Palm+Markup+Language+(PML)

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=What is PML?=

PML stands for Palm Markup Language which is a standard markup language for handheld devices such as Palm Pilots, PDAs and Palm PCs.

=Overview of PML=

PML or Palm Markup Language is another type of markup language similar to HTML, XML and XHTML that is used strictly for handheld Pocket PC devices (wireless technology). PML is used to convert standard documents from an ordinary PC to a format readable by Palm devices in (.pdb) palm database format. The Palm markup language is not a highly recognized standardized markup language like HTML or JavaScript because it is used solely for converting and editing documents that are to be read on a Palm device which is based heavily on WYSIWYG, but PML incorporates some of the same elements of the more recognizable markup languages. PML is less complicated than other markup languages but just as efficient in its purpose; PML commands are easy to construct, easy to break down and overall easy to follow.

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=Purpose of PML=

PML was developed to provide a standard for creating better quality and more e-books to be read on Palm devices. Prior to the development of PML, reading documents on a Palm device did not provide the same experience as reading documents on a PC. Documents such as __eBooks__ would be read as one large scrollable document with no separation between chapters, indexes, glossaries, etc. and this was a problem for many Palm device users that wanted to read online e-books. PML and the use of necessary software such [|eReader] allowed palm device users to convert e-books into structured documents that read exactly like a book, chapters were divided and pages were displayed one page at a time. PML and software such as [|eBook Generator] allowed Palm device users to create their own e-books and edit e-books to their satisfaction and present them as structured and organized electronic content.

=How PML Works=

Palm Markup Language uses a series of commands that begin with a backslash (\) followed by an alphabetical character with no space in between to represent the particular command then closed with a backslash followed by the same alphabetical character used to open the tag. Similar to HTML, PML also has elements with changeable attribute values that affect the displaying of the content based on the particular values entered. For example every new chapter is marked of by the tag “\x” followed by a numerical value between 0-4 to indicate the size of indentation for the starting paragraph. Compared to HTML, PML has a smaller array of tags but is more succinct and refined to efficiently modify word documents on Palm devices. The table below presents the list of commands found in Palm Markup Language: [|(eReader : The World’s Largest eBook Store 2002)]
 * \p || New page ||
 * \x || New chapter; also causes a new page break. Enclose chapter title (and any style codes) with \x and \x ||
 * \Xn || New chapter, indented //n// levels (//n// between 0 and 4 inclusive) in the Chapter dialog; doesn't cause a page break. Enclose chapter title (and any style codes) with \Xn and \Xn ||
 * \Cn="Chapter title" || Insert "Chapter title" into the chapter listing, with level n (like \Xn). The text is not shown on the page and does not force a page break. This can sometimes be useful to insert a chapter mark at the beginning of an introduction to the chapter, for example. ||
 * \c || Center this block of text; close with \c on beginning of line ||
 * \r || Right justify text block; close with \r on beginning of line ||
 * \i || Italicize block; close with \i ||
 * \u || Underline block; close with \u ||
 * \o || Overstrike block; close with \o ||
 * \v || Invisible text; close with \v (can be used for comments) ||
 * \t || Indent block. Start at beginning of a line, close with \t at end of a line ||
 * \T="50%" || Indents the specified percentage of the screen width, 50% in this case. If the current drawing position is already past the specified screen location, this tag is ignored. ||
 * \w="50%" || Embed a horizontal rule of a given percentage width of the screen, in this case 50%. This tag causes a line break before and after it. The rule is centered. The percent sign is mandatory. ||
 * \n || Switch to the "normal" font, which is specified by the user ||
 * \s || Switch to stdFont; close with \s to revert to normal font ||
 * \b || Switch to boldFont; close with \b to revert to normal font (deprecated; use \B instead) ||
 * \l || Switch to largeFont; close with \l to revert to normal font ||
 * \B || Mark text as bold. Unlike the \b tag, \B doesn't change the font, so you can have large bold text. You cannot mix \b and \B in the same PML file. ||
 * \Sp || Mark text as superscript. Should not be mixed with other styles such as bold, italic, etc. Enclose superscripted text with \Sp. ||
 * \Sb || Mark text as subscript. Should not be mixed with other styles such as bold, italic, etc. Enclose subscripted text with \Sb. ||
 * \k || Make enclosed text into small-caps; close with \k. Any characters enclosed in \k tags (including those with accents) are made uppercase and are rendered at a smaller point size than a regular uppercase character. ||
 * \\ || Represents a single backslash ||
 * \aXXX || Insert non-ASCII character whose Windows 1252 code is decimal XXX. ||
 * \m="imagename.png" || Insert the named image. ||
 * \q="#linkanchor"Some text\q || Reference a link anchor which is at another spot in the document. The string after the anchor specification and before the trailing \q is underlined or otherwise shown to be a link when viewing the document. ||
 * \Q="linkanchor" || Specify a link anchor in the document. ||
 * \- || Insert a soft hyphen. A soft hyphen shows up only if it is necessary to break a word across a line. ||
 * \Fn="footnote1"1\Fn || Link the "1" to a footnote whose name is footnote1, tagged at the end of the PML document. ||
 * \Sd="sidebar1"Sidebar\Sd || Link the "Sidebar" text to a sidebar whose name is sidebar1, tagged at the end of the PML document. ||
 * \I || Mark as a reference index item. Enclose index item (and any style codes) with \I and \I. ||
 * \- || Insert a soft hyphen. A soft hyphen shows up only if it is necessary to break a word across a line. ||
 * \Fn="footnote1"1\Fn || Link the "1" to a footnote whose name is footnote1, tagged at the end of the PML document. ||
 * \Sd="sidebar1"Sidebar\Sd || Link the "Sidebar" text to a sidebar whose name is sidebar1, tagged at the end of the PML document. ||
 * \I || Mark as a reference index item. Enclose index item (and any style codes) with \I and \I. ||

