Frequently asked question (FAQ)
Immediate response to frequently asked questions: read below
Are there any tutorials for the main features?
Is the LITE version fully functional?
Yes, but it is limited to 20 pages or about 1MB per file.
Can EbooksWriter manage frames? And what about the mouseover? The popup windows? Can it create .EXE with a click? Does it protect my work? Does it make the coffee...?
The answer is always yes. Well... not for the coffee, but we’re working on it! To learn more, scroll below, see the
fast tour, take a closer look at the online manual (this one), or
get the PDF manual.
I have used another editor and I can’t understand how to manage HTML files with EBooksWriter...
EBooksWriter is a standalone tool, not a "compiler", you don't need to deal with the HTML (actually, there isn't any HTML). If needed, you can import old HTML pages with “File >Import”.
Is EbooksWriter HTML compatible?
I am very interested in your compiler. What program would you suggest that I write my document in so that I can take advantage of the features but is not too complex?
EbooksWriter is an all-in-one tool! It encloses a powerful multi-page editor and can "compile" the ebook with just a click. No external programs are needed!!!
I saved the ebook / brochure as an exe file just as stated in the help file. When I opened the ebook, it only displayed the cover page. There is no way of getting to another page. How do I do this?
You must place links to let the user browse the other pages. The ways to browse pages provided INSIDE the EBooksWriter are for authors only. The reader can just follow the links YOU place. If you don't place links, they will not see any other page other than the cover.
I want to evaluate your program, but I can't get started. I have a manuscript all ready. I want to know how to get it into the program in order to continue and eventually see how your program compiles it. What are my first steps?
If your work is in another text format, use "File >Import", then choose the format, then drag from the left to the right the files to be imported. If not, just start the program and type on the keyboard. CTRL+ for adding new pages. EBooksWriter has its own editor for creating ebooks, you don't need external programs. See also the Tutorials, F1 then "Tutorials".
I want to create a Web site.
LINK AND PAGES, HYPERTEXT FUNCTIONS
I don’t understand the way EBooksWriter saves pages.
All hypertext pages are saved in a whole “AEH” file. With “File >Save all” or with the toolbar button, you save all hypertext/e-book pages with a single click.
...in the tutorial it says:...then, let’s press the link button in the toolbar (sheet and chain, or > "Insert >Link" from the main menu)... but there is no button labeled "link" in the toolbar...and which toolbar?
Select a text block then, if you aren't able to find the button with the image of the sheet of paper and the chain, choose from the main menu “Insert” then “Link”. If you are on an image, use the right mouse button, and choose “Define link”.
How can I set the size of a page?
You can’t set the size of the page, as you can’t know what monitor and what window will be used by the people that will see your ebook. The safe way is to always use percent (%) tables (it is the default in EBW) and to not assume that the pages have a fixed size.
I want to change the page numbering as I want to insert a page between page 1 and 2, but I can’t.
No, you can’t. If you really need to do that, you can insert say a page #3, copy the #2 to #3 with “Edit >Paste page from...”, then delete all the text within page #2. Agreed this is not quite what you are looking for, but please remember that the end user will not see the
EBooksWriter page numbers, so it really makes no difference. If you were to label page 24 as "Page 1" and page 45 as "Page 2" this would have no effect on your readers, as the
EBooksWriter page number is just a facility to allow you to switch pages without having to remember the proper page names.
Can I change the number of page #0?
This is not possible. If you want to set another page as home page, simply choose “Hypertext >Current hypertext properties”, and click on the left, on “cover”. Any page can be used as cover, not just the #0. The #0 is just the default.
How can I fix a page width to 535 pixels, in order to obtain the ideal setting when printing to paper?
You can fix this width for a table. Use the right mouse button on a table cell, and click “Properties”. However, it is better to use % tables, so your ebook will display well on all monitors, from 10 to 19”.
How can I place a link inside the same page?
The links within the same page are called “Anchors”. First, you need to place the “Anchors”. In order to do this, move the cursor to the link destination and use “Insert >Anchor” from the main menu (or SHIFT+F5). You will see an anchor icon. If you select it with the right mouse button you can edit its properties. A number is assigned to each anchor.
Now select the text block or the image you want to link, and use “Insert >Special link” (on an image, click the right mouse button, “Define special link”). Click on OK in the window that will be shown. Then you will see a dialog where you can select the destination Anchor. Click on the anchor, then click OK. You can test the result in “read only” mode (Hypertext >Read only).
How can I link to an anchor placed in a different page?
Select the text block you want to link, then “Insert >Special link”. In the dialog that will be shown, do not choose the first tab but one of the others (e.g. second tab “Normal”) then OK, and select the destination page. Within the preview of that page you can click on the destination Anchor (the number will be copied in the box that’s on the right at the bottom of the window).
I've not been able to find out if I can have different colors for links in the same page...
You should define different text styles. Each text style can have its own color/style for the links. Use "Format >Styles", then the last tab ("link"). You can also set up the style of the link (underlined, bold, etc.).
Where can I find information about pages contained in a hypertext / ebook? How can I manage pages?
Creation: "Insert >New page", "Insert >Link", "Insert >Special link".
Deletions, management: "Hypertext >Images - files - link archive and erase".
Access: "Hypertext >Go to page", the bottom center page number box, click the right mouse button on this box.
When I'm editing an *.aeh file, how can I delete a page (in my case page 0 as it is empty)?
