Conversion

eBook Conversion Matrix

As expected, when I started doing the ebook conversion matrix, I found topics that I still haven’t discussed. There are also some articles that needs to be updated soon. Most likely, ebook conversion matrix should also be like my free ebooks download post that needs to be modified from time to time as well as adding links of future articles related to ebook conversion.

I might add some ebook formats and post follow up post to other ebook conversion topics soon. A single cell could have a couple of links depends on the progress of my future posts.

Also, if you have requests that appropriate for this post, let me know. BTW, I decided to make this a normal post rather than making this a page as I mentioned in my previous article. Its now easy searching if you’re looking for ebook conversion matrix.

Create PDF Easily

For me, the easiest way to create PDF file is to install add-in driver or driver printer such as doPDF, CutePDF etc which I tried in the past. They are totally free. Of course, there are available software for the specific purpose of creating PDF files. Remember that its always been my goal to convert files easily using freewares.

Before PDF, I prefer using MS Word as the initial document for many reasons, easy editing, layout, formatting etc. I believe I mentioned that many times already. The following is a list of like softwares below, check it out what’s best for you. Take note that these are PDF converters and not PDF reader… simply choose the installed printer driver as your printer to convert the document to PDF.

doPDF (1.6 MB) is a free PDF converter that works for 32 bit and 64 bit Windows Operating System. Doesn’t require GhostScript or runtime environments like the .NET Framework. Open a document (with Microsoft Word, WordPad, NotePad or any other software), choose Print and select doPDF. No tagged or watermark PDF output.

CutePDF also a free PDF converter that works for Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista (x32/x64). The printer driver converts the document into a PDF file. It requires to install the GPL GhostScript (18.5 MB for version 8.64).  I installed both the Writer (1.54 MB) and Converter (5.01 MB) to use it. Choose CutePDF Writer as your printer. No tagged or watermark PDF output.

Bullzip PDF Printer (4.0 MB) is a virtual driver compatible with Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/XP x64/2003/2003 x64/Vista/Vista x64/2008/Windows 7 (beta build 7000). The printer driver requires GhostScript Lite (8.8 MB) but doesn’t need to download separately, it will also be installed. Its a freeware with limitations, which means that it is FREE for personal and commercial use up to 10 users only. Choose BullZip PDF Writer to convert your document to PDF.

Originally, I started this list with 10 printer driver softwares. I removed commercial softwares, also those free softwares with tagged PDF or with advertisement of their product on the PDF output file. I also removed a freeware, I used in the past because it was installing a different name and not free anymore. Please read further information/compatibility on the links provided above, I am not liable for any damage it may cause you. On the other hand, I will still search for more like freewares and add them here.

Looking For eBook Conversion Matrix?

This blog is almost 2 years old, my articles are continuously growing about mobile ebook stuff and ebook conversion. Although I do update this blog 2-3 times a week, sometimes I was thinking if I already wrote a certain topic. Of course, I don’t want to discuss topics that have been discussed already. And duplicate contents is bad for SEO.

I was thinking to make a mobile ebook conversion matrix page, its sort of an index to what article an eBookworm should read to every ebook format he/she needs to be converted. It could drain my energy on doing such page but it will surely help those who want to convert their ebooks. And, in a way, it will help me search easily for topics I haven’t yet discussed. I’m still figuring out on how to structure the index page but for sure I will concentrate on ebooks that can be read on mobiles.

Please share me your thoughts on this. This blog is accepting requests and suggestions, don’t hesitate to voice it out by commenting below. It will be posted as soon as its done and located in between links and privacy pages.

Reformat MS Word DOC

Some of the ebook conversion articles I made in the past mentioned editing a MS Word DOC file before proceeding to another conversion.  In this case, MS Word will serve as the “bridge” for another conversion. The reason is because most ebook converters can convert a DOC file directly. I use MS Word as the “bridge file” in converting repligo to other ebook formats. I also use this procedure to convert PDF to LIT, without purchasing commercial ebook converters.

