Mobile eBooks Etc

NTC Memorandum: Guidelines On Prepaid Load

glitch — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:11:44 +0000

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) had issued the Memorandum Circular dated July 3, 2009 with the subject titled as “Guidelines On Prepaid Load” to TelCos (telecommunication Companies) such as Smart Communications, Globe Telecoms, Sun etc. This is in response to complaint of Senate President Enrile about the mysterious disappearance of his prepaid load.

I’m glad that finally, they took action on this issue. A memorandum that will benefit all the prepaid users and not the telecom companies. A friend of mine will be glad that he don’t need to call me using his mobile phone when his load was about to expire. He always buy Php300 load and he is not a heavy user or texter. He doesn’t even avail of call and txt promos.

Anyway, going back to the memorandum, the new expiration or validity period are as follows:

Prepaid Load Purchased	Expiration/Validity Period
P10 or lower	3 days
P11 to P50	15 days
P51 to P100	30 Days
P101 to P150	45 Days
P151- P250	60 days
P251 – P300	75 days
above P300	120 days

I don’t know if there are telecom companies that charges for balance inquiry through TXT messages but the TelCo sim I used doesn’t charged me for balance inquiry.

However, the memorandum states that for each new load that is purchased, the amount of the unused loads earlier purchased that are still within the validity period shall be added to and accumulate to the new load. The new minimum validity or expiry period shall be based on the sum of the new load plus the unused load.

I hope Senate will still investigate other problems of subsribers (prepaid and postpaid) like GPRS browsing rates and unsolicited downloads. I do have unsubscribed downloads years ago, instead of changing my sim (that means new mobile number) I called up customer service and asked for removal of all the subscriptions I accidentally subscribed. That’s it! I don’t have to worry that the downloads will be charged to next purchased load.

What Is Raw Document?

glitch — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:06:52 +0000

I heard the term from a client, she asked me if I prefer to receive the raw document or the manuscript (for hard copy book printing). Of course, I want to see the real layout so I can make the eBook almost the same as the hard copy book. Technically, a raw document is a material without any formatting, almost like a TXT file but its in MS Word. If a manuscript is intended for printing, it will take a lot of time making it “raw” and edit the file again to make it ready before ebook conversion to a certain ebook format.

When creating an ebook, I prefer MS Word Doc specially if the document will be converted to different multiple ebook formats. Don’t let what you saw on your MS Word window deceived you, most often than not if its the manuscipt for printing, the layout will be printed as it is. And when its converted to ebook, depends on the ebook format, the ebook output will be different.

Its a good idea to install certain ebook reader to your computer to check on the layout if its perfect. If its possible to use mobile emulator to see the output on handheld device, the better. Its best if you can test the actual ebook on your mobile (if its a mobile ebook).

Am I making any sense? My apologies, I’m still not feeling well.

Let Me Know What You Want To Know

glitch — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:55:31 +0000

I know, the title is kinda odd for a techie blog. I could use the common title “I’m Back” for not updating my blog for over 2 weeks. I never left blogging although I’m not that active also to my other blogs. I cannot call it as blogger’s block, its not laziness but I admit I become unproductive on blogging. I have my reasons…

1st: My kids’ summer vacation were extended for 10 days because there was 1 student infected with A(H1N1) virus in their school. Naturally, priority comes first and I can’t blog.

2nd: I almost lost my interest on this blog when I discovered that my Entrecard image was plagiarized by another blogger in same category. I didn’t received any response from Entrecard but the result was ok after 10 days. BTW, I never stop reciprocating drops on this blog despite lack of updates.

3rd: I lost my “to do list” for this blog. As you can see, I can’t post mobile ebook topics such as ebook conversion without testing the software or application. I have to make another one.

I apologized for being “glitchy” and unproductive but I’m back. Hopefully, my blogging time will be back to normal next week starting Monday. I need a favor from those who landed here searching for a certain topic on mobile ebooks. Please let me know what you want to know by commenting. You could also suggest topics that might be interesting for this blog.

Hmnn. I guess, a need a catchy image or badge so every visitors will be aware that they can request for certain topics. What do you think?

My Entrecard Image Was Plagiarized

glitch — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:35:37 +0000

My new Entrecard Avatar?!