Page 0 can't be deleted. For other pages, use "Hypertext >Images - files - link archive and erase". You can also cut & paste another page to fill the page 0.
I don't understand how to insert a link.
Select a text block, then press the button with a page and chain. In the window displayed, you can link to an existing page in the hypertext, or to a newer one - more options are also available.
For example you choose "new page", then press OK. EbooksWriter will create the new page for you, and will show the page in the editor. If you link to an existing page, you can choose it from an active preview - active means that you can navigate through it like in a browser. When you press OK, the link is made and EbooksWriter shows the destination page in the editor. See also the tutorial in the online help (F1 then "Tutorials").
How can I link an external Html page, for example an Html page that already exists on my Web site?
Select a block, click on the chain button, choose "Internet", click the “Add” button and write in the left box the address (e.g."http://mysite.com/ mypage.htm"), then press "OK".
Is there a limit to the length of the URL you can insert with "Insert >Link", 3rd tab?
Yes, there is an internal limit. You can insert longer links very simply, by using the "Long link plugin": it will install a new menu under "Insert >Link to".
Click here for the download (save somewhere on the desktop and double click to install;
click here for more plugins).
How can I manage the pages different from the main one? Just with links?
In the bottom center there is a box with the current page number. Click on it with the right mouse button, you will have a list of the most recent visited pages. You can also use “Hypertext >Images - files - link archive and erase”, “Hypertext >Go to page...”, “File >All pages...”.
How can I copy a page within another in the same hypertext (with Html I can do it with "save as", then "open". Is there another way in EBooksWriter)?
"Insert >New page", then "New page by copying existing one"; or "New page by copying from another hypertext", ...
You can also use "Edit >Paste page from...".
How can I manage headers and footers?
If you use F1 and search for the keyword "header" or "footer" ("Search >Keyword search") you'll get the answer.
In short, you can use any page as the header or footer for any other page, i.e. if you want a global header for the whole ebook:
- create a page and insert within it everything you want in your header (a logo, a sentence, etc.).
- choose "Hypertext >Current hypertext properties", second tab, and press the "browse..." button near “header”. In the window that appears, choose the page you just created.
With “Format >Current page properties” you can define a private header (or no header) for any page.
Do you have some step by step guidelines on how to create, open, and close popup windows?
To open a popup, select a text block, "Insert >Special link", 3rd tab (independent window or popup). To close a popup, in the page where the popup should be closed, use "Insert >Page functions >Open/close windows", then specify the name of the popup. The popup is closed on entering the page. You can open the .aeh files used as examples (speciallinks.aeh).
I imported HTML pages into the book, but nothing is showing up!!
Use CTRL+ CTRL- to move between pages.
I can only get to non-linked pages when I am in the "edit/preview" mode, by using the page scroller (the box at the bottom of the screen, with the page number) or CTRL+-. Is this normal? Will normal keyboard/mouse paging work when this ebook is "published"?
No, you have to place links. The other ways to manage pages are only active in the editor (this simplifies the creation / management of pages).
What is the maximum number of pages I can use? Is there a maximum size?
Each EBooksWriter STD file can contain up to 200 pages and include up to 200 images. No limits for the PRO and GOLD editions. There is no maximum overall size for the AEH files.
Will your program allow me to create an index at the top of a page, create a paragraph or graphics several lines down the page, use the indexed item as a heading for the paragraph or graphics and link to it, also add a 'return to top of page' at the end of each paragraph?
You can insert any kind of links but you have to insert links manually.
You can use "anchors" for links within the page. The program can create an automatic linked index with "Insert >Contents". To repeat a block on the top of a page, use the Header function (Format menu).
Does percent % size mean the table will automatically be sized to the content?
It means the table will fit the screen pixel width, using a %. When you insert a new table, the software uses 100% as the default. Unless you have a particular requirement, do not change this setting. It will fit automatically any browser window.
I inserted an image in a table. Why does it appear in all cells?
Perhaps you inserted the image as the table “background”. If you want to insert an image as a single “cell” background, use the right mouse button on the cell, “Properties”, second tab, then click the Sun and Cactus icon.
When I have to write words in 3 columns do I have to insert a table or can I just use the space bar?
It is better to use a table. Never use the space bar as, if you view the page from another PC, the size of the space might be different and you will lose the alignment.
How can I create a table with more than one column within a row?
You can insert a new table with any number of rows or columns within a cell of another table.
How can I delete a table?
There are many ways. For example put the cursor on a cell, press the right mouse button, then choose "Select table", then press DEL.
How can I copy a table?
Select the table as above, then press CTRL+INS. Move the cursor to the destination, then press SHIFT+INS.
I'm having a problem formatting text in a table. The table text automatically formats itself to Times New Roman (my default font is Arial) and I also can't select the entire table, column or row to apply the required formatting.
The table default style is "[no style in tab]". Simply change that style with "Format >Styles".
IMAGES, AREAS, HOT SPOTS, BACKGROUNDS, THUMBNAILS
How can I manage a rollover (mouse over sensible) image?
On an image, click the right mouse button, "Properties", then select the "Low res and mouse" tab and press the icon with the cactus and sun.
Animated GIFs don't play in the editor!
Move to preview mode (Hypertext >Read only).
How can I move images and position them somewhere in the page? I can’t position an image as I would like.
