Hello, after trying to figure this out, I'm hoping someone can help
me... this will seem easy to someone who knows. 

  For background: I
have no formal computer training, but have learned HTML from designing
ebay pages and some websites that allow you to upload without using
FTP.

What I am trying to do:
  Write ebooks, upload them to a website, sell them. 

Problems: 
My 3 month old computer came with Microsoft works, and a
trial version of Microsoft office 2003.

I was happily writing on Microsoft works. It has many great features.
I never used the Microsoft Office trial version. 

 I have now found
that WORKS is fairly incompatible with most other forms of life on
this planet.
I tried to use the trial form of Office, and it is asking for a
registration number, even to use the trial. I did not receive this
number when I bought my computer 3 months ago.

I have noticed that I can download a trial version at the microsoft
website, but considering that the trial came installed on my computer,
maybe the website will reject my request. Also, I hate to re-download
things, wasting computer space. 
  I do have a word perfect on disk,
that came with my previous computer.... which I could use, if it would
help.....

I purchased a few inexpensive ebook creators,  which seem unable to
upload my content from Microsoft works.  I was just going to purchase
the most expensive ebook creator available, but was afraid that It
would not work with my WORKS files. 

 I am also aware of the online
method of creating PDFs,  but was trying to make easy access ebooks
for now. (Easy for the customer, not me Ha Ha) so I haven't officially
tried the adobe site.

I set up webhosting with hostgator, and downloaded a free version of
FTP, but am having difficultly with the FTP... there just doesn't seem
to be any options on where to input HTML, where to start? 

 I logged
the FTP into my website, it seemed to agree with that, and waited for
me to do something else.  .....

I am unaware of how to upload an entire
ebook onto a website for download,  so I opened an account with
EJUNKIE, so that my ebooks could be uploaded to them, and they deliver
the product when a customer pays.  So, I could just work with them for
a while, without knowing how to upload the entire ebay.  I could just
post a jpg of the item on my site.... if I could get the page going.

I did purchase an ebook cover
creator, and  I have been able to successfully work with that! 
(unbelievable, huh?)

So, If
someone could answer any of the following:
1.  Is Microsoft Word/office
required / recommented to upload/work with most ebook creation
software,  examples: .txt, .doc, .pdf, .htm, .kml,  etc?  

2. Is there a
recommended/cheap/ easy ebook creation software,  or should I just
delete the cheap versions that are giving me difficulty? 

3. Average
price for legitimate, workable ebook creation software? 

4. Is Microsoft
word/office used with FTP, or is there some additional software
required that I am missing? 

5. Can I set up my website using JUST my
website and the FTP software that I have downloaded on my computer?

thanks so much for answering any of the above
question parts, or shedding any light on the situation at all.
Thanks, Easter Bunny!

Hi Easter Bunny,

Regarding your trial version of Microsoft Office 2003, don't download
another one, you should be able to use the one that came with your
computer. Following is a link which shows you where to look for your
registration key.

Get Started: Activate Your Microsoft Office Editions 2003 Trial
"Before using your trial you need to activate the software with your
25-character trial product key. A trial product key is provided with
your new computer as part of a media packet with other items such as
manuals, warranty information, and additional materials. To locate the
trial product key or request a free replacement key, follow the
instructions provided below."
"If you can not locate your trial product key as part of your original
media, please click on your country of residence and request a free
replacement trial product key."
http://www.microsoft.com/office/pctrial/trialkey.mspx


3. Average price for legitimate, workable ebook creation software? 

eBook Software Reviews
eBook Software Reviews for eBook writing Publishing
http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/ebook-software.html

2. Is there a recommended/cheap/ easy ebook creation software,  or
should I just delete the cheap versions that are giving me difficulty?

ReaderWorks  Standard is free, but for commercial distribution of your
ebooks, you will need to upgrade to ReaderWorks Publisher.

