How to Use the eBook Starter Software
How to Use the eBook Starter Software
When using the eBook Starter software, there are two ways in which you can create an ebook. You can use your own html files or you can use the eBook Starter templates.
Option 1 - Creating an eBook with Your Own HTML Files
This method of creating an ebook will require that you have your own web page (HTML) files already created.
If you have your ebook written in Microsoft Word, you can use the Word program to convert your document to HTML. See your Word help for assistance.
Starting Your Project
Your first step in creating your new eBook will be to click on the 'New Project' icon on the eBook Starter toolbar. This will open the 'Files Window.'
Next, click on the top 'Files' tab and select the 'Files' tab on the left to view the files on your computer -- they will be displayed within the 'Files Window.'
Adding Your File Folder to Your Project
To add your 'Files' to your project, click on the 'Folder' containing your eBook files to highlight, and then on the green '+' to add your 'Files' to your eBook Project.
Adding Your Individual Files to Your Project
You can add individual 'Files' to your project by clicking on the 'Files' to highlight, and then on the green '+' to add your 'Files' to your eBook project. You can also add the complete 'Folder' or individual 'Files' by right clicking on your mouse and going to 'Add to Project.'
Working with Your Files
Placing Your Pages in Order - Click on the green up and down arrow buttons to place your 'Pages' in order -- beginning with your opening 'Page.'
Clearing the Story Tree - Click on the 'x' button to clear the entire story tree. Note: Use this option with care, as it will delete your entire ebook.
To select your page properties, click on each file and select your options within the 'Page Properties' window at the bottom of the 'Project' window. Note: the 'Include in TOC' option is for use with ebooks created with the templates only.
Selecting Your Right Click Options - To allow users to use their right click mouse menu, click on each 'Page' and place a check by the 'Allow Right Click' option within the 'Page Properties' section (This function is only available if you've selected the 'Custom' right click option within the 'Options' - 'Security' section -- step five within the wizard).
Password Protecting Individual Files - To password protect individual pages, click on each 'Page' and place a check by the 'Password Protection' option within the 'Page Properties' section (This function is only available if you've selected 'Password' -'Selected Pages' under 'Security Type' within the 'Options' -'Security' section -- step five within the wizard).
Selecting Individual File Search Preferences - To specify which 'Pages' should be searchable within your ebook, click on each 'Page' and place a check by the 'Searchable' option within the 'Page Properties' section.
Selecting Your Ebook's Options
To select your ebook's options, click on the 'Options' button on the eBook Starter toolbar.
Setting Up Your Ebook's Toolbar
To set up your ebook's toolbar, go to 'Project' - 'Toolbar' on the eBook Starter toolbar.
Setting Up Your Ebook's System Pages
To set up your ebook's system pages, such as the 'About' page, go to 'Project' - 'System Pages' on the eBook Starter toolbar.
Saving Your Project
To save your project so that you can edit your ebook in the future, click on the 'Save Project' button on the eBook Starter toolbar.
Compiling Your Ebook
To compile your files into the ebook format, click on the 'Compile' button on the eBook Starter toolbar.
Uploading Your Ebook
Your next step will be to upload your ebook to your server in BINARY mode.
When you create an ebook, the system creates a folder that contains your ebook's files (template, text, images, etc.), a folder that contains your ebook's system files (toolbar buttons, logo, variables, etc.), your ebook's project file and your actual ebook file.
If you called your ebook dog_grooming, here's what these folders and files will be called:
dog_grooming.files (template, text, images, etc.)
dog_grooming.system (toolbar buttons, logo, variables, etc.)
dog_grooming.ebp (ebook settings)
dog_grooming.exe (your ebook)
The only file you need to upload to your server is the EXE file, which is created when you compile your ebook.
Creating a Download (Thank you) Page
Your final step will be to set up a download web page for your ebook. This page will be used to enable your customers to download your ebook. You can learn how within the eBook Starter 'Help' files (Click on the 'Help' button on the eBook Starter toolbar) under the 'Creating a Download Link' section.
Creating an eBook with the eBook Templates
Prior to beginning this tutorial, it is highly recommended that you watch our ebook creation video here: http://www.ebookstarter.com/help_videos/ebook_creation/
This video will make the process much easier.
1. Your first step will be to select a template. On the eBook Starter toolbar, click on the 'New Project' button. The 'Project' and 'Files' windows will load.
2. Click on the 'Files' tab within the new window that just loaded.
3. Select the template set you'd like to use by clicking on the file name once just to highlight. Add the template to your project by clicking on the green '+' plus sign at the top of the 'File' window.
4. Click over to the 'Project' window to begin building your ebook's pages.
To build your pages, click on the page file within your project and then on the 'Add Default Page' icon (page with green '+' plus sign) for each page you'd like to add.
Although you can add chapters, it's really not necessary, as you can rename your pages and have the option to select which pages should appear within your 'Table of Contents' at the bottom of the screen.
5. Rename all of your pages by clicking on the page to highlight, right click on your mouse and go to 'Edit Name.' Type a new name for your page. If you elect to display your page within the 'Table of Contents,' (depending on your selected template) these are the names that will display.
6. Click on each page and select your 'Page Properties' at the bottom of the screen.
You're now ready to begin adding text to your pages.
Preparing to Add Text to Your Pages
If you're using one of the templates, you will need to create your ebook page by page and manually edit each page. This will include either typing in your text or copying and pasting it from another source. For example, if you select one of the two-sided templates, you will need to edit both sides of the page within the editor (Step by step instructions can be found within the 'Help' files.).