The “fixed” position for an image is good when you create a text that will be printed on paper, but makes no sense for an ebook, where the reader can see your work inside an unknown width window. Your user might use a 600 pixel or a 1200 pixel width window, and you don’t know that. The best thing to do then is to create an e-book that will be seen well on any PC, in other words an ebook that all readers will like. To do this, simply use “invisible” tables (i.e. tables without any border) to position images on the page.
If I want to add a caption near to an image is it better to use tables or frames?
Better to use a table.
How can I delete an image inside a table?
Select the image and press DEL two times. If the image is a background, choose “Table >Properties”. To delete the table, click the right mouse button, “Select table”, press the DEL key.
Can I write some text over an image, similar to using layers in a graphics program?
No, you should use PaintShop PRO or a similar graphics program to achieve this.
Is there a fast way to change the image background for all pages of an ebook?
There are two ways. If the background is already an image, use “Hypertext >Images - files - link archive and erase”, select the image, then press “Replace...”. Otherwise there is a button in the bottom right of the second tab of “Hypertext >Current hypertext properties” dialog.
How can I place text beside an image?
Create a simple table with one row and two columns. Inside the first column, insert the image. Inside the second one, insert the text.
I am having trouble inserting an image with a transparent background. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.
It should work for the large majority of GIF images. However, not all images are suitable to be automatically converted using the included transparent-color processor, so you may have to proceed manually with paint programs such as
Paint Shop PRO or Corel Photo Paint.
Is it possible to add more than one clickable area (hot spot) on an image?
You can insert up to 20 areas per image. If you need more, you can split the image in different sections with a paint program.
I see the "paste from clipboard" can perform the automatic conversion of a WMF to a GIF / JPG format with a lower byte size. As I already inserted WMF images, can I convert them to GIF in some way or must I reinsert them?
Unfortunately, you must reinsert.
I can't insert animated GIF files using "Insert >Animation"!
Please use "Insert >Image".
Where can I find the included clip art?
In the “Insert >Images” dialog, “From disk”; click on the icon with the mountain and the sun.
In an ebook/hypertext with lots of images, it seems as though there are problems with previews.
Use “Tools >Program options” to increase the image cache settings.
How can I insert pictures that will be enlarged in a separate window when you click on them? Should I use the click area / hot spots? What can I do with a click area?
A click area is useful when you want to assign different destination links to different sections of a single image. For example let’s say you have a picture of yourself. You can assign an area to the eyes, an area to the mouth, and so on. A click on the eyes may display a page where you talk about your wonderful blue eyes and so on...
If you want to create a gallery with some thumbnails linked to larger images in a separate window, you don’t need to use hot spots. You may use the “Insert >Image gallery / photo album” automatic feature (GOLD edition).
Or simply create a page containing a series of small images, then insert a new page for each enlargement and assign links to each small image (click on the image with the right mouse button, “Define special links”). Inside the “special link” dialog you can specify to use a popup to display the destination link (the page containing the larger image), and you can specify a name for the popup.
Is there a way to place icons of thumbnails on my page, then click to view a larger image?
Yes, you may use the “Insert >Image gallery / photo album” automatic feature (GOLD edition).
Or just insert a little image (you can do it with a paint program) then insert a link (click on the image with the right mouse button, "Define link") to a page that contains the larger image. If you use "Define special link" you can also show the larger image in a popup.
How can I set a background image or a background color for a page?
“Format >Page properties”, then click the icon with the cactus and the sun.
You can also insert tables using an image as the background (click on a table or on a table cell with the right mouse button, then "Properties").
I designed a navigation bar in Paint Shop PRO, how do I insert that into a page and add links to each button?
Use "Insert >Image" then add hot spots (clickable areas): select the image and use the "Image" button or click the image with the right mouse button. Then define links with the right mouse button.
I have an image and some text on one page. I want the text to line up on the right of the image, and I suppose using a frame will do it, but I can't get my image into a frame.
Better to use a simple table, rather than a frame. Just use "Insert >Table" then use a table with 2 columns, 1 row (if you want to create frames, simply drag the top or left border of the edit window).
I imported a picture into my document. Is there any way to add a border or is that something only available in the full version?
You can do this with a paint program.
Is there any way to assign an image as a border for a page? I have an image that is about 1 inch wide and I want it wrapped around the page. Can this be done?
You can create a table with 3 rows x 3 columns, and use the image as the background for the 8 externals cells (click the right mouse button from within the cell, then select "Properties"). If you edit the Style of the paragraph that contains the table ("Format >Styles"), you can eliminate the upper and external borders that this solution often leaves.
If I change the font height, it sometimes gets lost when I write additional text. Why?
Do not move the cursor after changing the font style.
Can I save a style?
Yes. Simply write its name in the styles cell, then press ENTER, and the settings of the current paragraph will be saved as style. You can also import styles from another hypertext. For creating new styles you can also choose “Format >Styles”.
How can I recall a style I saved?
Simply click on the styles cell and select the required style!
How can I change the style of the links within a table?
Like any style, i.e. by using "Format >Styles". The default style for tables is [no style in table]
I have created an ebook and used some of the fonts installed on my computer for the pages. The problem I have is when other people install and view it, the fonts are not the same as the ones I used to create the ebook. Should I use just fonts that are universal on all computers?
