How do I prevent ' from replacing apostrophes?

ReD · 10-21-2010, 02:24 AM

I'm trying to convert a mobi file to lrf (or epub) but find that ' has replaced the apostrophes. I considered editing the document with Book Designer but the program wouldn't open the book in any format. Is there any way to get the apostrophes back? Search results all seem to involve the terms css, ASCII, and XML but I have no clue what any of that means so a dumbed down solution is necessary.

Thanks in advance!

ldolse · 10-21-2010, 04:50 AM

Why does it matter to you that they get replaced? Calibre does normalization/escaping at different points in it's conversion pipeline. The code might get converted, but the display to the end user in the reader won't change...

ReD · 10-21-2010, 05:51 AM

I think my original post didn't explain the problem very well. The conversions result in sentences that don't make for a smooth reading experience. I never realised the great number of apostrophes that can show up on a page until I saw the recurring '. The sentences turn out like the following:

A night's piano playing had earned her enough for a bed at Miss Killgoran's boardinghouse or a meal, but not both.

Another example:

“I'm sorry. You'd be a fine companion to Brigham's children, and you're a handsome woman in the bargain.”

I would prefer to see:

A night's piano playing had earned her enough for a bed at Miss Killgoran's boardinghouse or a meal, but not both.

“I'm sorry. You'd be a fine companion to Brigham's children, and you're a handsome woman in the bargain.”

Is it at all possible to make this change?

Manichean · 10-21-2010, 06:11 AM

Without knowing how to fix the underlying problem, a quick search & replace in an editor (I'd suggest Sigil) should get you the apostrophes back.

ldolse · 10-21-2010, 08:12 AM

Most likely your source format has apostrophe's escaped to entities using a bad syntax. Did you confirm that they look correct in the source document with a native viewer for that format? If your source document is correct then you should open a bug at bugs.calibre-ebook.com

As Manichean notes, if the problem is your source format Sigil is the best bet to fix it, after you do the conversion from mobi to epub.

theducks · 10-21-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldolse

Most likely your source format has apostrophe's escaped to entities using a bad syntax. Did you confirm that they look correct in the source document with a native viewer for that format? If your source document is correct then you should open a bug at bugs.calibre-ebook.com

As Manichean notes, if the problem is your source format Sigil is the best bet to fix it, after you do the conversion from mobi to epub.

I did a quick look at my w3c "entity list
Is ' a valid entity?

ReD · 10-24-2010, 12:16 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try editing with Sigil over the next few days and see if that works out. The original mobi book, which I bought from Fictionwise, does show apostrophes where they should be.

10-21-2010, 02:24 AM	#1
ReD Enthusiast Posts: 44 Karma: 5752 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BC, Canada Device: Sony PRS-700, PRS-300, PRS-T1, Kobo Arc	How do I prevent ' from replacing apostrophes? I'm trying to convert a mobi file to lrf (or epub) but find that ' has replaced the apostrophes. I considered editing the document with Book Designer but the program wouldn't open the book in any format. Is there any way to get the apostrophes back? Search results all seem to involve the terms css, ASCII, and XML but I have no clue what any of that means so a dumbed down solution is necessary. Thanks in advance!

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10-21-2010, 04:50 AM	#2
ldolse Wizard Posts: 1,337 Karma: 123455 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Malaysia Device: PRS-650, iPhone	Why does it matter to you that they get replaced? Calibre does normalization/escaping at different points in it's conversion pipeline. The code might get converted, but the display to the end user in the reader won't change...

10-21-2010, 05:51 AM	#3
ReD Enthusiast Posts: 44 Karma: 5752 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BC, Canada Device: Sony PRS-700, PRS-300, PRS-T1, Kobo Arc	I think my original post didn't explain the problem very well. The conversions result in sentences that don't make for a smooth reading experience. I never realised the great number of apostrophes that can show up on a page until I saw the recurring '. The sentences turn out like the following: A night's piano playing had earned her enough for a bed at Miss Killgoran's boardinghouse or a meal, but not both. Another example: “I'm sorry. You'd be a fine companion to Brigham's children, and you're a handsome woman in the bargain.” I would prefer to see: A night's piano playing had earned her enough for a bed at Miss Killgoran's boardinghouse or a meal, but not both. “I'm sorry. You'd be a fine companion to Brigham's children, and you're a handsome woman in the bargain.” Is it at all possible to make this change?

10-21-2010, 06:11 AM	#4
Manichean Wizard Posts: 3,130 Karma: 91256 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Device: Cybook Gen3	Without knowing how to fix the underlying problem, a quick search & replace in an editor (I'd suggest Sigil) should get you the apostrophes back.

10-21-2010, 08:12 AM	#5
ldolse Wizard Posts: 1,337 Karma: 123455 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Malaysia Device: PRS-650, iPhone	Most likely your source format has apostrophe's escaped to entities using a bad syntax. Did you confirm that they look correct in the source document with a native viewer for that format? If your source document is correct then you should open a bug at bugs.calibre-ebook.com As Manichean notes, if the problem is your source format Sigil is the best bet to fix it, after you do the conversion from mobi to epub.

10-24-2010, 12:16 AM	#7
ReD Enthusiast Posts: 44 Karma: 5752 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BC, Canada Device: Sony PRS-700, PRS-300, PRS-T1, Kobo Arc	Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try editing with Sigil over the next few days and see if that works out. The original mobi book, which I bought from Fictionwise, does show apostrophes where they should be.

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