FILE FORMAT CONVERSION
Given the proliferation of platforms, you will need to be conversant with file format conversion to progress far in the new domains of publishing.
Two general points on file handling:
Routines are essential. Files need to be properly backed up, and some thought given to consistent naming for easy identification and renaming later.
The starting material in publishing is text and graphics, and these must be kept in their pristine form. Graphics should be stored in some lossless format like TIFF so that repeated manipulation does not degrade them. An author's manuscript should also be saved safely in its original submission, beyond the reach of subsequent editing.
File format conversion routes are as follows:
1. Text to HTML
any number of HTML editors exist, many free or shareware.
use AscToHTM
2. Text to Acrobat PDF format
use Adobe Acrobat
use one of the many (cheaper) clones available: Win2PDF, PrintToPDF, PDF-Xchange, PDF-Xchange, PDF Online, DaVince Tools,Create PDF, Sonic PDF or NitroPDF.
3. Text to Microsoft Reader format
use ReaderWorks
4. Microsoft Reader to other formats
use ConvertLit.
5. Text to Hiebook format
use software supplied with Hiebook, now sold on eBay
6. Text to Gemstar format
use Gemstar eBook Publisher.
7. Text to Rocket eBook format
use free Rocket Librarian
8. Text to Mobipocket format
use Mobipocket Reader 5.
9. Word to Acrobat PDF
use FinePrint, MakePDF, EasyPDF, PDF Writer Pro, ePrint, PrimoPDF, ClicktoConvert, etc.
10. Word to HTML
save as HTML in Word and use HTML
Tidy
use Flash Utility, Word2Web or ePrint Professional.
11. Word to Microsoft Reader
use Microsoft Reader or ReaderWorks
12. HTML to Text
use a HTML code stripper like NoteTab, PureText, or StripHTML
13. HTML to Acrobat PDF
use Acrobat's webpage capture and number pages with Javascript
coding.
use HTMLDoc,
14. HTML to Microsoft Reader
use ReaderWorks
convert to MS Word and use Microsoft Reader or ReaderWorks
15. Add graphic files to HTML documents
optimize file size in a graphics program like Fireworks, and then use an HTML editor.
16. Add graphic files to Acrobat PDF documents
insert in HTML or Word document: import into Acrobat, and save at appropriate resolution.
17. Add graphic files to Microsoft Reader Documents
import to MS Word and use
convert to file formats and then use
18. Add graphics to MS Word documents
use Word Autoshapes or WordArt tools
import in GIF, JPG, PNG, BMP, PCX formats
19. Text and graphics to Adobe InDesign
follow InDesign procedures or consult third-party manuals.
20. Text and graphics to Quark Xpress
follow Xpress procedures or consult third-party manuals.
21. Prepress for Adobe InDesign.
export as Postscript files, setting controls or use DeskPrint
preflight in Adobe Acrobat
use third-party software, e.g.: PitStop Professional, Crackerjack, PDF Robot
22. Prepress for Quark Express
distill using Postscript driver
preflight in Adobe Acrobat
use third-party software: PDF Robot, etc.
23. Convert HTML/Word/Text files to MP3 format
use Verbose and
then convert WAV file to MP3, or use Text
Aloud
speak into an MP3 encoder: DailyMP3, MP3 Machine, Hitsquad, NCH, MP3-Converter, Winamp, Musicmatch or Blaze Media Pro.
24. Convert audio files to MP3 format for web download
convert to MP3 format and then link to webpages or RSS feeds.
25. Convert between graphics file formats