Author Topic: Introduction + New eBooks  (Read 1513 times)

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Offline Mal

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Introduction + New eBooks
« on: May 28, 2010, 01:40:01 AM »
I've been lurking around these forums for some time, mainly in keeping tabs with any hint of news on a possible film (because it just seems like a crime for them to *not* be a film).

HISTORY
I first discovered the series for myself during my fifth grade. Back then I absolutely loved reptiles, one of my favorites being Anole lizards. So when I'm scrounging around the classroom bookshelf for a new book, and I see a small blue book with an Anole on it, guess what happened...

It was this series that basically shaped my fandom from that point on, as I now tend to love dark, dramatic storylines in the same vain. But because of them, I've since become spoiled, and my frequent trips to Borders and B&N turn fruitless as I continuously hunt for a dark, long, sci-fi epic that would engage me as much as this series once did.

From the moment I read Invasion in the fifth grade, I knew they were perfect movie material. The TV series was blasphemy, and I like to forget that it even existed. Sixth grade I had access to the internet, and from then on, continuously looked for any news of a film.

A few years ago, I discovered this forum and the Hirac Delest blog (surpised me as a sort of hidden society which I thought never existed. I was also shocked at how active it was, and still is), which I figured would be the best source for any news of an upcoming film. A week ago was one of those periodic searches, and read how Scholastic is apparently being asinine about it, which I now understand why there is currently no movie. I also learned about the books making a comeback, planned for next year, as a sort of test run to see how a sequel series might fair.

This is cause for a freaking celebration.

I could never have imagined something like this to ever happen, but it has me worried at the same time. I know they're being targeted to the younger crowed, and not us (unfortunately). And without any sort of changes or updates. They are incredibly dated in this era, and it's hard for me to see them becoming successful because of it. The younger crowd will not understand cultural references of the late 90s. But I digress. I do hope for their success.


EBOOKS
About a week ago, after catching some of the news on one of the threads, I decided to download the entire collection of ebooks from the download section, and happily stick them on my iphone (the entire series in my freaking back pocket. Yes.). I found an app that could read PDF files, which I'm happy with. However, after previewing the ebooks on the iphone, I noticed they didn't quite look right... They were hard to read and even look at. Desperate to have them in perfect reading form, I researched what exactly goes in to making an ebook. It turns out there's a certain format for ebooks that makes them more enjoyable and easier to read (margins, fonts, spacing, etc.).

This was never really my intention from the beginning.. but since the greatest things in life are complete accidents (as I like to say), I am now in the process of formatting every single book into proper ebook form. Something like a "Beautification Process". Obviously it's going to take awhile.

As they are turning out nicely, I thought I would share them. Would any other fellow iphone users (or just anyone) be interested in these as they get finished?

Preview (from book 1, however the first three books are finished):
COVER EXPLANATION: I was never all that fond of the original covers, and even though I'm lacking in graphical talent, I have at least attempted *something*.

This is one hell of an introduction, and judging from my past history on other forums, you probably won't ever hear this much from me ever again.

EDIT: I have just taken notice of the ebook project section, and although I have no idea what is currently being worked on, I will gladly make a topic on my own project for those who are interested (not just iphone users). There will be download links and updates as I finish them.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2010, 01:59:49 AM by Mal »

Offline KitsuneMarie

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2010, 09:11:52 AM »
Hey Mal! I noticed you lurking about because I hoped you were another Firefly fan, but I'm glad you're here whether you are or not! :)

I hated the tv show when it came out because it was, as you so wonderfully put, blasphemous. But now it just cracks me up. It's just so bad and it makes me laugh so much that I just can't bring myself to hate it, haha!

As you noticed, RAF has an ebook project that is very much alive and kicking. If you check the first page of this thread, you can see what exactly needs work and what has been completed. Most likely the reason the downloads didn't look right is because a lot of the completed files haven't been uploaded to the ebook page yet. I know you have your own system, and I think it looks really nice, but if you are interested in joining your powers of meticulous editing with our own, Dameg and the others would be grateful for your assistance. I have no idea how the RAF ebooks look on an iPhone, as I have the phone that comes free with a 2 year Verizon contract, lol, but the completed RAF projects look great on my computer. I bet Dameg would direct you to a completed file so you can see what it looks like.

