New FExplorer Beta Version Is Out
I was using FExplorer 1.18 beta version. Last week when I clicked on FExplorer using a short key, I was surprised that a pop up message prompted. It says "This beta version is expired, please visit www.gosymbian.com" FExplorer is a 3rd party file manager mobile application, its convenient for me using FExplorer than using the built-in file manager. Actually, I've tried other mobile applications but I am more comfortable using this especially for my mobile ebooks.
Mobile Screenshot
There are mobile softwares available to capture screenshots for Pocket PC and Windows Smartphones. Those softwares are not compatible with symbian phones although there are mobile applications that serves the same purpose.
Why would we need mobile screenshots?
- To post the screenshots to forum, blogs and websites by showing the actual display on mobile screen of mobile applications, games and themes.
- To lessen the image file size when needed. eg. send or share image via MMS
- Screenshots are better than the actual image when used as thumbnails of contacts.
- To get the actual resolution of images on mobile for photo ebook making
The first application I used before to get mobile screenshot was FExplorer. FExplorer is a third party file manager that’s helpful for capturing screenshots. Although, I find the screenshot feature not accurate when sometimes the “FExplorer: Screenshot Saved“ was also displayed on the screenshot itself. When FExplorer is installed, simply press option, choose “Tools”, then choose “Turn Screenshot ON”. Don’t close FExplorer, go to the page you want to capture the image. Press “ABC” + “0″ (zero) to capture. The files will be saved in C:\NOKIA\IMAGES\FE_img
The second mobile application is ALON Screen Capture which I currently using and my favorite on capturing mobile screenshots. Press option, then “start”. Capture screenshot by pressing “ABC” + center joystick (default). You can customize the capture keys if you want. It also supports jpg, gif, bmp 24, bmp 8, mbm image formats. Screenshot images will be saved in C:\NOKIA\IMAGES\alonscreencapture
Note: These mobile applications are for symbian 60 or S60 mobile phones.
mobile screenshot mobile application
Photo eBook by mjBook
mjBook is a freeware software intended for java eBook conversion, another feature of this software is the digital photo eBook java conversion which I’ve tried now. The output digital album is also in jar or java format just like the ebook converted by mjBook. Again, java files are standalone files, meaning that you don’t need extra application to view it on your mobile device. Just transfer the file to your mobile phone and install it.
- Open mjBook software, click “Photo Book Gallery”
- Input your book name, the phone screen resolution ( I use 176*208 for my Nokia 6630)
- Add images, change the photo sequence by clicking up or down
- Add the png format image for your splash screen and icon (optional)
- Click start
So far, the problem I’ve encountered is the preview for phone screen resolution. The added image doesn’t show there. Also, I don’t think that a background color option is important because it doesn’t show on the converted file.
I’ve used different image resolution on my first try, I don’t like the result. Small resolution images resulted to white background color, that’s why I’ve mentioned above that the background color setting is not important. Different resolution images on your photo book will make other images too small or too big for your screen. Lets consider also the file size of the output photo album, it will end up too large.
Here’s the two-in-one solution for image resolution and large file size. I’ve used Alon Screencapture application to have the screenshots of the images on full screen. You can also use FExplorer or any mobile application that serves the same purpose. Screenshots will give you the exact resolution of your phone with a smaller file size. It is recommended especially if you want to add many images on your Photo eBook. After gathering the screenshots, transfer the files to your computer and you’re ready to convert your Photo eBook.
How to exit Photo eBook on 6630? Press 1 or 3 0r 7 or 9 — click option then exit.
Make Your Dictionary Handy
A dictionary is almost the same with the bible that comes with many pages. I’m talking about the real dictionary, smaller dictionary means lesser word files. Would a student bring a dictionary at school nowadays? I guess not! So lets make it handy then.
Featuring the latest version of MobiSystem MSDict v4.1, I’ve been using the older version MSDict v4.0 for quite sometime. I’ve just installed the latest version now. Actually, as of the moment, using the latest version, I can’t find what’s new with the new version. Anyway, I’ve never tried using any other mobile Dictionary before but the feature I like with MSDict is you can send the word meaning via SMS/MMS to your contacts. On my 6630, click 0 or “zero key”, click “pen key” then navigate your cursor, then click “copy”. Open messaging, paste it to SMS/MMS, then send. Voila!
For First Time Users:
The MSDict 4.1 application was included with MSDict Professional Dictionary Bundle, together with pdb installer files such as Synonymous, Irregular Verbs, English Pro, English Phrases, Acronymic and a pdf help file. You can download the trial version here.
- After downloading the file, read the MSDictViewer_Series60.pdf first or proceed to next step
- Transfer the sis files to your phone
- Install first the MSDict.sis, then the other sis files
Note: The dictionary files are installer files or sis files, it will automatically made the correct destination/folder of files on your memory card. When transferring these files via bluetooth, make sure that you have set your messaging memory in use to your memory card. The complete bundle is 6.4mb+.
For those who already have the older version, you can click here for version upgrade.
For those who already have the pdb dictionary files for some reason. The right destination of these pdb files is E:\Documents\MSdict , if you don’t have it, make a subfolder of Documents and name it as MSdict. You can use FExplorer v1.17 for doing this or your built in file manager. The MSDict will then recognize the pdb files as dictionary files and you will see it already upon opening the MSDict application.
Compatible Devices:
Nokia 3230, N6260, N6600, N6620, N6630, N6670, N6680, N6681, N6682, N7610, N70, N72, N90, Panasonic X700, Panasonic X800, Samsung SGH-D720, Samsung SGH-D730
Tools For Mobile eBook Reading
Mobile eBook reading is not as simple as it seems if you don’t have the required applications. Maximizing symbian phone is my rule of thumb, I don’t think that’s possible without these two applications.
FExplorer 1.17 – is a third party file manager such as creating extra folder for eBook storage, transferring files from one folder to another, distinguishing file formats with their real icon, opening file with the right application and transfering files via bluetooth. Some of these tasks cannot be accomplished by built-in file manager of many symbian phone. Some eBook application’s library folders are situated inside the system folder, this folder is not accessible by a built-in file manager.
WinRAR – is a decompressing and compressing mobile tool. I’ve tried many applications with same purpose, this one is the best based on my experience. You’ll never know that you need this application not until you encounter some hindrance without it. For instance, if you don’t have a computer and you just had downloaded an eBook not knowing that its compressed as zip or rar. What if you’re searching for that file for a long time. See? Without an extracting mobile tool is a hindrance already. It is simple but you’ll never know until you experience that and I did. One more thing with this application is you can compress already read eBooks to save space on your memory.
We have the liberty to choose the mobile applications that suits our needs. As long as it serves the same purpose, it would be fine. Familiarize yourselves with these two applications, you can use them not for eBook files but to other files such as audios, videos, games and many more mobile files.