If you happen to be on your regular Entrecard dropping and you saw your own avatar or image and edited for someone else use, what would you think? On my blog hopping yesterday, at first glance, I thought its mine but its NOT. I’m stunned. This is the first image I uploaded to Entrecard, the image I use to some forums, my gravatar, my phone’s Opera background. Somehow, I have a deep attachment to this image, I see it everyday on my mobile and internet.

Giving the benefit of the doubt, I sent a private message to the owner of this blog through Entrecard but to no avail. If its for Entrecard purpose that my image was plagiarized, I don’t think its fair. Entrecard image serves as business card. I’m not sure if its against EC’s TOS either but it is still my image. Plagiarism is a crime!

Come to think of it. I am a 4-digit EC member, that blog is a 6-digit EC member meaning I’m a member way ahead of him. Its impossible not see me on EC category Computers and Internet that we both belong. I don’t think this is link baiting since he already have a PR3 blog and I’m still working on regaining my PR. Whatever reason he has, I’m not happy that my image was stolen. I’m not flattered either.

I take this opportunity to thank my EC top droppers. As you can see, I seldom post linklove for my top droppers but today is my birthday. Guys, please check out EC community if your image was plagiarized.

eBook Conversion Matrix

glitch — Sat, 30 May 2009 04:19:25 +0000

As expected, when I started doing the ebook conversion matrix, I found topics that I still haven’t discussed. There are also some articles that needs to be updated soon. Most likely, ebook conversion matrix should also be like my free ebooks download post that needs to be modified from time to time as well as adding links of future articles related to ebook conversion.

I might add some ebook formats and post follow up post to other ebook conversion topics soon. A single cell could have a couple of links depends on the progress of my future posts.

Format	DOC	LIT	PRC	PDF	RGO	TXT
DOC	Reformat DOC	DOC to LIT	Prepare DOC	DOC to PDF	DOC to RGO	-
PDF	PDF to DOC	PDF to LIT	-		PDF to RGO	PDF to TXT
PRC	-	-	Create PRC	-	-	-
RGO	RGO to DOC	-	RGO to PRC	RGO to PDF	-	-
LIT	-	-	-	-	LIT to RGO	-

Also, if you have requests that appropriate for this post, let me know. BTW, I decided to make this a normal post rather than making this a page as I mentioned in my previous article. Its now easy searching if you’re looking for ebook conversion matrix.

Create PDF Easily

glitch — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:27:24 +0000

For me, the easiest way to create PDF file is to install add-in driver or driver printer such as doPDF, CutePDF etc which I tried in the past. They are totally free. Of course, there are available software for the specific purpose of creating PDF files. Remember that its always been my goal to convert files easily using freewares.

Before PDF, I prefer using MS Word as the initial document for many reasons, easy editing, layout, formatting etc. I believe I mentioned that many times already. The following is a list of like softwares below, check it out what’s best for you. Take note that these are PDF converters and not PDF reader… simply choose the installed printer driver as your printer to convert the document to PDF.

doPDF (1.6 MB) is a free PDF converter that works for 32 bit and 64 bit Windows Operating System. Doesn’t require GhostScript or runtime environments like the .NET Framework. Open a document (with Microsoft Word, WordPad, NotePad or any other software), choose Print and select doPDF. No tagged or watermark PDF output.

CutePDF also a free PDF converter that works for Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista (x32/x64). The printer driver converts the document into a PDF file. It requires to install the GPL GhostScript (18.5 MB for version 8.64). I installed both the Writer (1.54 MB) and Converter (5.01 MB) to use it. Choose CutePDF Writer as your printer. No tagged or watermark PDF output.

Bullzip PDF Printer (4.0 MB) is a virtual driver compatible with Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/XP x64/2003/2003 x64/Vista/Vista x64/2008/Windows 7 (beta build 7000). The printer driver requires GhostScript Lite (8.8 MB) but doesn’t need to download separately, it will also be installed. Its a freeware with limitations, which means that it is FREE for personal and commercial use up to 10 users only. Choose BullZip PDF Writer to convert your document to PDF.

Originally, I started this list with 10 printer driver softwares. I removed commercial softwares, also those free softwares with tagged PDF or with advertisement of their product on the PDF output file. I also removed a freeware, I used in the past because it was installing a different name and not free anymore. Please read further information/compatibility on the links provided above, I am not liable for any damage it may cause you. On the other hand, I will still search for more like freewares and add them here.

