I believe someone mentioned he was able to open pdb files on the Cybook, which were created with Ebook Studio (Palm Digital Media).

I have tried, but the 2 pdb files I made (1 with plain text and without any chapter tags added, 1 with a chapter tag added) both generated an error message on the Cybook ('there was an error opening the file').

Could anyone with Ebook Studio experience tell me what I have to do (or leave out) within Ebook Studio to generate a Cybook-compatible pdb file?

Thanks!

I believe someone mentioned he was able to open pdb files on the Cybook, which were created with Ebook Studio (Palm Digital Media).

I have tried, but the 2 pdb files I made (1 with plain text and without any chapter tags added, 1 with a chapter tag added) both generated an error message on the Cybook ('there was an error opening the file').

Could anyone with Ebook Studio experience tell me what I have to do (or leave out) within Ebook Studio to generate a Cybook-compatible pdb file?

Thanks!

Hmmm.... I've been quite successful in reading pdbs created with Ebook Studio. However, given that Book Designer is free and you can download it from links over in the Sony Reader section of these forums, (get all of them up to the 7/30/2007 update and install in order of creation) I wonder why you're not using that. BD also does a great job of creating PRC/Mobi files.

Derek

However, given that Book Designer is free

I have a Mac. I would prefer to be able to create my ebooks without having to start my virtual Windows machine. And I have Ebook Studio anyway, so would like to get that to work.

I can read pdb files which I downloaded from the net. But my own creations are unusable. Perhaps there is some difference in the output from Ebook Studio for Windows and for the Mac.

Edit: No, no difference in output. I downloaded Dropbook for Windows (same as Ebook Studio, but freeware), made a book and output is the same, error on Cybook is the same.

Derek, could we exchange some test files perhaps?

Many different e-book formats can come in .pdb files, see PDB (http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/PDB) in the wiki.

What Bookeen says in their Cybook specs: PalmDoc is the historical eBook file format for Palm digital assistant.
PalmDoc are encapsulated in PDB files. eReader PDB files are not supported. I don't know if Ebook Studio can produce standard PalmDoc files, but it presumably produces eReader PDB files by default.

Hi Wallcraft,

Yes I read that too, but I understood that Derek had been able to read Ebook Studio pdb's on his Cybook. So I am curious what I would have to do to make it work for me too. It would be great if I could make my ebooks on the Mac instead of having to revert to Windows all the time.

Does eBook Studio give you a choice of output formats? The only PDB format that the CyBook will handle is basic "PalmDoc" - plain text, no formatting.

Does eBook Studio give you a choice of output formats? The only PDB format that the CyBook will handle is basic "PalmDoc" - plain text, no formatting.

Are you sure about that? The files with extension prc is normally in pdb format and not in the resource database format so I would be very surprised if plain text was all it could handle. Or what do you mean by PDB format?

Sorry - I mean "the only file with a PDB extension" (as opposed to a PRC extension). Perhaps you CAN create MobiPocket books with "PDB" extensions but, if so, I've never seen one.

Sorry - I mean "the only file with a PDB extension" (as opposed to a PRC extension). Perhaps you CAN create MobiPocket books with "PDB" extensions but, if so, I've never seen one.

I assumed that if you take a MobiPocket book and rename it with a pdb extension that it will work but I have not tested it. Also when you create a Palm DOC (TEXtREAd) file by just packing a HTML file then that will be a PDB file but for some reason the file is usually named with a prc extension. That is what Book Designer does. And that will work on the Gen3.

I've just tried it and, yes indeed, Windows MobiPocket Reader will happily open a Mobi book renamed from "PRC" to "PDB", so I stand corrected on that matter.

Both PalmDOC (TEXTREAD) and "real" Mobi (BOOKMOBI) books work fine, but there are of course a number of other eBook formats encapsulated in PDB files (most notably, perhaps, eReader) which certainly WON'T work.

Then I must have misunderstood Derek, who (I thought) mentioned he could read pdb files created with Ebook Studio (from eReader).

