eBook creation software question?

What is the best (free) software for converting word documents with images to an ebook format compatible with the Kindle?

Comments

[rickharris]

I have saved my documents as a PDF and then sent to my kindle. Works fine.

Stanza, Caliber Kindle them selves!!

Send it to your freekindle address and they will convert the Doc file for you (free)

[Kiteman]

Oh, I can read PDF files, but reading them lacks the flexibility or reading other ebook formats.

[rickharris]

From amazons kindle page

"Personal Document Settings
You can e-mail personal documents to your Kindle's e-mail address. Amazon will then transfer the file(s) wirelessly in a Kindle-compatible format to the related device for a fee. To avoid a fee, or if you're not in wireless range, you can e-mail your document to [name]@free.kindle.com for free delivery via wi-fi or download the files via USB."

[Kiteman]

Oh, my goodness, I did not know that!

[Kiteman]

I've tried, and the free delivery doesn't involve conversion.

[rickharris]

It appears to say "IN A KINDLE COMPATIBLE FORMAT" What do you get - To be honest I haven't tried to do this (yet)

This may be a help

[rickharris]

Several free options here

[Kiteman]

I think I will end up going that way (the links to that self-publishing thing were not very obvious on the Amazon UK website).

[Lithium Rain]

So, have you found a solution which works for you?

[Kiteman]

Not yet, but the need has moved back a bit since I got the new shed (I'd been searching for a project to keep me busy while I'm "home alone").

[Lithium Rain]

I'm happy to help, but without knowing what the issue is with the suggestions already put forth, I'm not sure how. Glad it's not as urgent though. :)

[Kiteman]

I think the issue is just me not getting on with technology - I've used Calibre, for instance, but the user interface is murky - I'm not sure whether it's doing what I ask, or when it's finished.

[Lysias]

I know this isn't ideal, but I have used a free application called pdf2epub (it converts to mobi too). It would mean you would first convert to pdf though, but it does a great job.

[Kiteman]

OK, thanks.

[rimar2000]

I don't use a Kindle, use my cheap generic tablet with Android or my cheap generic GPS with Windows CE.

In both cases I read almost exclusively TXT. I think that all word processors can convert documents to TXT. You lose images, that can be a problem in some cases. For that cases I use a PDF reader. OpenOffice can export documents as PDF.

[Kiteman]

I have a kindle, and at the moment cannot read word documents unless I convert them to a PDF file, in which case I cannot alter the size of the font to be more readable.

[rimar2000]

A spanish saying says "en el pecado está la penitencia". Google translates it bad, I think.

It means that some sins have it them own penitence. Your sin was to buy a Kindle. Buy a cheap generic tablet or a cheap generic GPS or even a cheap generic telephone, and you will fix the problem. My daughter has the same trouble, but as the reader was gave it for her husband, she can't discard it... (!)

[Kiteman]

I don't need a tablet, because I like a keyboard.

My Kindle goes for weeks between charges, and fits in my pocket. A tablet lasts for... how long? And reading blocks of text on a lit screen gives me a headache.

To me, the "sin" would be to read as much as I do on a lit screen, and the penitence I would have to pay would be squinting headaches.

[steveastrouk]

Tried Calibre ? Steve

[Kiteman]

I have in the past, for converting from epub to mobi, but I found it quite unfriendly - it's hard to see if it's actually doing what I want.

(Oh, I see I have to save files as TXT or RTF from Word, and Calibre's website says the software isn't fond of TXT & RTF...)

[steveastrouk]

Did you read the tutorial ?

Steve

[Kiteman]

No, I checked the formats it converts in the FAQ, where is also says that TXT & RTF are two of the three least-efficient formats to convert from.

[steveastrouk]

The tutorial explains how to lay the job out and create an ebook, rather than turning a .Doc into an ebook, if you see what I mean.

Steve

[Kiteman]

Oh...

You know, it never crossed my mind to create it as an ebook? I can always copy-paste the text and images into it!

[undescriptive]

I use MobiPocket Creator - it works with kindle (and kindle apps) but you have to copy the files directly to the memory of the kindle using explorer

[Kiteman]

Does it deal with Word documents?

[undescriptive]

yes it does :)

I'm not entirely sure what versions it will cope with - so save out as 97/2000 doc and it should be OK