> -----Original Message----- > From: Liam Proven via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org> > Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2023 10:04 PM > To: cctalk@classiccmp.org > Cc: Liam Proven <lpro...@gmail.com> > Subject: [cctalk] IBM .BOO format > > Does anyone have any experience with the IBM BookManager format and the > tools to read it?
Yes, it’s a pain. > > I've not found any way to open them on a Mac. No joy on Linux yet either; > there's an old unmaintained tool that uses a 32-bit Java app. > It should be possible to run one of the Java viewers on Linux. More info here https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/ibm-book-boo-files.59907/ but you are probably still stuck with the only print one page bug. > I found 2 Windows tools. > > One, IBM Library Reader, won't install on Win11. > > https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-library-reader-windows > I used this :- https://github.com/otya128/winevdm to install this on Windows/11. Its clunky but it kind of works. I can't see why it won't run under Wine, it’s a 16-bit windows app. It will print the whole file but it loses some images. > The other a Java app, IBM Softcopy Reader. > > https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-softcopy-reader > > It installs and runs on Win11 and I can print to PDF -- but only 1 page at a > time. > Selecting multiple pages give me an empty PDF. > Yes, I guess there is a bug in the Java. Never managed to sort this. > I found the original IBM CUA documentation and want to convert it to some > more modern, open format, but I am not having much luck... > It’s a problem with .boo files. Only IBM seem to understand the format. You best bet would be the first app, but you will then need to fix the images in the PDF. A lot of work... .... actually I wonder if Dave McGuire has a copy of the full Book Manager on a Mainframe. That might have better print options. If you want to send me a link to what you want converting I can try for you... > > -- > Liam Proven - Profile: https://about.me/liamproven > Email: lpro...@cix.co.uk - Google Mail/Hangouts/Plus: lpro...@gmail.com > Twitter/Facebook/Flickr: lproven - Skype/LinkedIn: liamproven > IoM: +44 7624 227612 ~ UK: +44 7939-087884 > ČR (+ WhatsApp/Telegram/Signal): +420 702 829 053 Dave