Yes, Times New Roman, Arial and Courier New. If the user has MSOffice usually also Verdana and some others. It is not possible to distribute fonts due to copyrights. If you want to use a fancy font for titles, you may use transparent images - we have a free "plugin" that permits you to do this automatically (you select a text, you click a button, the text is instantly transformed into an image by using the current font). The image will be identical for all the end users. Please see
www.visualvision.com/plugin/ "text to image" plugin.
How can I delete some frames I inserted?
You should delete them frame by frame. To delete a frame you should move its border to the top or to the left (depending of the kind of the frame). It may be faster to choose “Format >Advanced frameset manager”, to load a simpler frame set from a template, then press OK.
How can I remove the frames border?
Choose "Format >Page properties >Frame properties" (or use the right mouse button). In the dialog, uncheck the box “show rectangle border” and write 0 inside the “border between frames" box.
I am working with frames and I noticed that the frames will not allow me to align text/images to the top right-hand corner. It looks like the frames have a top margin of about .5". Can I get rid of this?
Yes, define a
style where the top margin of the style is something with a negative number (-0.01 should be sufficient) and apply that style to the first paragraph, then you may insert a table within that paragraph and experiment within it.
I want to add a page with frames. I want to use as an existing page as a frame.
Create a new frame set. Within a frame, use the right-click mouse menu to select which page will fit the frame. You can also use "Format >Advanced frame set management". See the chapter about frames.
I have a page with too many frames. I went to "Hypertext", then "Images - files - hyperlink archives and erase" and tried to delete the pages with the frames. When I go back to the page, the frames are still there. What am I doing wrong?
You probably deleted another page. When working in the page with the frames, press the "no frame" button at the bottom of the page. That switches the view to "no frame" mode, (note: it doesn't actually delete the frames, it is just a display option). This way you will see which is the master page for the frame set. Delete it and the frame set will be deleted. Another way to delete a frameset is to replace it with another, (Format >Advanced frame set manager). To delete a frame you should move its border to the top or to the left (depending of the kind of the frame).
The templates seem to be in a foreign language, maybe Italian! Where could I get English ones?
The templates are not in Italian. It is a dummy latin-like language that has no meaning. The text is there purely to fit the page for demonstration purposes. You can replace it with anything you like. To edit the images, right click then choose "Edit...". To put your own text on some buttons please use "Insert >Image" then search for an empty clip art button (for the regular edition, see the Clipart folder, there are several empty buttons), then you may right click the image and use "Edit..." in order to superimpose a text with your default graphic / paint program. Alternatively, you may get the
3D Buttons software.
When working from a template, I am unable to edit any of the links to change their appearance or function. Clicking on a link and then right-click, "Edit" sends me to Tools, Program Options, where there is no info on editing
If you have a recent edition, right click then use "Link properties", otherwise just use "Insert >Link" (or right click then "Define link" on an image) and the link will be deleted and / or replaced.
If you choose "Edit" on an image, the program will attempt to run your default graphic / paint program (if any).
I can't get the spell check working!
The application uses the MS spell check engine. Some installations of Office 2000/XP mess things up. A practical solution to get things working quickly is to install an old MSWord release (for example Word 7). Another solution (for English MSWindows editions only) is to download
this ZIP (click here): first close all programs, then extract the .dll .dic and .lex files to the directory shown in the ZIP archive. Then double click the SpellFix.reg file, this will update the registry file.
.EXE, SELFEXTRACTING, EBOOKSREADER
What are the differences between the LITE and the PRO version?
The LITE is limited up to about 20 pages or 1MB.
When I am writing my ebook and save it as an SFX.exe, when I try to look at the book on screen, it only shows the cover page and nothing else, even though I saved it with 5+ pages in it. Can you please help?
You must insert some links for the other pages, either arrows, text links, or some way for the reader to navigate through your e-book. Remember that the end user can not use the "page number" facility, which is provided just as a quick means to switch between pages during development. With links you can move the user from page 0 to 45 and then to 3 and to 2, it is not necessary to adopt the structure of a regular printed book.
What does SFX means?
Self extracting.
What does self extracting ebooks do?
"Self-extracting" means you'll provide a single file to your user which the user clicks on to see the ebook (without the need of external programs such Internet Explorer etc.). In other words self-extracting means very easy to read for the final user.
I [mis]understand that the whole program has to be downloaded to view the book. However... whenever someone downloads my book this way, it is on their EDIT screen. Is there a way I can save it so when others download it, it will be in read only or preview mode???
No, you should not supply EbooksWriter to the end user. Use "File >Save SFX ebook", and you'll have an autoinstall ebook with a reader included. Supply this to the reader and she/he will read your book.
Alternatively, you can simply supply the .AEH file and allow users to download the FREE EbooksReader from your site (click here to download).
How should an e-book look to the user after it is downloaded? Can a user edit it?
You can save an ebook either as standalone .EXE file, or as an .AEH file. If you distribute the AEH file you need to deploy the EBooksReader (
click here for more info). If you distribute the .EXE, nothing else is needed.
Any user without EbooksWriter installed who loads an .EXE ebook will see the ebook in a read-only environment. In the same way, a user that loads an AEH file and tries to read it with the free EbooksReader will have the same read-only environment. The end user/reader would not normally have EbooksWriter installed on their PC, but you can however setup a password to prevent editing even in such a case.
I created the SFX and when I click the .exe it installs but I see a blank page!
Please use “Hypertext >Current hypertext properties”, second tab, then click the “Cover page” button on the bottom left, and choose a non-empty page as cover page.