Looking For eBook Conversion Matrix?

glitch — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:53:20 +0000

This blog is almost 2 years old, my articles are continuously growing about mobile ebook stuff and ebook conversion. Although I do update this blog 2-3 times a week, sometimes I was thinking if I already wrote a certain topic. Of course, I don’t want to discuss topics that have been discussed already. And duplicate contents is bad for SEO.

I was thinking to make a mobile ebook conversion matrix page, its sort of an index to what article an eBookworm should read to every ebook format he/she needs to be converted. It could drain my energy on doing such page but it will surely help those who want to convert their ebooks. And, in a way, it will help me search easily for topics I haven’t yet discussed. I’m still figuring out on how to structure the index page but for sure I will concentrate on ebooks that can be read on mobiles.

Please share me your thoughts on this. This blog is accepting requests and suggestions, don’t hesitate to voice it out by commenting below. It will be posted as soon as its done and located in between links and privacy pages.

AudioBooks On Mobile

glitch — Sat, 16 May 2009 13:18:38 +0000

I mentally take note of the release of the 8th book of The Women’s Murder Club. I usually find the ebook file two days after its release date just like what happened to Harry Potter ebooks. It seems that I lost my touch this time, I can’t find 8th Confession by James Patterson. I’ve been searching for two weeks. What I found was audiobook format on the 3rd day after its release date.

Although its possible to play it on my symbian phone, I still prefer reading than “hearing the book”. Depends on my mood, I might blog about mobile audiobooks soon. I’m happy that I found the ebook format. For the meantime, I have some ebook conversion to do so I can read 8th confession on my mobile. I’ll be busy for a while.

Java eBook Reader Or Stand Alone Reader?

glitch — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:57:54 +0000

Java eBook Reader is the most common title used in thread titles referring to an eBook conversion software. I don’t want to mention the name of the software. Even on the official website of the said coversion tool, they are calling it as reader, when in fact that it is a conversion tool. Conversion tool is totally different to an ebook reader.

It is somewhat deceiving to eBookworms looking specifically for mobile application and not a PC installer. I found it deceiving and to a ebook reader searcher, it is annoying to learn after file download. No, I wasn’t deceived when I already blog the software here long time ago.

I do recommend mobipocket for S40 or another java enabled phones if they are asking for compatible readers. I also recommend converting their file to java format if they have files that need to be converted. These java format files with *.jar or *.jad extension names are stand alone readers just like *.exe ebook files meaning they are executable files or stand alone readers. There’s no need to install a separate reader for these files. I never tried executable (*.exe) ebook files on my PC after my antivirus detected a virus.

To ebook reader developers and promoters, please don’t deceived your possible buyers and consumers. I had a friend who was so disappointed when he encountered such ebook reader that’s why I’m sharing it here.

Reformat MS Word DOC

glitch — Mon, 11 May 2009 07:55:54 +0000

Some of the ebook conversion articles I made in the past mentioned editing a MS Word DOC file before proceeding to another conversion. In this case, MS Word will serve as the “bridge” for another conversion. The reason is because most ebook converters can convert a DOC file directly. I use MS Word as the “bridge file” in converting repligo to other ebook formats. I also use this procedure to convert PDF to LIT, without purchasing commercial ebook converters.

The image shown below is a copied text from a PDF file pasted to MS Word blank document. Most often than not, you will have the same result. Of course we cannot convert it at this point and needs to reformat.

Choppy lines is obvious breaking the lines in unexpected places, this is because the original file had encoding (if its from html before PDF), paragraph and/or line breaks. That’s why it doesn’t come out looking exactly as the copied file.

The show/hide button of MS Word is a great tool to see the markings of breaks, it is located on your toolbar. When this button is clicked, you will see the symbol to every line breaks. It is easier to see exactly where you need to edit.

Manual removing of line breaks needs a lot of patience and time especially if you’ll be editing a big ebook file size. That would mean go to the symbol and delete… a repetitive process.

The easier way is to click edit from your toolbar, then choose replace. A pop-up window will show.

Find what: ^p or click special and choose paragraph mark
Replace with: ^s or click special and choose nonbreaking space

Then click Find Next button, when target line reach, click Replace button. Continue doing this until you reach the end of the document.

For other desired formatting depends on your file, choose and click from the special button in the Find and Replace window. If you plan to convert the DOC file to PRC afterwards, you might find Prepare MS Word DOC useful.