Do I need to install KindleGen, EpubCheck, and xmllint on my hosted instance?

[Rick S.]

I was looking for help re my own hosted PB multisite and I found the below at http://wordpress.org/plugins/pressbooks/installation/.  Do I need to upload and install these, or were they already installed when I installed the plugin?  I was able to export a test EPUB so I'm thinking the bottom 3 are already installed (I understand Prince is not installed).  Am I right?  Thanks.

Part 3, PressBooks dependencies:

• For PDF export install Prince (note: this is not free software) - Version 9.0
• For MOBI export install KindleGen - Version 2.9
• For EPUB validation install EpubCheck - Version 3.0.1
• Form XML validation install xmllint - Version 20800

Unlisted versions are not supported. Upgrade/downgrade accordingly.

Once installed, define the following wp-config.php variables. The defaults are:

define( 'PB_PRINCE_COMMAND', '/usr/bin/prince' );
define( 'PB_KINDLEGEN_COMMAND', '/opt/kindlegen/kindlegen' );
define( 'PB_EPUBCHECK_COMMAND', '/usr/bin/java -jar /opt/epubcheck/epubcheck.jar' );
define( 'PB_XMLLINT_COMMAND', '/usr/bin/xmllint' );

[bdolor]

Hey Rick,

None of the four dependencies come bundled with the plugin. You must install them on your server. Without epubcheck, for instance, you can't be certain you won't end up with a jankified file. 

[Scott Ott]

I have thus far failed to make the export functions work. The kindlegen binary cannot execute on my Linux server and I'm puzzled about where to get the epubcheck and other files, and where to put them. I'm using 1and1.com for hosting, so whatever I upload has to go in a subdirectory to which I have access.
Except for the exporting, the Pressbooks plugin for wordpress works fine. Since, the instructions assume a level of knowledge I lack, can someone connect me with more elementary steps to install?

Scott Ott

[bdolor]

Hi Scott,

the links to the dependencies are in the readme.txt file and embedded in the first message in this thread. You will need root access to your server at the very least. As to where you put them after you get them, the suggested paths in the readme.txt file are a good place to start.    If you're in a shared hosting environment, you'll have to ask the hosting provider if they are willing to install them for you, or move you to a server that already has the dependencies (which is unlikely). 

[Scott Ott]

So, root access is the root of my frustration. I'll call 1and1.com and ask. They did upgrade my PHP version when I asked, so, maybe they'll do this too.
Thank You.

Scott

[Scott Ott]

I have learned, from 1and1.com, that in order to obtain root access and install the Pressbooks dependencies, I would need to upgrade to a dedicated server package, which starts at $30/month. Now, I have to answer the non-technical question: can I generate enough income from the venture to justify the expense. Faith and wisdom required.

Scott

[Hugh McGuire]

Hi Scott,

You might want to try using PressBooks.com for free for a month or two and then decide whether or not you want/need to host your own install.

Hugh.

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[bdolor]

If it is a commercial venture, there will also be an expense for purchasing a license for PrinceXML.