editing books

kasia · 08-31-2011, 03:15 PM

Hello everyone!

I'm using Calibre to manage my own stuff (well, let's call it poetry). I have all my works in txt files and I exported them to Calibre.

Editing is a problem, though. I can change a text file, but then, it remains the same in the source folder (it only gets changed in the library folder).

Is there any way I can overcome it, in any way?

I'm totally new to Calibre, and I do hope you more or less understand what I mean

theducks · 08-31-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kasia

Hello everyone!

I'm using Calibre to manage my own stuff (well, let's call it poetry). I have all my works in txt files and I exported them to Calibre.

Editing is a problem, though. I can change a text file, but then, it remains the same in the source folder (it only gets changed in the library folder).

Is there any way I can overcome it, in any way?

I'm totally new to Calibre, and I do hope you more or less understand what I mean

Install the "Open With" plug-in.
If your format is EPUB, then Instal Sigil (next forum down)
Open with is pre-configured for Sigil.
You can also set a 'Custom Open with' for other formats to use any installed (format-compatible) editor.

Open With Edits do their thin the file Within the Library , use care.

kasia · 08-31-2011, 03:37 PM

Thanks a lot!

Sounds complicated, but let's see if I can do it

kasia · 08-31-2011, 04:18 PM

Either I didn't express myself clearly, or I didn't understand something.

(Installed Sigil and got stuck).

Let me rephrase my problem.

My works are stored nicely on my hard disk, all of them TXT files.
I'm quite happy with it

However, it would be nice to be able to tag the files, rate them, mark unfinished files and so on. Hence the ebook software.

At the same time, I need to be able to edit the files, not only store and manage them.
Calibre would be great, but when I edit the files in Calibre, they don't get changed in the source folder (the one from which I exported them).

That's why I try to look for some solution...
I could also try different software (free and one that can read Polish fonts).

Any ideas?

theducks · 08-31-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kasia

Either I didn't express myself clearly, or I didn't understand something.

(Installed Sigil and got stuck).

Let me rephrase my problem.

My works are stored nicely on my hard disk, all of them TXT files.
I'm quite happy with it

However, it would be nice to be able to tag the files, rate them, mark unfinished files and so on. Hence the ebook software.

At the same time, I need to be able to edit the files, not only store and manage them.
Calibre would be great, but when I edit the files in Calibre, they don't get changed in the source folder (the one from which I exported them).

That's why I try to look for some solution...
I could also try different software (free and one that can read Polish fonts).

Any ideas?

Once you put books into Calibre, That become the source (folder) for all purposes.
The Original folder, is just that: The Original version. you could Archive it OFF the computer and Calibre will manage the 'current' version.

Calibre can Export books (save to Disk) to any folder (but the template will prevail on file naming).

kasia · 08-31-2011, 05:04 PM

Sounds reasonable. Still, when "saving to disk", I get all those "unnecessary" files/folders, which I don't like.

Thanks for pointing that out, I believe it's the best option for me anyway.

If anyone can come up with any other idea, please let me know.

Manichean · 08-31-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kasia

Sounds reasonable. Still, when "saving to disk", I get all those "unnecessary" files/folders, which I don't like.

See preferences -> save to disk. You can select not to save OPF files and JPEG covers as well as configure the directory and filename structure based on the metadata in the library.

HarryT · 09-01-2011, 01:22 AM

Text files are a very poor choice for your original books; they have no formatting. Do you buy books and then convert them to plain text? I'm a little puzzled - I don't know of anyone who publishes books as text files! Or are you talking about public domain stuff from PG? Even they, though, do HTML, which is much better.

user_none · 09-01-2011, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Text files are a very poor choice for your original books; they have no formatting.

Markdown or Textile. Formatting for TXT. Both do a really good job for reading in the TXT file and for converting to other formats.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Do you buy books and then convert them to plain text?

I do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm a little puzzled - I don't know of anyone who publishes books as text files! Or are you talking about public domain stuff from PG? Even they, though, do HTML, which is much better.

I only use EPUB when the book contains pictures. If it's just text I prefer TXT.

HarryT · 09-01-2011, 01:54 PM

Good heavens!