If you will be copying your text from another source, you will need to decide how much text you would like to appear within each side of the page. If the amount of text you place within each page stretches beyond the actual vertical page size, scroll bars will automatically appear. If you don't want the scroll bars to appear, simply remove some of your text.
If you don't mind the scroll bars, you can paste a whole standard page, such as the page size in a program like Word, on each side -- the choice is yours.
When you begin specifying the number of pages your ebook should contain, keep in mind, if you're using a two-sided template, each page you add will have two sides. So, for example, if you specify that your ebook will have 10 pages, there will actually be twenty.
If you'd rather not have to place your text within both sides of a template, you may want to use one of the one page templates.
How to Copy and Paste
If you're new to computers, this section will help you learn how to copy and paste text.
To copy and paste text from one location to another, place your mouse pointer over the beginning of the text you would like to copy.
Next, click and hold your left mouse button and drag your mouse over all the code you would like to copy. Your code should now be highlighted.
Go to 'Edit' - 'Copy' on your web browser's toolbar and then place your cursor where you would like to place the text. Right click on your mouse and go to 'Paste.' Your text should now be displayed.
If you are unable to go to 'Edit' - 'Copy' on your web browser's toolbar, place your mouse pointer over the highlighted text, right click on your mouse and go to 'Copy.' To paste your text, place your cursor where you would like your text to appear, right click on your mouse and go to 'Paste.' Your text should now display.
Copying & Pasting Text From a Word Processing Program into the Templates
If you've written your document in a program, such as Word, unfortunately, you cannot paste text directly from your document into the templates, as the text will not display correctly. The fonts may have different styles and sizes and may display one way in the editor and a different way when previewed. Even if the formatting isn't visible, it's still there.
As Word and similar software adds special formatting to documents that isn't compatible with standard editors, such as eBook Starter, you must first remove the formatting.
Here's how...
The easiest way to remove the formatting is to paste your text into NotePad. You can find it on your computer by going to 'Start' - 'All Programs' - 'Accessories' - 'NotePad.' Once the formatting has been removed, you can then copy and paste your text from NotePad into the template pages.
Editing Your Ebook Pages
You can edit your pages by double clicking on the page within your 'Project' screen. The pages will open in the editor.
If you're using a two sided template, you can select which side of the page you would like to edit by clicking on the drop down box right below the 'Edit' and 'Preview' tabs.
For additional information on editing your templates, see the 'Editing Your Templates' section within the eBook Starter 'Help' files. Click on the 'Help' button on the eBook Starter toolbar.
Working with Variables
Variables are powerful little codes that can be used within your eBooks for customization purposes.
All of the templates contain a variety of variables that will automatically display your information, such as your copyrights, the year, your company name, etc., simply by filling in your variable preferences within the 'Variables' screen.
Prior to compiling your eBook, you will need to scan your files for these variables. You can do so by going to 'Project' -'Variables.' All of the variables found within your files will be displayed within the 'Variables' screen.
You can edit these variables by typing in the values within the 'Variables Value' section.
For further information, visit the 'Working with Variables' section.
Selecting Your Ebook's Options
To select your ebook's options, such as security, your toolbar, etc., click on the 'Options' button on the eBook Starter toolbar.
Setting Up Your Ebook's Toolbar
To select which buttons should appear on your ebook's toolbar, go to 'Project' - 'Toolbar' on the eBook Starter toolbar.
Setting Up Your Ebook's System Pages
To set up your ebook's system pages, such as the 'About' page, go to 'Project' - 'System Pages' on the eBook Starter toolbar.
Saving Your Project
To save your project so that you can edit your ebook in the future, click on the 'Save Project' button on the eBook Starter toolbar.
Compiling Your Ebook
To compile your files into the ebook format, click on the 'Compile' button on the eBook Starter toolbar.
Uploading Your Ebook
Your next step will be to upload your ebook to your server in BINARY mode.
When you create an ebook, the system creates a folder that contains your ebook's files (template, text, images, etc.), a folder that contains your ebook's system files (toolbar buttons, logo, variables, etc.), your ebook's project file and your actual ebook file.
If you called your ebook dog_grooming, here's what these folders and files will be called:
* dog_grooming.files (template, text, images, etc.)
* dog_grooming.system (toolbar buttons, logo, variables, etc.)
* dog_grooming.ebp (ebook settings)
* dog_grooming.exe (your ebook)
The only file you need to upload to your server is the EXE file, which is created when you compile your ebook.
Creating a Download (Thank you) Page
Your final step will be to set up a download web page for your ebook. This page will be used to enable your customers to download your ebook. You can learn how within the eBook Starter 'Help' files (Click on the 'Help' button on the eBook Starter toolbar) under the 'Creating a Download Link' section.
Backing Up Your Project Files
Due to Windows updates and other updates running in the background causing problems when running software programs on your computer, it is HIGHLY recommended that you make back up copies of your project files.
To make a back up copy of your project, open your project and go to 'File' - 'Save Project As,' give your project a different name, such as backup_project, and save it to a different location.
The Windows updates have been known to completely crash software programs and computer systems. If the Windows update caused the eBook Starter software to crash, you would lose any portion of your project that you had been working on, or even your entire project, as the software wouldn't have had a chance to save your work.
Do this each time you make any changes. You might also want to save your files onto a CD or even another hard drive.
eBook Starter Updates
Before you begin creating your ebook, please ensure that you have the latest version of eBook Starter by going to 'Help' - 'Internet Updates' on the eBook Starter toolbar. This is very important, as our latest version will enable your ebooks to be compatible with the new Windows Vista operating system.