I have Activ Ebook compiler and I have found it to be perfect for creating .exe ebooks. Is there a comparable product (about the same price) where the source documents are pdf files rather than html, and the end result is a pdf ebook? Apologies if this question has been asked a million times!
I went for Ebook Creator by Bytepad. A number of problems so far: when I try to save as PDF, the file produced is not obviously a PDF file. (Right click and then Properties just describes it as 'file', although it does open happily when I choose Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
Secondly, the ebook creator doesn't seem able to reopen this file once created - If I locate it to try to open it, the program just doesn't 'see' the file in the folder.
Thirdly the program claims to be able to open HTML files which can then be saved as PDF, but if I visit a folder with lots of HTML files in, it doesn't 'see' any of them. I would be grateful for any help.
All is not lost - I can return Ebook Creator within 30 days and get a full refund. Can I ask, what should I buy instead? What did you use to make PDF ebooks when you started out, Storyman? And what packages can EbookFriends help with?
Before getting into how I make PDFs let me first cover why HTML is often a better solution. You can create the content in Word, then export as HTML. Activ eBook is a very popular program from creating HTML ebooks and the price is reasonable.
If you still have your heart set on PDFs you can use HYPrLock to display protected PDF files within Activ eBook. An excellent solution. http://www.hyprlock.com/hyprlock/index.htm
When creating PDFs, I use Adobe's inDesign. It goes beyond what is necessary.
If PDF is right for your project depends on several factors. If your reader is interested in "...just the facts" then it really doesn't matter if it is HTML or PDF. If the user is likely to print out the ebook, then PDF might be better.
I have built ebooks out of html files with Activ Ebook Compiler, and I think they are great. You can turn a website into an ebook in minutes. However, they have been nervously received by my audience, given that .exe files can contain viruses. My answer has been two-fold: firstly, to say trust me, trust my ebook, and secondly, to attempt to make a pdf version available. Thus it is not that my heart is set on pdf, it is just that my audience is demanding it.
It seems that Activ Ebook Compiler does deal with pdf files. So I could make these freely using say Primo pdf creator, and then assemble them together using Activ Ebook Compiler. I am only making free ebooks currently, so I guess I will not need Hyprlock?
Having examined Hyprlock, it seems that it still operates within the .exe shell, and thus does not address my problem. (A second problem I have had is that .exe files do not run on a mac.) I am left still wanting a fairly basic way of creating a .pdf ebook that anyone will know is guaranteed virus-free where security is not a great concern and where both html files and pdf files can form the source files.
Have you Goggled "free pdf creator"? You'll find a slew of programs that will provide a solution.
Regarding your concerns about .exe files not running on a Mac. While true it is also true that Macs represent 5% percent of the market--and most of those in educational institutions K-12. Check your logs to see how many Mac users visit your site. Most sites find it is usually around 3%.
It seems I have been unfair on Bytepad's Ebook creator product. I have been given friendly and helpful advice there - it could be just what I need. Fingers crossed...
I am also a mac designer and author and I'd love to know if you came up with an acceptable solution to create e-books on a mac that have table of contents and other professional e-book functions. Thanks!
Things might change now that Apple is moving to a PC 'friendly' system. I suspect that there may be something else offered at the end of this year 'if' Sony's ebook reader gains traction.
Currently the device sells for $350 USD. Rumors hint that there will be a $250 unit later this year. The rumors also suggest that Sony will be going after the student market with a B&W only unit near $100.
Quote: from Storyman on 8:21 am on Dec. 9, 2006[br]Hi Jonnyg1111,
Have you Goggled "free pdf creator"? You'll find a slew of programs that will provide a solution.
Hi jonnyg111 When I first started, I purchased a "PDF Generator" for $97, a typical Internet price. As it was $700 cheaper that Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Standard, I though this is a good thing. The software created a PDF just fine, but did not pull the bookmarks with the document. Oh, the links looked live, you know blue and underlined, but that was all, no live links. Yes, I supposed it would open on a Mac, but it was useless, really. FREE, ? ? ? Maybe, a waste of money.
Also the 7.0 Standard has some security options.
If you what an excellent product and the reputation that goes with an excellent product, do like the rest of us, and bite the bullet, or hire some one to create a proper PDF.
Just because the eBook realm has made it easier to become an author, this same ease does not mean we should offer low quality products. If your eBook is a quality product then it deserves a quality wrap.
Thanks for the advice on the 'cheaper' PDF creator. Didn't know that.
To get really goo results with a PDF it better to move up a notch and use InDesign to create the PDF. You still need to use Adobe's Acrobat to turn on certain features in the PDF file like the ability for Acrobat Reader users to write comments within the file.
You could always keep an eye on eBay for someone selling a used copy of Acrobat. I have version 5 standard and am looking to go to 7 or 8 Pro. I've been told that if I want to eventually do print books, go Pro because it handles color in the CMYK mode which printers want better than the standard versions do.
But if you're not concerned with that, a standard version of Acrobat is cheaper and I've seen them going for under a hundred bucks. Version 4 and 5 still show up, and go even cheaper. For ebooks, they'll do the job.
I've checked other auction sites, too, but eBay has the most to chose from. Just be sure the seller is offering a legit copy.
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