I've never cone across anyone who does that before. Oh well, as long as it's what you want

.

alansplace · 09-01-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by user_none

...If it's just text I prefer TXT.

what do you do about italics?

user_none · 09-01-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alansplace

what do you do about italics?

Not all books have or need them. If there is a need for them then Markdown or Textile takes care of it.

kasia · 09-01-2011, 04:50 PM

I write my poetry in TXT precisely because there is no formatting, just plain text.

Just a couple of lines, no need for italics. I can edit them with no problem. Opens easily, I don't need to worry about formatting, and I believe it's easy to convert IF I want to change the format. I like this simplicity.

DoctorOhh · 09-01-2011, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kasia

I write my poetry in TXT precisely because there is no formatting, just plain text.

True, basic text doesn't have formatting, but as user_none indicated using Markdown or Textile text preserves most all formatting.

Agama · 09-02-2011, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kasia

I write my poetry in TXT precisely because there is no formatting, just plain text.

Just a couple of lines, no need for italics. I can edit them with no problem. Opens easily, I don't need to worry about formatting, and I believe it's easy to convert IF I want to change the format. I like this simplicity.

I can highly recommend Markdown syntax. It is still plain text and very simple, but uses specific characters to make the text look good. These characters make conversion to ePub very easy, and calibre has a tick-box for Markdown processing.

See http://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/ for more details.

(Textile has more functionality but does not look as good. Markdown is specifically designed to enhance the look of plain text.)

08-31-2011, 03:15 PM	#1
kasia Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	editing books Hello everyone! I'm using Calibre to manage my own stuff (well, let's call it poetry). I have all my works in txt files and I exported them to Calibre. Editing is a problem, though. I can change a text file, but then, it remains the same in the source folder (it only gets changed in the library folder). Is there any way I can overcome it, in any way? I'm totally new to Calibre, and I do hope you more or less understand what I mean

09-01-2011, 04:50 PM	#13
kasia Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	I write my poetry in TXT precisely because there is no formatting, just plain text. Just a couple of lines, no need for italics. I can edit them with no problem. Opens easily, I don't need to worry about formatting, and I believe it's easy to convert IF I want to change the format. I like this simplicity. Last edited by kasia; 09-01-2011 at 04:51 PM. Reason: just a couple of things to add ;)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Editing already released books?	VydorScope	Writers' Corner	25	08-29-2011 07:52 AM
Editing mobi formatted e-books	cuber3	Kindle Formats	5	01-22-2011 05:43 AM
Problem editing metadata of books from Mobile Read	Alison C	Calibre	14	01-13-2011 03:42 AM
Editing Books-on-Device metadata (iRex DR800S)	Albyr	Calibre	5	06-12-2010 12:19 PM
Editing OOC books?	dfigueroa	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	2	05-15-2010 01:34 AM

08-31-2011, 03:37 PM	#3
kasia Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	Thanks a lot! Sounds complicated, but let's see if I can do it

08-31-2011, 04:18 PM	#4
kasia Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	Either I didn't express myself clearly, or I didn't understand something. (Installed Sigil and got stuck). Let me rephrase my problem. My works are stored nicely on my hard disk, all of them TXT files. I'm quite happy with it However, it would be nice to be able to tag the files, rate them, mark unfinished files and so on. Hence the ebook software. At the same time, I need to be able to edit the files, not only store and manage them. Calibre would be great, but when I edit the files in Calibre, they don't get changed in the source folder (the one from which I exported them). That's why I try to look for some solution... I could also try different software (free and one that can read Polish fonts). Any ideas?

08-31-2011, 05:04 PM	#6
kasia Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	Sounds reasonable. Still, when "saving to disk", I get all those "unnecessary" files/folders, which I don't like. Thanks for pointing that out, I believe it's the best option for me anyway. If anyone can come up with any other idea, please let me know.

09-01-2011, 01:22 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Text files are a very poor choice for your original books; they have no formatting. Do you buy books and then convert them to plain text? I'm a little puzzled - I don't know of anyone who publishes books as text files! Or are you talking about public domain stuff from PG? Even they, though, do HTML, which is much better.

09-01-2011, 01:54 PM	#10
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Good heavens! I've never cone across anyone who does that before. Oh well, as long as it's what you want .

Advert

Advert