Hi Adelheid,

What I was asking is whether the "EBook Studio" program gives you a choice of book formats to create? The Gen3 definitely can't read books in "eReader" format, but perhaps "EBook Studio" can also create PalmDoc or MobiPocket books, which it can read?

Ebook Studio has only one option: 'Make Book', which creates a pdb file. It also generates a pml file, which I can open, where all the specific coding can be seen for chaptering, special coding to represent accents etc.

So I don't have a choice in the output format.

Ebook Studio has only one option: 'Make Book', which creates a pdb file. It also generates a pml file, which I can open, where all the specific coding can be seen for chaptering, special coding to represent accents etc.

So I don't have a choice in the output format.

I really *HATE* not having my fully-updated Cybook at hand. The one I currently have is broken in that the SD card slot won't function and thus it is stuck at version 0.91 of firmware. But I know I've created .pdb ebooks and read them on mine - using eBook Studio.

However, and I *keep* pointing this out in various threads, BookDesigner *WILL* create .prc files as well as *basic* Palmdoc .pdb files so what's the problem? It's *FREE* and if you scoot over to the Sony Reader part of these forums, you'll find download links to it.

Derek

However, and I *keep* pointing this out in various threads, BookDesigner *WILL* create .prc files as well as *basic* Palmdoc .pdb files so what's the problem? It's *FREE* and if you scoot over to the Sony Reader part of these forums, you'll find download links to it.

As I said, I work on a Mac, don't have a Windows machine (only a virtual one). As far as I can tell, BookDesigner is Windows-only. And I would just like to create my books on the Mac.

*THAT* is the problem ;)

As I said, I work on a Mac, don't have a Windows machine (only a virtual one). As far as I can tell, BookDesigner is Windows-only. And I would just like to create my books on the Mac.

*THAT* is the problem ;)

I take it you have an older Mac with the Motorola processor set, not one of the newer ones with the Intel Core 2? Because with the newer ones it's possible to install WinXP into its own drive partition and dual-boot. Perhaps an el-cheapo used notebook PC might be the solution??? That is, if you have a lot of ebooks to format. :2thumbsup

I think you miss my point. As I have mentioned, I have a virtual Windows machine on my Mac, I use Mobipocket Creator right now.

What I *WANT* is to work on my Mac, and not be forced to switch when I want to create an ebook. That's all.

Up to now, I had a Palm M515 as my ebook reader. I am used to being able to create my books on the Mac. I would wish to be able to continue to do so.

I think you miss my point. As I have mentioned, I have a virtual Windows machine on my Mac, I use Mobipocket Creator right now.

What I *WANT* is to work on my Mac, and not be forced to switch when I want to create an ebook. That's all.

Up to now, I had a Palm M515 as my ebook reader. I am used to being able to create my books on the Mac. I would wish to be able to continue to do so.

There are programs for a MAC that will create Palm Doc format. MAC Palm DOC is one of them. PorDible is another and makeDocDD is a third. Google is your friend.

Dale

I have used Pordible. I have tried them all. But only Ebook Studio/DropBook can create files with chaptering, headings and footnotes and all, as far as I know. The output of the other tools is not much different from plain text files (which I can read on the Cybook just fine, after all, no need for conversion).

I don't insist on the PalmDoc format at all. I just want to be able to create ebooks, on the Mac, with chapters, headings, footnotes. Any format will do, as long as it is readable on the Cybook and doesn't require switching to Windows.

If it is not possible, then it is not possible.

I would still like to know however, how anyone was able to read Ebook Studio formatted pdb's on the Cybook. That was my original question.

I have used Pordible. But it can't create files with chaptering, headings and footnotes and all. They are not much different from plain text files (which I can read on the Cybook just fine, after all).

PalmDoc does not support these things although there is support in some versions for bookmarks which can be used to provide 'toc' chapter links. PalmDoc does provide compression and paragraph line wrapping but that is about it.

dale

I don't insist on the PalmDoc format at all. I just want to be able to create ebooks, on the Mac, with chapters, headings, footnotes. Any format will do, as long as it is readable on the Cybook and doesn't require switching to Windows.


