CSS shiv on sending to device

Doonge · 05-06-2016, 01:01 PM

I've read the post it and I'm ready to develop this functionality (which mean I'll have to learn a bit of python I guess, but it's fine).

One common problem I see for people who edit ebooks is how they deal with the lack of some specific css properties, and how they twist the HTML code to accomodate. Such examples are :before, :after, :first-letter and :first-of-type pseudo elements; but also font-variant: small-caps (tricky) and text-transform: uppercase.

I read on two devices: my Kobo e-reader and my computer (I use a browser plugin, which is very css friendly). I don't need trickery on the browser plugin, but I need it on the Kobo. Hence I was thinking that it would be nice if I could add a routine when I send books to my Kobo (I use Calibre to manage them) which automatically edit the ebooks to fit with the device deficiencies.

I have no idea if such thing would be categorized as plugin or recipe or editor or conversion (I'm a little bit confused by the categories here). I'm writing to see if someone more experienced already know if it's not feasible, or some quick tips about what I would need to import from Calibre library (I'd need to be able to know how to insert my code in the "send book to device" routine, how to get the device type, and if there's a javascript-like DOM parser).

Pure regex solution is a no go (I know regex), I need DOM.

Best regards.

kovidgoyal · 05-06-2016, 01:14 PM

Look at the KoboUtilities and KoboTouchExtended plugins

Doonge · 05-06-2016, 01:40 PM

Thanks the KoboTouchExtended seems to be a good starting point.

What's in Kobo Utilities that I should pay attention to? I didn't find anything at first glance.

jackie_w · 05-06-2016, 02:37 PM

@Doonge,

I use this 'Modify CSS' option from the KoboTouch driver. I mainly send standard epubs rather than kepubs. I think it's also available in the KoboTouchExtended driver.

There are also some css-related patches available in the Kobo Patcher (some for epubs, some for kepubs) which may be of interest to you.

I don't think any of the above is going to be much use for those css pseudo items though. You might have better luck with SmallCaps. With some manual effort (per book) it is possible to get the Kobo to display a proper SmallCaps font (which you'd need to sideload first) without resorting to embedding fonts in every book.

kovidgoyal · 05-06-2016, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doonge

What's in Kobo Utilities that I should pay attention to? I didn't find anything at first glance.

Dunno, I just mentioned it as being possibly relevant.

05-06-2016, 01:01 PM	#1
Doonge Connoisseur Posts: 80 Karma: 1184732 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: Kobo Glo	CSS shiv on sending to device I've read the post it and I'm ready to develop this functionality (which mean I'll have to learn a bit of python I guess, but it's fine). One common problem I see for people who edit ebooks is how they deal with the lack of some specific css properties, and how they twist the HTML code to accomodate. Such examples are :before, :after, :first-letter and :first-of-type pseudo elements; but also font-variant: small-caps (tricky) and text-transform: uppercase. I read on two devices: my Kobo e-reader and my computer (I use a browser plugin, which is very css friendly). I don't need trickery on the browser plugin, but I need it on the Kobo. Hence I was thinking that it would be nice if I could add a routine when I send books to my Kobo (I use Calibre to manage them) which automatically edit the ebooks to fit with the device deficiencies. I have no idea if such thing would be categorized as plugin or recipe or editor or conversion (I'm a little bit confused by the categories here). I'm writing to see if someone more experienced already know if it's not feasible, or some quick tips about what I would need to import from Calibre library (I'd need to be able to know how to insert my code in the "send book to device" routine, how to get the device type, and if there's a javascript-like DOM parser). Pure regex solution is a no go (I know regex), I need DOM. Best regards.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Template for sending to device	Thomas_AR	Library Management	61	06-24-2015 11:06 PM
Generic "Sending to Device" template not kicking in on Folder Device	At_Libitum	Library Management	2	11-01-2013 07:12 AM
Conversion Upon Sending to Device	ohemeffgee	Conversion	2	11-12-2012 06:10 PM
Sending Ebooks to Device.	ErikaGC	Devices	1	08-11-2011 04:40 PM
Sending magazines to Device	mitch13	Library Management	1	04-04-2011 10:17 AM

05-06-2016, 01:14 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,843 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Look at the KoboUtilities and KoboTouchExtended plugins

05-06-2016, 01:40 PM	#3
Doonge Connoisseur Posts: 80 Karma: 1184732 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: Kobo Glo	Thanks the KoboTouchExtended seems to be a good starting point. What's in Kobo Utilities that I should pay attention to? I didn't find anything at first glance.

05-06-2016, 02:37 PM	#4
jackie_w Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,208 Karma: 16534692 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Device: Kobo: KA1, ClaraHD, Forma, Libra2, Clara2E. PocketBook: TouchHD3	@Doonge, I use this 'Modify CSS' option from the KoboTouch driver. I mainly send standard epubs rather than kepubs. I think it's also available in the KoboTouchExtended driver. There are also some css-related patches available in the Kobo Patcher (some for epubs, some for kepubs) which may be of interest to you. I don't think any of the above is going to be much use for those css pseudo items though. You might have better luck with SmallCaps. With some manual effort (per book) it is possible to get the Kobo to display a proper SmallCaps font (which you'd need to sideload first) without resorting to embedding fonts in every book.