Can oStorybook replace a word processor? oStorybook can be used for both preparing and writing a complete book. It is not a word processor in the strict sense of the word, but it does have all the basic functions of a sophisticated program such as LibreOffice or MSWord. See the documentation for details of how to link your scenes with ODT or DOCX files.
How do I import my text into oStorybook? The easiest way is to copy and paste.
Since version 5.05.05 it's even simpler: you can import a file directly from LibreOffice (ODT) or MSWord (DOCX). This import can be used to create a new project, or simply to import the text for an existing scene. Since this version, you can also export your project directly in ODT or DOCX format.
Will oStorybook help me write a bestseller? Yes, of course.
No, of course not. There have always been, and always will be, writers who work only with paper and pencil, and there's nothing wrong with that. One of the advantages of oStorybook is that you don't have to remember all the information about your work all the time. If you work with a PC, oStorybook will be the right choice for you. Why not give it a try?
How can I use my file on another PC? Copy your file to the second PC, using a USB key for example. To locate your file, go to the menu File>File properties, in the tab ‘File information’ the heading ‘File name’ contains the full name of the path and of the file itself. Of course you must have installed oStorybook on both PCs.
Why should I split my big project into several parts? Quite simply because if you have more than a hundred scenes, you will quickly lose sight of the overall view of your project. On the other hand, processing a large number of scenes in one part is likely to cause slowdowns. In the end, it won't have any impact on your work, it's simply a way of optimising the organisation of your work.
How do I rename the copy of my file? You should use the File>Rename function. Make sure you do not enter the ‘.osbk’ extension, as this will be added automatically. Don't specify a folder either, just the name of the file. Alternatively, you can use the ‘Rename’ function in your file explorer. In this case, make sure you keep the ‘.osbk’ extension.
How much does it cost? Nothing at all, oStorybook is Free Software. Free Software is not always free, this one is. But perhaps you would like to give a little more than just your appreciation? Then give of yourself. Your own experience of using oStorybook can be a valuable asset for new users. Tell us about your most common uses. Do you often speak another language? Check whether there is a version of oStorybook in that language and if not, offer your translation of the user interface and documentation.
I'm trying to install oStoryBook on OS X El Capitan, I've downloaded the tar.gz file, but I don't know what to do next. First of all, you need to install Java, and then everything should run smoothly.
When I want to install oStorybook on my computer, Windows displays a security message. Is this normal? Yes, you should know that from Microsoft's point of view, any software that has not been approved is dangerous for the user. So Microsoft decides for you what software you can use. Ignore the message and force the installation. oStorybook software is guaranteed to be free of viruses and any electronic spyware designed to monitor your activity. Why is that? Because I have nothing to sell to you.
My file is very small, is this normal? The new ‘.osbk’ file format significantly reduces the size taken up by the hard disk. With the old ‘.h2.db’ and ‘.mv.db’ formats, the size of an almost empty example file was over 53KB. Now it's down to less than 4KB. So don't worry if a file created in 2015 is now much smaller. This reduction in size means that you can send your file by email without overloading your correspondent's mailbox.
I have an old h2.db (or mv.db) file and oStorybook cannot open it, what should I do? The best thing to do is to read the special guide Ancien fichier.
oStorybook seems very complicated to me. It's true that oStorybook is complicated, but no more so than driving a car or using a toaster. The main difficulty is choosing from the many options available to use the software according to your own needs. So don't worry, with a little time you'll see that it's not so complicated.