Convert a deconstructed book...?

nightofjoy · 03-25-2014, 09:07 PM

Hi.

Just getting into digital editions of books and ereaders. Got myself a Galaxy Tab 2, and paid for the pro version of Moon+Reader, which works like a charm without having to upload all my files from SD card to device.

Someone has emailed me a book, but when I open the folder it came in, rather than there just being a single file (epub, pdf etc) there's a bunch of muddled up stuff - an 'images' folder, 'META-INF', 'TEXT', 'style sheet'...

I now can't get hold of my friend to ask in any detail what I do with all this stuff to make up an ebook of some description, but the last thing he mentioned was Calibre. I've downloaded it to my imac and tried to drop various components of the book into it, but to be honest I don't have a clue what I'm doing.

Can anyone offer a little advice? Thanks.

eschwartz · 03-25-2014, 09:19 PM

That folder needs to be zipped into folder.zip, then renamed to folder.epub

If it came as an attachment, it was probably zipped to begin with???

fidvo · 03-25-2014, 10:44 PM

eschwartz is right.

Those files you're looking at appear to be the contents of an .epub book, which is really a zip file.

My guess about what happened is that your email program was trying to be too smart. It recognized the .epub as a zip file and "helpfully" changed the extension for you when saved it. Then when you double-clicked on the .zip file, your operating system opened it as if it were a folder.

If I'm right, you should have a .zip file somewhere that you downloaded from your email program. Like eschwartz said, change the extension of that file from .zip to .epub. Then you should be able to drag and drop it into Calibre to read it.

nightofjoy · 03-26-2014, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

That folder needs to be zipped into folder.zip, then renamed to folder.epub

If it came as an attachment, it was probably zipped to begin with???

Yeah, it was compressed into a file extension I hadn't seen before - .net I think, but now I have this folder of all the elements. Did what you said, word for word, and when I try to open it via the firefox epub reader I get this message:

Unfortunately the ePub-file couldn't be opened. An important file (container.xml) is missing.

Yet the container.xml folder is in there.

Hmmmmmm...

BetterRed · 03-26-2014, 05:04 PM

Get your friend to upload the file somewhere and email you the link.

Sometimes some programs try to be too helpful, they end up getting the way and prevent you getting the job done - mail programs and services are amongst the worst of them, but they're not alone <wink>.

BR

eschwartz · 03-26-2014, 05:45 PM

Or have them zip the epub, inot ebook.epub.zip

Then it may be helpfully "fixed" but end up giving you the EPUB.

Jeff L · 03-28-2014, 07:43 AM

Epubs need to be zipped in a certain way.

The container.xml file should be uncompressed within the epub.

Calibre knows how to properly zip an epub. So import your epub into Calibre, right-click and Unpack the file, then Rebuild it.

HarryT · 03-29-2014, 04:18 PM

If this is a public domain book, download it yourself from one of the public domain archives.

If it's not a public domain book, it's pirated, so delete it, since I'm sure you're an honest person.

03-25-2014, 09:07 PM	#1
nightofjoy Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2	Convert a deconstructed book...? Hi. Just getting into digital editions of books and ereaders. Got myself a Galaxy Tab 2, and paid for the pro version of Moon+Reader, which works like a charm without having to upload all my files from SD card to device. Someone has emailed me a book, but when I open the folder it came in, rather than there just being a single file (epub, pdf etc) there's a bunch of muddled up stuff - an 'images' folder, 'META-INF', 'TEXT', 'style sheet'... I now can't get hold of my friend to ask in any detail what I do with all this stuff to make up an ebook of some description, but the last thing he mentioned was Calibre. I've downloaded it to my imac and tried to drop various components of the book into it, but to be honest I don't have a clue what I'm doing. Can anyone offer a little advice? Thanks.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Trying to convert azw book	SwordPen	Apple Devices	4	08-12-2013 04:14 AM
Free lit. fic. ebook A Deconstructed Heart 12/29 -12/30	ShahAshrafAhmed	Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers	0	12-27-2012 11:57 PM
Can't convert a certain book	Noughty	Conversion	6	02-19-2012 07:14 PM
What is the best way to convert this book...	SteffenH	Sony Reader	2	09-19-2007 05:30 AM

03-25-2014, 09:19 PM	#2
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	That folder needs to be zipped into folder.zip, then renamed to folder.epub If it came as an attachment, it was probably zipped to begin with???

03-25-2014, 10:44 PM	#3
fidvo Addict Posts: 309 Karma: 1645952 Join Date: Jun 2012 Device: none	eschwartz is right. Those files you're looking at appear to be the contents of an .epub book, which is really a zip file. My guess about what happened is that your email program was trying to be too smart. It recognized the .epub as a zip file and "helpfully" changed the extension for you when saved it. Then when you double-clicked on the .zip file, your operating system opened it as if it were a folder. If I'm right, you should have a .zip file somewhere that you downloaded from your email program. Like eschwartz said, change the extension of that file from .zip to .epub. Then you should be able to drag and drop it into Calibre to read it.

03-26-2014, 05:04 PM	#5
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,725 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Get your friend to upload the file somewhere and email you the link. Sometimes some programs try to be too helpful, they end up getting the way and prevent you getting the job done - mail programs and services are amongst the worst of them, but they're not alone <wink>. BR

03-26-2014, 05:45 PM	#6
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Or have them zip the epub, inot ebook.epub.zip Then it may be helpfully "fixed" but end up giving you the EPUB.

03-28-2014, 07:43 AM	#7
Jeff L Zealot Posts: 117 Karma: 584308 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Francisco Device: Kindle	Epubs need to be zipped in a certain way. The container.xml file should be uncompressed within the epub. Calibre knows how to properly zip an epub. So import your epub into Calibre, right-click and Unpack the file, then Rebuild it.

03-29-2014, 04:18 PM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	If this is a public domain book, download it yourself from one of the public domain archives. If it's not a public domain book, it's pirated, so delete it, since I'm sure you're an honest person.

Advert

Advert