PDB file

[Quelch]

I have an eBook in PDB file

When converted to ePub using Calibre and loaded on the Nook ST it has little squares instead of commas

Whereas reading it on the computer using Calibre it is normal

What is a PDB file ?

Have I done something wrong ?

[DrNefario]

A PDB file is a Palm Database, which usually means it ought to be mobi compatible. (PDB could actually be any data file from the Palm, but as an ebook it's probably likely to be some derivative of DOC, which I believe is also the foundation of MOBI.)

It seems like it might be using an unusual character instead of a regular comma, which you have in your computer's font, but not in the Nook's. Weird. You could replace it as part of the conversion if you can find out what it is.

[dwig]

Originally Posted by DrNefario

...which usually means it ought to be mobi compatible...

Incorrect.

Mobipocket files for the old PalmOS were in the compiled Palm Resource (PRC) format. The PDB format was used by a variety of other ebook formats. The most common, and the only two supported by calibre, were the AportisDOC (aka PalmDOC) and Peanut Reader (later known as Palm Reader) formats. If, and only if, they are AportisDOC/PalmDOC files then Mobipocket Reader will read them. That doesn't make them MOBI format, though.

@Quelch: The issue with the boxes is generally caused by using the incorrect encoding choice during conversion. Calibre can't detect the encoding automatically in these files (I don't believe it is spec'd in the file). Try converting again selecting various different code pages in the Input Character Encoding field on the Look & Feel tab. Start with cp1252, which is the most likely.