Anyway, we're glad you're here, and we hope you'll stick around enough to engage in our quirky and fun little community.
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Offline Dameg

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #2 on: May 28, 2010, 12:44:13 PM »
wHELLcome, Mal!
I'm Vis... I'm Dameg, another RAFian. Come with me, please, I have something to show you. It's here, after this door *Open a heavy door* We call them the RAFprojects. *Lead Mal to a long and dark hallway, with many doors, some in the dark, some with light coming from the other side. Arrive near the first door* Here at your left... the most important project for you:

- The Ebooks project: [Help wanted!] Animorphs (http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php?board=14.0), Remnants (http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,157.0.html <= finished), Everworld (http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,331.0.html <= almost finished, it's our current priority, we need help to correct the volume #3 and check all the volumes to be sure there is no missing page) and GONE (new project?); the Everworld/Animorphs ebooks need to be cleaned a little (mistakes, missing pages, we don't know where the chapters begin and finish, etc.) so if you wanna be a correcter... call me, I head that projects.
As I know you've already noticed it, I engage you to go in this thread: http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=2975.0 and entirely read the first message (and if you have time, all the thread). This is where we talk about the project. Because it's cool you want to make them, but it's better if we do it all together. For example, the first book was already corrected, and is now quite beautiful. If you want to make them as you showed in your first message, OK, but you can take the already-edited ebooks to do so, it'd be easier. And as I head this project, if you could send me the ebooks you made, please.

Thanks for listening, and I already tell you wHELLcome in the Ebook Project! Now, let's go to the next door, who knows, maybe you'll like it too...

- RAFipedia: http://rafipedia.wetpaint.com/, an encyclopedia headed up by Estelore, our star (a true star, who make light and burn in space... but she has a body to come on Earth);

Next it's...

- the Audiobooks project: http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php?board=15.0, a full-cast audio version of Animorphs who need more "actors" and voices, headed by Kit Cloudkicker (Jess), MrGuy, Morfowt, and Wildweathel;

and here...

- the Graphic Novel project: http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,416.0.html and http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,2276.0.html, a Webcomic headed by Gafrash.

You also have...

- the Smiley project: http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,1691.0.html, we make Animated gifs, smileys about Animorphs (Andalites, Hork-Bajirs...);

here and facing it is...

- the Translation project: http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,1907.0.html, a recently started project/mutual support group for translations into other languages; currently only in French (Tocade, Anidragon and myself), Chinese (Morfowt), Indonesian (Nat), Swedish (Mira and Zana), and Esperanto (Wildweathel); we translate only the volumes never edited in our countries/languages, to make the ebooks;

Next door is for the special project:

- http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,3738.0.html: the adventures of the RAFians;

At the end it's for the little projects:

- the http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,3810.0.html;

- the http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,3911.0.html to make the planets we hear about in Animorphs;

- the paper-RPG project: a role-playing game (on table, with paper, pen and dices...) about the World of Animorphs; I head this project, and it'll be write in French at the beginning, but we need help to find, class and write everything we know about the species, the planets, the powers we see in Animorphs, fix them, see what we keep and what we can't keep (because of the KASU, not clear, exception for the main characters/books, etc.), complete the knowledges about species/planets we know and even create new species/planets...; this project will be on my own website, so if you wanna join, ask me the link ^^;

- the RPG project: http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,4069.0.html to make a video game about Animorphs, with RPGmaker;

- the Command-line game project: http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,3787.0.html for another kind of video game about Animorphs;

- the http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,3773.0.html where we count all the people killed by the Animorphs;

- the RAFkaraoke: http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,3150.0.html and http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,3635.msg245735.html#msg245735, where we make songs and sing them...

and some other projects who come and go. Please check the list: http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/board,13.0.html

*Standing in front of Mal* I hope you enjoyed your visit. Oh, and I also invite you to add your species on this list: http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,2154.0.html 'coz everybody isn't Human here. And we like to know who is what... For example, as you'll probably see, I'm a Controller. ... and if you want, you can add your age too: http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,318.0.html...
We also opened a http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0 to teach to each others our languages and other stuffs.
About that, "mal" in French means "bad" ;)

Now I have to go, I don't invite you for the meal, sorry. *Beginning to go down dark stairs. Mal can hear a cry coming from the cave.*
Have fun!
*Dameg disappears into the darkness, Mal is now alone in the hallway*

:edit:
PS: You wrote in the same time than me, Marie lol Thank you for telling her to join the project ^^ I really hope she will.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2010, 12:46:58 PM by Dameg »
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Offline KitsuneMarie

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2010, 01:04:27 PM »
Me too, Dameg! It's a great project! Hopefully if I ever find more time on my hands I can get back into it.
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Offline Dameg

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2010, 01:09:07 PM »
Don't worry, you're not the only one.
Maybe this summer, when everybody will be in holidays, the projects will wake up again!
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Offline Aluminator (Kit)

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2010, 05:15:10 PM »
Hey, Mal ^_^ Welcome to RAF. I'm Aluminator, but I go by... well, tons of names. Not sure how that happened.

