MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Why would I want to add ebooks to Calibre without copying the source file?

leclezio · 12-04-2013, 09:15 AM

Hello,

When looking for an answer to the question "How to add ebooks to Calibre without copying the source file", it appeared that some long term users of Calibre were unable to find any valid reason for someone to desire that option.

Here is an example :

I've been using Calibre for several years and until today I didn't need anything more than what was provided by the software.

Lately I decided to share my library with someone else via Dropbox (we rarely open Calibre, so it's easy for us to never use Calibre at the same time).

Why : It's a fantastic way to share a library and fasten its cleaning (adding tags, categories, ratings to the books etc).

I came to the realization today that Calibre was right now the best program to manage my manga library as well.

Why : 1. I'm on Mac, and Calibre deals well with the zip files while allowing me to put more metadata on mangas than other specialised managers like Ehon. 2. Having everything (epubs + mangas) in one place is more convenient. 3. The person I share my library with can have a look at my mangas as well.

But I have 70Go worth of mangas, and not enough Dropbox space. But I do want to allow the person I share my library with to be able to look at which mangas I own.

Which is why I would have enjoyed the option of adding a book without copying the source file.

What's the point, if the other person can't have access?: 1. He will have access to the main information about the mangas, and ask me later to send them specific mangas. 2. It allows me to keep the physical locations of my manga library and ebook library separate (which is more convenient for me), while, as said before, allowing me to browse my reading list of mangas on Calibre.

What I'm going to do is that I will add all my mangas to Calibre, but mass delete the copied source files after making sure that the metadata of all volumes are correctly updated.

Why this post: I just wanted to share my experience, because I think the original request of an option allowing to add an ebook to Calibre without copying the source file is not just a case of too-lazy-to-understand-how-Calibre-works as some members of this forum seem to believe.

At the end of the day, even if I have to work around its normal behaviour, Calibre works for me and I'm satisfied with the program, while still thinking that such an option wouldn't be just catering to the stupid.

Please don't tell me to develop my own software (I've seen this kind of response in Calibre forums), I was just trying to be helpful.

Cheers.

12-04-2013, 09:15 AM	#1
leclezio Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2013 Device: Nexus 7	Why would I want to add ebooks to Calibre without copying the source file? Hello, When looking for an answer to the question "How to add ebooks to Calibre without copying the source file", it appeared that some long term users of Calibre were unable to find any valid reason for someone to desire that option. Here is an example : I've been using Calibre for several years and until today I didn't need anything more than what was provided by the software. Lately I decided to share my library with someone else via Dropbox (we rarely open Calibre, so it's easy for us to never use Calibre at the same time). Why : It's a fantastic way to share a library and fasten its cleaning (adding tags, categories, ratings to the books etc). I came to the realization today that Calibre was right now the best program to manage my manga library as well. Why : 1. I'm on Mac, and Calibre deals well with the zip files while allowing me to put more metadata on mangas than other specialised managers like Ehon. 2. Having everything (epubs + mangas) in one place is more convenient. 3. The person I share my library with can have a look at my mangas as well. But I have 70Go worth of mangas, and not enough Dropbox space. But I do want to allow the person I share my library with to be able to look at which mangas I own. Which is why I would have enjoyed the option of adding a book without copying the source file. What's the point, if the other person can't have access?: 1. He will have access to the main information about the mangas, and ask me later to send them specific mangas. 2. It allows me to keep the physical locations of my manga library and ebook library separate (which is more convenient for me), while, as said before, allowing me to browse my reading list of mangas on Calibre. What I'm going to do is that I will add all my mangas to Calibre, but mass delete the copied source files after making sure that the metadata of all volumes are correctly updated. Why this post: I just wanted to share my experience, because I think the original request of an option allowing to add an ebook to Calibre without copying the source file is not just a case of too-lazy-to-understand-how-Calibre-works as some members of this forum seem to believe. At the end of the day, even if I have to work around its normal behaviour, Calibre works for me and I'm satisfied with the program, while still thinking that such an option wouldn't be just catering to the stupid. Please don't tell me to develop my own software (I've seen this kind of response in Calibre forums), I was just trying to be helpful. Cheers.