Newbie Question: Calbre Desktop or Calibre Portable?

lorken · 02-14-2012, 08:57 PM

Hi, just getting started with Calbre here. I downloaded it to my desktop and have played with it a bit and started getting familiar with it. But I see now (should have noticed before) that there is a Portable version that I could use on a memory stick, and am wondering if anyone has any recommendations as to using that version vs. the desktop version. Are they identical? Or is the portable version a "Calibre light"?

I think I would like the convenience of the portable version, because we have both a desktop and a netbook and if my SO was on one machine, I could just use the other. Would it really be that easy? (I would be using it with a Kobo Vox.)

Does anyone have any experience/comments/reviews/warnings about the portable version vs the windows desktop version?

ilovejedd · 02-14-2012, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorken

Hi, just getting started with Calbre here. I downloaded it to my desktop and have played with it a bit and started getting familiar with it. But I see now (should have noticed before) that there is a Portable version that I could use on a memory stick, and am wondering if anyone has any recommendations as to using that version vs. the desktop version. Are they identical? Or is the portable version a "Calibre light"?

I think I would like the convenience of the portable version, because we have both a desktop and a netbook and if my SO was on one machine, I could just use the other. Would it really be that easy? (I would be using it with a Kobo Vox.)

The "official" portable version of Calibre isn't so good for multi-library usage (it only "portabilizes" the default library, not additional ones). Aside from that, it works just like regular calibre. It is in no way a "Calibre light". I've taken to using calibrePortable on all my machines.

FizzyWater · 02-14-2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

The "official" portable version of Calibre isn't so good for multi-library usage (it only "portabilizes" the default library, not additional ones). Aside from that, it works just like regular calibre. It is in no way a "Calibre light". I've taken to using calibrePortable on all my machines.

You can't switch between libraries with the portable version?

CWatkinsNash · 02-14-2012, 09:38 PM

The portable version is a complete version of the program. I switched to the portable version about 4 months ago. I love the convenience of being able to use it on any of my computers.

The only downside I've encountered is that it can be slower - writing to a usb drive (which calibre does frequently when editing metadata, adding books and so on) is slower. USB sticks vary so if you have a few around, try a portable install on them with a "sample library" and see how they compare.

Aside from this issue, it operates just like the regular desktop version.

As for pros:
Easily move between computers
Easy to update
Easy to backup (all files are in one folder)

Edited to add - forgot about the drive letter issue with additional libraries - see next post.

CWatkinsNash · 02-14-2012, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

You can't switch between libraries with the portable version?

You can use multiple libraries - I have two in my portable install. The issue is that it uses the drive letter path for additional libraries so it can "lose" them when you try to switch if you're on a different computer and a different drive letter is assigned to the USB. The window pops up asking you to locate the library.

ilovejedd · 02-14-2012, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

The only downside I've encountered is that it can be slower - writing to a usb drive (which calibre does frequently when editing metadata, adding books and so on) is slower. USB sticks vary so if you have a few around, try a portable install on them with a "sample library" and see how they compare.

Unfortunately, while flash drives do vary in quality, they're more often crappy than not and can be quite unbearable to use with calibre. I use an SSD (former OS drive) in external enclosure, instead.

GrannyGrump · 02-15-2012, 04:00 AM

Antique Noob here. Here's an old trick I've used for years to get around the drive letter problem (I'm hesitant to start using mulitple libraries). It's so easy a child (or a granny) can do it.

If you point all links and configurations to a virtual drive letter assigned to a portable or flash drive, and assign that same drive letter on every computer you use, everything will continue to point to the portable drive (including shortcut icons!) No Administrator rights needed.

NOTE: You must use a letter not already used on the host computer.
I use drive letter B, I never see a PC with two floppy drives any more. Really, I think it is the only "safe" letter if you use public computers. It won't hurt anything if your favorite letter is already in use, it just will fail to assign the letter to your drive.

Just type the line of code in Notepad, SaveAs "All Files", save with .bat extension, for example BdriveAdd.bat, save file to the root drive of your portable/flash drive. Then in Windows Explorer / favorite file manager, double-click the file to run the batch. Presto, your drive is now listed as Drive B and also Drive K (or whatever it started as). I use my portable drive as Drive B on three different computers, and it works great.

Assign the virtual drive letter with this command in a batch file :

Code:

Subst.exe B: \

If you run the batch file from a different drive (such as the C drive) you must specify the actual physical drive letter of the portable drive :

Code:

Subst.exe B: K:\

Virtual drives assigned with Subst persist until deletion, log-off, or reboot. You can delete the virtual drive with this command in a separate batch file (e.g. BdriveKill.bat)

Code:

Subst.exe /d B:

maybe this will be helpful to some other portable users...

transmitthis · 02-15-2012, 05:49 AM

I use the portable version, on my desktop, instead of the install'able version.
Just because I like to use as many portable apps as I can.

Works great

BookJunkieLI · 02-15-2012, 08:09 AM

There is also the option of using Dropbox or a similar sync service. Install Calibre on your desktop but put the library in your Dropbox folder. I used to use a USB stick but I have a bad habit of forgetting it, either at home or at work, plus I did actually have a computer once literally fry a USB stick. Literally. I got first degree burns on my fingers and parts of the inside of the USB stick were actually blackened and melted. Unusual occurrence I'm sure but it's made me wary of relying on USB sticks.

lorken · 02-15-2012, 05:02 PM

Hmm, all good stuff to know, thanks everyone!

