Recently, my home internet has been working. Technician says they'll come by by late October. I don't want to spend all day at Starbucks or at the library to read Fanfiction. Anyone got any programs that can download fanfiction? Preferably that I can open the file on my internet browser instead of a PDF file.
Downloading Fanfiction
- Thread starter MTing
- Start date
Old tried and true... That is the method I use.
The main issue is I've yet to encounter a downloader that works the way I'd really like it to.
My needs...
- Local application, not web based
- Work with fanfiction.net ideally also a mediaminer.org
- Download the story to TXT
- Multiple chapter support
- Allows for batch feeding of the links so could walk away and let it automatically do 5, 50, or 500+ stories.
- Time/date stamp the files as of the time of last update on the site, though I can live without this feature as I have another way to do a similar thing after the fact.
My conclusions...
They still suck *for the above needs*
The main issue is I've yet to encounter a downloader that works the way I'd really like it to.
My needs...
- Local application, not web based
- Work with fanfiction.net ideally also a mediaminer.org
- Download the story to TXT
- Multiple chapter support
- Allows for batch feeding of the links so could walk away and let it automatically do 5, 50, or 500+ stories.
- Time/date stamp the files as of the time of last update on the site, though I can live without this feature as I have another way to do a similar thing after the fact.
My conclusions...
They still suck *for the above needs*
By itself, HTML.
Used in conjunction with Calibre e-book manager (which is also freeware), it can turn fanfics into .lit, .pdf, .epub, and about a dozen other e-reader formats. You can set the conversion process up to be automatic.
<a href='http://fanfictiondownloader.net/installwin.php' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://fanfictiondownloader.net/installwin.php</a>
Me personally I prefer .lit format, and I've had a lot of success downloading complete FFNet fics and turning them into single Microsoft ebooks.
Used in conjunction with Calibre e-book manager (which is also freeware), it can turn fanfics into .lit, .pdf, .epub, and about a dozen other e-reader formats. You can set the conversion process up to be automatic.
<a href='http://fanfictiondownloader.net/installwin.php' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://fanfictiondownloader.net/installwin.php</a>
Me personally I prefer .lit format, and I've had a lot of success downloading complete FFNet fics and turning them into single Microsoft ebooks.
In some ways, I'm shocked that no-one has recommended this,
<a href='http://fanfictionloader.appspot.com/' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://fanfictionloader.appspot.com/</a>
It's an online downloader and you need a google account to use it, BUT, just point to whatever story you want and it will get it for you in whatever format you want - epub, html, txt or mobi !
I use it to download different fics into epub format and then I read it off my phone. It's really cool!
-chronodekar
<a href='http://fanfictionloader.appspot.com/' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://fanfictionloader.appspot.com/</a>
It's an online downloader and you need a google account to use it, BUT, just point to whatever story you want and it will get it for you in whatever format you want - epub, html, txt or mobi !
I use it to download different fics into epub format and then I read it off my phone. It's really cool!
-chronodekar
I wish they would have responded to my notes and thoughts to interface and output improvements... as it is it is not really worth it for me to use.
If they get a multifile output option and get the multistory screen working the way I had in an email to them... I would use it.
For now... copy and paste is my trusty method.
If they get a multifile output option and get the multistory screen working the way I had in an email to them... I would use it.
For now... copy and paste is my trusty method.
I'm actually as of 3-4 days ago in contact with the developer and have started helping him finish the database component for one click download all fictions that need to be updated, and refactoring his app.
So ... I'm asking for additional features that you think would be nice. I'll talk them through the original dev and we'll duke it out.
? Thoughts ?
So ... I'm asking for additional features that you think would be nice. I'll talk them through the original dev and we'll duke it out.
? Thoughts ?
Personally I use a plugin for Calibre called FanFictionDownLoader, give it links and it will download the stories in txt, html, epub, or mobi; also sets the tags which is useful in organization. Makes it easy to update the files since all you need to do is drop the link into the downloader's drop box or select the fic and tell it to check for updates. Use in combination with the plugin Kindle Collections makes it really trivial to keep libraries sorted and up to date for my Kindle.
Yeah. It got too tedious for me when I wanted to save very long stories &/or stories with a huge amount of chapters. Until I found the program named in this thread, I just saved the link for all but the most memorable stories.
PCHeintz72, since you sometimes (?) write your own programs, surely you automate your trusty method?
PCHeintz72, since you sometimes (?) write your own programs, surely you automate your trusty method?
So ... <a href='http://www.fanfictiondownloader.net' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>FFDL -> FanfictionDownloader</a> support these formats :
EPUB - PDF - MOBI - RTF - TXT - HTML (he hates html so I'm redesigning the layouts and adding some nice javascript control) - FB2 - LIT - LRF - OEB - PDB - PML - RB - TCR
and these archives:
<a href='http://www.FanFiction.Net' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.FanFiction.Net</a>
<a href='http://www.FanFicAuthors.Net' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.FanFicAuthors.Net</a>
<a href='http://www.squidge.org/~peja' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.squidge.org/~peja</a>
<a href='http://www.Mugglenet.com' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.Mugglenet.com</a>
<a href='http://www.AdultFanFiction.net' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.AdultFanFiction.net</a>
<a href='http://www.FictionPress.com' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.FictionPress.com</a>
<a href='http://www.MediaMiner.org' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.MediaMiner.org</a>
<a href='http://ficwad.com/' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://ficwad.com/</a>
<a href='http://www.twilighted.net' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.twilighted.net</a>
<a href='http://archiveofourown.org' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://archiveofourown.org</a>
IIRC people said that the interface could be better. I can directly impact this. So, help to improve that awesome app ? Either design, features or your wishes for the database handling which is coming along nicely. It should be done under 1-2 weeks depending on IRL stuff.
