Dead Tree Books, eBook, Questions and Answers, Writer Reference

Indie Publishing: Best software for creating eBooks

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Question:

What Windows application can I use to create beautifully looking e-books, withe possibility to export in both PDF and Kindle?

Answer:

There are a few options.

But first: PDF isn’t an ebook format. Please don’t make the mistake that others have by trying to sell a PDF file. If you want to create an ebook, there are two formats: ePub and Amazon’s format.  That’s it.  PDF is for creating fixed-format documents; eBooks are reflowable files that allow a reader to read them in the most comfortable way possible; larger font, smaller font, font they like to read the most, landscape or portrait, etc.  PDF files don’t play well with eReaders or apps, and they’re – ultimately – a format for making a document look the same on screen as it does if it were printed; it’s a print format, not an ebook format.

To your answer:

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Warbirds

Navy Retires EA-6B Prowler to Palm Springs Air Museum

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

A press release from the Palm Springs Air Museum:

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – As the sound of two Pratt and Whitney jet engines echoed through the San Jacinto Mountain Range, one of the last four Navy EA-6B ‘Prowler’ fixed-wing aircraft still in service, made its triumphant final fly-by over the Palm Springs Air Museum, Nov. 21, 2014.“It was truly an honor to see such a great aircraft make its final voyage,” said Air Force veteran Don Broadhurst, ramp boss, Palm Springs Air Museum.More than 300 people attended the retirement ceremony to witness the final flight of the aircraft that had been in service since 1987. The A-6 style fixed-wing aircraft has been in service with the U.S. military since the 1960s and part of the Navy’s aerial fleet since 1971 providing electronic warfare support and attack capabilities. “It was an honor to fly this piece of history, and I have a good feeling that [the museum] is going to take good care of the aircraft,” said Navy Cmdr. Kirk Christofferson, executive officer of Electronic Attack Squadron 134.

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National Parks

Yosemite National Park Launches New Website to Commemorate 125th Anniversary

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

On October 1, 2015, Yosemite National Park will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the establishment of Yosemite National Park. On that date President Benjamin Harrison signed legislation which created the United States of America’s third National Park. With a stroke of a pen, over 1,500 square miles of pristine California land was preserved for future generations.

To celebrate this occasion, Yosemite National Park has launched a new website specifically geared to the 125th Anniversary.

From the National Park Service:

“The events in the gateway communities were a huge part of the success of the 150th anniversary of the Yosemite Grant,” stated Don Neubacher, Yosemite National Park Superintendent. “We are looking forward to working closely with our gateway communities again as we celebrate this significant historical milestone.”

The website offers a calendar of all anniversary events, projects, and commemorations that will take place throughout 2015. Additionally, visitors to the site will be provided opportunities to share their Yosemite stories;read a timeline of Yosemite’s rich history;learn how to host and/or organize an anniversary event or activity;and apply to use the anniversary logo on retail products.

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Outdoors, Videos

Ghost Towns – Yosemite Nature Notes

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

California’s Gold Rush initially occurred in 1848 and lasted at a fevered pitch until 1855.  Gold and silver were still to be found after that period, and many prospectors tooled the Sierra Nevada looking for the ore that would change their lives.  Tioga Hill became home to these hearty men who lived and moved stone by hand in the 1880s.  Tioga Pass at the crest of the Sierra Nevada range saw men come in droves.  They brought machinery, livestock, and dreams. They built towns like Dana Village, Bennettvile and worked at places like the Golden Crown Mine.

From the video: “today’s popular Tioga Road was once a simple wagon road built to access the wealth of minerals that were never found.”

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California, State Parks

Free Park Entry for Veterans on Veterans Day – November 11th

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

From the California State Parks Foundation:

As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day, we at CSPF want to thank all those who have served and who are currently serving our country.

We also want to spread the word that for the first time veterans and active duty military personnel are eligible for free day-use access to California’s state parks on Tuesday, November 11 for Veterans Day. Free day-use access will be provided at state parks currently operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation that are accessible with a vehicle day use pass.

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