totally lost in Calibre

[degree6]

Hello. I've tried for hours to figure this out, but I can't find so many things in Calibre:

- The software I have is missing a menu, making it very hard to get to any functions.
- The filename does not show in the book list. I found the configuration for what details show, and there was no filename in it!
- The file extension doesn't show either.
- When I try to convert books or send them, I can't find any option to type in a directory where the files will go to.

So, without seeing what books are in the list, and without seeing where I send them when I convert them, and not seeing what to do (icons instead of a friendly menu), I'm lost. and yes I can usually figure out software... if there is a menu and the file names show.

Are there any pointers to get past the impasse? Thanks.

[degree6]

and yes I have the latest version. Still no menu, no file names. no export directory. Is this supposed to allow me to find books, convert them, and save/copy them somewhere? Or is it something entirely different?

[BetterRed]

Suggest you watch the Videos in this forum - start with the Grand Tour

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118596

BR

[BaenSidhe]

Calibre is a black box program and follows Apple's philosophy of you don't need to know where your files are stored. When you add a book to Calibre, a copy will be stored in Calibre. When you convert, the new format will also be stored in Calibre. I believe when you send the book to your device, your book will go to the default location for your device.

If you really need to know where your book is stored on your comp, select a book. On my version (0.7.40), the book cover is shown on the right. Below that, it lists the formats I have converted the book to, any specified book description, tags, and a click to open path link. The click to open link will take you to the Calibre directory where your book is located.

[mrmikel]

Among the buttons on the top, there is a save file button. Use it to save the file wherever you want. Don't go trying to mess with files in Calibre's own internal database or you will be back here asking how to repair the wrecked database.

I personally use only the conversion function and save everything to my own choice of directory, which is additional to Calibre's database and handle the file transfer myself.

[Divingduck]

As BetterRed mention in his answer, start with the video tutorial first. Then a lot of questions will be answered then. Then take some books and play a bit with Calibre. It looks first time more complicated as it is in real life.

Originally Posted by degree6

- The software I have is missing a menu, making it very hard to get to any functions.

The menu is the icons on top of the window and represents all necessary commands you need to handle the library.

- The filename does not show in the book list. I found the configuration for what details show, and there was no filename in it!

You need to change your mind a bit. Calibre is, as each library, book oriented. The first thing you see in a library is a book and not a file format. In the book details you will find then the information’s of the book (metadata, file formats etc.) Take a look on the video and you will see where to find what. It demonstrates very well the basics you need.

- The file extension doesn't show either.

Extension means book formats as PDF, EPUB... These formats can be shown in different ways. Take a look on Calibre main window at the bottom right. There are three icons to get more information’s (Tag browser, book cover browser and book details. Click on this Items and you will see what happen. You can't make a mistake in this area.

- When I try to convert books or send them, I can't find any option to type in a directory where the files will go to.

Normally you don't need to think about this. The device interface of Calibre will know where the files have to be on your device. And Calibre will know what formats are needed for your reader and will try to convert not compatible formats in the correct format.

You can manipulate all of these settings but I would not recommend it as long as you don't have the basic knowledge of how Calibre is working. There is a help-icon in the middle of the top window where you can get deep information’s on all aspects of Calibre. The FAQ is as well a good point to look at. But again, start with the video tutorial. It is the best and easiest way to start with.

[degree6]

Originally Posted by BaenSidhe

Calibre is a black box program and follows Apple's philosophy of you don't need to know where your files are stored.

Which is a very bad philosophy and makes things much harder to use.

[degree6]

"Take a look on Calibre main window at the bottom right. There are three icons to get more information’s (Tag browser, book cover browser and book details. Click on this Items and you will see what happen. You can't make a mistake in this area."

I did this, and I still can't find the file name and extension, which I would have expected to find in 'details'. How can I turn these on? That is what is making Calibre so difficult so far: I can't tell what book I am working with! The file name shows the book title and author clearly, while the Calibre window for the books shows meaningless garbage such as "Introduction' for a title, "To The" for the author, etc. If I could turn on a column for file name and extension, I'd not be lost.