EPUB - PDF - MOBI - RTF - TXT - HTML (he hates html so I'm redesigning the layouts and adding some nice javascript control) - FB2 - LIT - LRF - OEB - PDB - PML - RB - TCR
and these archives:
<a href='http://www.FanFiction.Net' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.FanFiction.Net</a>
<a href='http://www.FanFicAuthors.Net' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.FanFicAuthors.Net</a>
<a href='http://www.squidge.org/~peja' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.squidge.org/~peja</a>
<a href='http://www.Mugglenet.com' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.Mugglenet.com</a>
<a href='http://www.AdultFanFiction.net' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.AdultFanFiction.net</a>
<a href='http://www.FictionPress.com' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.FictionPress.com</a>
<a href='http://www.MediaMiner.org' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.MediaMiner.org</a>
<a href='http://ficwad.com/' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://ficwad.com/</a>
<a href='http://www.twilighted.net' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.twilighted.net</a>
<a href='http://archiveofourown.org' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://archiveofourown.org</a>
IIRC people said that the interface could be better. I can directly impact this. So, help to improve that awesome app ? Either design, features or your wishes for the database handling which is coming along nicely. It should be done under 1-2 weeks depending on IRL stuff.
Hmm, the only thing I can think of is .doc support, but since I don't have office installed, it doesn't matter anymore....
I'm satisfied with how the program is right now & find updates to be pleasant surprises. I suppose it's because I only use it infrequently as I very rarely find stories I absolutely have to save.
I'm satisfied with how the program is right now & find updates to be pleasant surprises. I suppose it's because I only use it infrequently as I very rarely find stories I absolutely have to save.
Drat... I missed this post somehow... likely because it was made about the time I swapped ISPs...
This response may well be too late... but I re-downloaded the newest version...
It does seem smoother than I remember... but still does not meet my needs.
Consider the below a feature enhancement request list.
Some thoughts/additions/comments (no particular order):
1. I would want the ability to specify the story 1 time and have it download each chapter specified in the chapter range as a separate file... it gives the ability to have the chapter in the filename, though currently all that does is post the last chapter desired. To download each chapter separately currently, one would need to run it through the system 1 time for each chapter. If using such an option, instead of naming the file by the parameters entered, a subdirectory should be made under that name and all chapter files placed under it.
2. What does the '?' button next to check do... I could not get it to do anything for me.
3. Currently, the story link box clears upon each run... the problem with this is what if want to be able to download the story in multiple formats? currently would have to keep pasting. (this is not needed for me, as I would always want TXT, but can see this as a boon to others whom perhaps use one format on systems and another on their tablets for example)
4. For that matter, currently a combo box is used for selecting the format... could this be made into checkboxes... then specifying the story 1 time with multiple formats would have it create all of them.
5. For the download history and update check screen... I like for the allowing for either drag and drop, or pasting of links from clipboard, or ideally a CSV or XML or INI batch file import option... and the ability to clear the list as needed without clearing the files downloaded
6. Also for the download history and update check screen... need a screen to specify a global set of parameters... like file formats desired, etc...
7 While waiting for that download history screen.... is this able to be run with old style command line parameters specifying story link and output...
Nope...
This response may well be too late... but I re-downloaded the newest version...
It does seem smoother than I remember... but still does not meet my needs.
Consider the below a feature enhancement request list.
Some thoughts/additions/comments (no particular order):
1. I would want the ability to specify the story 1 time and have it download each chapter specified in the chapter range as a separate file... it gives the ability to have the chapter in the filename, though currently all that does is post the last chapter desired. To download each chapter separately currently, one would need to run it through the system 1 time for each chapter. If using such an option, instead of naming the file by the parameters entered, a subdirectory should be made under that name and all chapter files placed under it.
2. What does the '?' button next to check do... I could not get it to do anything for me.
3. Currently, the story link box clears upon each run... the problem with this is what if want to be able to download the story in multiple formats? currently would have to keep pasting. (this is not needed for me, as I would always want TXT, but can see this as a boon to others whom perhaps use one format on systems and another on their tablets for example)
4. For that matter, currently a combo box is used for selecting the format... could this be made into checkboxes... then specifying the story 1 time with multiple formats would have it create all of them.
5. For the download history and update check screen... I like for the allowing for either drag and drop, or pasting of links from clipboard, or ideally a CSV or XML or INI batch file import option... and the ability to clear the list as needed without clearing the files downloaded
6. Also for the download history and update check screen... need a screen to specify a global set of parameters... like file formats desired, etc...
7 While waiting for that download history screen.... is this able to be run with old style command line parameters specifying story link and output...
Nope...