Any chance of Baen Library in lrf format?

[DrMoze]

Is there any chance that the Baen sf library site will offer ebooks in lrf format?

(Yes, I know conversion is *possible*--although I've read and tried to follow several methods to no avail--but it would be nice to get books directly in lrf format.) Fictionwise now has lrf books, so why not Baen? (I will probably be picking up some ebooks from FW now--after comparing prices to Connect of course. Sometimes one or the other has a better deal.)

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by DrMoze

Is there any chance that the Baen sf library site will offer ebooks in lrf format?

You'll have to make that proposal to Arnold Bailey, who I believe actually does the ebook conversions for the Library.

The reader is supposed to handle RTF files. Have you tried them? They are one of the formats the Library makes available.
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Dennis

[BobVA]

I've been using RTF. Just bump up the font size (and maybe select a different font if you prefer) and you're good to go.

You will lose any illustrations, but other than cover art I've never noticed any in my Baen purchases.

Regards,
Bob

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by BobVA

I've been using RTF. Just bump up the font size (and maybe select a different font if you prefer) and you're good to go.

You will lose any illustrations, but other than cover art I've never noticed any in my Baen purchases.

A number of Free Library titles do contain illustrations, such as maps and drawings of hardware.

I convert the HTML formats for Plucker, which includes such things.
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Dennis

[igorsk]

lit2lrf works just fine for Baen books. Illustrations, TOC, the whole shebang.

[jasonkchapman]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

You'll have to make that proposal to Arnold Bailey, who I believe actually does the ebook conversions for the Library.

And considering how busy he stays, I don't know how receptive he'd be to it. An eager individual might, however, make some headway by offering to do the conversions in exchange for, say, a JBU club membership or something.

[Xenophon]

I have a collection of shell scripts that convert the complete ouvre into lrf (starting from their standard html files) using html2lrf. I've offered them to Arnold twice now, but haven't seen a response.

I think he's been overloaded with getting ready to switch Baen's Bar over from the current web software to a new improved (and partly custom coded) system. It's probably worth trying again sometime early next month.

[RSaunders]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

I have a collection of shell scripts that convert the complete ouvre into lrf (starting from their standard html files) using html2lrf. I've offered them to Arnold twice now, but haven't seen a response.

I think he's been overloaded with getting ready to switch Baen's Bar over from the current web software to a new improved (and partly custom coded) system. It's probably worth trying again sometime early next month.

I too have sent converted samples. I just think they need to hear more interest. I don't think we should host the conversions, that's a clear copyright violation.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by RSaunders

I too have sent converted samples. I just think they need to hear more interest. I don't think we should host the conversions, that's a clear copyright violation.

The Free Library titles do specify "You are welcome to copy and share" The Fifth Imperium web site has all of the Baen CDs included in various hardcovers as zipped collections or ISO images, and Baen has no problem with it. I don't think anyone there would object to hosting Sony Reader conversions here.

I have a query in to Arnold about the conversions, but as mentioned, he's a tad busy at the moment.
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Dennis

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

The Free Library titles do specify "You are welcome to copy and share"

Yes they do, but I consider a conversion like we're talking about to be a bit different than what they specify in their permission statement -- we're not talking about just copying and sharing them, but rather format shifting and sharing.

I'd want to have some sort of specific permission from them for that step, just because it's not quite what they're talking about.

Baen is so very open minded and supportive in this area, it makes me want to be especially considerate of their wishes and interests.

[DrMoze]

Originally Posted by igorsk

lit2lrf works just fine for Baen books. Illustrations, TOC, the whole shebang.

Been there, tried that, none of the libprs500 stuff has worked for me at all. I simply don't want to waste more time wading through posts/threads, etc., posting Q's, dl'ing stuff, getting more errors, and trying to figure it out.

I might try the RTF versions. Also, any headway in getting permission to convert and post lrf versions of the free books here would be *most* welcome. If anyone in the NYC area helps out here, the beer's on me!

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by DrMoze

Also, any headway in getting permission to convert and post lrf versions of the free books here would be *most* welcome. If anyone in the NYC area helps out here, the beer's on me!

I have a query in to the chap responsible for the ebooks at Baen, but as noted, he's in the middle of rolling out a replacement for their forum software, so I don't expect a quick response.

And I'll hold you to the beer offer.
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Dennis

[igorsk]

Originally Posted by DrMoze

Been there, tried that, none of the libprs500 stuff has worked for me at all.

Try this:
1) download .lit file
2) drag&drop it on lit2lrf.exe (in libprs500 folder)
3) wait
4) find the .lrf next to the .lit

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by igorsk

Try this:
1) download .lit file
2) drag&drop it on lit2lrf.exe (in libprs500 folder)
3) wait
4) find the .lrf next to the .lit

I already told him that; also , the LRF is not created in the same directory (at least when I do it).

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DrMoze

Been there, tried that, none of the libprs500 stuff has worked for me at all. I simply don't want to waste more time wading through posts/threads, etc., posting Q's, dl'ing stuff, getting more errors, and trying to figure it out.

I might try the RTF versions. Also, any headway in getting permission to convert and post lrf versions of the free books here would be *most* welcome. If anyone in the NYC area helps out here, the beer's on me!

What happens when you try lit2lrf?

Do you have Python 2.5 installed along with Python 2.5 element tree?