Converting eBook file formats

[Reynard369]

I'm trying to convert a .lit file to a .txt or a .azw or a .mobi or a .prc file, anyone with experience doing this able to help a brother out?

 

[thinc]

http://calibre-ebook.com/

it's free
from the faq:

What formats does calibre support conversion to/from?

calibre supports the conversion of many input formats to many output formats. It can convert every input format in the following list, to every output format.

Input Formats: CBZ, CBR, CBC, CHM, EPUB, FB2, HTML, LIT, LRF, MOBI, ODT, PDF, PRC**, PDB, PML, RB, RTF, SNB, TCR, TXT

Output Formats: EPUB, FB2, OEB, LIT, LRF, MOBI, PDB, PML, RB, PDF, SNB, TCR, TXT

** PRC is a generic format, calibre supports PRC files with TextRead and MOBIBook headers

 

[Matt]

Calibre is very good. I learned today however that it does not seem to like the prc files. I tend to put everything in mobi, and it seems happy with that.

 

[Reynard369]

Originally Posted by Matt

Calibre is very good. I learned today however that it does not seem to like the prc files. I tend to put everything in mobi, and it seems happy with that.

Yeah this program is great and I've been using .MOBI as well.

 

[hboogz]

any recommendations on programs that convert pdf to mobi ? I deal with a lot of PDF manuals and sometimes the formatting is just off in some readers. However, I haven't tried calibre

Originally Posted by Matt

Calibre is very good. I learned today however that it does not seem to like the prc files. I tend to put everything in mobi, and it seems happy with that.

 

[Reynard369]

Originally Posted by hboogz

any recommendations on programs that convert pdf to mobi ? I deal with a lot of PDF manuals and sometimes the formatting is just off in some readers. However, I haven't tried calibre

It depends on the PDF. I downloaded 1 book that was in PDF and converted to be MOBI and the formatting was absolute ****. I downloaded another one, same deal, PDF to MOBI and it was almost perfect.

What sites do you guys use to DL e-books?

 

[Matt]

Originally Posted by hboogz

any recommendations on programs that convert pdf to mobi ? I deal with a lot of PDF manuals and sometimes the formatting is just off in some readers. However, I haven't tried calibre

Calibre again, but PDFs are more hit and miss. It depends what it is. Just a book, it should be fine, but if it is a converted PowerPoint deck or something with a lot of images/diagrams and so forth, it may struggle. I'm assuming you are trying to stick them on to your Kindle, and the Kindle renders the PDF poorly(?).

Originally Posted by Reynard369

What sites do you guys use to DL e-books?

I just find the torrents on isohunt or demonoid. I'm guessing again if you are using mobi format then we are talking Kindle, in which case there are quite a few mega-kindle-pack style torrents that are worth a quick scan to pick and choose some essentials. More specific stuff, then you are at the hands of the torrent overlords though.

Be very interested to hear if anyone has some other suggestions however.

 

[Reynard369]

Originally Posted by Matt

I just find the torrents on isohunt or demonoid. I'm guessing again if you are using mobi format then we are talking Kindle, in which case there are quite a few mega-kindle-pack style torrents that are worth a quick scan to pick and choose some essentials. More specific stuff, then you are at the hands of the torrent overlords though.

Be very interested to hear if anyone has some other suggestions however.

Happen to have links for these? Thanks.

 

[Matt]

isohunt.com - if you just search Kindle and select books you get this: http://isohunt.com/torrents/kindle?ihs1=11&iho1=d&iht=9 ...not a bad start point demonoid.me (but you need an invite code for that)

 

[Booble]

One more way to convert books is to use an online tool like http://www.2epub.com

 

[Matt]

this is a pretty awesome resource btw: http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

 

[The-thin-man]

Thks for Calibre, I use Stanza for my conversions.

 

[Reynard369]

I just bought a Kindle and I'm not sure how to get the books I downloaded and have on my "Kindle for PC" app onto my actual Kindle. Anyone know how this is done?

 

[Matt]

plug it in, it will mount as a usb drive, copy/paste them into the Documents folder. Done.

 

[Reynard369]

Originally Posted by Matt

plug it in, it will mount as a usb drive, copy/paste them into the Documents folder. Done.

Thanks. I figured this out eventually, but was hoping it would just sync. Oh well!