Moving between linux and windows.

[cbeerse]

I've started using calibre on Linux. However, the msWindows users here like to access the same catalog/library. Hence I copied it to the nas, after which it was perfectly usable from linux, just as if from local disk.

However, what ever I try, the msWindows can access the library, but connecting always gives some error.

Hence, small question: Can I use a calibre library on a nas? or could I ruin it all?

However, the big question: How should I use/move/copy the library from linux to msWindows?

[theducks]

Originally Posted by cbeerse

I've started using calibre on Linux. However, the msWindows users here like to access the same catalog/library. Hence I copied it to the nas, after which it was perfectly usable from linux, just as if from local disk.

However, what ever I try, the msWindows can access the library, but connecting always gives some error.

Hence, small question: Can I use a calibre library on a nas? or could I ruin it all?

However, the big question: How should I use/move/copy the library from linux to msWindows?

Calibre is NOT multi-user.
There are also issues accessing the same library from different O/S
IMHO Best to avoid them.

Install Calibre on the system that will make CHANGES.
For (read) Access, use the built-in server.
Users browse using their favorite browser, but can't make changes

[cbeerse]

Originally Posted by theducks

Calibre is NOT multi-user.
There are also issues accessing the same library from different O/S
IMHO Best to avoid them.

Install Calibre on the system that will make CHANGES.
For (read) Access, use the built-in server.
Users browse using their favorite browser, but can't make changes

Well, okee, leaves me that I cannot avoid them, I like to move Calibre from linux to msWindows. Is there a recipy?

[darrenlee]

Correct me if I'm wrong.I don't think accessing calibre library from different OS will cause any trouble,since sqlite database file is cross-platform. The chance is that accessing the same calibre library from different machines/users simultaneously will cause errors due to writing-lock on db file.

[Starson17]

Originally Posted by darrenlee

Correct me if I'm wrong.I don't think accessing calibre library from different OS will cause any trouble,since sqlite database file is cross-platform.

Occasional problems arise when a case sensitive file system and a case-insensitive file system are mixed with a single calibre library, or when long filenames are used and the two OSs have different filename length limits. These problems seldom seem to arise when converting from one system to another, but when both OSs are used regularly on the same library, they may crop up.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Starson17

Occasional problems arise when a case sensitive file system and a case-insensitive file system are mixed with a single calibre library, or when long filenames are used and the two OSs have different filename length limits. These problems seldom seem to arise when converting from one system to another, but when both OSs are used regularly on the same library, they may crop up.

I am still missing chunks (you know where) from moving a Library to Ubuntu, doing adds and changes , and copying it back.
Both Calibre were at the same revision level.
And Yes, most were related to 'case'.

[darrenlee]

Originally Posted by Starson17

Occasional problems arise when a case sensitive file system and a case-insensitive file system are mixed with a single calibre library, or when long filenames are used and the two OSs have different filename length limits. These problems seldom seem to arise when converting from one system to another, but when both OSs are used regularly on the same library, they may crop up.

Thanks for the correction.I haven't used non-Unix-like operating systems for years.I totally forgot the file name friction between different operating systems.

[cbeerse]

Originally Posted by darrenlee

Correct me if I'm wrong.I don't think accessing calibre library from different OS will cause any trouble,since sqlite database file is cross-platform. The chance is that accessing the same calibre library from different machines/users simultaneously will cause errors due to writing-lock on db file.

As far as I peeked in the metadata.db (?) file, the major problem between unix and windows is the directory-separator: / v.s. \. By head, I see it in the book-table, the location of the file. I bet if Calibre can coop with using / as dirseparator on msWindows and \ as dirseparator at unix, then the database shold have no problems.

The case of the characters should be no problem, since Calibre has created the files in the first place and all used filesystems are at least case-aware.

Multiple access of the single database can be a problem for nas-storage, however my first goal is to move the entire tree from linux to mswindows.

For nas-storage, I'd say Calibre should be able to handle read-only databases, also nice for databases stored on cd/dvd-s. The nas-storage can use locking to give the first calibre write access, subsequent calibres only get read-only access.

In the end, my (qnap 419) nas comes with mysql installed. Using that can be a goal for future developments. (this might need a new thread...)

[itimpi]

Putting a Calibre library on a NAS and using it from multiple OS is no issue as long as one is aware of the issues around the fact that Calibre is single-user, and long path names can be an issue.

I have my Calibre library on a NAS and am accessing it from Windows 7, Linux and OSX at different times during the day without any problems. The base path length on the NAS is short so that all OS should work fine with it. Directory separator characters are handled automatically in Calibre in an OS independent way.

I find that the one issue that used to really bite me of the filing system being Case Sensitive or not rarely seems to rear its head any more. I think that is a combination of Calibre having got better at makign sure case on the Filing System matches the database combined with me having picked up workflow habits that mean I avoid the typical problem cases. Having said that I do periodically run the Calibre Library Maintenance option to check I am not building up any hidden issues.

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by cbeerse

The case of the characters should be no problem, since Calibre has created the files in the first place and all used filesystems are at least case-aware.

That would only be true if every time the case of an author name is changed calibre moved every book by that author, which would make things impossibly slow.