “right click” – “open with” on computer. What makes it different on FExplorer is that you are assigning a certain file extension the application it should open permanently not unless you change it or you’ve reformated your symbian phone.
How to do it? (take a look at the screenhots)
- open FExplorer
- go to the file, example “Inday.prc”
- click Option > File > Open with
- choose the application you want for that format
- click Option > Save
Check it if you followed it right, on the FExplorer, go to the file that you’ve previously assigned then click. If the assigned application opens with that file, you’re doing great. You can do this to other eBook formats or other file extension name, just make sure to close opened application when not needed otherwise you will encounter memory full (depends on symbian phone you’re using).
MobiReader, A Free Powerful eBook Reader
Mobipocket Reader for Symbian smartphone is another powerful eBook reader, the best thing of being powerful is its free. LOL! Who doesn’t want a free mobile application nowadays?
Why is it powerful? Take a look at the left part of my screenshots, it is the default introduction of MobiReader. It’s in prc format but it looked like a html format, it seems that you’re browsing from a third party browser of your symbian phone because of the link function. The introduction is way ahead better from other eBook reader introduction, you can’t believe that the application is free. Would you believe that you can open your eBook 1.03, prc format with MobiReader. I’ve tried that, take a look at the right side of the screenshot, it did worked. The trick here is if you have eBook 1.03 files, just transfer them to e:\eBooks — this is the default location of MobiReader and presto! You can read them with MobiReader, it is in the library already.
I’ve tried opening a txt format file with MobiReader, it worked as well. But even if you moved the txt file to designated folder, you cannot see it at the library. Just open the txt file via FExplorer.
I’ve mention from my earlier entries that eBook reader compatibility is one of my criteria on choosing a new symbian phone. No problem about the requirement anymore, MobiReader will surely handle my old collection of prc format eBooks.
Symbian60.1 – Nokia 3600, Nokia 3620, Nokia 3650, Nokia 3660, Nokia 6600, Nokia 7650, Nokia N-Gage, Nokia N-Gage QD, Siemens SX1, Sendo X.
Symbian60.2 – Nokia 3230, Nokia 6260, Nokia 6620, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6670, Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681, Nokia 6682, Nokia 7610, Nokia N70, Nokia N72, Nokia N90, Panasonic X700, Panasonic X800, Samsung SGH-Z600, Samsung SGH-Z720, Samsung SGH-Z730
Series60.3 – Nokia 3250, 5500, E50, E60, E61, E62, E70, N71, N72, N73, N75, N80, N91, N92, N93, N93i, N95
To download other mobipocket version for other symbian phones, click here. I’ll just stick to this great aspects of MobiReader for now, I’ll explore the other great things soon.