The image shown below is a copied text from a PDF file pasted to MS Word blank document. Most often than not, you will have the same result. Of course we cannot convert it at this point and needs to reformat.

Choppy lines is obvious breaking the lines in unexpected places, this is because the original file had encoding (if its from html before PDF), paragraph and/or line breaks. That’s why it doesn’t come out looking exactly as the copied file.

The show/hide button of MS Word is a great tool to see the markings of breaks, it is located on your toolbar. When this button is clicked, you will see the symbol to every line breaks. It is easier to see exactly where you need to edit.

Manual removing of line breaks needs a lot of patience and time especially if you’ll be editing a big ebook file size. That would mean go to the symbol and delete… a repetitive process.

The easier way is to click edit from your toolbar, then choose replace. A pop-up window will show.

Find what: ^p or click special and choose paragraph mark
Replace with: ^s or click special and choose nonbreaking space

Then click Find Next button, when target line reach, click Replace button. Continue doing this until you reach the end of the document.

For other desired formatting depends on your file, choose and click from the special button in the Find and Replace window. If you plan to convert the DOC file to PRC afterwards, you might find Prepare MS Word DOC useful.

Kindle eBook Conversion… Kindle Free eBooks

Amazon Kindle is an electronic paper display ebook reader device. Amazon said that even the best reading device would be useless without a massive selection of books thats’s why they have 270,000 ebooks plus top newspapers, magazines, and blogs available in the Kindle Store as of this writing.

Kindle does not require a data plan subscription, but users will have to open up their wallets to purchase books or access available newspaper, magazine or blog content.
New York Times bestsellers and new releases will generally cost $9.99 per book, according to Amazon. Subscriptions to newspapers like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post, as well as several international selections, will cost between $5.99 and $14.99 per month. Magazines like the Atlantic Monthly, Time and Fortune will cost between $1.25 and $3.49 per month. Connecting to content from over 300 blog selections, meanwhile, will cost about 99 cents per blog. – source PC Mag

I don’t like the idea of purchasing ebooks since I already have my own eLibrary (ebook collection) and ebook resources. My concern is how to convert my eLibrary to Kindle ebook format at NO cost. I’m sure most of the Kindle users are also thinking of this idea.

Kindle eBook Formats:
Kindle – AZW (native version, kindle version of .mobi), Mobipocket MOBI and PRC (without DRM) and TXT
Kindle 2 – AZW, TXT, AA & AAX (audible.com audiobooks), MP3, Mobipocket MOBI and PRC

PDF, HTML, DOC, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP needs conversion. Amazon claims that not all PDF’s may format correctly.

Kindle eBook Conversion:
Listed above are the compatible ebook formats for Kindle. I prefer to use Mobipocket eBook Conversion using the Mobipocket Creator Publisher Edition. PDF, DOC and HTML can also be converted to Mobipocket ebook format. But of course, converting any documents into TXT format is easier. Or you could search for Kindle eBook Converter softwares online depends on your ebooks sources. If you don’t want any hassle, you could also avail of free ebook conversion from Amazon, email your PDF, HTML and DOC to YourKindleName@free.kindle.com

TIP:
Kindle 2 had received criticism about lighter text that caused eye strain or mild headaches after reading for long periods of time. Some disgruntled Kindle 2 users have “downgraded” to Kindle. The solution is to edit the “source file” and make all the fonts as bolder text before Kindle ebook conversion.

Kindle Free eBooks:
ESSPC PRC
FeedBooks – MOBI
GirleBooks PRC
ManyBooks AZW, PRC, MOBI
MnyBks PRC
Mobipocket PRC
MobileRead PRC
Munseys PRC
Poetry In Translation MOBI
WebScription PRC

**Other eBook formats resources like PDF and HTML can be seen at Free eBook Download, you could convert the download file to Kindle eBook.