Choosing an eBook Compiler

What is an eBook compiler?

You've written and revised your ebook, hired an artist

who has produced outstanding graphics, and now you're

ready to actually put together your ebook. What you

need to make an ebook is software called an ebook

Compiler.

There are many different compilers to chose from, but

first, you need to know exactly what an ebook Compiler

does. Here is the simple explanation:

An ebook compiler is a software program that converts

either text pages or HTML text into a single

executable file or an ebook.

If you or someone you hired has created a file with

graphics in HTML, you will need an HTML ebook

Compiler. This type of compiler requires a working

knowledge of the HTML tag language. You can also use

software to do this for you, such as Microsoft

FrontPage or Macromedia Dreamweaver.

How do you choose an eBook Compiler?

There are a large number of ebook Compilers available

on the market, all with glowing sales copy and tekkie

language. It can get very confusing and overwhelming

very fast without some simple guidelines to help you

figure out which compiler is right for you.

Choosing an ebook Compiler depends on a number of

factors:

1. How did you create your pages? Did you use HTML or

PDF format? There are many more compilers available

for HTML, but you can find some very good compilers

that will covert your PDF files into an ebook.

2. Consider how easy the program is to use and the

thoroughness of the software's instruction manual. It

is absolutely necessary that the compiler you buy have

an instructional manual, documentation, or online

"wizards." If it doesn't, your chances of figuring out

how to correctly use the program are compromised, and

the time required doing so is going to be significant.

Many manufacturers of compilers offer a free trial

version so you can play around with it and see if it

suits your needs. Download the trial version and

ascertain that it actually does what it claims to do.

3. Security features. If you plan to sell your ebook,

check out the security features of the compiler

software carefully. Security features should include:

prevention of the reader from modifying text, access

only to the pages you assign or by entering a

password, different ways of generating passwords such

as secure passwords, user-friendly, and open

passwords.

4. Supported scripting. Find out what scripts the

software supports. Scripting allows you to create

special effects, customize menus, and create and

modify other user interactivity. Choose a compiler

that permits you to include graphics, search windows,

hyperlinks, forms, surveys, etc.

5. Pricing. This is a factor that is not always easy

to gauge. The highest priced compilers are not

automatically your best choice. Choose your compiler

based on the necessary requirements for your Ebook.

That means you need to know exactly how you plan to

use your Ebook and what functions you require.

Let's look at some of these factors in more detail.

First of all, make sure you have the correct browser

to run the compiler. The majority of HTML compilers

use Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape. Check out

the version that the compiler supports. Compilers that

require a browser will not run on a computer that does

not have the required browser installed. However,

there are ebook HTML compilers that don't require you

to have any browser installed on your computer. These

compilers run on any Windows system.

If you choose a compiler that requires a browser,

check to ascertain that the browser is installed

correctly and that it is properly configured to the

specifications of the compiler. Check to see if

certain functions are turned off or on, and make any

adjustments according to the compiler instructions.

Security is an essential element of any compiler,

regardless of whether you plan to sell or give away

your ebook. One of the main reasons for using a

compiler is to prevent the reader from modifying the

contents. A secure compiler allows access only to the

pages you want the user to access unless they enter a

correct password.

To find out how secure an ebook HTML compiler is, open

an ebook on it. While it is open, check the temporary

directory of your computer. This can usually be

accessed by typing in C:\Windows\temp. If you see a

bunch of files when your ebook is open or running, it

means that your computer is decompressing the secure

data from your ebook before showing the ebook to the

viewer. This method is not secure! It means that

anyone with the knowledge of how to access these

temporary files can steal the secure data and then

they can fiddle with your ebook to their evil heart's

desire. Remember, one of the main purposes of buying

and using an HTML compiler is to protect your

property.

Next, let's discuss passwords. When trying to choose

an ebook Compiler, check out the type of passwords

that the compiler supports. Almost all compilers offer

some kind of password protection that insures that the

user can only access the contents they have purchased

from you. However, the best compilers offer varied

ways to generate different types of passwords. Choose

a compiler that gives you the options of secure,

user-friendly, and open password generation.

Another important factor when it comes to passwords is

how the compiler generates them. A compiler that has

internal password protection generation built into the

software is more secure than compilers that link to

live Internet password control systems.

Find out if the compiler generates passwords online.

If it has this option, it allows you to choose any

payment processing system you want or to do the

payment processing yourself.

Next, look into the size of ebook the compiler

supports. The best compilers can create ebooks up to 2

GB in size without decompressing the HTML pages or

images to your hard disk. Usually, ebooks that are 2

GB in size can easily support 6 GB of compressed data.

The catch here is that only text files will generally

be compressible.

You do not want a compiler that decompresses this

amount of data when the user attempts to open your

ebook. This would mean that anyone who purchases your

ebook will have to wait for all the data to decompress

before they can access your ebook right after

downloading it. So look for compilers that only

decompress temporarily files that are NOT HTML to the

local hardisk. Non-HTML files include Flash, Word, and

Acrobat files. This type of compiler is more secure

and certainly faster.

Make sure the compiler you choose is compatible with

your system software. Check out what version of

Windows it requires, and make sure you have that

version before buying your compiler.

Support issues are extremely important. Choose a

compiler that includes an installation program. This

program allows your user to choose a number of

different places on their computer to install the

ebook, to place a shortcut on their desktop, and to

add the ebook, if they choose, to the Start Programs

menu.

You also want excellent and accessible vendor support.

Make sure you can access quick technical support! At

three o'clock in the morning, this factor will be VERY

important. Also, check to see the terms of free

technical support offered. Unlimited technical support

is obviously the best option.

Check to see if the company that puts out the compiler

software offers a service level agreement. This

agreement is to assure you of their quality response

to your questions or problems.

A good thing to consider is how long the compiler has

been on the market. Usually, the version number will

give you an idea. The longer the program is on the

market, the higher the version number, the more bugs

have been worked out.

When choosing an ebook compiler, do not be swayed by

incredible promises and dazzling sales copy. Do your

homework first, and then consider all the above issues

and factors before choosing an ebook compiler.