Why use html formatting with kindle?

kateharp · 05-12-2011, 07:19 PM

I know html/css, but using it to format a book seems like overkill. I've done both html and word with the same book and it's much faster and easier in Word (especially with images)

So what's the purpose of creating a REALLY LONG html document and painstakingly link all the images by hand?

It seems like the only people who push for it are consultants. Am I a cynic?

HarryT · 05-13-2011, 05:05 AM

The Mobipocket format, which the Kindle uses, is based on HTML, so whatever format you start off with, it ends up as HTML. Of course, you can certainly use tools like Word as convenient editing tools, but at some point your Word doc will have to be saved as HTML in order to be converted to Mobipocket format.

sheilatx · 05-13-2011, 05:32 AM

I just downloaded the Mobipocket Creator and saved my manuscript as html. Is there a way to upload this to Kindle.com?

booklover6 · 05-13-2011, 06:34 AM

Yes you can email it to your kindle or side load it via the USB cord.

Mike L · 05-13-2011, 07:18 AM

One of the benefits of HTML compared with Word is that it is not platform-specific. It is also non-proprietary.

vmars316 · 05-13-2011, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booklover6

Yes you can email it to your kindle or side load it via the USB cord.

Greetings,
I have a Kindle2.
What would be my 'kindle email address'?
Or how can I find out my 'kindle email address'?

And once I know that,
how do I group my 'linked html files'
so that I can read them on kindle?

Thanks...vmars

HarryT · 05-13-2011, 01:21 PM

You seem to be a little confused. You say that you've downloaded Mobipocket Creator. You use that to convert your HTML file(s) into a Mobipocket book. This can then be read directly on the Kindle.

If you have questions about creating Mobipocket books, they are best asked in the Mobipocket file format forum:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=168

vmars316 · 05-13-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

You seem to be a little confused. You say that you've downloaded Mobipocket Creator. You use that to convert your HTML file(s) into a Mobipocket book. This can then be read directly on the Kindle.

If you have questions about creating Mobipocket books, they are best asked in the Mobipocket file format forum:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=168

Harry,
who are you speaking to?
If vmars, no I haven't yet downloaded Mobipocket Creator.
Is it free?
Where can I download a free version?
Thanks...vmars

AnemicOak · 05-13-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vmars316

Is it free?
Where can I download a free version?

Yes, it's free from Mobipocket....
http://www.mobipocket.com/en/downloa...ilscreator.asp

JSWolf · 05-13-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike L

One of the benefits of HTML compared with Word is that it is not platform-specific. It is also non-proprietary.

And if you never let your book near Word, you don't get all the garbage that Words likes to put in.

vmars316 · 05-13-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kateharp

I know html/css , I've done both html and word with the same book. So what's the purpose of creating a REALLY LONG html document and painstakingly link all the images by hand?

kateharp,
When you did the book in html:
did you have 'separate html pages',
or could you have 'separate html pages'.
Or were you forced to make it into one long document.
And did the links work?
Thanks...vmars

HarryT · 05-13-2011, 04:06 PM

You can split up a book into as many separate HTML files as you wish, but a novel is generally sufficiently short that there's no particular issue with keeping it as a single file. It's entirely a matter of personal preference.

vmars316 · 05-13-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

You can split up a book into as many separate HTML files as you wish, but a novel is generally sufficiently short that there's no particular issue with keeping it as a single file. It's entirely a matter of personal preference.

Harry,
What I am hoping to hear, from someone who has done it, is:
"Yes, You can split up a book into as many separate HTML files as you wish.
Yes, kindle will handle your html linking scheme, from page to page and from page to TOC, and from TOC to page.
[TOC, nextPage, previousPage, lastPage, firstPage, TOC] "

"And this is how you do it:

(just guessing)Load all relevant html pages into one *.zip.
eMail the *.zip to myName@free.kindle.com
When email comes back:
save to disk, open files with kindlePC.exe (or whatever its called).
Alternatively, hitch up usb cable between pc and kindle,
load files onto kindle.
Link away."
Live happily ever after.
Thanks...vmars

HarryT · 05-13-2011, 05:23 PM

The easiest way to do it is with Mobipocket Creator. Download it and have a go - it's very easy to use.

vmars316 · 05-13-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The easiest way to do it is with Mobipocket Creator. Download it and have a go - it's very easy to use.

I think you're on to something there Harry.

Very strange results from kindle -tut01.azw files, unreadable from Kindle-pc.
Local links didn't work, But the external links were perfect.

Next stop: Mobipocket Creator.
Thanks...vmars

05-12-2011, 07:19 PM	#1
kateharp Member Posts: 21 Karma: 30946 Join Date: May 2009 Device: kindle	Why use html formatting with kindle? I know html/css, but using it to format a book seems like overkill. I've done both html and word with the same book and it's much faster and easier in Word (especially with images) So what's the purpose of creating a REALLY LONG html document and painstakingly link all the images by hand? It seems like the only people who push for it are consultants. Am I a cynic?

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05-13-2011, 05:05 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The Mobipocket format, which the Kindle uses, is based on HTML, so whatever format you start off with, it ends up as HTML. Of course, you can certainly use tools like Word as convenient editing tools, but at some point your Word doc will have to be saved as HTML in order to be converted to Mobipocket format.

05-13-2011, 05:32 AM	#3
sheilatx Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: none	I just downloaded the Mobipocket Creator and saved my manuscript as html. Is there a way to upload this to Kindle.com?

05-13-2011, 06:34 AM	#4
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,533 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle	Yes you can email it to your kindle or side load it via the USB cord.

05-13-2011, 07:18 AM	#5
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	One of the benefits of HTML compared with Word is that it is not platform-specific. It is also non-proprietary.

05-13-2011, 01:21 PM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	You seem to be a little confused. You say that you've downloaded Mobipocket Creator. You use that to convert your HTML file(s) into a Mobipocket book. This can then be read directly on the Kindle. If you have questions about creating Mobipocket books, they are best asked in the Mobipocket file format forum: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=168

05-13-2011, 04:06 PM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	You can split up a book into as many separate HTML files as you wish, but a novel is generally sufficiently short that there's no particular issue with keeping it as a single file. It's entirely a matter of personal preference.

05-13-2011, 05:23 PM	#14
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The easiest way to do it is with Mobipocket Creator. Download it and have a go - it's very easy to use.

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