Technet Library

lustyd · 12-02-2010, 11:15 AM

Hi guys, although I am technical enough to need the Technet library, I don't have a clue how to collect an offline copy for my reader without significant work. Can anyone think of a way, or write a plugin that will "export" a branch of Technet into epub format? I asked MS a while ago and they gave the usual excuse about always being up to date if it's online.
This would be especially helpful as a part of the news feed as it would effectively mean having the latest copy of all the documentation downloaded and portable.
Thanks
Dave

GoingDown · 12-02-2010, 01:05 PM

Here is how I convert web sites to epub (or any other e-book format):

* I will first open desired webpage

* Then I will "readabilitize" it (http://lab.arc90.com/experiments/readability/) It is quite easy, because you can get browser plugin or bookmark which does everything for you.

* Next, I save webpage to my computer (complete webpage)

* Finally, I run ebook-convert {webpage.html} {ebook-name.epub} to convert it.

I created script (I am using Linux, but I am pretty sure it can be done in Windows too) and defined it to file manager's right click function list so that I can convert saved web pages easily by clicking them with right mouse button, and selecting "Convert to ePub".

Readability step is optional, but it greatly improves the readability of the resulting document in may cases, so I would recommend it.

Plenty of manual work, but still manageable, I think. Does anyone have any easier way?

lustyd · 12-03-2010, 02:13 PM

Hi thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately the nature of this content means it would be an incredibly big job to do manually. some of the "books" are hundreds of pages and can only be viewed individually on the web. I was hoping one of the genious scripters we have here could work out a clever way to do it

GoingDown · 12-03-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lustyd

Hi thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately the nature of this content means it would be an incredibly big job to do manually. some of the "books" are hundreds of pages and can only be viewed individually on the web. I was hoping one of the genious scripters we have here could work out a clever way to do it

Readability has ability to download multi-page webpages to one page, so you should try it?

lustyd · 12-13-2010, 04:48 PM

OK I've tried readability and it doesn't do what I need. However, I've done some reading and found "PackageThis" on codeplex at here
This has source code included which I sadly don't fully understand. I've done some more reading and managed to get the SOAP webservice loading in visual studio but it feels like slow going!
If anyone reads this and knows SOAP programming I'd love to hear from you

This access method will allow anyone to fully download either Technet or MSDN in fully compliant XHTML which is obviously ideal for ebooks.
Cheers
Dave

12-02-2010, 11:15 AM	#1
lustyd Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-350, PRS-650	Technet Library Hi guys, although I am technical enough to need the Technet library, I don't have a clue how to collect an offline copy for my reader without significant work. Can anyone think of a way, or write a plugin that will "export" a branch of Technet into epub format? I asked MS a while ago and they gave the usual excuse about always being up to date if it's online. This would be especially helpful as a part of the news feed as it would effectively mean having the latest copy of all the documentation downloaded and portable. Thanks Dave

12-02-2010, 01:05 PM	#2
GoingDown Zealot Posts: 114 Karma: 1274 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Finland Device: Kobo Touch	Here is how I convert web sites to epub (or any other e-book format): * I will first open desired webpage * Then I will "readabilitize" it (http://lab.arc90.com/experiments/readability/) It is quite easy, because you can get browser plugin or bookmark which does everything for you. * Next, I save webpage to my computer (complete webpage) * Finally, I run ebook-convert {webpage.html} {ebook-name.epub} to convert it. I created script (I am using Linux, but I am pretty sure it can be done in Windows too) and defined it to file manager's right click function list so that I can convert saved web pages easily by clicking them with right mouse button, and selecting "Convert to ePub". Readability step is optional, but it greatly improves the readability of the resulting document in may cases, so I would recommend it. Plenty of manual work, but still manageable, I think. Does anyone have any easier way? Last edited by GoingDown; 12-02-2010 at 01:12 PM. Reason: Typo

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12-03-2010, 02:13 PM	#3
lustyd Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-350, PRS-650	Hi thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately the nature of this content means it would be an incredibly big job to do manually. some of the "books" are hundreds of pages and can only be viewed individually on the web. I was hoping one of the genious scripters we have here could work out a clever way to do it

12-13-2010, 04:48 PM	#5
lustyd Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-350, PRS-650	OK I've tried readability and it doesn't do what I need. However, I've done some reading and found "PackageThis" on codeplex at here This has source code included which I sadly don't fully understand. I've done some more reading and managed to get the SOAP webservice loading in visual studio but it feels like slow going! If anyone reads this and knows SOAP programming I'd love to hear from you This access method will allow anyone to fully download either Technet or MSDN in fully compliant XHTML which is obviously ideal for ebooks. Cheers Dave

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