Data lost after library folder sync

wtw1936 · 08-21-2011, 05:24 PM

Using software to sync folders across our two computers, I share my library with my wife by syncing our Calibre library folders. If, for example, I create a user-column "Read" to indicate whether a book has been read or not, she and I can use the column, but when I update her folder all her Read info is lost and replaced by mine. Is there any way that she can retain her personal changes such that my updates won't destroy those changes?

theducks · 08-21-2011, 06:17 PM

[QUOTE=wtw1936;1710870]Using software to sync folders across our two computers, I share my library with my wife by syncing our Calibre library folders. If, for example, I create a user-column "Read" to indicate whether a book has been read or not, she and I can use the column, but when I update her folder all her Read info is lost and replaced by mine. Is there any way that she can retain her personal changes such that my updates won't destroy those changes?[/QUOTE

NO

you are using 3rd party programs to mess with Calibre's Library folder and they have no clue how to maintain DB integrity.

If done Carefully <- <-
You can save your changed books to a second Library (on a thumb drive or A blank folder on her system).
After you are done and give the OK, she can switch to the New Library and merge .
BTW Each of you need a Uniquely named custom columns for your read status or the merge overwrites. (and her column name can't exist on your machine or the status will be clobbered when merged) OTOH a Tag (read) column, Tags do get merged

(Jane, Steve, Dick)

wtw1936 · 08-21-2011, 08:04 PM

To share my new books with my wife (different computer) I've tried just copying the new author folders from within my Calibre Library folder and then pasting them into the analogous place on her computer. To get Calibre to recognize the new books, I then go to Library Maintenance and Restore Database. That's fine for a small database, but with several thousand books the restore time is exorbitant. Is there any way to just update the database (metadata.db) with only the new info and avoid processing all the old books?

wtw1936 · 08-21-2011, 08:23 PM

Theducks:
Actually, syncing the 2 library folders works just fine, at least in the sense that what appears in my wife's Calibre is identical to mine.

Your suggestion of creating & merging a 2nd library and using separate read columns seems like a good idea worth exploring. Thanks very much for note.

Dopedangel · 08-21-2011, 10:49 PM

I would recommend using something like dropbox for syncing.
And as far as making separate read columns you can also use the view plugin to set different view settings for yourself and your wife so just if she uses her view only her read column shows up.

08-21-2011, 05:24 PM	#1
wtw1936 Member Posts: 15 Karma: 3488 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: Kindle	Data lost after library folder sync Using software to sync folders across our two computers, I share my library with my wife by syncing our Calibre library folders. If, for example, I create a user-column "Read" to indicate whether a book has been read or not, she and I can use the column, but when I update her folder all her Read info is lost and replaced by mine. Is there any way that she can retain her personal changes such that my updates won't destroy those changes?

08-21-2011, 08:04 PM	#3
wtw1936 Member Posts: 15 Karma: 3488 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: Kindle	Update database file after new author folders pasted in. To share my new books with my wife (different computer) I've tried just copying the new author folders from within my Calibre Library folder and then pasting them into the analogous place on her computer. To get Calibre to recognize the new books, I then go to Library Maintenance and Restore Database. That's fine for a small database, but with several thousand books the restore time is exorbitant. Is there any way to just update the database (metadata.db) with only the new info and avoid processing all the old books?

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08-21-2011, 06:17 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,818 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	[QUOTE=wtw1936;1710870]Using software to sync folders across our two computers, I share my library with my wife by syncing our Calibre library folders. If, for example, I create a user-column "Read" to indicate whether a book has been read or not, she and I can use the column, but when I update her folder all her Read info is lost and replaced by mine. Is there any way that she can retain her personal changes such that my updates won't destroy those changes?[/QUOTE NO you are using 3rd party programs to mess with Calibre's Library folder and they have no clue how to maintain DB integrity. If done Carefully <- <- You can save your changed books to a second Library (on a thumb drive or A blank folder on her system). After you are done and give the OK, she can switch to the New Library and merge . BTW Each of you need a Uniquely named custom columns for your read status or the merge overwrites. (and her column name can't exist on your machine or the status will be clobbered when merged) OTOH a Tag (read) column, Tags do get merged (Jane, Steve, Dick)

08-21-2011, 08:23 PM	#4
wtw1936 Member Posts: 15 Karma: 3488 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: Kindle	Theducks: Actually, syncing the 2 library folders works just fine, at least in the sense that what appears in my wife's Calibre is identical to mine. Your suggestion of creating & merging a 2nd library and using separate read columns seems like a good idea worth exploring. Thanks very much for note.

08-21-2011, 10:49 PM	#5
Dopedangel Wizard Posts: 1,759 Karma: 30063305 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Singapore Device: Boyue	I would recommend using something like dropbox for syncing. And as far as making separate read columns you can also use the view plugin to set different view settings for yourself and your wife so just if she uses her view only her read column shows up.

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