Free LIT Converter

fmo · 07-07-05, 12:18 PM

I posted the following info in this thread, however, it's in the X50 Forum and never got moved to the Ebook Forum, so it kind of got lost in there. I thought some people might find it as useful as I have.

......

I'm really liking uBook, and I know I'm not alone in this. Many of you like to use uBook or some other alternate reader. Many of you also feel the need to use MsReader because of it's propietary support for LIT files. Well, no more MsReader for me. I've been using a free program called ABC Amber LIT Converter (instead of ConvertLIT GUI) to convert LIT to HTML. It will also export to numerous other file types (see my attached screenshot). I'm not sure how it handles DRM since I've only been converting unprotected files.

Here are a couple of links for ABC Amber LIT Converter:

http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

http://www.thebeatlesforever.com/pro...xt/abclit.html

It's nice not having to rely on MsReader.

.....

I should mention that when I was viewing one specific HTML file in uBook after a conversion, there was some extra whitespace between paragraphs (2 blank lines instead of 1), so I simply loaded the HTML file into a free Notepad replacement program called metapad, and used the Search & Replace feature. I quickly replaced all instances of the following line (which appeared between paragraphs):

 

with a simple linebreak:

 

and re-saved the file.

LittleDebbie · 07-07-05, 01:04 PM

WOW!

Thanks for the info! This is NICE!!!!

fishwood · 07-07-05, 01:44 PM

Nice find looks good

forkyfork · 07-07-05, 01:54 PM

I saw your post.

But it never hurts to post it again.

I tried to convert some .lit files though but kept getting an error. Any ideas?

fmo · 07-07-05, 04:59 PM

Hey forkyfork, I've never received an error. Are you converting DRM protected LIT files? I've only converted unprotected LIT files and I export them to HTML (HTM extension).

.....

I've figured out a little more regarding that extra blank line between paragraphs. When exporting a LIT file to HTML and choosing to export the CSS, two blank lines (instead of one) will display between paragraphs when the HTM/HTML file is viewed in uBook, even though the HTM/HTML file will display correctly in your web browser.

One way to avoid this is in ABC Amber LIT Converter, go to Tools > Options > General tab > HTML export > remove the check beside "export CSS" and click OK. This will result in a larger file because extra HTML tags will be needed to repeatedly define font size and color, etc.

Another workaround is what I mentioned previously about opening the HTML file in a notepad replacement program like metapad and quickly using the Search & Replace feature to replace all instances of " " with just " " (without the quotes).

forkyfork · 07-07-05, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by fmo

Hey forkyfork, I've never received an error. Are you converting DRM protected LIT files? I've only converted unprotected LIT files and I export them to HTML (HTM extension).

I've sent an e-mail to the ABC folks. If you give me your e-mail, I will send you the .lit file I'm trying to convert. I get an error while opening it. I don't think it is protected since I don't have to type anything to read it.

ungluud · 07-07-05, 05:16 PM

Thanks, I'll try this out. I hope it's easy to use on account a I'm Dumb.

fmo · 07-07-05, 05:35 PM

forky, I sent you a PM.

ungluud, I find it very easy to use. I think the interface is more user friendly than ConvertLIT GUI for newbies. Nothing really has to be changed in the Options; you can pretty much use the default settings. Whether you decide to use the "export CSS" setting or not depends on what your output file looks like in your reader of choice.

tadw · 07-07-05, 06:36 PM

I wouldn't use that software because it doesn't give proper credits to ConvertLit for the algorithm routines. Very lame.

fmo · 07-07-05, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by tadw

I wouldn't use that software because it doesn't give proper credits to ConvertLit for the algorithm routines. Very lame.

I heard they baked them a cake though.

Stand by your principles however misguided they may be.

fmo · 07-09-05, 12:47 PM

I'm going to steal some of forkyfork's thunder here. Being the go-getter that she is, she immediately emailed the developer of ABC Amber LIT Converter and made them aware of the problem it had opening some LIT files. Surprisingly, the developer quickly fixed the problem and sent forkyfork a new version (v1.07). I can confirm that it does work. So, if any of you had problems with ABC Amber LIT Converter opening some LIT files, it looks like that's been fixed. I'm not sure if the public link for the download has been updated to v1.07 yet, but I'm sure that will happen soon. Thanks again to forkyfork for just being so forky.

ungluud · 07-09-05, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by fmo

I'm going to steal some of forkyfork's thunder here. Being the go-getter that she is, she immediately emailed the developer of ABC Amber LIT Converter and made them aware of the problem it had opening some LIT files. Surprisingly, the developer quickly fixed the problem and sent forkyfork a new version (v1.07). I can confirm that it does work. So, if any of you had problems with ABC Amber LIT Converter opening some LIT files, it looks like that's been fixed. I'm not sure if the public link for the download has been updated to v1.07 yet, but I'm sure that will happen soon. Thanks again to forkyfork for just being so forky.

Nope, not yet, I just downloaded and I got version 1.06.

I'll try again later maybe.

volwrath · 07-09-05, 09:45 PM

I did a book and it put the title page and table of contents at the end.

edit: after a little research, I think it doesnt correctly parse the .opf file.

fmo · 07-09-05, 11:22 PM

ungluud, if you're not having problems opening LIT files, I wouldn't worry about it right now. forkyfork had some specific LIT files that wouldn't open, so the developer fixed it.

volwrath, are you saying that you have a LIT file that was created from an OPF file, and it won't convert to another file type properly with ABC Amber LIT Converter? More details would help. Which file type are you trying to convert to? Also, based on the quick response that forkyfork got from the developer, you may want to contact him by email.

gjw · 07-10-05, 12:47 AM

Silly question (and I know I sound like a Microsoft cheerleader) but what do you all have against MSReader?

I only ask because I'm doing the opposite of all of you and I convert all of my TXT, DOC, HTM, and PDB files into LIT files.

MSReader is free...
It runs just fine from BIS...
If it's pre-installed in ROM then it takes no storage space at all...
The LIT files are typically smaller so there's an other space savings...

Besides lacking an auto-scroll function, what is the big complaint that makes it worth paying for and installing an alternative?

No offense intended... I'm really wondering.

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