05-04-2011, 12:26 PM | #1 |
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Calibre just destroyed my hard drive data
Just had a very bad experience using this Calibre program. I have been using it for years to convert files without having any problems until now.
It happened when I ran the program and clicked on the "books" menu button at the top of the screen. A drop down menu appears with various options. I picked the option that says delete library > desktop. The next thing i know is the hard drive starts making noises for about a minute. I think to myself it's just getting rid of all the books i have accumulated, which is what i expected it to do. So then i go over to my desktop and see this [edited] Calibre program has deleted nearly everything i had on my desktop irrespective of whether the files were ebooks or not. Nearly all my photos, videos, music, data etc were gone. I look in the recycle bin and they're not even there. All gone in an instant. After i recovered from the shock i downloaded a free hard drive recovery program from the net and set about trying to recover all the stuff that was gone. I got back most of what calibre deleted. I wanted to warn people about the behaviour of this program and would like to know if there are any alternatives to using this program. Last edited by netseeker; 05-04-2011 at 03:12 PM. Reason: moderation edit |
05-04-2011, 12:42 PM | #2 |
creator of calibre
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Let's see, [edited] you set your desktop as the calibre library. Then you ask calibre to delete that library. Then when it does that, you complain.
You're like the fool that shoots himself in the foot with a gun and then blames the gun manufacturer for not manufacturing a gun that can read your mind and so refuse to shoot your foot off. EDIT: And not just that when you ask calibre to delete a library, a confirmation dialog pops up that says, and I quote, "All files from 'the library folder' will be permanently deleted. Are you sure?". And you chose to ignore that dialog. Last edited by netseeker; 05-04-2011 at 03:13 PM. Reason: moderation edit |
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05-04-2011, 12:45 PM | #3 |
Sigil & calibre developer
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What's so unusual about an application deleting files when you tell it to? You told it to delete the desktop library (librareis are folders) so it did. calibre expects to have total control (should not be a surprise as it's talked about in many places) of its library to do what it needs. You shouldn't have used an existing folder as your library.
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05-04-2011, 01:31 PM | #4 |
Grand Sorcerer
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The first time I saw something like this was in 1975 at Berkeley. A student typed "rm -rf ." in his home directory, then went ballistic when all his files were deleted. He blamed me (the teaching assistant on duty) for letting him do it. He went as far as to complain to the prof for the class about my inattentiveness. The prof told him to go pound sand.
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05-04-2011, 01:41 PM | #5 |
creator of calibre
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Coming to rm -rf stories, when I was a lot stupider I aliased rm -rf as rm on the theory that typing -rf every time was too much work.
I rather quickly saw the error of my ways Thankfully, I did not think to blame the creators of BASh for having an alias function. Last edited by kovidgoyal; 05-04-2011 at 01:44 PM. |
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05-04-2011, 01:42 PM | #6 |
Well trained by Cats
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Only a fool stores the original file on the Desktop
All of the desktop shortcuts can be rebuilt with small pain. My rule: 'Any file on the desktop is Trash can padding' |
05-04-2011, 01:44 PM | #7 |
Wizard
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One could expect calibre to delete only the file related to it. On the other hand, using the desktop as the library, definitively NOT something to do.
The desktop is well, a desktop. The "documents" folders is where your files should be calibre's file in their own folder. |
05-04-2011, 01:57 PM | #8 |
Wizard
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I was getting upset with Calibre last night, my computer kept hanging, causing X to crash, books not showing up in library, etc...
Then I found out that my hard drive was dying and my filesystem was hosed... ooops... too quick to blame the program I was currently running. :-) Hey, kovidgoyal, thanks for the awesome program! :-) |
05-04-2011, 02:07 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
I now see that you are [edited] responsible for this program. I uncover a major flaw in your program and all you can do is hurl insults. You should be thanking me for uncovering such a major problem in your flawed program and also apologising for the damage your program has done. Instead you hurl insults like some arrogant fool. I am still looking for other options to use other than this damaging program. So if anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Last edited by netseeker; 05-04-2011 at 03:15 PM. Reason: moderation edit |
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05-04-2011, 02:14 PM | #10 |
Omnivorous
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05-04-2011, 02:22 PM | #11 |
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05-04-2011, 02:25 PM | #12 | |
Wizard
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Quote:
Others option none that I know of. And I looked, as calibre don't fit me. Last edited by netseeker; 05-04-2011 at 03:15 PM. Reason: moderation edit |
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05-04-2011, 02:26 PM | #13 | |
Wizard
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Quote:
There are no programs comparable in scope or depth to Calibre (not to mention the responsiveness of the developers). No program is likely to protect you from the consequences of your own actions. I do wish you luck in finding something that works for you. |
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05-04-2011, 02:28 PM | #14 | |
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Quote:
I bet you ignore the 'Don't back up' as you exit a secure car park and blame the owner |
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05-04-2011, 02:28 PM | #15 |
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