Problems with Multi Platforms

[stdq]

Hi, recently I've been developing an ebook in the EPUB format, and I am testing it using the KindlePreviewer. The result, however, depends on the platform in which I'm previewing the ebook - so my question is: is it possible to develop a CSS style that will enable my ebook to be nicely visible in all platforms, like nook, kindle and ibooks? Thanks in advance.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by stdq

Hi, recently I've been developing an ebook in the EPUB format, and I am testing it using the KindlePreviewer. The result, however, depends on the platform in which I'm previewing the ebook - so my question is: is it possible to develop a CSS style that will enable my ebook to be nicely visible in all platforms, like nook, kindle and ibooks? Thanks in advance.

Yes. Strip it of all forced formatting, and let the reader decide. Any time you try to impose a style, it will look differently depending upon which device it's being viewed on.

Shari

[stdq]

Originally Posted by shalym

Yes. Strip it of all forced formatting, and let the reader decide. Any time you try to impose a style, it will look differently depending upon which device it's being viewed on.

Shari

It's just that my book is on programming, and I'd like to display source code listings in color. Is this a bad choice?

[HarryT]

Please use the forums correctly. Moved to the "ePub" forum.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by stdq

It's just that my book is on programming, and I'd like to display source code listings in color. Is this a bad choice?

It can be especially when used on an eInk Reader that doesn't do color. test it on an eInk Reader and see what you think. It might display well enough.

[eschwartz]

What some people do is make a generic EPUB and then tweak a copy for each platform giving difficulty.

A business that specializes in conversion will probably have a compilation of CSS derived from long experimentation that contains workarounds for common devices -- that is in part what they are paid for. @Hitch is a member here and runs one such business (and we know her and know she knows what she is talking about), you might be interested in her professional consultation.

Or tell us what particular discrepancies you are seeing and the various EPUB gurus here might be able to offer suggestions.

[dgatwood]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Or tell us what particular discrepancies you are seeing and the various EPUB gurus here might be able to offer suggestions.

This. Also, have a look at the following sets of tips:

https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/EPub#General_Tips
https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/KF8#General_Tips
https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/MOBI..._MOBI_creation

and the sections of CSS and HTML tips that follow them. I've added to those lists (I think) every bug and misfeature that I've run into so far, and I'm doing some pretty intensely precise formatting (on iBooks, I'm even using shape-outside to trim my drop caps), so there's a good chance that the list is approaching sentience... err... I mean completeness.

I also put a Perl code snippet for crudely cleaning up SVG to work with older versions of iBooks on my publishing website. At some point, I'd love to create a full-blown EPUB linter that looks for all of the issues that I and others have noted in these lists, but I haven't had time to write one yet.