Save icon button doesn't work

[abethan53]

Hi, I'm new to your forum. As an author, I'm working on my ebook from a laptop, not a reader. I'm using the latest Sigil program to clean up my epub file. The problem is when I click the 'Save' icon, Sigil does not save my changes. In other words, it undos everything I did. The 'Save As' button works fine, so it's not that. Can someone 'Save' me?

[theducks]

Originally Posted by abethan53

Hi, I'm new to your forum. As an author, I'm working on my ebook from a laptop, not a reader. I'm using the latest Sigil program to clean up my epub file. The problem is when I click the 'Save' icon, Sigil does not save my changes. In other words, it undos everything I did. The 'Save As' button works fine, so it's not that. Can someone 'Save' me?

1) Your original file (the one you opened with Sigil) has a permissions problem (includes being read only)
2) some other program is also accessing the SAME file.. Blocking a save

[abethan53]

You mentioned that my original file I opened with Sigil has a permissions problem (that includes being read only), and that some other program is also accessing the same file, blocking a save. Fact is, I've been working only with Adobe Reader, not Adobe Acrobat. Would that account for my conversion and Sigil editing woes? Also, I don't have Word, but use Open Office Writer (.odt) word processor. I assume that is not a factor, however, right? Driving around in an old tank, I guess. Let me know if Adobe Reader limitations is the culprit!

[theducks]

Originally Posted by abethan53

You mentioned that my original file I opened with Sigil has a permissions problem (that includes being read only), and that some other program is also accessing the same file, blocking a save. Fact is, I've been working only with Adobe Reader, not Adobe Acrobat. Would that account for my conversion and Sigil editing woes? Also, I don't have Word, but use Open Office Writer (.odt) word processor. I assume that is not a factor, however, right? Driving around in an old tank, I guess. Let me know if Adobe Reader limitations is the culprit!

ANY program that has the file open will block.

FWIW I use sometimes use Libre office, Notepad++, ebook_viewer (p/o calibre) together. If I make a mistake and leave open the same file, I get a save error. Simply closing the other allows the save. Just because a program does not allow EDITS, does not mean it does not lock a file.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by theducks

ANY program that has the file open will block.

FWIW I use sometimes use Libre office, Notepad++, ebook_viewer (p/o calibre) together. If I make a mistake and leave open the same file, I get a save error. Simply closing the other allows the save. Just because a program does not allow EDITS, does not mean it does not lock a file.

Notepad++ will not lock the file even when it has it opened. It will alert you that the file has been changed and offer to reload it.

Dale

[theducks]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Notepad++ will not lock the file even when it has it opened. It will alert you that the file has been changed and offer to reload it.

Dale

I know that I was keeping it simple.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by theducks

I know that I was keeping it simple.

Simple is good when it is right but confusing when it is wrong. Right trumps simple every time.

Dale

[abethan53]

Both of you are outstanding. I'm flattered, but to be honest, I haven't a clue what you guys are trying to convey to me. I only have a 'Save' button and a 'Save As' button, not a Lock or Unlock setting (at least that I'm aware of). I have a simple laptop, I have no idea what toys work for you both nor do I really care. Put yourselves in my shoes for a moment. In forums, most in geek cyberspace talk over my head because I can't relate to their personal hardware, software, and upgrades. I'm clearly out of their class.
I'm thinking of renting another laptop or desktop so I might replicate everything I've done, using the more popular Word format with Adobe Acrobat (both of which I don't have) in the hope I may spot an obvious difference in the results, or get a clue and possibly a solid lead. What's your verdict on this? Don't you suspect a software problem just a tad bit?
Is working with what I currently have: up to snuff or not? Ask any questions! The snag remains the same: The unresponsive ePub 'Save' button on Sigil Editor. If anyone can outsmart that gremlin, I can safely say "I'm home free".

[cybmole]

1. CLOSE any program in which that book is open.

2. open that book with sigil

3. does the save button work now ? yes or no

if that's too complicated then I give up

[Toxaris]

What OS are you using?

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by abethan53

Both of you are outstanding. I'm flattered, but to be honest, I haven't a clue what you guys are trying to convey to me. I only have a 'Save' button and a 'Save As' button, not a Lock or Unlock setting (at least that I'm aware of). I have a simple laptop, I have no idea what toys work for you both nor do I really care. Put yourselves in my shoes for a moment. In forums, most in geek cyberspace talk over my head because I can't relate to their personal hardware, software, and upgrades. I'm clearly out of their class.

You need to be aware that Sigil is software that's kinda for geeks. It's not a word-processor. It's an editor for XHTML files, comprising ePUBs. It's not intended as an authorial tool, but as an ePUB creation and editing tool. To use it competently, you'll need to invest a little time in learning some of the geekier aspects, just so you know.

I'm thinking of renting another laptop or desktop so I might replicate everything I've done, using the more popular Word format with Adobe Acrobat (both of which I don't have) in the hope I may spot an obvious difference in the results, or get a clue and possibly a solid lead. What's your verdict on this? Don't you suspect a software problem just a tad bit?

No. They're telling you that you have the file also open--you're viewing it--in ADE (Adobe Digital Editions) or something else, thus your "save" won't work. That's why "save as" works--you're not trying to overwrite a file you have in use already. That's to what they are referring when they are mentioning that the file is "locked;" you are trying to use it in two places at once, or at least, that's what it sounds like here at Haven De'Nerds.

Is working with what I currently have: up to snuff or not? Ask any questions! The snag remains the same: The unresponsive ePub 'Save' button on Sigil Editor. If anyone can outsmart that gremlin, I can safely say "I'm home free".

You're the one that's outsmarting it, I suspect. Please close any other programs in which you are viewing the file, and then try saving.

Hitch

[Steadyhands]

Another thing to consider is if you have opened the files from within another program ie Calibre and then renamed the file in Calibre while the file is open in Sigil you will get this same problem as the original file path is no longer available.

This has happened to me

[abethan53]

Yes, I understand. The conflict is in running 2 files at once, and, yes, Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) is activated in my system. I will deactivate one to spare the other right away to atone for my horrible sinning (I AM the gremlin).

As far as enhancing the editing part, I also belatedly learned that Calibre could always use a bit of tweaking beforehand on my part before sending it to Sigil. I guess a little Nerd-ery ain't so bad. I've been writing a book over and above work for the last dozen years and I left the planet for awhile. I'm eternally GRATEFUL TO YOU ALL! (Til my next awesome blunder).

[theducks]

Originally Posted by abethan53

Yes, I understand. The conflict is in running 2 files at once, and, yes, Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) is activated in my system. I will deactivate one to spare the other right away to atone for my horrible sinning (I AM the gremlin).

As far as enhancing the editing part, I also belatedly learned that Calibre could always use a bit of tweaking beforehand on my part before sending it to Sigil. I guess a little Nerd-ery ain't so bad. I've been writing a book over and above work for the last dozen years and I left the planet for awhile. I'm eternally GRATEFUL TO YOU ALL! (Til my next awesome blunder).

Having ADE enabled is not a problem

Looking at the book in/with ADE while using Sigil on that same book (file), is a lock contention possibility.

FWIW, the OS is what will automatically do the locking in the background to protect your file/work (Alright now,whose change should be allowed? ...Block ), unless the program requests otherwise.

[ShellShock]

What does Sigil do if the file's read only attribute is set? Could this be the problem?