Folder naming in library

Dan__ · 02-09-2014, 05:39 PM

I've got my Calibre library stored in Dropbox and I access it frequently from the iPad. I have read the comments that have been posted about the relationship between the author name field and the author_sort field. This comment is not about the technical details or the merits of the comments. It is simply this.

When I'm scrolling through my library with its 604 folders, each of which begins the authors first name, it is extremely difficult to locate the book that I wish to import to the iPad. While the titles of the books are frequently very descriptive, like "Clojure in Action", the author's name "Amit Rathore" is anything but familiar. In scientific writing, which I do, the emphasis when referring to works is placed on the author's last name, not the first. This means that if I am likely to remember any part of the author's name it will be the last name.

So, from my point of view, having the folders listed by author's first name is the least useful of the possible alternatives.

Now on the other hand, if there was a Calibre app for the iPad that would let me navigate the metadata, this problem would vanish entirely and I suppose that if I devoted a couple of years to becoming a proficient iPad programmer and working on this, I could write such an app myself. That's not likely. So, for me, it would be much better if Calibre automatically handled the arrangement of the folder name rather than requiring me to edit each one to reverse the first and last names

I realize that the Saving to Disk prefs indicate that the folder name will be derived from author sort, but I as far as I can tell the save-template has no effect on the folder name that is generated. It is the author name, NOT the author_sort.

It may be that this is not feasible, in which case, it would be helpful if the import process prompted (perhaps as a pref) to adjust the author name layout BEFORE the folder was created in the library, rather than after.

Adoby · 02-09-2014, 05:56 PM

You can't change the way calibre store books in the library. That is locked. Hardcoded. Written in stone, almost. The save to disk template has nothing at all to do with that.

But using the save to disk template you can save all (or just some) of your books to disk, outside the library, in any way you like. You can create a wonderful hierarchy organized just as you like it. Based on author_sort, series, publisher, date added or whatever you can imagine.

There is a sticky about this...

Dan__ · 02-09-2014, 06:19 PM

I guess I'll finish renaming my 1400 entries. Only 1282 to go...

Extremely helpful
Thanks

Adoby · 02-09-2014, 06:47 PM

I suspect that it would be much quicker if you did some experimenting with calibre and the save to disk functionality. It would do all the renaming for you, and more, automatically.

http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/gui.html#save-to-disk

Also please note that if you change the names of books that are stored inside the calibre library, you will corrupt the library. Calibre will loose track of those books.

Dan__ · 02-09-2014, 07:44 PM

That's helpful. How do I get the content server to run without leaving the computer logged on?

eschwartz · 02-09-2014, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan__

That's helpful. How do I get the content server to run without leaving the computer logged on?

You must run it as a service.

How to run programs as a Windows service -- courtesy of HowToGeek.com

Dan__ · 02-09-2014, 08:02 PM

Thanks again. I'll give it a shot.

BetterRed · 02-09-2014, 08:05 PM

You could also experiment with using the Connect to Folder feature, you get the features normally associated with a connected device (Kindle, iPhone) etc but on a folder. Similar to Save to Folder but more like you're dealing with a device like an e-reader or a smartphone, tablet etc - again you have control over the naming of files and folders via templates and metadata plugboards.

Attachment shows Calibre connected to C:\_Temporary\Folder4Calibre. I sent 2 books to it (green ticks), the contents of C:\_Temporary\Folder4Calibre is in the Windows Explorer windows

In your scenario you would then synch the equivalent of C:\_Temporary\Folder4Calibre folder to Dropbox

If you don't like the idea of keeping a copy of the format files (epub, pdf whatever) in the Calibre Library folders and in the Connected folder, and in Dropbox then you could remove the formats files from the library - but most book files are fairly small so keeping a copy in the library is like taking out extended warranty on your car - insurance. Whose to say that a future version of Dropbox wont do something that screws up your folder names and or contents.

BR

LadyKate · 02-09-2014, 09:02 PM

I have to assume you have a local version of your library. I for one would never want to trust the only version of my important files to dropbox without a good backup.

I would strongly suggest that you use your local version of the library (the calibre folder structure with the program's naming etc) to perform all the maintenance. The tagging, marking as read etc.

When all is as you wish you can then use your "Save to disk" option to save the files (books) to the dropbox location you want. Using the Preferences -- Saving books to disk you will have the option to set the template for how to name the files.

For instance, you can setup a custom field for the main subject matter of your books. eg subjectshow. So if the subjectshow is topicA and another subject show is topicB you can have the save template setup to save the books by main subjectshow. and use author_sort to list the authors by lastname, firstname.

DoctorOhh · 02-09-2014, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

You could also experiment with using the Connect to Folder feature, you get the features normally associated with a connected device (Kindle, iPhone) etc but on a folder. Similar to Save to Folder but more like you're dealing with a device like an e-reader or a smartphone, tablet etc - again you have control over the naming of files and folders via templates and metadata plugboards.

or

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyKate

When all is as you wish you can then use your "Save to disk" option to save the files (books) to the dropbox location you want. Using the Preferences -- Saving books to disk you will have the option to set the template for how to name the files.