When you create the self extracting book, it shows a little brown book with an E on it. Is there a way to change what that looks like ... say if they place it on their desktop? Does it always have to look like little brown book or can I change that icon to something different?
At present, you can't change that "programmatically". This is the program icon, and in MSWindows a file shows the icon of the pertaining program. The user can change the icon as usual in MSWindows.
When I save my Ebook as SFX.EXE, and put the EXE file on another computer and install it, all that I get is an empty, gray page and cannot see or read the book
This is because your page 0 is empty. When the ebook opens, it shows the "cover" page, that is page 0 (by default). If you want the user to see other pages, you must properly set the Cover and Summary pages, and you MUST place links. All the internal methods that EBooksWriter provides for browsing pages are available only to the author. The reader must click on links to switch pages, so YOU decide what can be read by whom, and in what order.
Once I set up my E-Book, can a person print the entire 50 pages at once with one click or do they need to print each page one at a time?
They can use "File >Print all". It prints the ebook in the order you defined with "Hypertext >Predefined page order TOC".
Can individual pages be printed?
Yes, sure. The printing dialog is very sophisticated, you can do hypertextual printing
When I go to save SFX I get the message "The file is too large for the free edition". What is the file limitation?
The limit for the LITE edition is about 1MB. Try to delete/change some images in order to avoid the save limit, or
get the PRO / GOLD edition.
How do I keep the file size to a minimum? I downloaded Oz and the only difference I see is that my book has more frames in it. Do the frames increase the file size?
No, the thing that increases the file size is the number and type of the images included. Use a graphics program such as Paint Shop PRO in order to compress the images: for photos, the best format is .JPG. For line art, cartoons, etc, the best one is .GIF.
What can I do with an "AEH"? Can I only see it with EBooksWriter?
If not protected, you can see an "AEH" with almost all Visual Vision products.
In case I want to distribute .AEH files (that needs EBooksReader) can I distribute EBooksReader from my Web site?
Can ebook CD's be started using autorun?
PROTECTIONS: PASSWORDS, COPY, PRINT, EXPIRATION
Can I protect my pages with a password? Can I leave some pages without a password, so the user can see a sample before buying?
Yes, sure.
Can I protect my ebook with passwords? Can the clipboard copy be disabled? Can printing be disabled? Can I set an expiry date? Can I force the ebook to be shown "full screen"?
Yes. Use "Hypertext >Current hypertext properties".
Is the protection strong?
Yes, it is a 128 bit strong encryption. If you will lose your password(s) we will be unable to help you to recover.
The expiry date doesn't work!
If the expiry date is February 23 2010, the document will be visible until midnight of the 23, so it actually expires the first second of the 24th.
My target is big business with lots of employees and I don’t know how to protect my book from sharing. Now lets assume that in one office there are 10 employees and that 5 of them want to buy my book. How do I make sure that if I give the password to one of them he or she will not share the password with the others?
The passwords for the ebooks created with EBooksWriter can be personalized for each user without any effort. The first time someone reads your ebook, they will be prompted to enter a name and email address. In EBooksWriter there is a dialog where you can insert that user name and email address, and you will get a personalized password that you can send to the user. The password will work for this user only. This feature can be enabled or disabled, it's your choice.
EBooksWriter supports also the "Lock to PC" protection with VirtualVault,
click here (the "Lock To PC" is an additional degree of security and means that when your ebook is installed on the end user's computer, it will require a personal key that will be generated online and will work only on that customer's computer).
I’ve tried the sample with two passwords but it doesn’t work!
The two (or more) password option certainly works with the regular edition, just test it yourself. You might have to delete the .ERP file.
The password doesn't work!
If you are using different passwords for different users (the box "custom password for each user" within the "Hypertext >Passwords" menu was checked when you created the ebook), each user password works only if you enter the correct username / email + user password; additionally the author password does not work for the ebook. If you don't use different passwords for different users, the author password(s) work(s) both for the ebook and within the editor.
I’ve tried the sample with different passwords for different users but the user password doesn’t work, and also the author password, “mickey”, doesn’t work!
When using personal passwords, the author password works within EBooksWriter only. It doesn’t work in EBooksReader. To obtain the proper user password, you should insert a user name and email address in the “Hypertext >Password” dialog. Then you must use the same user name and email address in EBooksReader (use "?" then "User's data"), that’s why it is called “personal”, it doesn’t work with different personal data!! You might have to delete the .ERP file.
I am struggling to get to grips with the password. I am happy assigning an author password, but the reader password is beyond me. Your examples do not explain what happens. What does the reader have to do to get the password and how does it relate to the password window and boxes.
You can set a fixed password for all readers, or a password that changes for each reader. Each page can have a different password. The online help gives you an example. In the example the writer has added to the hypertext the password "mickey". That password is known by the writer only, and will be transformed to a different password for any reader. You should not to give out the password "mickey". For the reader called "aldo ghigliano", that password, "mickey", becomes "S\ZTOg". If you change the reader name you will have another password. It is your responsibility to give the correct password to each reader. To disable that feature, uncheck the box "custom password for each user". If this box is unchecked, when you save the ebook, the password "mickey" will be valid and identical for any reader.
The password "mickey" is assigned to the pages that are in the list on the right and are checked. In a new hypertext, to add a new password press the "Add +" button, then enter the password. To assign that password to one or more pages, use the right side list: the selected password is assigned to the checked pages.
