Please add the ability to edit folder structure.

mrmcmichael · 03-29-2013, 11:41 AM

Yes, I've read the sticky. No, I'm not satisfied with the answer.

I use Calibre Portable in my dropbox to manage metadata of my books. I like that I can pop open my library on any PC that way. The problem is that I prefer to access my library remotely on my phone through the dropbox app, since it's so simple for me to download the file and import directly to my reader program. I usually want to load up a book when I'm nowhere near a pc with access to my library, so using the GUI is not an option.

Creating folders by author and not allowing me to change that means I'm poking through folders looking for a book because I don't remember the author's name, when all I want is to have folder names with a title and author.

I understand you have design considerations and all, but it really does reduce the utility of Calibre for me. Is there a plugin or something what will allow for customization?

Thanks.

itimpi · 03-29-2013, 12:05 PM

You can ask for this all you want, but Kovid has already stated that he has no plans to change this! It is also a monumental task to change this the folder structure is a basic assumption built into the design of the Calibre source code.

If you want your files to be organised in Dropbox the way you describe then use the Calibre "Save to Disk" facility to export files from Calibre to Dropbox in the folder/filename format that you want. Calibre provides complete control over the export folder/filename via the use of "Save to Disk" templates.

The alternative is to simply do your browsing via Calibre itself. The Calibre Search facility is much more powerful way of locating books than browsing a folder structure as you can use any combination of the metadata fields as your search criteria.

theducks · 03-29-2013, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmcmichael

Yes, I've read the sticky. No, I'm not satisfied with the answer.

I use Calibre Portable in my dropbox to manage metadata of my books. I like that I can pop open my library on any PC that way. The problem is that I prefer to access my library remotely on my phone through the dropbox app, since it's so simple for me to download the file and import directly to my reader program. I usually want to load up a book when I'm nowhere near a pc with access to my library, so using the GUI is not an option.

Creating folders by author and not allowing me to change that means I'm poking through folders looking for a book because I don't remember the author's name, when all I want is to have folder names with a title and author.

I understand you have design considerations and all, but it really does reduce the utility of Calibre for me. Is there a plugin or something what will allow for customization?

Thanks.

The Uninstall feature still works

The reason has been stated. It appears to be very valid.

The choice is yours

avantman42 · 03-29-2013, 02:13 PM

Another alternative would be to use the Dropbox search facility to find your book. It seems, from my limited use, to be fast and effective.

DoctorOhh · 03-31-2013, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmcmichael

I usually want to load up a book when I'm nowhere near a pc with access to my library, so using the GUI is not an option.

Creating folders by author and not allowing me to change that means I'm poking through folders looking for a book because I don't remember the author's name, when all I want is to have folder names with a title and author.

to itimpi's response quoted below.

Quote:

Originally Posted by itimpi

If you want your files to be organised in Dropbox the way you describe then use the Calibre "Save to Disk" facility to export files from Calibre to Dropbox in the folder/filename format that you want. Calibre provides complete control over the export folder/filename via the use of "Save to Disk" templates.

However if your phone runs Android Gingerbread (2.3) or newer I would recommend using the Calibre Companion App to manage your books and open them in your favorite reading app.

Adoby · 03-31-2013, 03:30 AM

Or use the very powerful save to disk feature in calibre. And save the books to the Dropbox folder. You can then customize the folder structure as you please. Only your knowledge of how to use the template system in calibre limit you. That way you also make sure that the metadata and covers are updated in the books. Calibre usually doesn't store changes in the books, but only in the database.

DoctorOhh · 03-31-2013, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adoby

Or use the very powerful save to disk feature in calibre. And save the books to the Dropbox folder.

Good advice for this OP, I'm surprised it wasn't previously (2) mentioned (5).

Quote:

Originally Posted by avantman42

Another alternative would be to use the Dropbox search facility to find your book. It seems, from my limited use, to be fast and effective.

I just tried this and it works great. Probably the easiest solution for mrmcmichael to use. No need to change anything.

EowynCarter · 03-31-2013, 06:12 AM

the "save to disk" mean you have to do it every-time you make a change.... and have two copies of you library.

I'm quite annoyed at the "shut up" rule..