I'll mull it over a bit longer. I really do like the flexibility of the portable version...I'll have to weigh it against my personal weakness of not backing up as often as I should (I really try but I'm nowhere near as regular as I should be

) and the risk of forgetting the USB stick (I think I have a keychain one though, so that would solve that problem).

transmitthis · 02-16-2012, 06:10 AM

If you have a problem backing up, just install live mesh (free from microsoft)
Will give you 5GB of sync'd storage.
http://explore.live.com/windows-live...ync-upgrade-ui

Then just add the calibre library to it and forget.

02-14-2012, 08:57 PM	#1
lorken Enthusiast Posts: 34 Karma: 110 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Vox	Newbie Question: Calbre Desktop or Calibre Portable? Hi, just getting started with Calbre here. I downloaded it to my desktop and have played with it a bit and started getting familiar with it. But I see now (should have noticed before) that there is a Portable version that I could use on a memory stick, and am wondering if anyone has any recommendations as to using that version vs. the desktop version. Are they identical? Or is the portable version a "Calibre light"? I think I would like the convenience of the portable version, because we have both a desktop and a netbook and if my SO was on one machine, I could just use the other. Would it really be that easy? (I would be using it with a Kobo Vox.) Does anyone have any experience/comments/reviews/warnings about the portable version vs the windows desktop version?

02-14-2012, 09:38 PM	#4
CWatkinsNash IOC Chief Archivist Posts: 3,950 Karma: 53868218 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL, USA Device: Meebook M7, Paperwhite 2021, Fire HD 8+, Fire HD 10+, Lenovo Tab P12	The portable version is a complete version of the program. I switched to the portable version about 4 months ago. I love the convenience of being able to use it on any of my computers. The only downside I've encountered is that it can be slower - writing to a usb drive (which calibre does frequently when editing metadata, adding books and so on) is slower. USB sticks vary so if you have a few around, try a portable install on them with a "sample library" and see how they compare. Aside from this issue, it operates just like the regular desktop version. As for pros: Easily move between computers Easy to update Easy to backup (all files are in one folder) Edited to add - forgot about the drive letter issue with additional libraries - see next post. Last edited by CWatkinsNash; 02-14-2012 at 09:40 PM.

02-15-2012, 04:00 AM	#7
GrannyGrump Obsessively Dedicated... Posts: 3,213 Karma: 34984928 Join Date: May 2011 Location: JAPAN (US expatriate) Device: Sony PRS-T2, ADE on PC	Antique Noob here. Here's an old trick I've used for years to get around the drive letter problem (I'm hesitant to start using mulitple libraries). It's so easy a child (or a granny) can do it. If you point all links and configurations to a virtual drive letter assigned to a portable or flash drive, and assign that same drive letter on every computer you use, everything will continue to point to the portable drive (including shortcut icons!) No Administrator rights needed. NOTE: You must use a letter not already used on the host computer. I use drive letter B, I never see a PC with two floppy drives any more. Really, I think it is the only "safe" letter if you use public computers. It won't hurt anything if your favorite letter is already in use, it just will fail to assign the letter to your drive. Just type the line of code in Notepad, SaveAs "All Files", save with .bat extension, for example BdriveAdd.bat, save file to the root drive of your portable/flash drive. Then in Windows Explorer / favorite file manager, double-click the file to run the batch. Presto, your drive is now listed as Drive B and also Drive K (or whatever it started as). I use my portable drive as Drive B on three different computers, and it works great. Assign the virtual drive letter with this command in a batch file : Code: Subst.exe B: \ If you run the batch file from a different drive (such as the C drive) you must specify the actual physical drive letter of the portable drive : Code: Subst.exe B: K:\ Virtual drives assigned with Subst persist until deletion, log-off, or reboot. You can delete the virtual drive with this command in a separate batch file (e.g. BdriveKill.bat) Code: Subst.exe /d B: maybe this will be helpful to some other portable users...

02-16-2012, 06:10 AM	#11
transmitthis Addict Posts: 288 Karma: 1003542 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Google Nexus 7 16GB	If you have a problem backing up, just install live mesh (free from microsoft) Will give you 5GB of sync'd storage. http://explore.live.com/windows-live...ync-upgrade-ui Then just add the calibre library to it and forget. Attached Thumbnails

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02-15-2012, 05:49 AM	#8
transmitthis Addict Posts: 288 Karma: 1003542 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Google Nexus 7 16GB	I use the portable version, on my desktop, instead of the install'able version. Just because I like to use as many portable apps as I can. Works great

02-15-2012, 08:09 AM	#9
BookJunkieLI Evangelist Posts: 435 Karma: 572984 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Long Island Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kindle 4, Nook Gl4, Nook STR, REB 1100, Ebookwise 1500,	There is also the option of using Dropbox or a similar sync service. Install Calibre on your desktop but put the library in your Dropbox folder. I used to use a USB stick but I have a bad habit of forgetting it, either at home or at work, plus I did actually have a computer once literally fry a USB stick. Literally. I got first degree burns on my fingers and parts of the inside of the USB stick were actually blackened and melted. Unusual occurrence I'm sure but it's made me wary of relying on USB sticks.

02-15-2012, 05:02 PM	#10
lorken Enthusiast Posts: 34 Karma: 110 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Vox	Hmm, all good stuff to know, thanks everyone! I'll mull it over a bit longer. I really do like the flexibility of the portable version...I'll have to weigh it against my personal weakness of not backing up as often as I should (I really try but I'm nowhere near as regular as I should be ) and the risk of forgetting the USB stick (I think I have a keychain one though, so that would solve that problem).

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