Creating PRC or PDB docs from Word/.RTF?

[nosmohtac]

Does anyone know of an easy way of making a .pdb or .prc file from a .doc or .rtf file? I've tried using Mobipocket's publisher, but it wouldn't read in rich reader on the Palm. It appears fine when using mobipocket or uBook on my PPC, but all the meta tags appear in richreader on the Palm.
I know that mobipocket reader is available for the Palm OS, but I like richreader on the Palm.

[Darius Wey]

Try iSiloX (http://www.isilox.com). It's free, but I'm not 100% sure you can convert Word files.

These are the list of known files types that I think it can handle:

HTM, HTML, TXT, PDB, PRC, GIF, JIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, BMP.

But give it a shot. I haven't used it for a while so I can't remember if it can handle Word files. If in doubt, you can try saving the Word file as a TXT or HTM/HTML file.

[Jorgen]

MS Word can save in HTML format, which then can be converted by iSiloX. Note, however, that only the iSilo reader can read the file. The free version does not show pictures and you cannot change the font. iSilo is my favourite reader, well worth the money.

The HTML file can of course also be converted to eReader or MobiPocket format, should you prefer.

If you want it in the so-called native Palm DOC format (PDB or PRC), you must save the file as a text file and convert it with for example makedoc8.

Look here for an overview of the many formats: http://www.memoware.com/mw.cgi/?screen=help_create

Jorgen

[dMores]

for PDB, there is a program called "palm ebook studio". check it out at www.ereader.com.

it's pretty cool, but not free. i'd say it's worth the money, unless you have a sonyericsson p900 smartphone with the "handy book" ebook reader. this program can't read eReader documents. not purchased books, not palm ebook studio generated .pdbs.

hey, i haven't tried if mobipocket can handle these files ...

[Jorgen]

for PDB, there is a program called "palm ebook studio".

Note that this is a propriety format that can only be read by eReader - a very good (and free) reader program.

Jorgen

[dMores]

.pdb is not proprietary.
ereader is available for nearly all platforms, and a bunch of other software companies have developed .pdb readers, so actually it's not proprietary.

i'll check out the compatibility with mobipocket on symbian UIQ tonight to back up my "allegations" :)

[Jorgen]

.pdb is not proprietary.
ereader is available for nearly all platforms, and a bunch of other software companies have developed .pdb readers, so actually it's not proprietary.

"Proprietary" means that it can only be read by the eReader reader. It has nothing to do with how many platforms it exists on. I have not tried it as I create my eReader books using their Java software (makebook), so I look forward to hear the result of your test.

Jorgen

[dMores]

i know what proprietary means. i was under the impression that it wasn't, since there are a number of readers out there that support .PDB files.

now, my test showed that mobipocket can't read .PDB files created with the Palm Ebook Studio Demoversion.
i realize that .PDB is pretty much just a container file, and the eReader format of it's .PDB is obviously proprietary.
unless it's a problem with the PML-PDB conversion/rendering.
Palm Ebook Studio will save files in it's "native" .PML format, after you hit "make book" it'll write a .PDB.
maybe i should give "makebook" a try.
but that would be pretty lame, buying a program only to use a free java program to take over.

what a shame.

either support ALL devices and operating systems out there, or give away/sell the license to companies who want to add support.

god bless .PRC :)

[Jorgen]

Whew, good for me - I don't have to eat my hat this time. :)

For those who care to know: The PDB extension is a Palm database format (all Palm files are called "database" files, also program files). The Palm operating system supports only PDB and PRC files in main memory [the newer Palms can read other file types from SD and MMC cards, e.g. music files (but not from main memory)]. The PDB files are always data files while the PRC files can be either program or data. While there are only two file extensions, there are hundreds (if not thousands) of formats using the PDB extension - in other words, PDB can mean anything: MobiPocket, eReader, iSilo, Weasel, TomeRaider, various database formats and whatever other data files there are out there. The application read 8 bytes from byte $3c to see which file type and which application the file belongs to - I mention this as this is the way you can determine what kind of file you "hold in your hand", eg. Palm DOC format "TEXtREAd", eReader "PNRdPPRs", Mobi "BOOKMOBI" ...

The standard Palm DOC format (PDB) is the one makedoc makes. This can be read by all Palm PRC ebook readers: eReader, iSilo, MobiPocket, TomeRaider, whatever. This is unencrypted and makedoc can de-convert it to ASCII. This format does not support HTML. FictionWise sells books in this format.

MobiPocket use Palm DOC format with HTML embedded, thus making it propriety (but nice-looking). :(

Jorgen

[dMores]

there. clarity, once and for all.

:)

thanks.

[Alastria]

Hey Jorgen, do you mind if I put your post, edited a bit, in my Ebook Addiction group under my How To's thread for creating Ebooks?

[Jorgen]

Alastria, please do - or if you can wait one or two days, you can copy a finished article on the subject from Jerry Justianto's blog http://cebooks.blogspot.com/ on e-books (and iPods).

Jorgen

[Alastria]

Jorgen, I can wait a couple of days...it's just a very detailed article and very useful :) Thanks bunches :)

[Jorgen]

Alastria, the article is now there dated 10 September (the blog is apparently 5 hours ahead of me) - no hard links in the blog at the moment but Jerry will be working on it "real soon now", I think the expression is.

If you think the article is too long, cut and paste as you like.

Jorgen

[nosmohtac]

Thanks for all of the info. :D