Write2epub

users
#1

I have found Write2epub.
All the extensions are on a disc downloaded from Kracked Press.

I thought I would try it for converting Libre User Guides to epub format for
the iPad.
I may not have set it up correctly, but just using the extension as
supplied, I failed.
The staus bar along the bottom showed converting images and this took about
10 seconds.
It then started to convert text. The bar progressed about an inch across the
bottom, then it stopped.
An hour later and it was still stationary.
In the Documents folder, a folder had been created using the same name with
WE2_folder added
There was also a a file with the same name plus WE2_odt
I tried to convert a smaller single page odt file with exactly the same
result.

Using LO 3.5rc3 neither Export as PDF or Writer2epub works on my Mac 10.7.2

Tink.

#2

Sorry
Last time I tried Write2epub with LO it worked. If it does not work with the newest version, then I will have to think about what I am going to do.

I have not tried 3.5.x yet.
Also, I use Ubuntu and Windows. I have not access to Mac.

#3

KP

This is my first effort at using Write2epub.
Does it just output the one file for you?

Tink.

#4

All I did was test it for conversion. It worked spring of last year, and maybe summer as well. I was looking at e-reader software for Ubuntu and tested LO with it and the result with the packages. So I do not remember much from back then - due to my memory issues from 3 strokes. But it worked back then or it would not have been included with the rest of the extensions on my DVD/portal pages.

I just installed the extensions and used it.

I got a file with the same name as the original ".odt" but with the ".epub" extension. Since I do not have any e-reader installed at this time, I was not able to test the file out.

So for me to test it again, I will have to find a Ubuntu 10.04 epub reader package. Will see about doing that after I finish my dictionary work, which is after a current work that takes top-priority over everything else for the time I have on my computer [less time every day due to pain from my debilitating injuries that seems to be worse every day. Got a MRI scheduled on Monday which was really quick for my doctor ordered yesterday.] . BUT, I will finish the dictionaries this month - which it my plan anyways.

#5

Perhaps this extension works best with converting simple documents.
I have found that Calibre does a decent job of the conversion, but even
that is not close to matching the layout. For that I have used Sigil to
edit the XML that is the basis for ePUB documents.
     I saw a post somewhere that someone has a template that will work
with LO to make the conversion from .odt to .epub. It carries a $67
price tag. I don't know if it works or not.
     My system: Ubuntu 11.10 (32 bit) using Gnome Classic.

--Dan

#6

Am 10.02.2012 15:41, Tinkerer wrote:

I have found Write2epub.
All the extensions are on a disc downloaded from Kracked Press.

I thought I would try it for converting Libre User Guides to epub format for
the iPad.

Why not PDF? What is the advantage of epub?

#7

One more point: I'm presently converting the Base chapters that I
have written to the ePUB format. I tried the LO extension with poor
results. Calibre worked better as I stated. So, my process is to let
Calibre do the conversion. Then I use Sigil, an ePUB editor, to clean up
the XML in ePUB. Even then it is time consuming at times to match the
the appearance in ePUB to match the appearance of the .odt file.

--Dan

#8

Andreas Säger wrote:

I thought I would try it for converting Libre User Guides to epub format for
the iPad.

Why not PDF? What is the advantage of epub?

On ebook readers, epub text flows as required with different font sizes. PDFs don't.

#9

Hi Tinkerer,

it may be usefull to contact the author directly at http://lukesblog.it/ebooks/ebook-tools/writer2epub/

Also Writer2epub is discussed at http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111879

Current version by the way is 1.1.16.

Gruß
Andreas

#10

It seems that different e-readers prefer different text formats, like epub. They did this for "business i.e. money/profit" reasons. People had to buy their formatted documents. Now with the conversion packages, it is not an issue, as long as you have a conversion package.

I prefer PDF files for my documents, printer with CUPS-PDF or doPDF. That way I keep all my specialty fonts in the document instead of LO's tendency to replace them with its core font set.

Having external packages, instead of LO extensions do work better sometimes, but the developers of the extensions are doing their best to make their packages work as well as these external packages like "Calibre". I am told that the LO developers are working on the issues I have with specialty fonts and their PDF exporting option.

So, right now, do what works best. Create your documents in LO and then use whatever works to convert them into the format you need for the specific job. Most of us need to have .doc and .pdf file versions of our documents for our co-workers or our bosses. Making them work with a tablet/e-reader package is relatively new compared to what the developers have been working towards. Next big thing is write a version that will work on an Android tablet. Some people are talking about an iPad version as well.

#11

webmaster for Kracked Press Productions wrote:

It seems that different e-readers prefer different text formats, like epub. They did this for "business i.e. money/profit" reasons. People had to buy their formatted documents.

Have you used an ereader? I have read both PDF and epub on mine and epub is much better. I can also read epub on my smart phone, where the screen is so small as to make it virtually useless for PDF. As for "business", books I download from the library are often available in both epub and PDF. Also, O'Reilly books are generally available in several formats and you can download whatevers ones you want, including all, if you're so inclined.

#12

I do not have a tablet computer or a smart phone with a screen large enough to read "books".

I have seen PDF books defined as paperback size of pages. Places like Lulu.com publish books with print on demand service. They have templates that are for the popular book sizes. If I was going to create an e-book, I would use one of those templates to make a book the "physical" screen size of a paperback book. Actually I prefer to buy physical books in that size, since it is easier for me to read that size of book over the "standard" hardcover books.

So, I would do the same for any e-book I would create.

