Posts Tagged ‘tutorial’

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:

1. 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
2. Open Shell.exe to convert ebooks
3. Choose the correct phone type
4. Add book and make necessary adjustments to your eBook
5. Transfer your converted ebooks to ur phone… via bluetooth, cable, irda etc.
6. Install the java ebook to your phone
7. 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.

Online Mobile eBook Reading

Speaking of online eBook reading, first you should have a proper connection settings.  Options to have a proper configurations:

• Go to your phone’s manufacturer’s website
• Call your network provider and request for “over the air” configuration
• Install an application that automatically configures your settings

I’m using Settings Wizard for my configurations.  In my country, GPRS connection is common to prepaid and postpaid subcribers but not the internet connection to prepaid subscribers.  It depends if you’re using an old sim card, this is a gossip from my mobile blog friends that new simcards available now are not internet capable.  I guess its true, its really hard to find one nowadays.  It doesn’t matter if you have the right configurations, its with your network provider’s simcard.  I am among the lucky ones, I still prefer to used a prepaid simcard to control my connection cost.  Anyway, why am I talking about mobile internet connections here?
I’ve tried wattpad mobile application last week on my 6630. The application doesn’t work on my 6630, I always have the “Error, Invalid GZIP format” or sometimes “error” prompt.  I’ve tried it on GPRS and inet connection, both with same results.  I’ve used Opera browser instead using internet connection and access their website, it works fine except for the connection charges.  I do not prefer to read my ebooks online whether on mobile or on the net.

Wattpad do have a list of eBooks submitted by members.  There are 3 ways to read their eBooks:

• Go to their site using the wattpad reader on your phone and read it online (If their application is Ok with your phone’s connection) or download it for offline reading.
• Go to their website using a computer, register and download jar or jad file, then install it to your mobile phone.
• Go to their website, copy the text file, paste it to notepad (its in txt format, convert it to whatever format you want), then transfer it to your phone.

Note:  The wattpad application is for online mobile ebook reading.  You don’t need it anymore if you prefer to download their java eBook files.

HTML eBook format on Mobile

There’s a lot of eBook files available on the web, its confusing to others understanding these formats and what mobile application to use.   Sometimes, we came across with html formats.  HTML or  Hyper Text Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages.  In layman’s terms, it should be read on the web therefore its NOT an eBook format.  There are lot of sites intended for online reading.  There are ways to read it online, using GPRS is the most popular but it is costly.  In the Philippines, it will cost you 0.15 cents/kb.  Good for you if you have WIFI supported symbian phone.

If you downloaded a html file, it is possible to read them on symbian phones.  I’m using Opera 8.65 in reading HTML file on my 6630 occasionally.  You can open the html file through FExplorer.  Here’s how to do it.   After opening it to Opera, just add it to your opera bookmark for future reading.  I don’t suggest to read HTML files on your phone frequently, Opera browser consumes a lot of memory in RAM (random access memory).  The symbian system will close all applications including Opera, sometimes the phone will restart by itself.  Here are the tips to avoid this:

• Limit yourself with 1-2 pages as possible
• Delete images included in the html file (do this using Fexplorer)
• Close all running application including FExplorer (after opening html file)
• Turn off images at the Opera settings
• Clear the cache of Opera before reading
• Restarting your phone before doing all these could help also

This is just an option if you’re in a hurry to read the file on your phone.  For larger html files, do take some time for conversion.  Take note that Opera is for browsing purposes only, its impossible to bookmark your eBook page or change the layout settings like what were doing to regular eBook readers.

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