Maybe there are tools for creating HTML files with the properties you want? You cannot have images then. For that you currently need some HTML to Mobipocket converter. And for that you can always try to get Mobiperl to work on a Mac (and if you do get it to work please tell me so I can add that in the documentation...).

Hopefully images will be supported in HTML files in a future update of the firmware.

I have used Pordible. I have tried them all. But only Ebook Studio/DropBook can create files with chaptering, headings and footnotes and all, as far as I know. The output of the other tools is not much different from plain text files (which I can read on the Cybook just fine, after all, no need for conversion).

I don't insist on the PalmDoc format at all. I just want to be able to create ebooks, on the Mac, with chapters, headings, footnotes. Any format will do, as long as it is readable on the Cybook and doesn't require switching to Windows.

If it is not possible, then it is not possible.

I would still like to know however, how anyone was able to read Ebook Studio formatted pdb's on the Cybook. That was my original question.

Well, as I said, I *have* been able to read them on mine, so you may well wish to talk to Bookeen about getting a firmware patch. As for chaptering... BookDesigner does that just fine. Never needed headers and footnotes in the novels I read, so I've never really checked out what BD will do in that area.

you can always try to get Mobiperl to work on a Mac (and if you do get it to work please tell me so I can add that in the documentation...).

Yes, I think I will invest time in getting that to work on the Mac. I will let you know how it works out.

Well, as I said, I *have* been able to read them on mine, so you may well wish to talk to Bookeen about getting a firmware patch. As for chaptering... BookDesigner does that just fine. Never needed headers and footnotes in the novels I read, so I've never really checked out what BD will do in that area.

Are you sure that you're not mistaken about the software, Derek? I've done a little checking, and "EBook Studio" is a program specifically for producing "eReader" format books. See:

http://www.ereader.com/products/ebookstudio

The CyBook has never been able to read eReader books. In fact, no eInk device will read this format.

I think you miss my point. As I have mentioned, I have a virtual Windows machine on my Mac, I use Mobipocket Creator right now.

What I *WANT* is to work on my Mac, and not be forced to switch when I want to create an ebook. That's all.

Up to now, I had a Palm M515 as my ebook reader. I am used to being able to create my books on the Mac. I would wish to be able to continue to do so.
The problem seems to be that the OS X is not all that well supported.

Are you sure that you're not mistaken about the software, Derek? I've done a little checking, and "EBook Studio" is a program specifically for producing "eReader" format books. See:

http://www.ereader.com/products/ebookstudio

The CyBook has never been able to read eReader books. In fact, no eInk device will read this format.

Hence my question :)

Are you sure that you're not mistaken about the software, Derek? I've done a little checking, and "EBook Studio" is a program specifically for producing "eReader" format books. See:

http://www.ereader.com/products/ebookstudio

The CyBook has never been able to read eReader books. In fact, no eInk device will read this format.
Doesn't FBReader read PDB without DRM? If so, then the iLiad has the ability to read eReader format as long as there is no DRM.

"PDB" is not a format, Jon. You can have ANY type of information in a PDB file.

FBReader will read PalmDoc and MobiPocket files. I don't believe it'll read eReader files; I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Are you sure that you're not mistaken about the software, Derek? I've done a little checking, and "EBook Studio" is a program specifically for producing "eReader" format books. See:

http://www.ereader.com/products/ebookstudio

The CyBook has never been able to read eReader books. In fact, no eInk device will read this format.

See... That's the problem with not having a current-firmware-version Cybook to hand. The one I'm nursing along in hopes of getting it updated has such old firmware (0.91) that it won't read *anything* but non-secure mobipocket files or plain text files. I can't test any of my html or pdb-stored ebooks to see.