Yes, publishers are not looking at [or doing it now] several file formats for their e-books. I once had a lot of PDF technical books. Easy to get, but hard to use, or at least for me. I prefer to use page marking papers and a highlighter marker to mark the book pages that are what I need. I do not have that option for an e-book. One thing I do like for the PDF books is to be able to copy text [code mostly] from the PDF documents and use that copied text within my documents or programming.

So, to each his own. But if you are going to create an e-book with fixed page sizes and fonts, you must define the page size for the best use on the screen size it is targeted for.

#13

On Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:23:27 -0500, webmaster for Kracked Press
Productions <webmaster@krackedpress.com> wrote Re Re:
[libreoffice-users] Re: Write2epub:

Why not PDF? What is the advantage of epub?

On ebook readers, epub text flows as required with different font
sizes. PDFs don't.

Indeed. I've tried copying a couple of PDF files to a kindle and the
result was totally unusable and unpredictable. It looked nothing like
the file viewed in a PDF reader.

#14

If your PDF's page size is bigger than ebook reader, either text size is too small or you have to read a page in sections which is very irritating.
With ebook format like epub, you can adjust text size, and text flow is natural to your ebook reader. Plus, I think ebook format is usually smaller in size(bytes).

I have Kindle 3, and constantly looking for a way to convert PDF to much more manageable ebook format.

cK

#15

Because epub is essentially zipped up xhtml+css.

#16

Hi Tim, others

Your the missing the point IMO - ePub formats are designed to fit the
form factor of the device (available fonts, etc also) being used to read
the content, at the time it's being presented.

PDF is just another throw back to printing on dead trees in this regard,
where the creator of the file sets the size of the layout when the file
is generated.

This has additional implications, such as page counts and the use of
page numbers in a table of contents and index, the ePub formats and the
readers work such that those things are not fixed, they are variable
adjusting as needed, again, to the form factor of the device being used
to read the file.

Best wishes,

//drew

#17

drewjensen wrote

PDF is just another throw back to printing on dead trees in this regard,
where the creator of the file sets the size of the layout when the file
is generated.

This has additional implications, such as page counts and the use of
page numbers in a table of contents and index,

That is a little unfair on PDF! PDF is excellent for archiving documents as
IF they were printed. It saves on trees and it saves on disk space (compared
to digitized images of documents).

The fixed page size and numbering is extremely important when you are
referring to some portion of a document. It doesn't make sense to say, "in
the third paragraph of page 20" and then because the text was re-flowed to
fit in a 3" screen that paragraph is in page 100...

Another big advantage of PDF (when loaded in a PC, Win or Linux, and
probably on a Mac) is that you can embed the fonts so you know your page
will look *exactly* like you designed it. Apparently this does not work in a
Kindle, so it is expected that they will look different because fonts are
being replaced (as in an epub)

Just my 2 cents :wink:

#18

drewjensen wrote
>
> PDF is just another throw back to printing on dead trees in this regard,
> where the creator of the file sets the size of the layout when the file
> is generated.
>
> This has additional implications, such as page counts and the use of
> page numbers in a table of contents and index,
>

That is a little unfair on PDF! PDF is excellent for archiving documents as
IF they were printed. It saves on trees and it saves on disk space (compared
to digitized images of documents).

Hi Pedro,

1st - if we continue this, and I would not mind at all, how about we
kick it over to the discuss list?

But for the moment.

So we are in agreement - PDF does a great job of replicating the printed
page.

The fixed page size and numbering is extremely important when you are
referring to some portion of a document. It doesn't make sense to say, "in
the third paragraph of page 20" and then because the text was re-flowed to
fit in a 3" screen that paragraph is in page 100...

Well, stop thinking that way (hey didn't I adomish against such
statement in a recent email...ah humans we are all schytzoid)...

Instead of saying "see the scratch mark on tablet 4", use a hyperlink.
It will be just as valid when the pages flow differently on different
devices.

Another big advantage of PDF (when loaded in a PC, Win or Linux, and
probably on a Mac) is that you can embed the fonts so you know your page
will look *exactly* like you designed it. Apparently this does not work in a
Kindle, so it is expected that they will look different because fonts are
being replaced (as in an epub)

Yup - embedded fonts = hard coding.

I'm not saying there is no place for PDF and it's like just that there
are other ways to view the world, the new world.

// drew

#19

Hi Drew

First of all, maybe I wasn't clear in my previous message: I think the epub
is fantastic for e-readers, I'm just arguing that PDF also is fantastic for
other situations. Each one has a proper use and qualities as well as
limitations.

There is no such thing as a "perfect" file format.

drewjensen wrote

1st - if we continue this, and I would not mind at all, how about we
kick it over to the discuss list?

Unfortunately this is not a Forum, we can not move topics :slight_smile: We would have
to start all over at the Discuss mailing list...

drewjensen wrote

Instead of saying "see the scratch mark on tablet 4", use a hyperlink.
It will be just as valid when the pages flow differently on different
devices.

I think the Editors wouldn't like that when they send you a Proof that has
been typesetted and ready for printing. When you say line 4 of the 1st
column in page 40, that is where it is going to stay :slight_smile:

drewjensen wrote

I'm not saying there is no place for PDF and it's like just that there
are other ways to view the world, the new world.

Couldn't agree more :wink:

Regards,
Pedro

#20

Hi :slight_smile:
Are you guys looking for this template?
http://www.kindletemplate.com/
I contacted the site woners and they have agreed to add the name LibreOffice to their site alongside (or perhaps instead of) OpenOffice.

This article
http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/ebook-publishing-using-linux-tools

or something like this?
http://www.kindleexpert.com/template/

Regards from
Tom :slight_smile: