Proper way to format eBooks...

[Kore]

I dislike the font that my Sony Reader uses by default, so I wanna change it. As well as the page margins.

I've researched a couple different methods to do so, but I don't know which one is the 'proper' way to do it.

1. By editing the epub in calibre and changing the settings there. This would require stripping the DRM of the books that have it.
2. By installing PRS+ and adding a overriding CSS file.

I also have another question... what exactly do people edit in their eBooks? I tried looking at the books' source code (I am a programmer) and it's not neat at all... but I doubt anyone goes around tweaking that, as it would be a huge time sink for no improvement.. unless you're overhauling everything about the book.

Is Calibre's convert options only when converting between formats, or is it used to re-format things?

Sorry, I am a newbie when it comes to eBook formatting and I am trying to educate myself! however I haven't been able to find any conventions or detailed tutorials as to how it should be done.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Kore

I dislike the font that my Sony Reader uses by default, so I wanna change it. As well as the page margins.

I've researched a couple different methods to do so, but I don't know which one is the 'proper' way to do it.

1. By editing the epub in calibre and changing the settings there. This would require stripping the DRM of the books that have it.
2. By installing PRS+ and adding a overriding CSS file.

I also have another question... what exactly do people edit in their eBooks? I tried looking at the books' source code (I am a programmer) and it's not neat at all... but I doubt anyone goes around tweaking that, as it would be a huge time sink for no improvement.. unless you're overhauling everything about the book.

Is Calibre's convert options only when converting between formats, or is it used to re-format things?

Sorry, I am a newbie when it comes to eBook formatting and I am trying to educate myself! however I haven't been able to find any conventions or detailed tutorials as to how it should be done.

Calibre (or most programs, like Sigil) can't convert/reformat a DRM infested book
Nuff said

[Kore]

Originally Posted by theducks

Calibre (or most programs, like Sigil) can't convert/reformat a DRM infested book
Nuff said

Define... 'infested' ?

[user_none]

Originally Posted by Kore

Define... 'infested' ?

infest - live on or in a host, as of parasites.

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by Kore

1. By editing the epub in calibre and changing the settings there. This would require stripping the DRM of the books that have it.

To change the margins this is really your best bet.

Originally Posted by Kore

2. By installing PRS+ and adding a overriding CSS file.

I use this on my 505 and my Son's 300 and have set up 5 different fonts with css that we can change on the fly. A great option for changing fonts of both books with DRM or without DRM.

Originally Posted by Kore

I also have another question... what exactly do people edit in their eBooks?

I remove the DRM from all of my purchased books and run them through calibre to make it easier for my old eyes. I increase the base font and if needed insert spaces between paragraphs and apply an indent to the beginning of each paragraph. This allows me to avoid the need for reading glasses.

Originally Posted by Kore

Is Calibre's convert options only when converting between formats, or is it used to re-format things?

I use it for both, but some formatting can change during conversion / reformatting and you have to proof the books afterwards to make sure they are within the parameters you're comfortable with.

I also use Sigil on occasion to do fine tuning for quick Search and replaces to smooth out wrinkles in the final product.

[Kore]

How do I change the way that my books show up in my Sony Reader? some of them are appearing as the first page of the book (which is ugly). I want them to appear as the pretty cover that they have...

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by Kore

How do I change the way that my books show up in my Sony Reader? some of them are appearing as the first page of the book (which is ugly). I want them to appear as the pretty cover that they have...

Are you talking about your book not having the correct cover as page 1 of the book? If so you need to convert your book (most likely to epub). As long as you have the cover you want on the Edit Metadata page it will be on page 1 of the converted epub. You will not be able to convert any book which has DRM.

Or are you talking about your book not having the correct thumbnail on the Sony? If so try Preferences - Plugins - Device Interface - Sony - Customize and check the box labelled Upload separate cover thumbnails for books. This will work for all books (epub, pdf, rtf, txt) whether they have DRM or not.

[Kore]

Originally Posted by jackie_w

Are you talking about your book not having the correct cover as page 1 of the book? If so you need to convert your book (most likely to epub). As long as you have the cover you want on the Edit Metadata page it will be on page 1 of the converted epub. You will not be able to convert any book which has DRM.

Or are you talking about your book not having the correct thumbnail on the Sony? If so try Preferences - Plugins - Device Interface - Sony - Customize and check the box labelled Upload separate cover thumbnails for books. This will work for all books (epub, pdf, rtf, txt) whether they have DRM or not.

Thank you! Cover thumbnails is what I wanted.