Thread: A big complaint about Smashwords
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Old 10-03-2010, 02:57 PM   #6
kacir
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrPLD View Post
I should make it clear - I'm not asking them to not accept doc, rather I'm asking them to accept at least one format that's actually standardised (again, as they used to).
The problem is, they need to produce LOTS of formats from your submitted file. They have made a convertor called The Meatgrinder. The Meatgrinder accepts MSWord files. The choice is perhaps not optimal, but what would you suggest if you had to choose ONE format as input format?
I can think of only one format that would be better - RTF.

I personally do not like MSWord. I am posting this from Linux machine (that I use at home for 99.5% of time) and when I have to use Windows (at work, for example, because AutoCAD and other software does not run anywhere else) I strongly prefer free software. My employer paid for a copy of MSOffice, I use OpenOffice.org whenever I can.
I have promised one author I that I would help him to prepare his book for publishing on Smashwords. When I read on Smashwords that "You should invest and buy MSWord, it is an excellent program", or something to that effect my blood pressure rose very sharply, so I can understand your feelings.

Having said that, I still think that MSWord as an input format for The Meatgrinder is a very reasonable choice.
TeX is technically superior, but tell me, how many writers would be able to submit properly formatted TeX file and how many can submit properly formatted MSWord file?

Please read the document that describes how is the MSWord file supposed to be formatted. If people kept to this excellent advice when creating MSWord documents, there would be much less problems with MSWord.

You have to understand that Smashwords produce several file formats for their site AND they prepare files for other outlets that distribute Smaswords documents. Each of those formats has very specific and quirky requirements.
Quote:
Originally Posted by www.smashwords.com
... the Apple iPad iBookstore(Smashwords is an authorized Apple Aggregator), Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo (our books also go to Borders and Samsung, powered by Kobo), the Diesel eBook Store, and soon, Amazon. Our books are also distributed into the native catalogs of top mobile e-reading apps such as Stanza on the iPhone and iPad (used by 3.5 million+ people) and Aldiko and Word-Player on Android devices. Your book is also available for immediate sale at Smashwords.com, our retail operation. Smashwords books are also promoted via a growing network of Smashwords affiliates.
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