Installation for Linux - Why so hard?

Wentworth · 08-13-2011, 03:36 AM

I installed Calibre on Windows 7 with no problems.

I've just installed on Linux (Peppermint OS) using the 'Software Manager' - There isn't a 'Get Books' function available - perhaps it's an old version.

I went to the Calibre web page and then to Downloads/Linux. Instead of giving the usual download button, they give you an option to copy and paste a line of text depending on whether you want 'Binary' or 'Source'. It would be helpful to know what the difference is as I haven't a clue; it's not helpful for non-techie users of Linux.

montsnmags · 08-13-2011, 04:01 AM

"Binary" would be what you want.

In simple terms, "source" is for people who want the "source code" (basically the text code the developers wrote it in, so you could alter the program if you want); "binary" is for people like us, who just want the program.

Cheers,
Marc

DoctorOhh · 08-13-2011, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wentworth

I've just installed on Linux (Peppermint OS) using the 'Software Manager' - There isn't a 'Get Books' function available - perhaps it's an old version.

I went to the Calibre web page and then to Downloads/Linux. Instead of giving the usual download button, they give you an option to copy and paste a line of text depending on whether you want 'Binary' or 'Source'. It would be helpful to know what the difference is as I haven't a clue; it's not helpful for non-techie users of Linux.

It really can't be easier.

On Calibre's Linux install/download page it states up front:

Please do not use your distribution provided calibre package, as those are often buggy/outdated. Instead use the Binary install described below.

Wentworth · 08-13-2011, 04:37 AM

Many thanks for the advice; I used the binary and it's working a treat.

I saw the message about not downloading from distro sources. However, I checked out the website first and then did the advised method of installing from within the distro; I only saw that message after I tried downloading straight from the website. I will put a comment on the distro source.

Happy Bear now - reading on my Kindle!

DoctorOhh · 08-13-2011, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wentworth

Many thanks for the advice; I used the binary and it's working a treat.

You're Welcome, I'm glad it's working for you.

darkbeanies · 08-13-2011, 06:28 PM

On archlinux, I type

pacman -S calibre

and type "y" for "yes"

And it installs the latest version.

Good, eh?

Sorry if I look like a troll...

user_none · 08-13-2011, 07:36 PM

FYI, I've worked with the Arch packager to iron out all packaging issues. The only issue that might arise from using the Arch package is a potential library incompatibility due to a library upgrade but the Arch packagers are very quick to get new builds out to fix theses issues. Also, Arch packages are the only distro packages I can and will recommend people use.

darkbeanies · 08-13-2011, 10:12 PM

Well, thanks for doing a great job!

iomari · 08-15-2011, 10:15 AM

I'm installing the binary now. WHere does it store the tarball that it's downloading and how does it differ from the tarball from source install? I'm asking because I may need to install this on other machines that have no internet connection.

Just tried to upgrade and here is the result:

-> sudo python -c "import urllib2; exec urllib2.urlopen('http://status.calibre-ebook.com/linux_installer').read(); main()"
Enter the installation directory for calibre [/opt]:
Will download and install calibre-0.8.14-i686.tar.bz2
Downloading calibre-0.8.14-i686.tar.bz2
100% [================================================== ================================================== =================================================]
Downloaded 46757154 bytes
Checking downloaded file integrity...
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
File "<string>", line 226, in main
File "<string>", line 204, in download_and_extract
File "/usr/lib/python2.7/shutil.py", line 229, in rmtree
onerror(os.path.islink, path, sys.exc_info())
File "/usr/lib/python2.7/shutil.py", line 227, in rmtree
raise OSError("Cannot call rmtree on a symbolic link")
OSError: Cannot call rmtree on a symbolic link

Also, why does the installer download the app again after there was an error. The first download had completed so why doesn't it keep it on the system. I'm on a data that charges per byte and this is a waste of money having to redownload again.