As soon as I stumbled across BookDesigner, I switched from eBook Studio to BD because I really wanted to be able to create pdb-Palmdoc, prc-Palmdoc, Sony lrf and MS-Reader lit files and I couldn't do that with eBook Studio. Thus, I have a mixture of eBook Studio pdb and BD pdb ebooks. (And for the definition Nazis here, I'm calling them ebooks as a shorthand from writing 'html or text ebooks stuffed into the pdb file structure' because that's what *EVERY* ordinary person does. :) )

Derek

I don't think that even the most mindlessly pedantic of us has a problem with the word "ebooks" :D.

I don't think that even the most mindlessly pedantic of us has a problem with the word "ebooks" :D.

Thus speaks the person who quibbles about whether pdb is a 'format'. Yes, it *is* a format - a file format. I mean, let us face facts as mature adults, each 'ebook' format is just that, a particular file format. Of course, the pdb, as with prc, can also be a database file format and I believe the prc can be an executable file holder. :D

Derek

Thus speaks the person who quibbles about whether pdb is a 'format'. Yes, it *is* a format - a file format. I mean, let us face facts as mature adults, each 'ebook' format is just that, a particular file format. Of course, the pdb, as with prc, can also be a database file format and I believe the prc can be an executable file holder. :D


I do not agree that each ebook format is just a particular file format. Not if you call pdb a file format. To not make the distinction between the container format and the actual ebook format will just add to the confusion.

"PDB" is not a format, Jon. You can have ANY type of information in a PDB file.

FBReader will read PalmDoc and MobiPocket files. I don't believe it'll read eReader files; I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
I made a PDB using Book Designer and it said it the type was Palm Reader. I don't know if it can be read with FBReader or not. But am I correct or not in thinking this is a eReader file without the DRM?

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15001

I made a PDB using Book Designer and it said it the type was Palm Reader. I don't know if it can be read with FBReader or not. But am I correct or not in thinking this is a eReader file without the DRM?


Just check the first bytes in the file and see what it says. The code for eReader is "PNPdPPrs".

Just check the first bytes in the file and see what it says. The code for eReader is "PNPdPPrs".
PNRdPPrs is definitely in the file.

So can anyone with an iLiad and FBReader please test it out to see that it works or not?

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15001

I do not agree that each ebook format is just a particular file format. Not if you call pdb a file format. To not make the distinction between the container format and the actual ebook format will just add to the confusion.

I would agree that pdb is more like a container format. It is certainly not a file format in the sense that Windows uses the term. It is not really a traditional container format either since there is no universal tool that will read it, unlike zip for example. It is a database structure like the name says. (PDB stands for Palm DataBase)

The Palm OS does not have files in ram at all. When the data is backed up to a pc then the extension is added to identify this is being stored on a pc as a Palm type of file but does not identify the tool needed to read it. That data is done like a Mac as a resource and it is embedded a few bytes into the file itself. Check the wiki for more details on pdb, prc, PalmDOC and other reader formats that can exist on Palm devices.

Dale

PNRdPPrs is definitely in the file.

So can anyone with an iLiad and FBReader please test it out to see that it works or not? This isn't readable by FBReader.

The PBD/PRC formats that FBReader supports are: Plucker, PalmDOC, MobiPocket, and Weasel (zTXT).

Thus speaks the person who quibbles about whether pdb is a 'format'. Yes, it *is* a format - a file format. I mean, let us face facts as mature adults, each 'ebook' format is just that, a particular file format. Of course, the pdb, as with prc, can also be a database file format and I believe the prc can be an executable file holder. :D

Derek

A PDB/PRC file is like a ZIP file - it is a "format" yes, but it's a container format, not a content format.

If you asked "can a book reader read ZIP files" the obvious response would be "it depends what's in the ZIP file". Asking "can it read PDB files" is precisely the same - it depends what's in the PDB file. If it contains certain types of data, it can read it; if it contains other types, it can't.

That's why I think we have to be very careful when answering questions like "Can the Gen3 read PDB files". The only real answer is "it depends what's in them". If they contain PalmDoc or MobiPocket books, it can read them; if they contain eReader books, it can't.