When I enter an author pass, then click the box for individual customer passwords, it seems it changes the password given to a previous customer. Why is it doing that? And it seems I have to save each new .exe from it once I add a new buyer/password, generating a copy per customer. This is making me crazy! Am I doing something wrong?
Yes, you are missing that the same exe file can be given to all customers. It's only the name/password couple that would be different. When they match, the customer can see the ebook.
So, first you save a single exe ebook (you can put it on your website), second for each customer you enter name and email and the program will generate individual passwords (you can do this with the "Hypertext >Password" window, just keep it open, enter a customer name/email, write down his/her password(s), then enter another name/email, write down the pass and go on... the program doesn't store the individual passwords, they're automatically generated).
In conclusion, for each customer you can provide: a copy of the ebook; name, email and password that they must use to see the ebook.
Please notice that individual passwords are based on the author password: so if you change the author password(s) you have to save the file, generate the SFX exe, distribute the exe to all customers (the same to all), then regenerate all individual passwords.
Generate ERP File: Clicking on this, saved on my desktop a file that I could not open. I got a message saying that this file could not be opened in this system.
The .ERP file does not need to be opened, but should you want to open it just use the Windows' Notepad. You can distribute it along with an AEH file. EXE + password is equivalent to AEH + ERP + EBooksReader. The ERP file is a particular file that stores the password(s).
I've completed my ebook, and I'm in the midst of creating passwords because my plan is to distribute it through sells from my website. However, in running a test of it, it opened without me having to put into it a password into. Once the name, first and last was placed with the email address, it opened. Why did it not prompt for a password?
The password is asked the first time the user enter a password protected page. Then it is stored. To see what pages are protected, open the AEH in EBooksWriter, Hypertext >Password, click a password in the left list, and look what pages are checked in the right list. If no pages are selected, auhm... you didn't protect any page with this password. It is not sufficient to enter a password in the left list, you must assign that password to the pages that you want to protect.
Please select some pages, press OK, and save the ebook as AEH. Then redo the Save as SFX.
Is there a way to only let the users print certain pages?
Yes. If you want, you can disable printing for all pages by using: ("Hypertext >Current hypertext properties"). Then, within a page that you wish to print, just insert an image or a text such as "Click here to print", select it, then use "Insert >Special link" and the tab "Other".
I was reading about all the security features that your eBook compiler offers, but I did not see anything on how you prevent individuals from making mass copies and distributing the exe for free. For example, if a customer purchases an eBook from my site created with your software, there is nothing technically that prevents the individual from making multiple exe copies and distributing it for free. Do you have a solution?
Yes, it can makes multiple copies, but provided you protected the ebook with an individual password, the password must match his name and email address.
For example, you sell the ebook to Mark Smith, msmith@ge.com. If he copies the ebook, he would have to give away his name and email address, so it will publicly broadcast that he is a thief.
I saved my ebook to SFX but I just see a gray page.
This is because your page 0 is empty. When the ebook opens, it shows the "cover" page, that is page 0 (by default). If you want the user to see other pages, you must properly set the Cover and Summary pages, and you MUST place links. All the internal methods that EBooksWriter provides for browsing pages are available only to the author. The reader must click on links to switch pages, so YOU decide what can be read by whom, and in what order.
AEH / DOC / ZIP / PDF / FLASH / JAVA / ASP
How can I insert an external file? For example a ZIP, a PDF, etc.?
You can embed the file within the ebook. Select a text block, then "Insert >Link", then the 4th tab, then select the file you want to insert from the file system.
What can I do with an "AEH"? Can I see it only with EBooksWriter?
You can see an "AEH" with different
VisualVision products and also with the free EBooksReader which works on the same principle as Acrobat Reader. An AEH file contains a whole ebook, so your work becomes easy to share. If you password protect the AEH, it can be seen only with EBooksWriter or EBooksReader.
Can I insert Java Applets, JavaScripts within a page? Can I use ASP?
No. The ebook is read by a custom browser that doesn't support these things. The positive side of the story is that each EBooksWriter ebook doesn't need preinstalled software in order to be read (no Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera or Chrome), and visually implements the most diffused scripts such as rollover, popup windows, etc.
Why does the size of the AEH remain the same even if I delete some multimedia files ?
It is not sufficient to delete a link, a button or a video with the DEL key. To enable a fast reuse, EBooksWriter archives each thing you use in an internal archive or “album”. If you delete the link, the file remains inside the album. If you want to delete the file, please choose “Hypertext >Images - files - link archive and erase”, search the file then delete it with DEL.
Can I save in PDF format?
Yes, indirectly. If you have the Adobe product installed, choose "File >Print" then print to the "Acrobat Distiller". You "print" to this printer, you actually get a PDF file. If you don't have Adobe, there are also other products that works same way (= do install a "fake" PDF printer under MSWindows). One is
"PDF Camp" (click here); another one is
Go2PDF (free,
click here).
There is also a more complex way by using the free "Ghostscript" (you can find it on simtel.net): you should install a fake PostScript printer (an Apple LaserJet for example), print to FILE: (instead of LPT1), save the file as filename.ps then use Ghostscript to convert from PS to PDF. A correct Ghostscript command on the DOS prompt is gswin32c -q -d -dPDFSETTINGS=/printer -dCompatibilityLevel=1.3 -dNOPAUSE -dBATCH -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -sOutputFile=c:\nomeoutputfile.pdf nomefile.ps).
