Java eBook Reader Or Stand Alone Reader?
Java eBook Reader is the most common title used in thread titles referring to an eBook conversion software. I don’t want to mention the name of the software. Even on the official website of the said coversion tool, they are calling it as reader, when in fact that it is a conversion tool. Conversion tool is totally different to an ebook reader.
It is somewhat deceiving to eBookworms looking specifically for mobile application and not a PC installer. I found it deceiving and to a ebook reader searcher, it is annoying to learn after file download. No, I wasn’t deceived when I already blog the software here long time ago.
I do recommend mobipocket for S40 or another java enabled phones if they are asking for compatible readers. I also recommend converting their file to java format if they have files that need to be converted. These java format files with *.jar or *.jad extension names are stand alone readers just like *.exe ebook files meaning they are executable files or stand alone readers. There’s no need to install a separate reader for these files. I never tried executable (*.exe) ebook files on my PC after my antivirus detected a virus.
To ebook reader developers and promoters, please don’t deceived your possible buyers and consumers. I had a friend who was so disappointed when he encountered such ebook reader that’s why I’m sharing it here.
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.
Java eBook Conversion using Tequila Cat
I’ve noticed that when I’ve posted the article Java eBook Conversion, many got interested with the topic so I’m making this entry to give way to another FREE Java eBook Conversion software, Tequila Cat eBook Reader and Converter.
Tequila Cat software supports plain TXT, RTF, PDF, PDB/PRC (Palm e-books), HTML formats. I’ve tried to convert a repligo file, it didn’t work! I’ve tested the software by converting a 388kb PDF file, the output JAVA file is now 104kb. Here’s the output, The World As I See It. Basically, its almost the same as mjBook software.
How to use Tequila Cat:
- Download TequilaCat V2.3.4 and extract the .zip file to your computer. In my case, I’ve extracted it to C:\Program Files\Java\Tequila
- Open Shell.exe to convert ebooks
- Choose the correct phone type
- Add book and make necessary adjustments to your eBook
- Transfer your converted ebooks to ur phone… via bluetooth, cable, irda etc.
- Install the java ebook to your phone
- Open it to read the eBook
Reminders:
- Images from the source file will be ignored
- Don’t forget to set your margins, word wrap, font, colors settings
- Find more information at the help option
- Every book you converted will become standalone, that means that you can read them without having to install any additional reader application just like other java files.
- Press “0″ or zero key to go to the main menu of your java eBook on your phone.
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.
