How to Make Content for Your iLiad_0

8/8/2019 How to Make Content for Your iLiad_0

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How to make content for your iLiad

Version 1.2

November 2, 2006

All rights reserved(c) 2006 iRex Technologies


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Content

1 Content formats 41.1 Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) 4

1.2 Portable Document Format (PDF) 41.3 Images 51.4 Notes (iLiad format) 5

2 How to create PDF documents 62.1 The PDF printer 62.2 Paper size 72.3 Printing A4 based documents 7

2.3.1 In Microsoft Word 82.3.2 In Microsoft PowerPoint 13

2.4 Create optimized content 202.4.1 In Microsoft Word 20

2.5 Generate your content 222.5.1 Attention points 22

2.5.2 Print your document 233 How to create HTML documents 293.1 HTML source 293.2 Navigation 29

3.2.1 The overview pages 323.2.2 The alternative view pages 33

3.3 The manifest file 34

3.3.1 Metadata element 353.3.2 Index element 37

3.4 Colours 39


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4 How to create a Note 404.1 The fields 4

4.1.1 Title 4

4.1.2 Description 44.1.3 Type 44.1.4 StarPage 44.1.5 ScribleName 44.1.6 ImgFileName and PageName 42

4.2 The structure 42


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1 Content formats

1.1 Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML)

The benefit of HTML is that the text can be enlarged on tiLiad and you can make links in your documents to othlocations in your document. However, detailed formattiof your layout is no longer feasible since the amount of te

depends on the size of the font the user of the iLiad hselected.

1.2 Portable Document Format (PDF)

PDF has been developed to transfer documents froediting software to printing installations keeping the exalayout on a pre-defined paper size. Although the iLiad wscale the document so it will fit the display it will mean thall text and images are decreased in size with the risk thit can no longer be read.

The advantage of using PDF is that you are in full conton how your content is presented on the iLiad.


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1.3 Images

The iLiad supports 3 different image formats:

Windows or OS2 Bitmap (BMP)

Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPG)

Portable Network Graphics (PNG)

When you open an image on the iLiad the Not

application will be used to display the image. When yostart writing on the image a copy is made of the originand stored in a separate document together with yowritten information.

The name of the new document is a combination of toriginal image filename and a timestamp which is

combination of the date and the time (GMT).

1.4 Notes (iLiad format)

The Notes format has been specially developed to suppotaking notes with your iLiad. Each page of a Note is image that can be stored in different graphic formats indicated in chapter 1.3.

The main difference to an image is that a Notes file cause several images and so create a document that usdifferent images for each page.


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2 How to create PDF documents

2.1 The PDF printer

In order to create PDF documents you will need to instalPDF printer on your PC that provides you with a "virtuaprinter that creates PDF documents instead of papoutput. This printer will work the same as any othphysical paper printer, after installing any program that cprint to paper can than also generate PDF documents.

There are many commercial and free PDF printers that cbe used, for example the PDFCreator from pdfforge thcan be downloaded using the Internet Explorer on a Pfrom their web-site at

http://www.pdfforge.org/products/pdfcreator

Select the download menu in order to locally store tsetup application on your harddisk.

After the download and installation of the printer you wsee that a printer has been installed with the namPDFCreator. This printer will be used in the examples th

are presented in this chapter.


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2.2 Paper size

The area for displaying content is 124x152mm (close

A6) while most office documents are generated in A4 letter paper size. The iLiad can handle A4/letter sizes (any other size) by resizing this automatically so it fits tdisplay size, for an A4 paper this results in decreasing theight of text and images by 50%. Due to the higresolution and brightness of the iLiad display in macases the resizing the A4 to an A6 size will still readable, but an original 11 point height text will result an 7 point height text on the iLiad.

This can be prevented by using an custom paper size fthe document, however, existing documents will requirefull editing of the layout size the paper size has change

This document explains how to optimize the printer settinso A4 documents are represented optimal and how create optimized content using a custom paper size.

2.3 Printing A4 based documents


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2.3.1 In Microsoft Word

Select the printcommand in the file menu

Select as printer the PDFCreator printer Click the propertiesbutton to setup the PDFCreat

printer

Click the Advanced button to setup the PDFCreatprinter


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Select the matching paper size of your document, this example A4.

