MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - on-the-fly epub creation

ilovejedd · 04-14-2009, 02:59 PM

Need some (major) help...

I have a modified PHP script (based on FLAG) that dynamically creates a Stanza catalog for my favorite FanFiction.Net categories. It basically allows me to browse FanFiction.Net in real-time and creates epub-format ebooks on the fly using Calibre for reading in Stanza iPhone. The script currently runs on my Windows PC running XAMPP.

I have a shared Linux hosting account on 1and1 and I wish to upload the script there. My current dilemma is the epub creation part. I'm currently researching what methods I can use to create epub files using utilities/etc already installed or are user-installable on the shared account. The Linux host has Perl, Python and PHP installed and the operating system is CentOS, iirc.

Options I'm considering:

Install Calibre on Linux Host
Pros:
- no changes to the PHP script required
Cons:
- no idea how to do this or if it's even feasible
BookGlutton API
Pros:
- seems like this might be the easiest to implement
Cons:
- dependent on another website
- don't know how I'm supposed to handle the post request
DocBook+XSLT
Pros:
- seems like the dependencies should already be installed or are user-installable (no admin rights required)
Cons:
- don't know a thing about docbook
- don't know a thing about xslt
Code my own PHP script to create epubs
Pros:
- highly customizable
Cons:
- I might be able to finish this in 2 years if I'm lucky

Right now, I'm thinking using the BookGlutton API might be the best option for me (unless, of course, it's possible to install Calibre or at least html2epub on a shared host). I'm just not sure how I'm supposed to handle the post requests via PHP. Currently, I have an epub.php script that calls html2epub and returns the epub file. I guess I could modify this to send a post request to BookGlutton instead. I just don't know how, particularly the part where you upload the html file.

Anyway, not really looking for a discussion on the merits of the different methods. Just asking for help on the how. If you know of another way to do this (preferably something even an inexperienced coder can do), please post it here.

Thanks!

04-14-2009, 02:59 PM	#1
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,111 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	on-the-fly epub creation Need some (major) help... I have a modified PHP script (based on FLAG) that dynamically creates a Stanza catalog for my favorite FanFiction.Net categories. It basically allows me to browse FanFiction.Net in real-time and creates epub-format ebooks on the fly using Calibre for reading in Stanza iPhone. The script currently runs on my Windows PC running XAMPP. I have a shared Linux hosting account on 1and1 and I wish to upload the script there. My current dilemma is the epub creation part. I'm currently researching what methods I can use to create epub files using utilities/etc already installed or are user-installable on the shared account. The Linux host has Perl, Python and PHP installed and the operating system is CentOS, iirc. Options I'm considering: Install Calibre on Linux Host Pros: no changes to the PHP script required Cons: no idea how to do this or if it's even feasible BookGlutton API Pros: seems like this might be the easiest to implement Cons: dependent on another website don't know how I'm supposed to handle the post request DocBook+XSLT Pros: seems like the dependencies should already be installed or are user-installable (no admin rights required) Cons: don't know a thing about docbook don't know a thing about xslt Code my own PHP script to create epubs Pros: highly customizable Cons: I might be able to finish this in 2 years if I'm lucky Right now, I'm thinking using the BookGlutton API might be the best option for me (unless, of course, it's possible to install Calibre or at least html2epub on a shared host). I'm just not sure how I'm supposed to handle the post requests via PHP. Currently, I have an epub.php script that calls html2epub and returns the epub file. I guess I could modify this to send a post request to BookGlutton instead. I just don't know how, particularly the part where you upload the html file. Anyway, not really looking for a discussion on the merits of the different methods. Just asking for help on the how. If you know of another way to do this (preferably something even an inexperienced coder can do), please post it here. Thanks!