[degree6]

Originally Posted by mrmikel

Among the buttons on the top, there is a save file button. Use it to save the file wherever you want. Don't go trying to mess with files in Calibre's own internal database or you will be back here asking how to repair the wrecked database.

I personally use only the conversion function and save everything to my own choice of directory, which is additional to Calibre's database and handle the file transfer myself.

I tried this, but could find nothing to specificy or show the file name and extension of where it was going. Only a directory.

My goal too is to use only the conversion function, but it is hard since Calibre does not show the file name (which includes title and author) and instead shows random character strings in the "Title" and "Author' columns. This makes it impossible to know which book I am looking at.

[kiwidude]

You are obsessed with filename of the books in the calibre library. You need to get over that if you intend on using the calibre gui. The filename the book has *now* inside the calibre library is completely and totally irrelevant to you, because it is comprised of the title/author that you see on screen, not the filename of the book as it was before you imported it. So having it displayed would not help you in the slightest.

When you add a book to calibre, there is no "perfect" way for calibre to know what the title/author of that book is that suits every situation. So the default option it has turned on is to attempt to read the title/author from metadata stored inside the book format (for formats that support such a feature, like epub, mobi etc). If that metadata stored inside the book is rubbish, thats what your title/author is going to be when the book is displayed in calibre.

If instead your books you are adding to calibre are all named with filenames in a clean and consistent way you are happy with, then you will want to setup a correct regular expression in Preferences -> Adding books before you add the book to calibre, and turn off the "Read metadata from file contents rather than filename" option on that same screen.

So your best approach is to figure out how you want to add the books, configure your settings and start afresh - either with a clean library or deleting the existing books you have added (assuming you kept the originals, calibre of course makes its own copy). And take a look at the calibre Help manual/videos - this stuff is all covered in there.

[Divingduck]

... What is nonsense, because a black box is something you can't do anything - you have an input and there will be exact one output.

It is the same situation like it is with all kind of new things. You need first to spend some minimal time to understand how things are working. Nothing extraordinary and even simple because by watching the video tutorial you will understand the basics just in time. It is a bit more complicated for users who do not understand English language. They need some help from forum members in their native language to master the first steps.

Philosophy wise this program is one of the most open and maintained programs what you can use in this area. But is up to the user to stay with it or using something what maybe is better matching his needs.

[cybmole]

Originally Posted by degree6

"

I did this, and I still can't find the file name and extension, .

if you cannot grasp that epub books have extension.epub, that mobi books have extension .mobi etc., there's little chance of you understanding anything else we tell you.

RTFM , and reread the entire thread - properly this time - before you complain again.

[theducks]

Read the FAQ and most of the other stuff on the 'Getting Help' page at the calibre site.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by degree6

and yes I have the latest version. Still no menu, no file names. no export directory. Is this supposed to allow me to find books, convert them, and save/copy them somewhere? Or is it something entirely different?

Calibre is first and foremost an ebook library manager. It maintains your library of ebooks for you. Although it includes conversion facilities, that's not its primary function.

You really shouldn't be worrying about filenames. Filenames don't matter. Books have a title, an author, a publisher, a genre, a publication date, etc. Those are the data that Calibre shows you and allows you to order your books by and search on. When you export the book from Calibre - either to send it to a reading device, or to save it to disk - then and only then will Calibre write the book to a file, and you can decide exactly what the filename will be.

You need to embrace Calibre's philosophy, not try to bend it to yours. That won't work, and you'll just get annoyed trying to do it.

[degree6]

Originally Posted by cybmole

if you cannot grasp that epub books have extension.epub, that mobi books have extension .mobi etc., there's little chance of you understanding anything else we tell you.

RTFM , and reread the entire thread - properly this time - before you complain again.

You didn't read my comment. The name and extension simple do not show at all. I know these files have these extensions.