ReaderWorks Standard 
"Imagine building your own eBooks in your home, office or school --
quickly and easily! You can with OverDrive's ReaderWorks Standard 2.0
- the premier eBook authoring and conversion software package that
enables you to convert Microsoft Word documents into Microsoft Reader
eBooks. ReaderWorks Standard is the perfect tool for the casual user
or educator. Best of all, it's absolutely free!"
http://www.overdrive.com/readerworks/software/standard.asp

ReaderWorks Publisher $119
ReaderWorks Publisher is a full-featured eBook authoring and
conversion package for the commercial development of Microsoft® Reader
eBooks with ClearType?. It includes all the easy-to-use tools of
ReaderWorks Standard, plus new and enhanced features enabling the
customization of your eBook for commercial distribution and sale.
http://www.overdrive.com/readerworks/software/publisher.asp

Downloads (including manuals)
http://www.overdrive.com/readerworks/downloads/

What is the Read in Microsoft Reader add-in?
"Read in Microsoft Reader (RMR) is an updated creation tool for
consumers. With this add-in, you can use Microsoft Word version 2003
or Microsoft Word version 2002 to create and publish your own
Microsoft Reader eBook content. Using the Read in Microsoft Reader
add-in, you can turn anything you want to read into a Microsoft Reader
eBook with the simple click of a button and take advantage of the
enhanced benefits of Microsoft Reader with ClearType display
technology. You can use the RMR add-in to convert new or existing Word
documents and benefit from the features and convenience of Microsoft
Reader.
Download the Read in Microsoft Reader add-in-FREE-today!"
http://www.microsoft.com/reader/info/support/faq/rmr.asp

1.  Is Microsoft Word/officerequired / recommented to upload/work with
most ebook creation software,  examples: .txt, .doc, .pdf, .htm, .kml,
 etc?
4. Is Microsoft word/office used with FTP or is there some additional
software required that I am missing?
5. Can I set up my website using JUST my website and the FTP software
that I have downloaded on my computer?

You really need to read some tutorials on how to publish your ebook.
Not surprisingly, most tutorials are not free but perhaps the
following links will help (you'll find more links on each page).

Web Publishing Guide
The Web Publishing Guide provides resources for Search Engine
Optimization, Website Design and more...
http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/web-publishing.html

Self-Publishing Resources
Self-Publishing Resources, articles, tools and advice... 
http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/self-publishing.html

eBook Compilers
What are eBook Compilers and How Do I Choose One?
http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/ebook-compilers.html


I hope this helps to get you off to a good start. If you have any
questions, please post a clarification request and wait for me to
respond before closing/rating my answer.

Thank you,
hummer

Some Google search terms used: ebook ebooks publishing free tutorials
guides publishers software Microsoft Office Editions 2003 key MS
Reader RMR

---

Request for Answer Clarification by thankseasterbunny-ga on 07 Nov 2005 10:28 PST

Dear Hummer,
 Thanks so much for your time.  This answer sounds promising, although
I haven't had time to check out the links as yet.  I am especially
happy to hear that I can get a trial product key to the microsoft
office 2003.

   I will read all of the information that you have provided links to.
 Just to clarify, it sounds as though  Word is usually needed in most
cases, and cheap Ebook software is probably not going to be good
enough,.... and one more thing:  about the FTP, do I need to post an
additional question,  or should I just work on the ebook software for
now, considering possilbe FTP time and learning curve involved?

Thanks again :0)

---

Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 07 Nov 2005 12:48 PST

Hi Easter Bunny,

Yes, I must admit, I was anxious to give you the product key info, I
thought you'd be happy!  Let me know how that goes.

I think a good way to start out is to use MS Word, you can always
change to something else later as you gain some experience. At least
you will know that your ebook will be accessible to most people via MS
Reader. The more spice you add to the soup, the more chance that
someone won't be able to digest it.

FTP isn't really difficult, as long as you have all of the IDs and
passwords that you need.  I use FTP Works, it is one of the simplest
but also has fewer options than the others.  Put simply, it's just a
matter of putting in your ID, password, & the ftp address of the
server. Then you connect to the server, choose the file you want to
upload, and away it goes.

FTP Works
"Free, full featured, ftp client. Learning curve is 60 seconds. Great
for the ftp beginner or experienced user."
http://www.corbanware.com/ftpworks.html

Here are some more:
http://www.thefreesite.com/Free_Software/FTP_freeware/

How to Upload a File to your Website using the FileZilla FTP Client
http://www.thesitewizard.com/gettingstarted/howtoupload.shtml

Regards,
hummer

Thanks again for your help, saving me lots of wasted time :0)

You are welcome, Easter Bunny, I'm glad to hear that I was able to
help. Thank you too for your nice note, rating, and generous tip, I
appreciate it.  Good luck with your ebook!  8-)

Sincerely, hummer