It's great to see somebody who's enthusiastic about the ebooks. I also suggest you join the ebooks project, rather than starting your own. It seems silly to duplicate effort when we already have a group of people dedicated to accomplishing what you want to. Cause, yeah, any help on the project would be appreciated.

While you're here, take some time and check out the rest of RAF. It's a great community, and you're bound to find something to keep you here!

And yeah, Dameg, hopefully the ebook editing will pick up a bit. I should actually have time to finish the trilogy this weekend, so that's something, at least.

Marie and Abby are my wonderful RAFsisters ^_^
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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2010, 05:19:29 PM »
Welcome to RAF! I'm Gaz, nice to meet you!

Offline Stephquiem

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2010, 05:51:55 PM »
Welcome! :) I'm Steph.

Offline goom

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #8 on: May 28, 2010, 05:54:21 PM »
hey there, welcome to RAF! i think the new format looks pretty cool :)

Offline Mal

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #9 on: May 28, 2010, 11:17:41 PM »
 :explode:

Quote
- The Ebooks project: [Help wanted!] Animorphs (E-Book Project), Remnants (Remnants ebooks <= finished), Everworld (Everworld E-Books main thread <= almost finished, it's our current priority, we need help to correct the volume #3 and check all the volumes to be sure there is no missing page) and GONE (new project?); the Everworld/Animorphs ebooks need to be cleaned a little (mistakes, missing pages, we don't know where the chapters begin and finish, etc.) so if you wanna be a correcter... call me, I head that projects.
emailed you, for some reason I can't pm -.-"

There's like, an insane number of things going on all at once xD

Quote
*Standing in front of Mal* I hope you enjoyed your visit. Oh, and I also invite you to add your species on this list: What is your species? 'coz everybody isn't Human here. And we like to know who is what...
*I know I had a fanfiction around here somewhere...*

Lol... wow. I feel like I've found the Hidden Kingdom, or something like it xD As someone mentioned earlier, it does seem kinda silly to have duplicate projects (that's what I get for not finding the Projects thread before hand). Not sure if anything out there is iPhone proof, so I may continue the project for my own personal use. However, if anyone is interested in them, just give me a shout.

Thanks for all the welcomes ^_^
« Last Edit: May 29, 2010, 11:28:12 PM by Mal »

Offline goom

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #10 on: May 29, 2010, 01:05:49 AM »
i think mal is in both.

Offline KitsuneMarie

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #11 on: May 29, 2010, 01:34:58 AM »
Or to quote River Tam, "Mal. Bad... in the Latin."
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Offline goom

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #12 on: May 29, 2010, 01:58:11 AM »
hence malware

Offline Dameg

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #13 on: May 30, 2010, 01:30:46 PM »
And yeah, Dameg, hopefully the ebook editing will pick up a bit. I should actually have time to finish the trilogy this weekend, so that's something, at least.

I'm glad to hear that ^^
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Offline Kit Cloudkicker

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2010, 01:37:01 AM »
Soooooooooooo...lon g story short, I'm a dork. You can call me Jess. Don't be a stranger, and welcome to RAF  :P

Offline Mal

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #15 on: June 01, 2010, 07:37:53 PM »
Thank you ^_^ It's ok, I'm a dork too  :P

Currently deciding on my character... one of my personal fav's who's been in many of my fanfics.

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Re: Introduction + New eBooks
« Reply #16 on: June 03, 2010, 05:04:15 PM »
Oh dear, Jess...you know we're all dorks, here  ;D

Hi Mal!  I'm Tara, welcome to RAF!  D'you think those iPhone pdf files would work on a Droid?  I know they can read pdfs, so here's hoping!  In the meantime...wow, I totally need to get the series ebooks as they stand, on my phone!  Haha.

If you like roleplaying, Mal, and have a knack for writing, I might direct your attention toward the http://animorphsforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=2089.0 --this is a long-lived setting for the finest eccentric drinks, food, company and occasional space-time anomaly in the universe.  The bartender can't talk, and the building itself might not like the way you taste, but all you have to do is walk in and order up.  Make conversation at your own risk ;)


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