For instance, you can setup a custom field for the main subject matter of your books. eg subjectshow. So if the subjectshow is topicA and another subject show is topicB you can have the save template setup to save the books by main subjectshow. and use author_sort to list the authors by lastname, firstname.

.....

Either of the above proposals are quick and easy solutions to the OPs problem. This way folders and books in Dropbox will be sorted exactly how the OP desires without doing any surgery on the calibre library.

02-09-2014, 05:39 PM	#1
Dan__ Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Nook - Simple Touch	Folder naming in library I've got my Calibre library stored in Dropbox and I access it frequently from the iPad. I have read the comments that have been posted about the relationship between the author name field and the author_sort field. This comment is not about the technical details or the merits of the comments. It is simply this. When I'm scrolling through my library with its 604 folders, each of which begins the authors first name, it is extremely difficult to locate the book that I wish to import to the iPad. While the titles of the books are frequently very descriptive, like "Clojure in Action", the author's name "Amit Rathore" is anything but familiar. In scientific writing, which I do, the emphasis when referring to works is placed on the author's last name, not the first. This means that if I am likely to remember any part of the author's name it will be the last name. So, from my point of view, having the folders listed by author's first name is the least useful of the possible alternatives. Now on the other hand, if there was a Calibre app for the iPad that would let me navigate the metadata, this problem would vanish entirely and I suppose that if I devoted a couple of years to becoming a proficient iPad programmer and working on this, I could write such an app myself. That's not likely. So, for me, it would be much better if Calibre automatically handled the arrangement of the folder name rather than requiring me to edit each one to reverse the first and last names I realize that the Saving to Disk prefs indicate that the folder name will be derived from author sort, but I as far as I can tell the save-template has no effect on the folder name that is generated. It is the author name, NOT the author_sort. It may be that this is not feasible, in which case, it would be helpful if the import process prompted (perhaps as a pref) to adjust the author name layout BEFORE the folder was created in the library, rather than after.

02-09-2014, 06:19 PM	#3
Dan__ Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Nook - Simple Touch	Thanks I guess I'll finish renaming my 1400 entries. Only 1282 to go... Extremely helpful Thanks

02-09-2014, 08:05 PM	#8
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,621 Karma: 29710338 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	You could also experiment with using the Connect to Folder feature, you get the features normally associated with a connected device (Kindle, iPhone) etc but on a folder. Similar to Save to Folder but more like you're dealing with a device like an e-reader or a smartphone, tablet etc - again you have control over the naming of files and folders via templates and metadata plugboards. Attachment shows Calibre connected to C:\_Temporary\Folder4Calibre. I sent 2 books to it (green ticks), the contents of C:\_Temporary\Folder4Calibre is in the Windows Explorer windows In your scenario you would then synch the equivalent of C:\_Temporary\Folder4Calibre folder to Dropbox If you don't like the idea of keeping a copy of the format files (epub, pdf whatever) in the Calibre Library folders and in the Connected folder, and in Dropbox then you could remove the formats files from the library - but most book files are fairly small so keeping a copy in the library is like taking out extended warranty on your car - insurance. Whose to say that a future version of Dropbox wont do something that screws up your folder names and or contents. BR Attached Thumbnails

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02-09-2014, 05:56 PM	#2
Adoby Handy Elephant Posts: 1,737 Karma: 26785684 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern Sweden, far out in the quiet woods Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra	You can't change the way calibre store books in the library. That is locked. Hardcoded. Written in stone, almost. The save to disk template has nothing at all to do with that. But using the save to disk template you can save all (or just some) of your books to disk, outside the library, in any way you like. You can create a wonderful hierarchy organized just as you like it. Based on author_sort, series, publisher, date added or whatever you can imagine. There is a sticky about this...

02-09-2014, 06:47 PM	#4
Adoby Handy Elephant Posts: 1,737 Karma: 26785684 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern Sweden, far out in the quiet woods Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra	I suspect that it would be much quicker if you did some experimenting with calibre and the save to disk functionality. It would do all the renaming for you, and more, automatically. http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/gui.html#save-to-disk Also please note that if you change the names of books that are stored inside the calibre library, you will corrupt the library. Calibre will loose track of those books.

02-09-2014, 07:44 PM	#5
Dan__ Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Nook - Simple Touch	That's helpful. How do I get the content server to run without leaving the computer logged on?

02-09-2014, 08:02 PM	#7
Dan__ Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Nook - Simple Touch	Thanks again. I'll give it a shot.

02-09-2014, 09:02 PM	#9
LadyKate Fanatic Posts: 515 Karma: 1470724 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Quebec CA Device: android 4 (samsung tablet and asus tablet)	I have to assume you have a local version of your library. I for one would never want to trust the only version of my important files to dropbox without a good backup. I would strongly suggest that you use your local version of the library (the calibre folder structure with the program's naming etc) to perform all the maintenance. The tagging, marking as read etc. When all is as you wish you can then use your "Save to disk" option to save the files (books) to the dropbox location you want. Using the Preferences -- Saving books to disk you will have the option to set the template for how to name the files. For instance, you can setup a custom field for the main subject matter of your books. eg subjectshow. So if the subjectshow is topicA and another subject show is topicB you can have the save template setup to save the books by main subjectshow. and use author_sort to list the authors by lastname, firstname.

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