What is your theory on creating a personal eBook library?

kelchm · 07-15-2007, 09:53 PM

I'm new to the electronic reading scene, just got a Sony Reader this past friday. I've been in the process of digitizing my music collection and my DVD collection, so I figured why not digitize my books as well?

So, heres the real problem. I've figured out the best means of archiving my CDs [FLAC + CUE], and I've been quite happy ripping my DVDs in x264... BUT, what is the best way to store ebooks? In a perfect world, I'd be able to store them in a completly open format [html?], covert and dump them onto whatever reader I am using at the time without having to worry too much with formating.

So, have any of you guys came up with any good ideas on developing an ebook library that works well with our existign readers, but will also allow relatively easy path of conversion, etc for use with future formats/readers?

kovidgoyal · 07-15-2007, 10:14 PM

libprs500

RWood · 07-15-2007, 10:15 PM

You are well on your way toward your goal. You already embrace open standards. (Although I tend to favor Monkey Audio (APE) over FLAC.)

HTML is the choice ebook format for many people. I just checked and many of the ebooks I have are in RTF format. Project Gutenberg (the source of many of my files) favors TXT and HTML. As you have noted, the key is to keep the ebook in a format that is not device dependent and can be read by many different programs both now and in the future. Locked formats like Sony's LRF or Microsoft's DOC do not offer this protection.

Depending on where you live your rights to digitize your books will vary. In the US we have a "fair use" policy that grants me the ability to digitize a work; but, no rights to distribute that copy. I understand that in the UK they are forbidden from even digitizing the books that they own a physical copy.

Cthulhu · 07-15-2007, 11:17 PM

Hope this isn't a dumb question:

I've seen the format LRF mentioned quite a bit. Some members claim that it is superior to RTF, and files seem convertible (at least one way, RTF to LRF).

Is LRF open source, or is it simply a variant of SONY-specific file format?

google and wikipedia were none too helpful with this question

RWood · 07-15-2007, 11:50 PM

Not a dumb question Cthulhu. LRF is a Sony specific format. Many of us feel it is superior to RTF on the Sony Reader because it supports graphics, Table of Contents, and hyper links (like footnotes.) It is not a format for archiving ebooks to be read on other devices or future devices.

There is a program called ABC Amber Sony Converter that will convert LRF to other formats such as RTF but it does not export graphics or retain format.

There are many excellent tools to create LRF files from multiple sources. The two best IMHO are (1) the package libprs500 by kovidgoyal and (2) the program BookDesigner by vvv. Check out the conversion page in the MobileRead Wiki (the link to the Wiki is at the top of this page.)

HarryT · 07-16-2007, 02:42 AM

LRF is a good reading format, but it's not a good archival format, because it is device-specific. I'd suggest storing books - if you have the choice - in a format such as HTML or RTF. Both of these can be easily converted to pretty much any device-specific format desired.

LRF is the best reading format for the Sony Reader, no doubt about it.

JSWolf · 07-16-2007, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelchm

I'm new to the electronic reading scene, just got a Sony Reader this past friday. I've been in the process of digitizing my music collection and my DVD collection, so I figured why not digitize my books as well?

So, heres the real problem. I've figured out the best means of archiving my CDs [FLAC + CUE], and I've been quite happy ripping my DVDs in x264... BUT, what is the best way to store ebooks? In a perfect world, I'd be able to store them in a completly open format [html?], covert and dump them onto whatever reader I am using at the time without having to worry too much with formating.

So, have any of you guys came up with any good ideas on developing an ebook library that works well with our existign readers, but will also allow relatively easy path of conversion, etc for use with future formats/readers?

If you are able to use Book Designer you can use it to convert your Books into LRF and other formats such as MobiPocket, MS Reader, Fictionbook eReader. You would archive off the HTML0 files from Book Designer. Or if you use HTML2LRF you'll have your source as HTML.

sic · 07-18-2007, 12:26 PM

my theory is to bookmark the link on del.icio.us using eBookmark on del.icio.us feature on DigitalReading.net

Only store and convert those books that I actually read.

BBeB (.lrf) is a dead format. You may want to use it for convenience, but don't build an archive in it IMO

RWood · 07-18-2007, 12:37 PM

I have seen too many Internet sites die over the years. If there is anything on a web site that I want to keep I download it. Originally I used the site capture tools in Adobe Acrobat and produced PDFs of the web sites. Today I capture the HTML if possible. Bookmarking is great for dynamic content, for reference it is not the best.

Hadrien · 07-18-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sic

BBeB (.lrf) is a dead format. You may want to use it for convenience, but don't build an archive in it IMO

I agree. I guess that the best way to store an eBook is actually XHTML + semantic information (<chapter>, <part> etc...). Most formats are now based on XHTML and you can automatically transfort the semantic tags into presentation elements. Oh and a good way to store metadata too !

