eBook Compiler Rating

- eBook Compiler Ratings -
by
Leo Hunter
All Rights Reserved 2007
Published by
Able Limited Editions
www.ablelimitededitions.co.uk


You've finished writing and editing all the files for your intended ebook. And you have a basic understanding of what an ebook compiler does (see Choosing An eBook Compiler (blog post archive). But you still feel overwhelmed by the amount and types of compilers on the market. Well now: that's no surprise. So in an informed attempt to help you to rate or select a compiler to suit your requirements, some of the most important features of a few of the best-rated compilers available, at this time of writing are outlined below. But please understand no comment below is instructional.

E-editor
This software has a downloadable demo version you may try out before purchasing the full version. You can't use the demo to create an ebook. But you can run and test it out. And you're likely to find it's one of the easiest compilers to use, according to published reviewers.

Whether or not you find the compiler easy to use, its software includes a help menu that provides instructions for and explanations of each field on each of 7 screens you're taken through. - It also includes video tutorials, demonstrating each step of this compiler, with explanations of all fields that must be filled out by you. But this compiler requires your files to be in HTML format to upload for it to then create your ebook, which ultimately means targeted audiences of ebooks created must have an appropriate browser installed on their PC etc to enable them to read your ebook/s.

Assuming the compiler has created your intended ebook, if you decide to then edit your ebook, you must make any required changes in your original files and click on 'Compile your eBook'. That done, your changes will appear in your ebook.

E-editor also allows for some customization/s of your ebook. - You may create a special page which appears when the ebook is opened for example, create customized icons that appear on the desktop after downloading, use your own logo on the ebook task bar, and customize the task bar buttons. - You may also select where the task bar appears in your ebook and choose the task bar colors. - And you can choose to have the ebook re-opened to the last page read.

Another feature of E-editor is it allows you to choose a standard Microsoft window or to create your own design for a window to personalize. As such, the program provides you with some sample window designs. But you can use any bmp (bit map skin) graphic you have stored on your hard drive.

Desktop Author
This compiler doesn't require intended reader audiences to have any browser on their PC etc to read ebooks etc created using this method. Nor do you have to download software or plug-ins. And it converts exe. files into pages that look like a standard book.

As such, you can create and produce ebook pages scaled to fit on your computer screen; without scrolling. And another handy feature is WYSIWGY (what you see is what you get) page editing and creation. It also includes the ability to manipulate internal images, cut and paste functions, hotlinks to pages, email, website, or other files. It's therefore an excellent compiler to use to create marketing tools such as brochures and manuals also.

Ebook Edit Pro
The manufacturer/s of this compiler provide/s a demo version, which allows you to test out its features. Its software uses a Wizard system which leads you step-by-step through the set-up and creation processes of ebook creation.

Customization includes text editing that appears on the pop-up start-message window, the ability to allow or prevent resizing of your ebook and the mouse-click pop-up menu. It also includes an enabling or disabling the navigation bar and choosing the buttons you want to appear and customization of the ebook's desktop icon and navigation bar logo.

Ebook Edit Pro features also include creation of multi-media ebooks, and Wizard which may be customized for beginners or advanced users. But your files must be HTML. But you may edit and re-save your HTML files in the original software used to create them, then re-compile your ebook with one mouse click.

You may also customize icons, toolbars and 'about box'. This compiler has a particularly useful feature called the Rebrander feature. - This permits you to enter customized code into your ebook pages and distribute the Rebrander software to affiliates, or distributors.

Those affiliates or distributors can then customize any ebook link you actually entered a code for. - In other words, the software includes an 'eBrand-It' function, allowing custom fields for any customer's name, affiliate ID or URL. This feature is a powerful marketing tool, because affiliates will be far more willing to offer your ebook from their site, since they may customize it by adding their brand name, url etc to it (concept of affiliation).

Ebook Compiler
The manufacturer/s of this compiler offer/s a demo version which allows you to compile up to 10 files into an ebook. But you cannot prevent printing and copying of the ebook. And you may give any amount of such created ebooks away. But you cannot sell any. You may sell any ebook created using the purchased software, however. And it has help files that guide you through the steps of compiling your ebook, besides explaining what an ebook compiler does.

The software also provides instructions on how to create source files from Microsoft Word 2000 and 1997, PowerPoint 2000 and 1997, lo-and-behold, along with HTML docs. Instructions on creating source files from other programs are nowhere near as detailed, however, at the time of writing this outline/overview. But this compiler has a function which allows you to password-protect your entire ebook, or for selected pages. And you can set your ebook to expire, which effectively means that your customers etc must ask you to give or sell them a password to open it to read. That also effectively means you may create a demo version of your ebook or any part thereof, for marketing purposes.

The password function also allows you to set a single password, or multiple passwords. That is, you may ensure each purchaser etc has their own password. Or you may create a different password per chapter etc for example. And online help files actually guide you through the password-protection procedure/s.

You may also create a sales and thank-you pages for password-protected ebooks, which means you have at least a chance of retaining necessary distribution control, rights etc, if you're careful enough when drafting any essential contract.

Active Ebook Compiler
This software is Ebook Compiler's big bro so-to-speak, in that it supports HTML, JPEG, GIF and all active plug-ins. - Its features include password protection, branding, internet linking, ebook feature customization, assigning unique serial numbers, a splash screen, file compression, and start-up messages. It also provides free lifetime upgrades. It also includes preprocessor, re-brander, active script functions, and has detailed instructions for using HTML, Power Point, and Microsoft Word files. - But although you don't need to have any working knowledge of HTML, you must be able to upload your page files in HTML. That is quite easily done, if you first write your pages in text format then save as HTML when uploading into the required 'preprocessor' folder/s etc.

Ebook Generator
Features of this ebook compiler include splash screens, password protection, branding, icon customization and compression control. They also include virus prevention to some degree, which alerts the 'user' to any modification made to ebooks.

It also offers usage statistics so you can track your ebook's use (intriguing) and is said by some reviewers to be extremely easy to use. Is it not therefore possible for readers/users etc of your ebook to track the intellectual property in your ebook files stored on your PC etc? - Inspired to write your next piece? - No matter. - This concept (feature) is certainly a virtually perfect example of why it's necessary to investigate promises/representations made; before selecting then purchasing or otherwise legally obtaining any compiler etc, as any honest and competent writer/author ought - investigate as thoroughly as possible; before putting pen to paper, so-to-speak. Universally applied law expects that much.

Ebook Creator
Ebook Creator is another compiler. It supports HTML, JPEG, GIF, and PNG graphics, and Javascript, VB script, and Java applets. - It also supports all Internet Explorer plugins. And its standard features include unique serial numbers, direct linking to a form or a page on your website? - They also include disabled right clicking, and search functions.

The software also allows for expiration of your created ebook/s after a number of days, or usages, which allows you to create demos etc. It also allows you to create up to 1000 different passwords, whereby users/readers of your ebook/s must enter their password each time they access protected pages after download to their PC etc.

So, from the above outlines/overviews of some of the best available compilers on the market, the above for example, there are some excellent compilers for you to obtain and use. But take care. Figure out everything you really need in a compiler, as circumstances permit. And why not try a demo version or two; taking the necessary care. Then why not compare prices; before you decide on which compiler you rate best suited to your ebook needs or aspirations.

Take care.
Leo Hunter
January 2007
All Rights Reserved
Published by Able Limited Editions
www.ablelimitededitions.co.uk