Maybe if lot a people of people ask, something should be done ?
What if, instead of going for a "no way, not gonna change it", we started to think about how we could change things to accommodate everyone ?

If all the time and energy spent to say "no won't change it", had been used to fix the problem... There would be no need to have this discussion all over again.

DoctorOhh · 03-31-2013, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

What if, instead of going for a "no way, not gonna change it", we started to think about how we could change things to accommodate everyone ?

Glad to see you're still around. It's fun to dream about, but trying to accommodate everyone isn't practical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

If all the time and energy spent to say "no won't change it", had been used to fix the problem... There would be no need to have this discussion all over again.

Since calibre's folder structure is not a feature of calibre meant for user exploitation there doesn't seem to be a problem that needs fixing.

I also don't see any time and energy being wasted in the development of calibre, just review the What's new page over the last 2 years. Besides in this thread it would seem that avantman42 provided the perfect solution to mrmcmichael's problem.

copyrite · 03-31-2013, 10:49 AM

Another workaround might be to create a catalog of books in your library, and upload the catalog to dropbox for perusing. With a catalog you can see sections for authors, titles, series, genres, recently added, & descriptions, if you choose. CLick on the dropdown for the Convert Books icon and check out the options.

I have created catalogs from Read and TBR tags to help manage my reading experience (well even though the TBR stack is quite unmanageable).

My library's gotten quite large, personally I wouldn't want the 'under the hood' format restructured. I think it would take quite a while to update, and would create many more folders as I know the number of unique titles is way more than number of unique authors.

EowynCarter · 04-01-2013, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

Glad to see you're still around. It's fun to dream about, but trying to accommodate everyone isn't practical.

Don't worry, I've given up using calibre a long time ago. The title just got my eyes when browsing mobileread.
What's for you a non issue make calibre totally unusable for me.

Having the possibility to change the folder structure wouldn't be a problem / nuisance to those not wanting to use this function...

DoctorOhh · 04-01-2013, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Don't worry, I've given up using calibre a long time ago. The title just got my eyes when browsing mobile read.

No worries. Use it or don't, no skin off my back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

What's for you a non issue make calibre totally unusable for me.

I think you've made that clear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Having the possibility to change the folder structure wouldn't be a problem / nuisance to those not wanting to use this function...

True, I couldn't care less one way or the other. But then again I'm not the developer of the program. In order for the developer to commit time and effort to changing this aspect of calibre the developer has to care about this change. In the past Kovid has made his feelings clear.

Maybe things will change in the future, but altering the way calibre handles storing files in its library does nothing to enhance calibre's current user facing functionality.

Stop by anytime and Good Reading.

EowynCarter · 04-01-2013, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

Maybe things will change in the future, but altering the way calibre handles storing files in its library does nothing to enhance calibre's current user facing functionality.

Yes, but it wouldn't reduce the possibilities of calibre either. And make calibre usable for quite a few people in return.

Fact is, it would be a HUGE improvement for those who care.

Dopedangel · 04-01-2013, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Yes, but it wouldn't reduce the possibilities of calibre either. And make calibre usable for quite a few people in return.

Fact is, it would be a HUGE improvement for those who care.

Fact is most people don't care if they did someone would have done it by now. That thread and argument was from a few years ago this argument has been going on for a few years even before that.
In all those years it was not important enough for anyone to branch off calibre as its opensource or submit a patch etc. I understand why you want it I would have been in the same boat as you 4-5 years ago if I hadn't bit the bullet and transferred all my ebooks to calibre. I haven't regretted that decision.
Thing is I think if Kovid had said its not possible because of the way calibre has been built instead of I am not interested in doing that you would not have got your back up about it.
A building is built on a foundation what you are asking for kovid to do is rebuild the foundation for an already standing building. To do that he would have to tear down the building and foundation then start from scratch. It took Kovid years to build up calibre not counting years spend by Chaley and others adding or improving stuff. Kovid does not feel it is an efficient use of his time or resources to start from scratch. Nor did any of the other millions of users thought it was worth their time to modify calibre. 1000s of programmers probably use calibre none of them have even tried.