JSWolf · 07-18-2007, 01:42 PM

What I am doing is keeping my books in the source format (HTML or HTML0) and also LRF. SoI have the source files and the binary files. And if someday I need a different format say MobiPocket or eReader or LIT, I can use Book Designer to do the work for me.

UncleDuke · 07-19-2007, 11:38 AM

i've got more books for this sony than i ever had for my palm and better books too

i keep most stuff in rtf, great interchange

07-15-2007, 09:53 PM	#1
kelchm Member Posts: 21 Karma: 22 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gettysburg, PA Device: Sony Reader	What is your theory on creating a personal eBook library? I'm new to the electronic reading scene, just got a Sony Reader this past friday. I've been in the process of digitizing my music collection and my DVD collection, so I figured why not digitize my books as well? So, heres the real problem. I've figured out the best means of archiving my CDs [FLAC + CUE], and I've been quite happy ripping my DVDs in x264... BUT, what is the best way to store ebooks? In a perfect world, I'd be able to store them in a completly open format [html?], covert and dump them onto whatever reader I am using at the time without having to worry too much with formating. So, have any of you guys came up with any good ideas on developing an ebook library that works well with our existign readers, but will also allow relatively easy path of conversion, etc for use with future formats/readers?

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07-15-2007, 10:14 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,858 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	libprs500

07-15-2007, 10:15 PM	#3
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	You are well on your way toward your goal. You already embrace open standards. (Although I tend to favor Monkey Audio (APE) over FLAC.) HTML is the choice ebook format for many people. I just checked and many of the ebooks I have are in RTF format. Project Gutenberg (the source of many of my files) favors TXT and HTML. As you have noted, the key is to keep the ebook in a format that is not device dependent and can be read by many different programs both now and in the future. Locked formats like Sony's LRF or Microsoft's DOC do not offer this protection. Depending on where you live your rights to digitize your books will vary. In the US we have a "fair use" policy that grants me the ability to digitize a work; but, no rights to distribute that copy. I understand that in the UK they are forbidden from even digitizing the books that they own a physical copy.

07-15-2007, 11:17 PM	#4
Cthulhu Technologist Posts: 488 Karma: 585237 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I'm between Cities Device: SONY Reader PRS-500	Hope this isn't a dumb question: I've seen the format LRF mentioned quite a bit. Some members claim that it is superior to RTF, and files seem convertible (at least one way, RTF to LRF). Is LRF open source, or is it simply a variant of SONY-specific file format? google and wikipedia were none too helpful with this question

07-15-2007, 11:50 PM	#5
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	Not a dumb question Cthulhu. LRF is a Sony specific format. Many of us feel it is superior to RTF on the Sony Reader because it supports graphics, Table of Contents, and hyper links (like footnotes.) It is not a format for archiving ebooks to be read on other devices or future devices. There is a program called ABC Amber Sony Converter that will convert LRF to other formats such as RTF but it does not export graphics or retain format. There are many excellent tools to create LRF files from multiple sources. The two best IMHO are (1) the package libprs500 by kovidgoyal and (2) the program BookDesigner by vvv. Check out the conversion page in the MobileRead Wiki (the link to the Wiki is at the top of this page.)

07-16-2007, 02:42 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	LRF is a good reading format, but it's not a good archival format, because it is device-specific. I'd suggest storing books - if you have the choice - in a format such as HTML or RTF. Both of these can be easily converted to pretty much any device-specific format desired. LRF is the best reading format for the Sony Reader, no doubt about it.

07-18-2007, 12:26 PM	#8
sic Addict Posts: 202 Karma: 692 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: SONY reader	my theory is to bookmark the link on del.icio.us using eBookmark on del.icio.us feature on DigitalReading.net Only store and convert those books that I actually read. BBeB (.lrf) is a dead format. You may want to use it for convenience, but don't build an archive in it IMO

07-18-2007, 12:37 PM	#9
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	I have seen too many Internet sites die over the years. If there is anything on a web site that I want to keep I download it. Originally I used the site capture tools in Adobe Acrobat and produced PDFs of the web sites. Today I capture the HTML if possible. Bookmarking is great for dynamic content, for reference it is not the best.

07-18-2007, 01:42 PM	#11
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,972 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	What I am doing is keeping my books in the source format (HTML or HTML0) and also LRF. SoI have the source files and the binary files. And if someday I need a different format say MobiPocket or eReader or LIT, I can use Book Designer to do the work for me.

07-19-2007, 11:38 AM	#12
UncleDuke books & doughnuts Posts: 882 Karma: 37857 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: usa Device: sony reader, kindle2	i've got more books for this sony than i ever had for my palm and better books too i keep most stuff in rtf, great interchange

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