eBook
Compilers & Content Delivery Tools
Knowledge Download has no affiliation with
any of these vendors, except where noted as a tool we may use
or have used in the past.
HTML eBook Compilers
By Skip Pratt
These tools generally require you to know
the HTML tag language or the use of a tool like Microsoft FrontPage
or Macromedia Dreamweaver. Regardless of your tool of choice,
get ready to power up the HTML in order to create your ebook.
One of the nicer features of these tools is
they create an "executable" output file, which is
a standalone application. The downside of these tools is the
executable will usually only operate on a Windows based PC.
This potentially eliminates the Macintosh
and Unix / Linux operating system market, which can be a pretty
substantial number of potential buyers of your ebook.
If you have decided to proceed with an HTML
compiler, what criteria you can use to decide which one is best
for making your ebooks? Don't be lured into thinking a low price
or a great sales pitch is the way to go. You should take time
to ask the questions and examine the features and functions
to make sure the compiler will meet your requirements.
Here are some points that can help you to
compare the difference between different HTML compilers.
Does the compiler require the end user
to have Microsoft Internet Explorer installed?
Most ebook HTML compilers require a browser.
Often the required browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE)
version 4 or 5, or Netscape 4 or 5. The ebook HTML compilers
usually will not run on a system without it. That includes yours
as the author and your end user customer.
On the other hand, other ebook HTML compilers
do not require having any browser installed, so they can run
on any Windows based system.
Do you know what kind of computer system
hardware and operating system your users have?
Are you sure that MSIE is installed and properly
configured on your potential customer's computer? If the user
has certain switch settings selected in their browser, your
chosen ebook compiler may not even display your ebook text or
graphics.
Are the "source" files kept
inside the eBook or they are expanded to the hard disk in an
open folder?
Security matters. The main advantage of using
HTML ebook compilers, over distributing your ebook in plain
HTML format is security. Your readers must not be able to modify
the eBook contents, and they should only access the pages you
want, unless they enter the correct password.
To know how secure an ebook HTML compiler
is, look at the temporary directory of your computer while the
eBook is running or open (the temporary folder is usually located
at C:\Windows\temp). If many files appear when your eBook is
running or open, that means your compiler is decompressing all
your valuable data to the hard disk, before showing it in the
viewer.
That method is neither secure nor effective
for you as the ebook author and copyright owner. One of the
key goals of utilizing a proprietary ebook HTML compiler is
protection of your intellectual property.
Investigate Password Schemes
Check the types of passwords that are supported.
Most ebook compilers offer some type of password protection
so your user can only unlock the content they purchased from
you. A good ebook HTML compiler should offer different ways
to generate different types of passwords, ranging from the most
secure to the most user-friendly and open.
Another important point to consider is how
you generate the passwords. Some ebook compilers offer self-contained
password protection mechanisms right inside the software itself.
Other ebook compilers are tied to live Internet based password
control systems. Which type of password protection is right
for you is entirely dependent on, relatively speaking, how paranoid
you are about your content being stolen or plagerized.
Does the software allow you to generate
passwords online?
If it does, are you free to choose any payment
processing system or do the processing yourself. If it doesn't,
you may be constrained to use some specific service. Don't be
bashful; ask the vendor these questions before you buy.
eBook Sizes Supported
Good HTML compilers support creating eBooks
up to 2 GB size and they do not decompress the HTML pages nor
images to your hard disk. A 2 GB eBook can easily contain 6
GB or more of compressed data (be aware that only text files
are usually compressible).
Imagine decompressing that amount of data
at run time! Your end user may not be happy waiting a few minutes
for that to happen right after purchase.
The very best compilers only temporarily
decompress non-HTML content (like Word, Flash or Acrobat documents)
to your local hard disk, so all your data and images are secured.
These type of ebook compilers simply execute links that others
cannot (such as *.m3u files -Winamp play list of several MP3
songs).
Is Scripting Supported?
Scripting is a convenient way to provide fancy
effects, customized menus and other nifty user interactivity.
Check with the vendor to see if their tool provides any type
of scripting support and ask how hard the scripting language
is to learn. Always ask for examples and a free demo to do your
own diligence!
Compatibility
After compiling your eBook try running it
on different computers, using different flavors of Windows,
like Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME, NT 4 or Windows 2000. Like any
good website or software development effort, you must test your
work before offering it for sale.
Installer Support
Many ebook compilers include an installation
program so your end user can be provided with some self-selected
choices of where to install the ebook, put a shortcut on the
desktop or not and add the ebook to the Start | Programs menu.
Some ebook authors may or may not want to go to this level of
detail, but again, keeping your user in mind, giving them simple
menu based choices often yields higher user satisfaction.
Vendor Commitment and Support
Do you receive free and fast technical support,
before and after buying the program? Do you have unlimited technical
support? Does the company offer a service level agreement to
assure you of their responsiveness?
How long has the ebook compiler product been
in the market? What version number is it? Often the larger the
version number, the longer the product has been in production.
That can indicate the ebook compiler is likely bug-free.
While time in service is often a good gauge
for a business, being a new company isn't necessarily a bad
thing. Older companies go out of business just as easy as new
ones.
And last but not least, do not necessarily
believe what you read! Even savvy buyers get fooled with
incredible sales promises which often have many limitations
and restrictions once you sign up.
Our suggestion would be to trust product
reviews from proven companies or analysts! Many webmasters put
themselves out as "independent" when in reality they
earn a commission for each sale they make. Always search for
"conflict of interest".
Knowledge Download is proud to be independent
and agnostic when it comes to third party ebook compilers and
other tools.
Now that the basics are covered, here is a
list of ebook HTML compiler vendors for your review. Thanks
goes to Daniel Bernardo of Bersoft for contribution of key criteria
contained in this article. His tools can be reviewed at his
web site listed below.
Knowledge Download does not have any affiliation
with, nor endorses any particular vendor on this list.
eBook
Creator - $19.95
Bersoft
WebPacker - $99 for Standard; $149 for Professional
Bersoft
HyperMaker - $195.00
Activ-eBook
Compiler - $29.95
eBookPaper
- $47.00
eBookGold
- $97.00
Fast
eBook Compiler - $39.95
eBookPro
- $197.00
WebCompiler
- $149.00
ExeBook
Self-Publisher - $49.95
Keep your eye on this page as we will be publishing
a list of Acrobat PDF tools for ebook publishing in the near
future.
If you know of an HTML ebook compiler that
is not on our list and would like us to post it, please send
a message to
and we will get it on the list.
=================
Skip Pratt is an author, consultant and owner of Knowledge Download
On the web at www.knowledge-download.com
“Where every ebook is bound for profit”
Contact him at:
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