---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Samuel Klein <sj [ at ] laptop [ dot ] org> Date: 18 Nov 2007 07:36 Subject: Re: eBook standards for the OLPC platform? To: mkow1234 [ at ] aol [ dot ] com Cc: library [ at ] lists [ dot ] laptop [ dot ] org Hello Matthew, OLPC users can download bundles of materials from any website. You can see bundle specifications and some of the current bundles here: http://wiki.laptop.org/Bundles http://wiki.laptop.org/Activities http://wiki.laptop.org/Library_grid Standard file formats for ebooks are HTML and PDF. For book conversion, try feedbooks; or one of the tools covered on the mobileread site: http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_conversion You do not need an OLPC laptop to try things out in its interface. You can run an emulator on your own computeR: http://wiki.laptop.org/wiki/Emulation While we aim to support works that have not been specially formatted for the XO display, it would be useful to have a document detailing how to design a PDF to our screen size. The Sony Reader's document is a good model: http://tinyurl.com/37qe2a And when you come across format converters that have a special option for formatting books to the screen-size of a specific device (such as the ones you mention), it would be useful to request that the XO be added to those sites. SJ On Sat, 17 Nov 2007, mkow1234 [ at ] aol [ dot ] com wrote: > November 17, 2007 > > Hello All: > > Please allow a brief introduction: I am a former educator, now working in the private sector as a technical writer. I serve as a volunteer editor and communications liason for the Newton worldwide community (an ad-hoc "open source" group, that continues to support Apple Computer's Newton computing platform. I typically write to developers of old software titles, to achieve their release as either freeware or shareware.? I have also written, edited, and converted dozens of eBooks for the Newton platform. I would like to apply some of that experience to help the OLPC support community. > > My questions are as follows: > > ? *? Is there a standard method by which OLPC device users "get" educational texts onto their OLPC laptops? > ???? Is this typically done via the Internet? Bluetooth? Some other method? > ? *? What is the current standard file format for eBooks on the OLPC device?? .TXT?? .HTML?? Other? > ? *? Does a web-based eBook conversion application exist? > ? *? Does a web-based library repository exist for OLPC device users to upload/download eBooks? > ? *? I do not have an OLPC device (I primarily use Windows-based computers); can I still make contributions to the? OLPC platform? > > I am interested in pursuing the development an eBook conversion > application that will allow users on a common Windows-based PC to > prepare and convert texts for use as eBooks on the OLPC platform. I know > of a web-based application in which one can simply drag a text file, > select the desired format, and create an eBook. There is also a Mozilla > Firefox plug-in, which lets the user drag text files to create eBooks on > the fly. I would like to see the OLPC platform added to the list of > available eBook file formats for document conversion. > > Are any individuals or groups currently working in this area? Though not > a developer myself, I can make overtures to software developers on > behalf of the OLPC platform. Would there be any community interest in > what I have proposed? > > I believe that the OLPC platform should also have a common document > repository (i.e. web-based library), where eBooks and other data could > be uploaded and made available for others to download and use worldwide. > Again, I am very new to your community, so I am not fully aware of what > may have already been achieved in this area. If I have submitted this > e-mail posting to the wrong area of your buletin board, kindly forward > my inquiry to the appropriate group for consideration. Thank you. > > > Very best regards, > > m @ t t h e w _ k 0 w @ l c z y k > Detroit, Michigan USA > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: library-request [ at ] lists [ dot ] laptop [ dot ] org > To: library [ at ] lists [ dot ] laptop [ dot ] org > Sent: Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:02 pm > Subject: Library Digest, Vol 8, Issue 3 > > > > > > > > > > > Send Library mailing list submissions to > library [ at ] lists [ dot ] laptop [ dot ] org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/library > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > library-request [ at ] lists [ dot ] laptop [ dot ] org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > library-owner [ at ] lists [ dot ] laptop [ dot ] org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Library digest..." > > ________________________________________________________________________ > Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com > _______________________________________________ Library mailing list Library [ at ] lists [ dot ] laptop [ dot ] org http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/library -- http://users.ntua.gr/karounos/ - skype: karounos