New content server interface in 0.7.24

[kovidgoyal]

Hi all,

I implemented an all new content server interface in the just released 0.7.24. It allows for browsing by tags/authors/user categories/etc., like the Tag Browser interface in the main calibre GUI.

You can access it via /browse, so for example, if you normally access the content server at http://192.168.1.2:8080 you can get the new interface at http://192.168.1.2:8080/browse

Some screenshots of the interface are attached. I'm hoping those of you that use the content server will use the new interface and report any problems as I plan on making it the default interface soon.

Note that you have to use a fairly modern browser, so no Internet Explorer 6 or 7 in particular.

Enjoy.

EDIT: And if you really prefer the old interface, it will remain accessible under /old even after this becomes the default interface.

[sherman]

I really like the new interface.

Just a couple of observations to do with restricted titles.

I have a search called "restricted" that displays everything that doesn't have a tag called restricted.

When browsing Newest on the content server, my restricted items show up anyway (Bad). However, the restricted tag doesn't show up in the Tags list (Good) and the author also doesn't show up in the author list (good as well).

Also, when people have restricted items in their library, they may not want people who browse the content server to know there are restrictions in place. Therefore I'm not sure that the search used for restrictions should show up in the Searches list.

[kovidgoyal]

good points, open a ticket for them, so I don't forget.

[Sweetpea]

Browsing for custom columns is not working:


Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\cherrypy\_cprequest.py", line 606, in respond
File "site-packages\cherrypy\_cperror.py", line 227, in __call__
NotFound: (404, "The path '/browse/category/' was not found.")

I doubt this url is valid as url:

http://127.0.0.1:8080/browse/category/#language

(custom column is "language")

[Trickery]

Looks fantastic! If I switch libraries in Calibre while the web server is running it errors out and seems to shut down the web server.

500 Internal Server Error

The server encountered an unexpected condition which prevented it from fulfilling the request.

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\cherrypy\_cprequest.py", line 606, in respond
File "site-packages\cherrypy\_cpdispatch.py", line 25, in __call__
File "site-packages\calibre\library\server\utils.py", line 49, in do
File "site-packages\calibre\library\server\browse.py", line 167, in do
File "site-packages\calibre\library\server\browse.py", line 478, in browse_matches
File "site-packages\calibre\library\server\cache.py", line 39, in categories_cache
File "site-packages\calibre\library\database2.py", line 1092, in get_categories
File "site-packages\calibre\library\sqlite.py", line 202, in run
DatabaseException: Connection closed
Remote

Easily fixed by going and starting the web server again.

Off topic: Is there a way to show multiple libraries through the web server?

Either way, it looks fantastic! Thank goodness for the mobile version. It's seems to be the only way to browse through my collection on my Kindle, and pretty useful on my iPhone. Could use some reformatting though! Don't forget: Mobile version needs lovin' too!

For example the current layout:

Currency Trading for Dummies by Mark Galant- 1.8 MB - 2010/10/11 10:57:33 Tags=[Business, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS, Consumer Finance, Economics, Finance & Accounting, ...] Book Read=[No] Date Added=[Oct 11 2010]

Could easily be:

Currency Trading for Dummies by Mark Galant - 1.8 MB
"This nuts-and-bolts guide gives you a step-by-step action plan for understanding and trading the forex market."

Bravo on tackling this great great feature and making it better

[sherman]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

good points, open a ticket for them, so I don't forget.

Done.

Ticket #7209 opened.

[Trickery]

Same on the mobile reformat!

http://bugs.calibre-ebook.com/ticket/7211

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Browsing for custom columns is not working:


Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\cherrypy\_cprequest.py", line 606, in respond
File "site-packages\cherrypy\_cperror.py", line 227, in __call__
NotFound: (404, "The path '/browse/category/' was not found.")

I doubt this url is valid as url:

http://127.0.0.1:8080/browse/category/#language

(custom column is "language")

a 127 URL means Local host (That's your machine: internally), port 8080 may be blocked (firewalled).

[Starson17]

I noticed that /browse has no icon to browse for "Title." It's not needed now, as you can always go to /old, but when /browse becomes the default, I think most users would want it.

[kovidgoyal]

@sweetpea: Fixed in next reelase

[phenomshel]

I agree with Starson on the availability of "browse by title" in the final..but Kovid, this looks FANTASTIC!! Great job!!

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

I agree with Starson on the availability of "browse by title" in the final..but Kovid, this looks FANTASTIC!! Great job!!

Yep, it looks great

[kovidgoyal]

Next release will have an "All books" icon.

Fixed switching libraries causing content server errors.

[kovidgoyal]

I'd like to know what browsers/platforms you guys have tested the new content server on. Hopefully, if the cross section is broad enough I can make it the default in the next release.

[phenomshel]

Windows 7 64 bit here, Kovid. FF 3.6.10 and IE 8.7600 64-bit edition.