Calibre Companion Quick Fix

[DoctorOhh]

I was just about to report a problem when I noticed you had just updated the change log minutes ago with a fix to the problem I was going to report.

Originally Posted by chaley

CHANGE LOG

Version 2.7.1 (27/Jan/2013)BUG FIXES:

• Fix regression in sorting books while grouping

Just my opinion, but I think there is room for an Extra Large setting on the cover icon and book description.

[chaley]

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

Just my opinion, but I think there is room for an Extra Large setting on the cover icon and book description.

Are you referring to the thumbnail or the cover in book details? If it is the thumbnail, then how much bigger?

While developing this stuff I tested thumbnails on my N7 that were twice as big as the originals (Normal). I thought that they were ridiculously large, so I backed them down to 1.3 and 1.7 times "normal". I added the "Small" (.7 times) because I wanted to see more books on the screen. Perhaps I am too text-oriented, but I felt that the huge thumbs weren't usable.

If you are talking about covers on book details, then we can indeed make them larger. The downside is that larger covers take up more space on the device and increase download time. That said, I suppose that it is up to the user to make that choice.

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by chaley

Are you referring to the thumbnail or the cover in book details? If it is the thumbnail, then how much bigger?

Both.

Originally Posted by chaley

While developing this stuff I tested thumbnails on my N7 that were twice as big as the originals (Normal). I thought that they were ridiculously large, so I backed them down to 1.3 and 1.7 times "normal". I added the "Small" (.7 times) because I wanted to see more books on the screen. Perhaps I am too text-oriented, but I felt that the huge thumbs weren't usable.

I too have a N7 and I don't know how much bigger. On the large setting 5 books fit in the screen, maybe a size where 4 books (with a small top and bottom margin) fit nicely in the screen. After given the option I may find out, like you, that it is too big, but it is nice to have the option.

Originally Posted by chaley

If you are talking about covers on book details, then we can indeed make them larger. The downside is that larger covers take up more space on the device and increase download time. That said, I suppose that it is up to the user to make that choice.

The download time is a one time hit per book, correct? Where are the covers stored? I'd like to see how much space is actually dedicated to them.

At some point down the road the ability to change background and font colors would be great.

Super job with this app, Thanks!!

[chaley]

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

The download time is a one time hit per book, correct? Where are the covers stored? I'd like to see how much space is actually dedicated to them.

Calibre sends book covers along with the rest of the metadata. CC stores the covers in its DB along with all the other data. Because of this, the covers get pushed around whenever metadata is pushed around.

There isn't any easy way for an end user to find out the size of the metadata object for a given book. The last time I looked, and with my production library and large covers, metadata for books averaged around 35Kbytes. YMMV with the size of covers, the number of custom columns, and the length of the comments. You can find out how much storage CC is using by going to android settings, Apps, Calibre Companion and looking at the "Data" line. That number is the size of CC's database plus a little bit of overhead. It does not include the books themselves.

At some point down the road the ability to change background and font colors would be great.

Super job with this app, Thanks!!

On the list.

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by chaley

Calibre sends book covers along with the rest of the metadata. CC stores the covers in its DB along with all the other data. Because of this, the covers get pushed around whenever metadata is pushed around.

If the cover doesn't change it doesn't get pushed out to the device on every connect, does it?

Originally Posted by chaley

You can find out how much storage CC is using by going to android settings, Apps, Calibre Companion and looking at the "Data" line.

Thanks, 2100 books with large covers is just under 60megs. Not exactly overwhelming. I think I can live with that cost.

Originally Posted by chaley

On the list.

I suspected it was.

[chaley]

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

If the cover doesn't change it doesn't get pushed out to the device on every connect, does it?

It gets pushed out if the metadata changes and needs to be resent. If any metadata changes then calibre sends all metadata. Trying to work out the minimal differences between the updated and current metadata would be hard and probably slower than simply resending it.

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by chaley

It gets pushed out if the metadata changes and needs to be resent. If any metadata changes then calibre sends all metadata. Trying to work out the minimal differences between the updated and current metadata would be hard and probably slower than simply resending it.

Seems fair enough.

[jackie_w]

Hope you don't mind me tailgating your thread, DrOhh

@chaley,
Thanks for adding the size options for thumbnails. If one uses the Large option I can't help noticing that there is a lot of unused whitespace in the right-hand text part for each book. I wondered whether it might be an idea to include a few extra bits of metadata (e.g. PubDate or a few lines of the Comments, or even, dare I ask?, a choice) rather than have all that wasted whiteness. I know it's all available on each book details page but at-a-glance is always nice.

P.S. I haven't given up hope that you might also offer a grid view one day...

[chaley]

Originally Posted by jackie_w

@chaley,
Thanks for adding the size options for thumbnails. If one uses the Large option I can't help noticing that there is a lot of unused whitespace in the right-hand text part for each book. I wondered whether it might be an idea to include a few extra bits of metadata (e.g. PubDate or a few lines of the Comments, or even, dare I ask?, a choice) rather than have all that wasted whiteness. I know it's all available on each book details page but at-a-glance is always nice.

I noticed that, and was wondering how long it would take for someone to make the suggestion. I fully agree with you. Unfortunately it isn't trivial to determine the relative sizes of the text block and the image. It can be done, and it is on our list.

P.S. I haven't given up hope that you might also offer a grid view one day...

Also on the list. This is something that should be done by Steven (our android GUI person), and he is up-to-there with other work. Perhaps by the end of Feb he will have some time cleared.

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by chaley

I noticed that, and was wondering how long it would take for someone to make the suggestion.

Do I win a prize?

Excellent about those things being 'on the list'. Thank you. Love the app.