I was wondering, in the ebook section, why does everyone use RAR instead of 7z or Tar?

[zackddog]

Because it doesn't really matter which one you use as long as it's a free application. If we were compressing 100s of MBs per upload, yes, it would make a difference to purchase the full application, but when 80%+ of the posts here are around 1MB there's really no difference between one and the next. All of them unzip all of the other apps, so it's really about which one you got free at the time you got your computer.

[Bohica60]

It's simply a matter of personal preference on the part of the uploader. There is no designated archive program. Some users don't even use one and simply have the file in its ebook format as the download.

I used to use Winzip, I now use Winrar. I like it better for several reasons. One of them being that I can left-click on a .rar file and it opens a window showing me the contents of that file.

Another being that I can extract only the files I want from a .rar file. Sometimes you get a .rar file where the uploader has packed more crap in it than you really want (7-8 formats, a cover pic (seemingly ALWAYS named 'cover'!!!), a personal note/essay, even ads). This way I can unpack only those I need (usually 1 format and the cover pic), then trash the .rar file.

With Winzip, if I click on it, it starts unpacking, whether I wanted it to or not, plus with Winzip, unpacking is an all or nothing type of operation. And if it is weirdly named, you have NO idea what is inside before you unpack it.

7-Zip works well to unzip the files, too, and it's free.

Okay. I was just wondering because it's quite annoying to have to navigate to the directory of the file in the Terminal and then run: unrar file.rar

Then on top of that I have to build unrar

[musesinspire]

Another being that I can extract only the files I want from a .rar file. Sometimes you get a .rar file where the uploader has packed more crap in it than you really want (7-8 formats, a cover pic (seemingly ALWAYS named 'cover'!!!), a personal note/essay, even ads). This way I can unpack only those I need (usually 1 format and the cover pic), then trash the .rar file.

That's exactly why I use it, too! I don't need all that other crap... Just the .ePub and the graphic!

Hm. I always take the mobi and epub. Never the cover. It's probably called "cover" because of calibre

[Bohica60]

That's exactly why I use it, too! I don't need all that other crap... Just the .ePub and the graphic!

I've actually gotten to the point where, if there IS a .Mobi format present (my preferred reading format), I scrap it too in favor of the .Epub format. I can then edit that in Sigil and then let Calibre make me a new, improved .Mobi!

Hm. I always take the mobi and epub. Never the cover. It's probably called "cover" because of calibre

Hmm, my copies of Calibre have always named the cover the same as the book - "Title - Author" with the file type tacked on to that. "Title - Author.jpg" for example. Never had it leave one named "cover."
(Although there may be conversion programs which do do that)

a personal note/essay

I once got a love note, but I think the uploader included it by mistake (unless he (she?) were trying to organise an orgy with random people that way? )

[Bohica60]

a personal note/essay

I once got a love note, but I think the uploader included it by mistake (unless he (she?) were trying to organise an orgy with random people that way? )

Not quite what I meant, but ... okay ...
I was referring to personal site ads and/or pleas for donations so that they can "keep uploading all those wonderful books," etc, etc.

That's exactly why I use it, too! I don't need all that other crap... Just the .ePub and the graphic!

I've actually gotten to the point where, if there IS a .Mobi format present (my preferred reading format), I scrap it too in favor of the .Epub format. I can then edit that in Sigil and then let Calibre make me a new, improved .Mobi!

Hm. I always take the mobi and epub. Never the cover. It's probably called "cover" because of calibre

Hmm, my copies of Calibre have always named the cover the same as the book - "Title - Author" with the file type tacked on to that. "Title - Author.jpg" for example. Never had it leave one named "cover."
(Although there may be conversion programs which do do that)

1] Great idea

2] When Calibre downloads the cover with the metadata it always names it cover... for me at least.

[Bohica60]

1] Great idea

2] When Calibre downloads the cover with the metadata it always names it cover... for me at least.

Ah, ok, that would explain it then. I get my covers in one of three ways:

1) It came in the .rar with the book formats.
2) Putting the Title & Author name in Google and doing a search, then clicking on the "Images" on the left-hand side.
3) Editing the metadata in Calibre and clicking on the "Download cover" button and choosing from what it finds.

Never actually tried downloading the metadata with Calibre, as it always includes a bunch of (to my eyes) useless info that I will have to delete anyway. (I once had to hold the "Delete" button down for something like 27 seconds to clear all the crap out of the "Tags" position! )

I always do this with the books:

1) Push Download Metadata
2) Select my cover
3) Click in the tags section, press ctrl+a, and press backspace
4) Set the rating to 0 stars
5) Fill in the Series (and number) Field
6) Add the EPUB format
7) Close the metadata window
Right click on the book and go to share > send to a******@kindle.com