06-17-2021, 02:38 PM | #1 |
Enthusiast
Posts: 36
Karma: 82258
Join Date: May 2021
Device: kindle
|
What is your process for testing an eBook across multiple devices?
I only have a Kindle.
For testing eBooks I create I use Adobe Digital Editions, I test on my kindle, and also the kindle previewer on KDP. What do you do? Thank you |
06-17-2021, 03:05 PM | #2 |
Bibliophagist
Posts: 36,810
Karma: 147879470
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Vancouver
Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos
|
I use physical Kindle and Kobo ereaders plus various apps on Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, iOs/iPadOS and Android. For the most part, I've come to expect little of the apps on Android since many of the authors have absolutely no respect for the epub standard.
|
Advert | |
|
06-18-2021, 12:20 AM | #3 |
Running with scissors
Posts: 1,552
Karma: 14325282
Join Date: Nov 2019
Device: none
|
Think about getting a kobo. As much as I dislike the kindle's crappy UI, I acknowledge that it does some formatting things better than the kobo. For example, the kobo doesn't do anything intelligent with font-family:monospace. I also had a problem on the kobo with tables, but I can't remember what was wrong.
|
06-18-2021, 03:27 AM | #4 | ||
Enthusiast
Posts: 36
Karma: 82258
Join Date: May 2021
Device: kindle
|
Quote:
Quote:
Good call on the Kobo recommendation! I will check those out. I would also like a new device for actual normal reading seeing as I am still using a Kindle 4. |
||
06-18-2021, 07:57 AM | #5 | |
the rook, bossing Never.
Posts: 11,675
Karma: 87654321
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ireland
Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper11
|
Quote:
I first check TOC, page breaks/headings and links are all correct on Calibre Viewer. Next I check on a Kobo ereader, in epub mode, never kepub. I only check on apps (Aldiko Classic Android 4.x and Lithium for later Androids) on 4.3" phone, 6" phone and 10" tablet if there is a new style used resulting in a new CSS and maybe different HTML (like if I used a box outline or a table). I'd make a dual Mobi and test on DXG, both modes of KK3 and both modes of PW3 (default and Publisher). Amazon KDP, Google and Smashword (Smashwords send onward to Apple, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, Scribd) get the same epub. I might test on the Sony PRS-350 and on the Likebook Mars (two apps) if there are new styles. The dual mobi is also uploaded to Smashwords purely for their own sales to Kindles, as unlike Amazon they can't know what Kindle model someone has. Amazon KDP works best with epub2 upload, which results in full feature typsetting KFX for those Kindles using it. The docx is next best but not as good results. Don't upload ANY Kindle format to Amazon. There are things sold on Amazon as "Kindle" that don't work on eink, they are for apps and/or the Fire tablet (really an Android tablet with an app). They need either Amazon tools to create, or a big publisher relationship who uses InDesign and has FTP access. Smashwords use doc if you don't upload dual mobi and epub2 and it isn't converted well. Don't upload epub3 to Google or Smashwords as only some apps fully support it and most eink only partially supports it. An iOS/Android app is better for interactive, sound, video, animation, colour, precise image layout and maths/science. Some content might need a 8" or larger PDF for fixed layout. I see no reason to do real ebooks with either fixed layout or multimedia-interactive. The ebook on eink is best at mainly text (fiction), perhaps with illustration, basically a simpler version of a paperback that works in 16 shades monochrome even if some images are true colour. |
|
Advert | |
|
06-18-2021, 11:40 AM | #6 | |
Enthusiast
Posts: 36
Karma: 82258
Join Date: May 2021
Device: kindle
|
Quote:
|
|
06-18-2021, 01:03 PM | #7 | |
Well trained by Cats
Posts: 29,981
Karma: 56143930
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The Central Coast of California
Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A
|
Quote:
(assuming you do not embed an font alternate version ) I like a lot of things about my Aura2 and the UI, I just wish I had buttons that did not add $200 to the price. I would like 2 additional 'sorts': 1) by hours left. 2)By percentage. (FWIW I have a lot of book 'in progress' and read to suit my mood, so being able to pick a 'quick finisher'. or one that should see a few more chapters knocked out {dratted omnibus editions tat can take DAYS worht of reading time to reach the end]). |
|
06-18-2021, 04:29 PM | #8 |
Running with scissors
Posts: 1,552
Karma: 14325282
Join Date: Nov 2019
Device: none
|
It doesn't display a monospace font. I suppose you could consider ignoring it not necessarily unintelligent. In my css I've resorted to using font-family:monospace,sans-serif; so that I at least get a different face/style.