How can I import files?
To import, use "File >Import" and choose a file format (RTF; HTML; ASCII), then search for the files you want to import in the file system (shown on the left) and drag them to the right. The program can import multiple files at one time and automatically divide a single file into pages. Use CTRL+ CTRL- after the import to see the pages. The import functions sometimes discards the text format, so it would be better to use the native program functions once you have learned them.
When I import RTF, how does the system split a single file into multiple pages, how does it decide when to end a page and start a new one?
It uses an internal criteria.
You can choose (in the import format menu) one file/one page or one file/multiple pages. The latter option ensures that page breaks in the existing document are maintained in your created pages.
I have imported RTF pages, but some of them do not include the "continue" link on the new pages.
You are supposed to write the pages INSIDE the program. If you import the pages from another program, you will need to add the links. The program can place very powerful links, not only the sequential links expected for a sequential piece or book.
After importing, the very first page is blank and I can not get rid of it.
Simply copy another page inside it. Alternatively, change the settings of the program so that the cover page and the summary page are not using the first page (Hypertext >Current Hypertext properties), then second tab, then click on the left on "cover" or "summary" and choose the required page.
I imported an .rtf document and set up some links to certain portions of it (hypertext?). The links work fine, but in the non-edit, preview mode, I can only get to the linked pages, not the ones without links.
This is normal, as the preview mode is designed to work as if published, and no pages would be available in a live situation, unless linked.
We have user manuals which were created using another program. If we choose to use your software, will we be able to maintain/edit/revise the old manuals in it, or will they have to be recreated?
If your other program is able to save in RTF, HTML or ASCII formats, or at least allows copying to the clipboard, you will be able to import the data to our software (possibly some reformatting will be required).
Can your program import Word Perfect format (WPF files)?
No, but within Word Perfect you can choose "Save as..." then save your file in RTF format, that can be imported by our program.
I can’t find the answer to my question!
No problem, just write to us! As you see... we respond to all!
I get "Share error... "
This means the same file is opened in another instance of EBooksWriter (go to the task bar and close the other instance); or you are out of disk space; or the AEH file is marked as "read only" in the MSWindows file manager.
I can't delete some objects with DEL.
Use DEL twice.
The XYZ window displays too small for me!
Please resize the window. EBooksWriter stores and remembers window settings.
How can I see the hypertext on a browser, or in HTML?
I'm writing a manual for an application and I need to include multiple copies of the application logo and application name. Is there a quick way?
Create a new page, insert the name and the logo of the application.
Then you can use "Edit >Paste page from..." to insert the logo anywhere you want.
You might also use Headers and Footers (F1, Search).
I can't use tabs!
You can use the "reduce indent" and "increase indent" buttons. Use tables for creating columns.
The copy and paste procedure sometimes discards the text format.
This can happen for short text, as EBooksWriter tries to use intelligent behavior when you cut & paste. Sometimes the behavior is not exactly as you might expect.
Can I insert the same text and/or images group in multiple pages, like a "C" include?
You can do this indirectly, by using frames or header/footers.
How can I make floating windows?
When a user browses your hypertext, there are two ways a window can show:
- when the user clicks on a special link ("Insert >Special link")
- when the user enters a page that contains an "open window" component ("Insert >Page functions >Open / close windows"
You can see some samples in the es_aeh folder.
In an e-book with lots of images, it seems as though there are problems with previews.
Use “Tools >Program options” to increase the image cache settings.
I can’t “minimize” the application.
Select “Tools >Program options” then “Reset dialogs settings”, then exit from the application.
I have a problem with the program locking up. It seems to be related to the file I am working in because I had a few other files that I was working with and am not having the problem there. If the file is corrupted in some way is there anything I can do about saving some of the pages? Help! I don’t want to start over!
When a file is corrupted the most practical way is to open a new file, and copy the pages (the non-corrupted ones) from the old file, using "Edit >Paste page from...".
The EbooksWriter can create self-extracting ebooks, i.e. it can transform an AEH file to an EXE file that a user can click and see (without anything else installed). With EbooksWriter you can also password protect pages or sets of pages (they will be encoded with a strong 128 bit encryption). You can also disable print or clipboard copy. The interface is very similar to the HP one. You can share non protected files.
What is the difference between EbooksWriter PRO and GOLD?
The GOLD edition can manage forms (by email or CGI) and has a built-in shopping cart function.
I have an old 200MHz PC, is it sufficient? Can I manage a good ebook with this PC and EBW?
Of course.
Do you have a Mac edition?
No. But you can run EBooksWriter on a Mac with any common PC emulator software. And you can read
.Mobi and .Epub ebooks on a Mac.
I have an icon for email - I've checked the tutorial and can't find out how to make this work!
Very simple: select the image, click right mouse button on it, "define link", 3rd tab, "+ Add" button, then enter mailto:youraddress@aol.com
Can I insert forms in EbooksWriter?
Yes, you can with the GOLD edition (see above). Alternatively, you can link to a page that contains a form in your Web site. If the user wants to send the form, he/she must be connected, so this solution will be OK for all cases.
The program says “Access Violation XXXX”, then hangs...