Example:
If I wanted to construct a page which looks like //Figure A// on a Palm device//,// I would consult the table above and enter the code in //Figure B.//


 * **//Figure A//** || //**Figure B**// ||
 * Chapter I – My Story This is my //first// page, I would like to tell a story. || **\p\c1**=”My Story”**\c1** **\x**Chapter I**\x** **\x0**Chapter I – My Story**\x0** **\t**This is my **\i**first**\i** page. I would like to tell a story. **\t** ||

=PML Applications and Software=

__eReader__
[|eReader] or electronic reader is software used to read content on Palm devices. eReader, previously known as Peanut reader then Palm reader and now eReader was subjected to a series of name changes to adapt to the development of new technological innovations for Palm devices. eReader software was developed by [|Palm Digital Media], which is part of [|PalmSource Inc.] to provide handheld owners with a more efficient and visual friendly means of viewing electronic content. eReader provides various features such as hyperlinking documents, editing capabilities using PML and organizing pictures which helps diminish the gap of similarity between a user’s experience on a PC and a handheld device. eReader is available online as a free download to Palm users and is available in a professional version with more features for a fee. Though eReader receives excellent ratings, it is not the only eBook reading software available on the market.

__eBook Generator__
[|eBook Generator] is software developed by Armand Morin that allows individuals to create unlimited amounts of eBooks for commercial and personal use. eBook provides step by step easy to follow instructions, templates, security features, editing capabilities and much more to assist in the publishing of a high quality eBook. eBook Generator supports various forms of multimedia such as flash content and is interchangeable via PML conversion software with PC and Palm devices. eBook Generator is available at the eBook Generator homepage.

=References=

Frost, Gary. “Advent of the eReader”. The Future of the Book : Preservation and Persistence of the Changing Book. 3 Sept. 2005. 16 Feb 2006. < http://www.futureofthebook.com/stories/storyReader$670>

WHSmithOnline. “Palm eBook Distributor First To Enable A Major Retailer To Sell eBooks To PDA Users”. eReader : The World’s Largest eBook Store. 16 July 2002. 16 Feb 2006. < http://www.ereader.com/pressrelease/20020716/180>

eReader. “Palm Markup Language”. eReader : The World’s Largest eBook Store. 1 Apr 2004. 16 Feb 2006. < http://www.ereader.com/dropbook/pml>

Muller, Dan. “Palm Markup Language Reference Guide”. MemoWare. 8 July 2005. 16 Feb 2006. 

"PML Book Picture". Evolution Book: L'EVOLUZIONE DAL LIBRO ALL'EBOOK. <[|www.evolutionbook.com]>

"Palm Pilot Picture". eReader : The World’s Largest eBook Store. <[|http://www.ereader.com]>

Links
http://www.texterity.com/artstech/textcafe/palm/ - Palm Conversion Services http://www.planetebook.com/mainpage.asp?webpageid=378 - eBook Studio Software http://www.ereader.com/help/ereader/guide - eReader User’s Guide http://ebooks.palmone.com/dropbook/pml - PML http://www.ereader.com/dropbook/pml - PML http://ebooks.palm.com/product/detail/19286 - Download eReader http://www.ebookgenerator.com/ - Download eBook Generator.