Press the OK button to close the PDFCreatAdvanced Options dialog

Press the OK button to close the PDFCreat

Document Properties dialog Press the OK button to start printing in the Print

dialog, this will start the PDFCreator


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Fill in any details you think are needed, these anot visible on the iLiad but stored as part of the PDdocument that can be displayed in Acrobat Readon the PC using the document properties option the file menu.

Press the Save button to start generating the PD

document. If your iLiad is connected to your PC using the US

cable than you can directly print to a folder on tiLiad. Select the correct location and press the Sabutton.


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After disconnecting your iLiad you can open tdocument and enjoy your own content.


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2.3.2 In Microsoft PowerPoint

In many (or most) cases presentations are made

landscape mode using a page size that is defined for "OScreen Show". This is no problem for the iLiad, it resizthe page size so it fits the display size of the iLiad. Tmaximize the area of the display used, PDFCreator crotate the landscape pages and print them in portrait modIn this case the iLiad can be used in landscape mode indicated in the image below.

Select the printcommand in the file menu

Select as printer the PDFCreator printer

Click the propertiesbutton to setup the PDFCreatprinter


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Select the Landscape orientation, rotating will done later in PDFCreator

Click the Advanced button to setup the PDFCreatprinter


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Select the matching paper size of your document, this example A4.

Press the OK button to close the PDFCreat

Advanced Options dialog Press the OK button to close the PDFCreat

Document Properties dialog

Press the OK button to start printing in the Printdialog, this will start the PDFCreator


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Fill in any details you think are needed, these anot visible on the iLiad but stored as part of the PDdocument that can be displayed in Acrobat Readon the PC using the document properties option

the file menu. Press the Options button to setup the rotation of t

document.


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Press the PDF button and set the Auto-RotaPages to None

Press the Save button to close the Options DialoRemember to set this back to Single Page whprinting portrait based documents!


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Press the Save button to start generating the PDdocument.

If your iLiad is connected to your PC using the US

cable than you can directly print to a folder on tiLiad. Select the correct location and press the Sabutton.

After disconnecting your iLiad you can open tdocument and enjoy your own content.


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2.4 Create optimized content

2.4.1 In Microsoft Word

Start a new document

Set the paper margins by selecting the Page Setcommand in the File menu. Set the margins shown in the next image


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Define a custom page size and set the dimensioto 124x152mm

Press the OK button to accept the settings areturn to your document


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2.5 Generate your content

After clicking the OK button you will return to the docume

and you can start editing your text, all functions of Wocan be used as you would normally do. You can use all tfonts and styles that are available on your PC, below somexamples to illustrate the size on the screen.

Arial, 8pt, normal Arial, 8pt, italic Arial, 8pt, boldArial, 11pt, normal Arial, 11pt, italic Arial, 11pt, bo

Arial, 14pt Arial, 14pt Arial, 14pt

Times NRoman, Times NRoman, Times NRoma

11pt, normal 11pt, italic 11pt, bold

2.5.1 Attention points

Page numbers : The iLiad automatically adds panumbers to your document; there is need to include them in your document

Images : The iLiad automatically converts all tcolour images into the correct grey lev

images.


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2.5.2 Print your document

When you have completed your document you c

generate the PDF document by selecting the prcommand in the Filemenu and select the PDF Creator printer. Select the Postscript Custom Page option in tScale to paper size and click on the properties button setup the PDF Creator.


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Click on the Advancedbutton for more detailed settings.


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Select the PostScript Custom size in order to setup tpaper size.


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Click on the Edit Custom Page Size to define the pagdimensions. Define a paper size of 124x152mm.

After this, click the OK button on each dialog to close

dialogs and start the printing process.


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Since the PDF printer will generate a PDF document tnext thing you will see is below listed dialog that can used for adding additional information to the PDdocument. This information is saved in the PDF docume

when you use Adobe Acrobat Reader this informatiDocument Properties in the File menu. The iLiad will nmake use of this information so in many cases the defavalues that are presented are acceptable.

