ePub to MOBI differences - Part I

fcoulter · 08-16-2010, 11:12 AM

I'm busy learning xhtml and css in order to create much better eBook files. And so, I'm experimenting with the creation of an eBook in Sigil, and then using Calibre to convert it to a MOBI file so I can view it on my Kindle.

I have found my first non-converting item, the <q> tag. In xhtml, the <q> inline tag is meant to indicate the beginning (and ending) of a quote. When I used it in Sigil when creating an ePub book, the <q> and </q> tags were converted by the ePub viewer into the quote symbol. This worked just the way I would have expected it to work.

However, when I used Calibre to convert the file and viewed the result on my Kindle, there were no quotes. I don't know if Calibre did not convert them properly (unlikely), or if MOBI doesn't support the tag, or if the Kindle doesn't work with the tags properly.

This is NOT a bug report, just a difference I noted between ePub and what I see on my Kindle. It might be interesting if Calibre converted the tag to the correct symbols, but that's an enhancement for the future. Who knows, when I get my python chops up, I might even do it.

kovidgoyal · 08-16-2010, 11:24 AM

IITC calibre leaves <q> tags as is and probably the MOBI rendered on the Kindle can't handle them. Check by viewing the MOBI in calibre's viewer.

fcoulter · 08-16-2010, 03:47 PM

You're probably right. I probably should have called this ePub to Kindle differences.

JSWolf · 08-16-2010, 03:50 PM

Actually, check out your converted mobi book in Mobipocket Reader. That is the gold standard by which all other Mobipocket renderers are judged.

fcoulter · 08-16-2010, 03:56 PM

After I read the response, I noticed an interesting thread from 2008 at the bottom of the page. It directed me to http://www.mobipocket.com/dev/articl...TagRef_OEB.htm. On that page, it said that the <q> tag is not supported in Mobipocket Reader. It also said something about OEB 1.0, but I have no idea what that is.

Starson17 · 08-16-2010, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fcoulter

It directed me to http://www.mobipocket.com/dev/articl...TagRef_OEB.htm. On that page, it said that the <q> tag is not supported in Mobipocket Reader. It also said something about OEB 1.0, but I have no idea what that is.

Open E Book. This gives more info.

08-16-2010, 11:12 AM	#1
fcoulter Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: Kindle	ePub to MOBI differences - Part I I'm busy learning xhtml and css in order to create much better eBook files. And so, I'm experimenting with the creation of an eBook in Sigil, and then using Calibre to convert it to a MOBI file so I can view it on my Kindle. I have found my first non-converting item, the <q> tag. In xhtml, the <q> inline tag is meant to indicate the beginning (and ending) of a quote. When I used it in Sigil when creating an ePub book, the <q> and </q> tags were converted by the ePub viewer into the quote symbol. This worked just the way I would have expected it to work. However, when I used Calibre to convert the file and viewed the result on my Kindle, there were no quotes. I don't know if Calibre did not convert them properly (unlikely), or if MOBI doesn't support the tag, or if the Kindle doesn't work with the tags properly. This is NOT a bug report, just a difference I noted between ePub and what I see on my Kindle. It might be interesting if Calibre converted the tag to the correct symbols, but that's an enhancement for the future. Who knows, when I get my python chops up, I might even do it.

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08-16-2010, 11:24 AM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,858 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	IITC calibre leaves <q> tags as is and probably the MOBI rendered on the Kindle can't handle them. Check by viewing the MOBI in calibre's viewer.

08-16-2010, 03:47 PM	#3
fcoulter Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: Kindle	You're probably right. I probably should have called this ePub to Kindle differences.

08-16-2010, 03:50 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,983 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Actually, check out your converted mobi book in Mobipocket Reader. That is the gold standard by which all other Mobipocket renderers are judged.

08-16-2010, 03:56 PM	#5
fcoulter Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: Kindle	After I read the response, I noticed an interesting thread from 2008 at the bottom of the page. It directed me to http://www.mobipocket.com/dev/articl...TagRef_OEB.htm. On that page, it said that the <q> tag is not supported in Mobipocket Reader. It also said something about OEB 1.0, but I have no idea what that is.

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