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bizzybody · 05-24-2009, 01:14 AM

I want to convert an HTML file to Mobipocket format. I've used Mobipocket's software before, but find it lacking in many areas and it hasn't been updated in a while.

eCub is supposedly "easy" and "simple". I suppose it is IF you already know how to use it for making Mobipocket books.

I got the latest eCub and installed it. I also got mobigen.exe Since I could find no suggestions on where to put it, I put it in the same folder as eCub under Program files. After looking through the very minimal help file (which is where an exacting step by step *should be* for creating mobi and epub books) I found where to tell eCub where mobigen.exe is. There's no Browse button! The user must type in the entire path to it. I know this is very new software, but no Browse button for this essential component?

Next I get it pointed to the folder where the HTML file and images are, get it figured out how to add the cover image, and change the image because I initially got the wrong one selected. This is another function that's sort of hidden and less than clear- what's with the dialog box without a Browse button to make it *ahem*"easy" and "simple"? Making the user manually enter complete paths is so 1980's. (I've been using computers for 26 years, I know from whence I speak. Started with DOS 2.1)

This is where I am stuck and stumped. Clicking the Compile button appears to do *nothing* except make eCub unresponsive for a bit. (Yo! User feedback is a good thing.) Clicking Launch just gets me a dialog box saying I must generate the ebook first. There's nothing in the Help that tells how to do this.

I've spent about an hour searching the web (so much for "quick") but nowhere do I find any how-to, guide, instructions etc on HOW TO DO THAT WITH eCub. All I find is that it can do it with mobigen.exe

Documentation is just as important as the program, even in the earliest stages of development. I've used many programs from their earliest days- it's fun when the author writes *detailed* instructions. When the author writes minimal instructions, or doesn't bother to include any how-to-use info at all, then it's a pain in the backside. Good documentation also cuts down a lot on the "How do I..." forum posts and emails.

So if you've actually managed to figure out how to make a Mobipocket ebook with eCub, please tell the rest of the world- put it into a nicely formatted, numbered list or some other intelligible form and post it here. Sending it to the author of eCub with a suggestion that it get put into the Help under an easy to find heading like "How to make a Mobipocket eBook" might also be a good idea.

05-24-2009, 01:14 AM	#1
bizzybody Addict Posts: 294 Karma: 7742186 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho, USA Device: Various PalmOS PDAs, Android Phones, Sharper Image Literati	Guide for eCub to make Mobipocket book? I want to convert an HTML file to Mobipocket format. I've used Mobipocket's software before, but find it lacking in many areas and it hasn't been updated in a while. eCub is supposedly "easy" and "simple". I suppose it is IF you already know how to use it for making Mobipocket books. I got the latest eCub and installed it. I also got mobigen.exe Since I could find no suggestions on where to put it, I put it in the same folder as eCub under Program files. After looking through the very minimal help file (which is where an exacting step by step should be for creating mobi and epub books) I found where to tell eCub where mobigen.exe is. There's no Browse button! The user must type in the entire path to it. I know this is very new software, but no Browse button for this essential component? Next I get it pointed to the folder where the HTML file and images are, get it figured out how to add the cover image, and change the image because I initially got the wrong one selected. This is another function that's sort of hidden and less than clear- what's with the dialog box without a Browse button to make it ahem"easy" and "simple"? Making the user manually enter complete paths is so 1980's. (I've been using computers for 26 years, I know from whence I speak. Started with DOS 2.1) This is where I am stuck and stumped. Clicking the Compile button appears to do nothing except make eCub unresponsive for a bit. (Yo! User feedback is a good thing.) Clicking Launch just gets me a dialog box saying I must generate the ebook first. There's nothing in the Help that tells how to do this. I've spent about an hour searching the web (so much for "quick") but nowhere do I find any how-to, guide, instructions etc on HOW TO DO THAT WITH eCub. All I find is that it can do it with mobigen.exe Documentation is just as important as the program, even in the earliest stages of development. I've used many programs from their earliest days- it's fun when the author writes detailed instructions. When the author writes minimal instructions, or doesn't bother to include any how-to-use info at all, then it's a pain in the backside. Good documentation also cuts down a lot on the "How do I..." forum posts and emails. So if you've actually managed to figure out how to make a Mobipocket ebook with eCub, please tell the rest of the world- put it into a nicely formatted, numbered list or some other intelligible form and post it here. Sending it to the author of eCub with a suggestion that it get put into the Help under an easy to find heading like "How to make a Mobipocket eBook" might also be a good idea.