Before you press the Save button to generate tdocument, the best thing to do is to connect your iLiad


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your PC using the USB connection. This will allow you save the document directly to your iLiad instead of first your local hard drive and than copy it later when your iLiis connected. For the final result there is no difference,

only saves time. When you press the Savebutton you csave your document to one of the available folders, fexample the documentsfolder.

After disconnecting your iLiad you can open the documeand enjoy your own content.


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3 How to create HTML documents

3.1 HTML source

The iLiad supports all basic HTML commands (versi4.01) and X-HTML (version 1.0). Creating the HTMsource extends the scope of this document, this can done using existing HTML tools including Microsoft Wo

(using the menu option Save asin the Filemenu selectiHTML as file format).

3.2 Navigation

Next to changing the font size, a clear benefit of HTML that it supports hyperlinks allowing you to control horeaders can navigate through the content. Next to standahyperlinks the iLiad supports additional commands enhance the navigation model, to explain the possibilitian example is used showing simple navigation newspaper content.


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The figure below show the typical navigation model: tuser is presented a full overview of the page (1), clickion an article opens the article (5 or 6). Pressing the up kbrings the user back to the overview page (back to

Going to the next page will show the overview of tsecond page of the newspaper (3) allowing access to tarticles on that page (7 and 8). Since in some cases theadlines are to difficult to read an alternative view can displayed that presents the same content in an optimizway (2 or 4), this is activated by a long press on tconfirm key. Pressing on these alternative views will sho

the same articles (5, 6, 7 or 8).


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4

Each item is a separate HTML file (in this case 8 filethese are 2 reasons to do this:

The files are small and can there for be loaded faste

Navigation in an article is limited to the article: paforward/backward will show the next/previous screof the article, when the end has been reached it wnot show the start of the next article.


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3.2.1 The overview pages

In this example the overview page (1 or 3) is a simpHTML document that holds an image of the full newspap

page in JPG, BMP, PNG or GIF format. The PNG formatpreferred since it will result in the smallest file size. Tdimensions of the image are 935 pixels in height and 76pixels in width. Since the iLiad supports 16 levels of grathe best option is to use a greyscale image in stead ofcolour image, this will result in a small file size. On top the image an image map is defined that outlines t

different articles. The hyperlinks are set to the differeHTML files that hold the content of the article.

In order to link the file to the next (and possible previouoverview pages below listed code needs to be added in tdocument:

Next overview page

Previous overview page

Alternative view of this page


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3.2.2 The alternative view pages

As mentioned, an overview page might result in text th

can no longer be read, especially if headlines can longer be read the iLiad supports a method to quickly shoan alternative view (2 or 4) of the overview page thpresents the user with more detailed information on tarticles.

In this example the alternative page uses the sam

construction as the overview page; it holds an image of tfull newspaper page but now with pop-up windows showithe article headline and the first lines of the article. On toof the image an image map is defined that outlines tdifferent pop-up windows and the hyperlinks are set to tsame HTML files that hold the content of the article.

There are many ways to represent alternative views, texample uses pop-up windows to stay close to the originlayout of the overview page. However, this is again standard HTML document so it can also be replaced withpage that shows in normal text the article headline and tfirst 2 or 3 lines of the article and linking each headline

the HTML file that holds the content of the article.

Also in the alternative view pages the navigation should added; in this case to the next (and possible previoualternative pages. By using the overview page


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"alternative page" the user can switch quickly betweeoverview and alternative pages:

Next alternative view page

Previous alternative page

Alternative view of this page

3.3 The manifest file

In many cases structuring your HTML content results many separate HTML files that are linked to each other. the previous example already 8 files are generated, if th

were simply stored on the iLiad it will result in listing content items. To prevent this, the iLiad supports a methoso that the full set of files is represented as a single conteitem: the manifest file.

The manifest file is a simple text file that is placed in tsame folder as all the files that are part of the content ite

The filename must always be 'manifest.xml', please masure that all characters are in lowercase.


