Magazine issues and eink devices

[kolosus]

Hello there folks. I've been lurking for a long time now.

I read the magazine from time to time but I used to read it more. In an effort to read it more often I thought I'd put it on my eink device for easier/accessible reading. Alas, the conversion didn't go very well. Most readers are not able to manipulate PDFs well. Recently I saw that they've also been made available on MOBI and EPUB formats! Awesome! I have a Kindle (4th gen) and a Sony (PRS 350). I can try out both. Unfortunately it didn't go well either. Couldn't read a full article. The pages "skipped".

Is this a problem that I've been having or is it a problem everyone is having?

The reason I'm asking is because if I'm the only one having these issues then obviously I'm doing something wrong... if others are having these issues too then the magazines are not converted/rendered properly. After all, PDFs are supposed to be printed, not reflowed into other formats.

I've been trying my hand at conversion. If it is a problem faced by many then I'll convert one issue of the magazine and upload it somewhere. Others can try it out and let me know how it's going and we may try to make it into a steady conversion process...

Need feedback!

[parnote]

Sorry, but I can't replicate your results here. The EPUB version of the magazine works quite nicely on my B&N Nook.

[russell.eberhardt]

Hi,

The MOBI version doesn't work on my Kindle (keyboard version) either.  Works fine on the ebook reader included with Calibre.  Tried the June 2012 and that works just fine.

Russell.

[YouCanToo]

Hi,

The MOBI version doesn't work on my Kindle (keyboard version) either.  Works fine on the ebook reader included with Calibre.  Tried the June 2012 and that works just fine.

Russell.

That is strange since I have been making them the say way since I started in May 2012

[YouCanToo]

The reason I'm asking is because if I'm the only one having these issues then obviously I'm doing something wrong... if others are having these issues too then the magazines are not converted/rendered properly. After all, PDFs are supposed to be printed, not reflowed into other formats.

The ebook is not created from the pdf version, it is created using a stripped version of the html magazine. That is why it has been coming out after the html version was released.  This last version was created with Calibre 0.9.20, April's will be created with 0.9.23 or later

[kolosus]

Well I'm guessing that since russell.eberhardt and I are both having issues this is not an isolated issue. Reading the magazine on the Nook (or the Fire) is different because those are more tablet than reader. I'm referring to the eink devices.

I have the Sony PRS 350 and the Kindle (4th gen non touch). Both show a page fine but tend to jump (for example) from page 3 to page 7. No way to see the pages in between. I had the PRS 350 for a while and used to try to read it on that but couldn't. Thought it was because the 350 has a small screen... but as it turns out the Kindle has the same problem.

I didn't realize that the .mobi and the .epub versions are not made from the PDF, so there goes my theory on why this occurs but the fact still stands that it does occur.

I'm going to get in touch with russell.eberhardt and see if I can send him the Kindle compatible file that I made and if it takes care of his problems too.

BTW, I've had this issue before but I've converted the Feb 13 issue. It is not 100% to my liking but it is better than the .mobi version available from the magazine site.

Maybe I should try my hand at conversion from the HTML version and I'll have more acceptable results.

[YouCanToo]

Actually I do not have a reader at all. I use the built-in viewer that is in Calibre.  It is setup to output as a generic e-ink device

Calibre shows only the Kindle DX, Fire, PaperWhite and Touch1/4 in the output device and the Sony PRS350 it only list the Sony Daily Edition and Pocket Edition.  Perhaps this is causing the issue that you and Russell are experiencing.  Just a though.

[parnote]

Well I'm guessing that since russell.eberhardt and I are both having issues this is not an isolated issue. Reading the magazine on the Nook (or the Fire) is different because those are more tablet than reader. I'm referring to the eink devices.

I have the Sony PRS 350 and the Kindle (4th gen non touch). Both show a page fine but tend to jump (for example) from page 3 to page 7. No way to see the pages in between. I had the PRS 350 for a while and used to try to read it on that but couldn't. Thought it was because the 350 has a small screen... but as it turns out the Kindle has the same problem.

I didn't realize that the .mobi and the .epub versions are not made from the PDF, so there goes my theory on why this occurs but the fact still stands that it does occur.

I'm going to get in touch with russell.eberhardt and see if I can send him the Kindle compatible file that I made and if it takes care of his problems too.

BTW, I've had this issue before but I've converted the Feb 13 issue. It is not 100% to my liking but it is better than the .mobi version available from the magazine site.

Maybe I should try my hand at conversion from the HTML version and I'll have more acceptable results.

Really? My Nook Simple Touch is ONLY a reader with an eInk display.

[russell.eberhardt]

Just checked some more and they all seem to work fine up to Jan 2013 but the Feb and March issues are giving problems here.

Kindle version 3.4, original keyboard type.

Russell.

[The Chief]

Maybe I should try my hand at conversion from the HTML version and I'll have more acceptable results.

What are you using to make the conversion?  AFAIK, the only freely available converter is Calibre, which is what is being used.

I've used it to make a number of conversions from both pdf and html, to epub, and all worked pretty darned well.

[YouCanToo]

Just checked some more and they all seem to work fine up to Jan 2013 but the Feb and March issues are giving problems here.

Kindle version 3.4, original keyboard type.

Russell.

The only difference is the version of Calibre that I have used to create them with.

[kolosus]

Sorry Parnote. Not sure how I got the idea that it was the tablet versions...

YouCanToo, the 350 would be considered the Pocket Version. The pocket version (PRS 350) is a bit smaller than the other eink devices on the market and that may be the issue I'm faced with.

As for the file itself that I've converted. I'll have to put it up later, tonight hopefully. I've been a bit busy. I remember the time when I used to read these forums for hours... and then life happened and I can only visit once a week or so.

Sorry guys. I didn't abandon this, just super busy!

[kolosus]

I dont have a drop box. I need to go and get one probably. Trying out google drive. Let's see if this works.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_vIiB_-lXJvNFlRelh1WXEwMVE/edit?usp=sharing

[YouCanToo]

I take it that you created this from the html version?  The reason I asked is the layout is all screwed up. Here are some pics of what I am talking about.

[kolosus]

YouCanToo, you're right. I thought I was on to something but it seems that after putting in through the ringer things have come out more messed up than what you'd done. I'd done it from the PDF, couldn't really figure out how to put the HTML version through the steps. If push comes to shove I'd rather take your .mobi conversion than my .azw.

I'm going to try again. Hopefully soon.