BetterRed · 04-01-2013, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dopedangel

1000s of programmers probably use calibre [and] none of them have even tried [to modify Calibre to have a different library folder structure].

Maybe because there's no need to change the Calibre code in order to achieve that objective.

This programmer simply layers folder symlinks onto Calibre's Library/Author/Title folder structure to create an entirely different view of the same data. No need to touch any Calibre code and no need to store the data twice.

Pretty sure that each of the desktop environments on which Calibre executes will support folder symlinks.

Why would I change someone else's code to do something for which it wasn't designed, especially when there's an alternative loosely couple solution sitting there waiting to be used.

BR

03-29-2013, 11:41 AM	#1
mrmcmichael Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2013 Device: Android	Please add the ability to edit folder structure. Yes, I've read the sticky. No, I'm not satisfied with the answer. I use Calibre Portable in my dropbox to manage metadata of my books. I like that I can pop open my library on any PC that way. The problem is that I prefer to access my library remotely on my phone through the dropbox app, since it's so simple for me to download the file and import directly to my reader program. I usually want to load up a book when I'm nowhere near a pc with access to my library, so using the GUI is not an option. Creating folders by author and not allowing me to change that means I'm poking through folders looking for a book because I don't remember the author's name, when all I want is to have folder names with a title and author. I understand you have design considerations and all, but it really does reduce the utility of Calibre for me. Is there a plugin or something what will allow for customization? Thanks.

03-31-2013, 06:12 AM	#8
EowynCarter Wizard Posts: 4,332 Karma: 4000000 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Paris Device: Cybooks; Sony PRS-T1	the "save to disk" mean you have to do it every-time you make a change.... and have two copies of you library. I'm quite annoyed at the "shut up" rule.. Maybe if lot a people of people ask, something should be done ? What if, instead of going for a "no way, not gonna change it", we started to think about how we could change things to accommodate everyone ? If all the time and energy spent to say "no won't change it", had been used to fix the problem... There would be no need to have this discussion all over again. Last edited by EowynCarter; 03-31-2013 at 06:14 AM.

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03-29-2013, 12:05 PM	#2
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,552 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	You can ask for this all you want, but Kovid has already stated that he has no plans to change this! It is also a monumental task to change this the folder structure is a basic assumption built into the design of the Calibre source code. If you want your files to be organised in Dropbox the way you describe then use the Calibre "Save to Disk" facility to export files from Calibre to Dropbox in the folder/filename format that you want. Calibre provides complete control over the export folder/filename via the use of "Save to Disk" templates. The alternative is to simply do your browsing via Calibre itself. The Calibre Search facility is much more powerful way of locating books than browsing a folder structure as you can use any combination of the metadata fields as your search criteria.

03-29-2013, 02:13 PM	#4
avantman42 Wizard Posts: 1,090 Karma: 6058305 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Another alternative would be to use the Dropbox search facility to find your book. It seems, from my limited use, to be fast and effective.

03-31-2013, 03:30 AM	#6
Adoby Handy Elephant Posts: 1,736 Karma: 26785668 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern Sweden, far out in the quiet woods Device: Thinkpad E595, Ubuntu Mate, Huawei Mediapad 5, Bouye Likebook Plus	Or use the very powerful save to disk feature in calibre. And save the books to the Dropbox folder. You can then customize the folder structure as you please. Only your knowledge of how to use the template system in calibre limit you. That way you also make sure that the metadata and covers are updated in the books. Calibre usually doesn't store changes in the books, but only in the database.

03-31-2013, 10:49 AM	#10
copyrite Wizard Posts: 1,814 Karma: 4985051 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maryland Device: ...lots! ;) mostly reading on a Kindle Voyage	Another workaround might be to create a catalog of books in your library, and upload the catalog to dropbox for perusing. With a catalog you can see sections for authors, titles, series, genres, recently added, & descriptions, if you choose. CLick on the dropdown for the Convert Books icon and check out the options. I have created catalogs from Read and TBR tags to help manage my reading experience (well even though the TBR stack is quite unmanageable). My library's gotten quite large, personally I wouldn't want the 'under the hood' format restructured. I think it would take quite a while to update, and would create many more folders as I know the number of unique titles is way more than number of unique authors.