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The informal XML schema of the manifest file is showbelow:

The package element contains 2 child elements: odescribing package metadata, the other conveyinavigation information for the E-reader newspaper viewer

3.3.1 Metadata element

The metadata element provides information about t

content item. It contains a Dublin Core [DC] metadaelement (dc-metadata) as well as additional E-readmetadata (y-metadata):


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The dc-metadata element contains typical Dublin Cometadata describing the content item:

The Daily Planetfree text description2006-02-21T04:02:03text/x-ereader-document31a772fb-a745-4d69-bc29-

719ac1425bcddut/nlanewspaper

The identifier field is only needed if distribution of tcontent is done using the iDS. The y-metadata elemecontains e-Reader specific metadata concerning tcontent item:

000000index.htmlereader_page.jpg000

The FileSize and ItemSize fields should be set to 0 whthe manifest is in the same folder as the separate HTMfiles. The StartPage field lists the first file to open when tuser selects the content item. The Image field points to


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thumbnail image of the content item, the image size shoube 69 x 93 pixels. To limit the file size it is recommended save this image in PNG format with gray scales only. TVersion field is only used when the document is distribute

by the iDS, this allows previous versions of the samcontent to be over-written with the new version.

3.3.2 Index element

The index element includes records to instruct the iLiad what to show on the page indicator and how to react if t

user presses on a specific field on the page indicator.

For instance:


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Each file that is part of the content must contain the belometa data:

were XXXXX should be one of the defined pagelist typeMultiple files can use the same type definition, basicathis defines a template of how the page indicator is setfor a specific type of document.

When the browser opens a HTML file it searches for th

meta name definition, when found it opens the manifest fand finds the matching pagelist definition. The count fiedefines how many pages are listed in the page indicator this case 2 pages). It also finds the page that is assignedthe HTML file, this is used to set the current active page the page indicator. When the user presses on page 1 in tpage indicator the browser will than open the link as list

in the specific page number field.


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3.4 Colours

The iLiad supports 16 levels of gray that are linea

spaced between black and white. In HTML below listcolour codes can be used for controlling the layout of yodocuments:

# HTML R G B

WHITE 15 #FFFFFF 255 255 25514 #EEEEEE 238 238 238

13 #DDDDDD221 221 221

12 #CCCCCC204 204 204

11 #BBBBBB 187 187 187

LIGHT GREY 10 #AAAAAA 170 170 170

9 #999999 153 153 153

8 #888888 136 136 136

7 #777777 119 119 119

6 #666666 102 102 102

DARK GREY 5 #555555 85 85 85

4 #444444 68 68 68

3 #333333 51 51 51

2 #222222 34 34 341 #111111 17 17 17

BLACK 0 #000000 0 0 0


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4 How to create a Note

A Note file is a collection of images that are used assingle document. The order of the images is defined in

additional file called tmanifest file (manifest.xmwhich is an XML fdefining the structure. The

XML file can be generatusing a XML editor liMicrosoft Word. The easieway to do this is to generaa new Notes on the Iliad opening an image and wrsome text on it. When t

document is closed and tiLiad is connected to the Pthe newly created Notes placed in a folder with name that is a combinatiof the original imafilename and a timestamp

When the file manifest.xml is opened using Word thstructure is presented and the fields can be manuaedited.


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4.1 The fields

4.1.1 Title

This text appears in a large font as the name of tdocument on the Iliad in the Content Lister.

4.1.2 Description

This text appears in a smaller font just below the title of tdocument on the Iliad in the Content Lister.

4.1.3 Type

Should always be "irx".

4.1.4 StarPage

Not used for now, can be any filename.

4.1.5 ScribleName

The name file that will be used for storing the additionwritten information. No extension is allowed, the extensi".irx" will automatically be added in order to associate th


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file with the MyScript Notes software for converting yohandwritten text into digital text.

4.1.6 ImgFileName and PageName

These fields can be used several times to add a page the Notes file. For each page the ImgFileName indicatwhich image to use that is stored in the same folder as tmanifest file. The PageName should be an unique for thpage, if more pages use the same image for tbackground (and so use the same value for t

ImgFileName field) than the PageName field must different.

4.2 The structure

When the manifest file and all images are generated thshould all be placed in a folder on the iLiad. The name the folder is not important; the iLiad uses the Title aDescription fields in the manifest file for presenting tdocument in the Content Lister.

Documents

How to Make Content for Your iLiad_0