|
06-18-2021, 04:34 PM | #9 | |
Bibliophagist
Posts: 36,810
Karma: 147879470
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Vancouver
Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos
|
Quote:
That's been the default behaviour in Kobo's firmware for quite a few revisions now. |
|
06-18-2021, 04:36 PM | #10 | |
Running with scissors
Posts: 1,552
Karma: 14325282
Join Date: Nov 2019
Device: none
|
Quote:
|
|
06-18-2021, 04:55 PM | #11 |
Resident Curmudgeon
Posts: 74,648
Karma: 130140792
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
|
You also should get a newer Kindle for eBook testing. You cannot test eBooks using the current firmware with a K4.
|
06-18-2021, 09:35 PM | #12 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,535
Karma: 28893796
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Perth Western Australia
Device: kindle
|
I only have a kindle. To avoid complications with other devices, the underlying document is a simple word-processing file with no "styles", and the conversion to html doesn't have a css either. My theory is that the less interference a reading device gets from elaborate styles in the book, the fewer the chances for conflicts and odd results. Typographic variations are restricted to size, and italics or bold, in a single font.
On the other hand, I also produce a quarterly car club magazine, in full colour, fancy drop caps, tricky layout and whatnot, but it appears only in printed and pdf form, which "fix" the content. |
06-18-2021, 10:42 PM | #13 | |
Bibliophagist
Posts: 36,810
Karma: 147879470
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Vancouver
Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos
|
Quote:
Speaking from experience with one book I edited where the author used Dark Courier and Inconsolata(?) for text conversations. The embedded fonts were not displayed in the Kindle format version and it took months before the first complaint that the spacing and indenting for text conversations wasn't enough. I was never certain why she wanted the person's name in a sans serif monospaced font while the text was in a slab serif monospaced font. OTOH, her payment cleared so a good customer (I have a very basic standard of what constitutes a good customer). |
|
06-19-2021, 01:46 AM | #14 |
Enthusiast
Posts: 36
Karma: 82258
Join Date: May 2021
Device: kindle
|
That's a good point. I plan to get one as soon as I can actually. Unfortunately I am in a country where they are not available. As soon as I am in the UK again I will pick one up
|
06-20-2021, 09:09 AM | #15 | |
Fledgling Demagogue
Posts: 2,384
Karma: 31132263
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: White Plains
Device: Clara HD; Oasis 2; Aura HD; iPad Air; PRS-350; Galaxy S7.
|
Quote:
Other people seem to use that plugin without issue, so perhaps there are inherent conflicts with the formatting of certain books. I only know that all four of the books I converted with that specific plugin had the same distracting spacing. Last edited by Prestidigitweeze; 06-20-2021 at 09:15 AM. |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Testing on different devices | storax | Workshop | 2 | 11-19-2013 01:19 PM |
Best programs and devices for testing | angelFrog | Workshop | 3 | 09-04-2013 09:31 PM |
Classic b&n ebook on multiple devices? | hoosier | Barnes & Noble NOOK | 5 | 04-29-2010 05:41 PM |
Question about the Sony ebook store, DRM, multiple devices | *Angie* | Sony Reader | 6 | 10-13-2009 11:41 AM |