You have too many applications opened (”too many” may mean 4-5 in Win98/ME...!). Close some apps or restart the computer. The error numbers like 00231245E are of no use to us at all. If this happens and you are able to provide us with step by step instructions on how to reproduce the error, (e.g. open the program, write "mickey", press "save" and the error ALWAYS happens) we can correct the problem. Often it is not a problem with the program, but a problem of limited handles within MSWindows.
If I switch to “read only” (Edit/Preview button), the slides don’t appear to work.
You have to use “Hypertext >Reload page” to start the sequence. To obtain this at load time, configure the hypertext “Read only” with “Hypertext >Options”.
Can I start EBooksReader from another application referring to a topic or page-number, like the Windows help-engine? E.g. Ebooksreader.exe <DRIVE><DIR>MainMenu.aeh|3?
Sure, use EBooksReader.exe <path>yourfilename.aeh /PAGE=3
You can also use the DDE.
I have noticed that in some of my work, when I resize the windows (larger or smaller), some tables or images move and don't retain their position. Is there a solution to this problem?
This isn't a "problem". You would benefit from practicing with the "invisible" tables, and learning how to use them to correctly position images and text. You must remember that the final users screen and window sizes are unknown. At the end of the PDF manual you will find some useful suggestions on how to create this kind of positioning.
I have created an eBook and used some of the fonts installed on my computer for the pages. The problem I have is when other people install and view it, the fonts are not the same as the ones I used to create the ebook. Should I use just fonts that are universal on all computers?
Yes, Times New Roman, Arial and Courier New. If the user has MSOffice usually also Verdana and some others. If you want to use a fancy font for titles, you may use transparent images - we have a free "plugin" that permits you to do this automatically (you select a text, you click a button, the text is instantly transformed into an image by using the current font). The image will be identical for all the end users. Please see
www.visualvision.com/plugin/ "text to image" plugin.
I have worked with several ebooks in the past, although I do not have any of them now. My question is related to the size. I have created most of these pages and you have to scroll them. I do not want that. In the past with past ebook programs, it automatically saved to open in the current screen and there was no scrolling needed. What do I have to do to make this work?
Simply divide your pages into different pages.
Do you have a version of eBooksReader for handhelds? Especially one using a PALM OS?
Soon EBooksWriter will be able to export to .LIT MSReader format.
Is there a way to setup a printing order for the pages, so when the user wants to print, there is a predefined order?
Just use "Hypertext >Predefined order - TOC" to setup an order. You can define chapters and subchapters, or just sequential pages.
Then with "File >Print" you can choose to print the pages by using the predefined order.
When making an ebook, how can you add a link to exit the ebook / program?
Just select a text block, "Insert >Special link", then select the "Close window" tab, check the "main window" checkbox.
I'd like to know if there are any per-copy or per sale charges. I mean, do I have to pay you any royalties for every copy of a book I sell if it was created / compiled with your software.
No. No royalties at all. You are free to distribute any number of copies of your ebook.
How should an e-book look to the user after it is downloaded? Can a user edit it?
You can save an ebook either as standalone .EXE file, or as an .AEH file. If you distribute the AEH file you need to deploy the EBooksReader (click here for more info). If you distribute the .EXE, nothing else is needed.
Any user without EbooksWriter installed who loads an .EXE ebook will see the ebook in a read-only environment. In the same way, a user that loads an AEH file and tries to read it with the free EbooksReader will have the same read-only environment. The end user/reader would not normally have EbooksWriter installed on their PC, but you can however set up a password to prevent editing even in such a case.
Do I put a hyperlink to the free ebook reader on my website, or do I put the ebook reader itself on my website?
You can put EbooksReader itself on your website (or you can supply the SFX exe that contains the EbooksReader).
How can I distribute your free reader with my Web site?
Please download and distribute the packed auto-installing file that you can get by
clicking here.
To distribute it, simply load the file somewhere in your site, for example in http://www.yoursite.com/EbooksReaderFREE-e.exe (you need WS_FTP or a similar FTP program to do this). Then place a graphic, select it, use the right mouse button, define link, 3rd tab, press "+ Add", insert http://www.yoursite.com/EbooksReaderFREE-e.exe
Can the free ebook reader that people can download or open at my Web Site open documents that have more pages than 40 (the limit of the free EBooksWriter)?
The free EBooksReader has no limits.
Once I set up my E-Book on the Web can a person print the entire 50 pages at once with one click or do they need to print each page one at a time?
Yes they can use File >Print all. It prints the ebook in the order you defined with "Hypertext >Predefined page order TOC".
Does the EBooksWriter have a function to accept credit cards online?
This is a function provided by various credit card services. With a direct account you can insert a form or some codes in your Web pages in order to take orders; Some third party services that provide you with the ability to accept credit cards are swreg.org, clickbank.com, kagi.com and a lot more.
How can I sell my ebooks? I know I can put a sample ebook on my site for the free downloading, but is there a way to send the .AEH or .EXE file of the full book only to customers who have paid?
There are companies that can provide ESD (electronic software delivery) i.e. deliver a file only after payment is received. Try for example
www.swreg.org.
I created some pages with the LITE version, can I use the project with the PRO edition, without having to redo it all?
Yes, sure.
I have some registration problems.
Write to the address provided in the registration email. Be sure to include your order # and possibly attach the receipt of the payment so we can proceed faster.
How can I get EbooksWriter?
EBooksWriter is available electronically or on CD.
EbooksWriter™ is a VisualVision product.
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