iomari · 08-15-2011, 10:39 AM

seems like I have to remove the old installation first. All is well now. However I still would like to know where the tarball was downloaded so I can use it to install on other machines without downloading again.
btw I'm using opensuse

08-13-2011, 03:36 AM	#1
Wentworth Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: Amazon Kindle 3	Installation for Linux - Why so hard? I installed Calibre on Windows 7 with no problems. I've just installed on Linux (Peppermint OS) using the 'Software Manager' - There isn't a 'Get Books' function available - perhaps it's an old version. I went to the Calibre web page and then to Downloads/Linux. Instead of giving the usual download button, they give you an option to copy and paste a line of text depending on whether you want 'Binary' or 'Source'. It would be helpful to know what the difference is as I haven't a clue; it's not helpful for non-techie users of Linux.

08-15-2011, 10:15 AM	#9
iomari Zealot Posts: 146 Karma: 100 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Nigeria Device: galaxy tab	I'm installing the binary now. WHere does it store the tarball that it's downloading and how does it differ from the tarball from source install? I'm asking because I may need to install this on other machines that have no internet connection. Just tried to upgrade and here is the result: -> sudo python -c "import urllib2; exec urllib2.urlopen('http://status.calibre-ebook.com/linux_installer').read(); main()" Enter the installation directory for calibre [/opt]: Will download and install calibre-0.8.14-i686.tar.bz2 Downloading calibre-0.8.14-i686.tar.bz2 100% [================================================== ================================================== =================================================] Downloaded 46757154 bytes Checking downloaded file integrity... Traceback (most recent call last): File "<string>", line 1, in <module> File "<string>", line 226, in main File "<string>", line 204, in download_and_extract File "/usr/lib/python2.7/shutil.py", line 229, in rmtree onerror(os.path.islink, path, sys.exc_info()) File "/usr/lib/python2.7/shutil.py", line 227, in rmtree raise OSError("Cannot call rmtree on a symbolic link") OSError: Cannot call rmtree on a symbolic link Also, why does the installer download the app again after there was an error. The first download had completed so why doesn't it keep it on the system. I'm on a data that charges per byte and this is a waste of money having to redownload again. Last edited by iomari; 08-15-2011 at 10:29 AM.

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08-13-2011, 04:01 AM	#2
montsnmags Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,155 Karma: 4632658 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: none	"Binary" would be what you want. In simple terms, "source" is for people who want the "source code" (basically the text code the developers wrote it in, so you could alter the program if you want); "binary" is for people like us, who just want the program. Cheers, Marc

08-13-2011, 04:37 AM	#4
Wentworth Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: Amazon Kindle 3	Many thanks for the advice; I used the binary and it's working a treat. I saw the message about not downloading from distro sources. However, I checked out the website first and then did the advised method of installing from within the distro; I only saw that message after I tried downloading straight from the website. I will put a comment on the distro source. Happy Bear now - reading on my Kindle!

08-13-2011, 06:28 PM	#6
darkbeanies Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	On archlinux, I type pacman -S calibre and type "y" for "yes" And it installs the latest version. Good, eh? Sorry if I look like a troll...

08-13-2011, 07:36 PM	#7
user_none Sigil & calibre developer Posts: 2,487 Karma: 1063785 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida, USA Device: Nook STR	FYI, I've worked with the Arch packager to iron out all packaging issues. The only issue that might arise from using the Arch package is a potential library incompatibility due to a library upgrade but the Arch packagers are very quick to get new builds out to fix theses issues. Also, Arch packages are the only distro packages I can and will recommend people use.

08-13-2011, 10:12 PM	#8
darkbeanies Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	Well, thanks for doing a great job!

08-15-2011, 10:39 AM	#10
iomari Zealot Posts: 146 Karma: 100 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Nigeria Device: galaxy tab	seems like I have to remove the old installation first. All is well now. However I still would like to know where the tarball was downloaded so I can use it to install on other machines without downloading again. btw I'm using opensuse

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