Just want to convert..

j0hnUK · 08-11-2014, 03:22 PM

I know it's just me, but I'm getting as frustrated with Calibre as I am with iTunes. Almost.

My needs are very simple. I have a folder on my desktop with 80 books in, all LIT format. I wanted to convert them to MOBI and put them on my Kindle.

I never have a problem putting books onto my Kindle, I simply drag and drop, no need for any software.

So, I converted them using Calibre. I went back to the folder and no change, same books, still all LIT. I'm guessing that Calibre doesn't convert like I want it to. I'm guessing it copies the files somewhere, leaves the originals, and converts the copies, leaving me with twice as many books.

Is there any way I can bulk convert books in a folder? I want all the LIT files changed into MOBI files. I want to open the folder and see only MOBI! I don't want libraries or multiple formats of the same book.

Is this possible?

theducks · 08-11-2014, 03:33 PM

Have you read the FAQ at where you downloaded Calibre?

Please explain to me how you can convert from LIT to AZW3 and still only 1 format of a book (and still do it safely).

j0hnUK · 08-11-2014, 04:03 PM

I've read FAQ's here http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq.html and even understood some of it, although most isn't relevant to me.

I have no idea how to covert anything, let alone AZW3 (which I have never heard of). I had no idea converting ebooks could be in any way unsafe

I really have tried searching and reading and I'm stuck, so any help will be gratefully received.

itimpi · 08-11-2014, 04:16 PM

If you want to convert books using the GUI then books are copied into the Calibre library, and any converted books are stored there as well and need to be exported to use them.

The alternative is to use the command line tools in which case you can specify the location of both the I put and output files.

Which way are you trying to do this?

eschwartz · 08-11-2014, 05:06 PM

http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq....tory-structure

If you want to keep your books in the folder you had, you must use the command-line method described here: http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/cli/ebook-convert.html

If you want to use the library interface in any way, shape or form, you will have to allow calibre to organize the books for you. @Worldwalker has an excellent explanation here why that might not be such a bad thing...

PeterT · 08-11-2014, 05:42 PM

Take a look in this thread for an example of a command line way to convert all books in a given folder from one format to another.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=196946

j0hnUK · 08-15-2014, 02:17 PM

Thanks for the replies! Some interesting links. Seems that I'm not the only one having iTunes nightmares every time I try to use Calibre.
I'm going to have a look at the command line thing, hopefully I'll find it less frustrating than Calibre.

gbm · 08-15-2014, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0hnUK

Thanks for the replies! Some interesting links. Seems that I'm not the only one having iTunes nightmares every time I try to use Calibre.
I'm going to have a look at the command line thing, hopefully I'll find it less frustrating than Calibre.

Just use calibre the way calibre is meant to be used not the way you think it should be. There is no comparison between cailbre and itunes.

Do your .lit files have DRM? If they do, then can not be converted until the DRM if removed.

bernie

twowheels · 08-15-2014, 05:13 PM

Are you on Linux, Mac, or Windows? I'm sure somebody (myself included) can help you put together a bash script or batch file to convert an entire folder easily using the command line tools.

I'm thinking for loop that finds *.lit and runs ebook-convert with the file, targeting a mobi output.

PeterT · 08-15-2014, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twowheels

Are you on Linux, Mac, or Windows? I'm sure somebody (myself included) can help you put together a bash script or batch file to convert an entire folder easily using the command line tools.

I'm thinking for loop that finds *.lit and runs ebook-convert with the file, targeting a mobi output.

I think you might find that was already posted..... By me...

twowheels · 08-15-2014, 08:16 PM

Ah, yes, in that other thread.

PeterT · 08-15-2014, 10:03 PM

And linked to from this thread....

Lordblacknail · 08-29-2014, 12:19 AM

Here's the problem with worldwalker's explanation as to why Calibre is good for you, shut up and take the medicine. Not all of us has 303 books, one copy, all in the same format, of each book. I have over 300K eBooks, in a variety of formats, pretty much every format that an eBook was ever released in. I use Calibre to convert one eBook format to another eBook format. I keep all of my books in a file called Book Pool, in folders by authors name, first name first. I put any book that I get, in any format, written by Larry Niven in the Larry Niven folder. If it is written by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, I still put it in The Larry Niven folder, because I don't read Pournelle. I might have fifty copies of a book like Storm Front by Jim Butcher in the Jim Butcher folder, and if I want to read it and put it on my Kindle, I will find, usually the latest copy, convert it, and put it on my Kindle. If it has artifacts, I will try another copy to put on my Kindle. I have not looked at every book in my book pool folder, I have no idea which ones in there are 5.0v and which aren't. I don't ever expect to know unless I want to read it. I realize my situation is not like most people, who have a few hundred books and it isn't a issue for them to review them and keep them in a Calibre library. But it doesn't work for me.

eschwartz · 08-29-2014, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lordblacknail

Here's the problem with worldwalker's explanation as to why Calibre is good for you, shut up and take the medicine. Not all of us has 303 books, one copy, all in the same format, of each book. I have over 300K eBooks, in a variety of formats, pretty much every format that an eBook was ever released in. I use Calibre to convert one eBook format to another eBook format. I keep all of my books in a file called Book Pool, in folders by authors name, first name first. I put any book that I get, in any format, written by Larry Niven in the Larry Niven folder. If it is written by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, I still put it in The Larry Niven folder, because I don't read Pournelle. I might have fifty copies of a book like Storm Front by Jim Butcher in the Jim Butcher folder, and if I want to read it and put it on my Kindle, I will find, usually the latest copy, convert it, and put it on my Kindle. If it has artifacts, I will try another copy to put on my Kindle. I have not looked at every book in my book pool folder, I have no idea which ones in there are 5.0v and which aren't. I don't ever expect to know unless I want to read it. I realize my situation is not like most people, who have a few hundred books and it isn't a issue for them to review them and keep them in a Calibre library. But it doesn't work for me.

So you keep books in author folders and calibre keeps them in the same folders, further subdivided into unique book folders. I fail to see what harm that would cause...

FWIW I have a couple thousand ebooks, in AZW3, MOBI, EPUB, and PDF formats. I love having them organized by unique book.

I have also never had multiple copies of books from different sources some of which have horrible artifacts -- I only need one copy per format per book.

As ever, Your Mileage May Vary remains the only true rule. I figured Worldwalker's explanation was interesting enough to deserve mention, and apologize if I inadvertently implied that it is the only valid opinion.

Lordblacknail · 08-29-2014, 03:11 AM

No apology needed, I was just commenting. I have a nook color and Kindles, soon to get a Aura HD so I need at least mobi and epub. Plus I have absolutely no interest in going thru all my books to get rid of the bad ones and keep the good ones. It's enough that I can find it when I need it, then fix any issues that crop up. The harm that it would cause as you mentioned, is sometimes I will load 5 or 6 versions of a book into Calibre to see if the formatting is good. I don't need that in my library list. Calibre is a great program and I use it most every day, but only the parts that I need.

08-11-2014, 03:22 PM	#1
j0hnUK Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: Kindle	Just want to convert.. I know it's just me, but I'm getting as frustrated with Calibre as I am with iTunes. Almost. My needs are very simple. I have a folder on my desktop with 80 books in, all LIT format. I wanted to convert them to MOBI and put them on my Kindle. I never have a problem putting books onto my Kindle, I simply drag and drop, no need for any software. So, I converted them using Calibre. I went back to the folder and no change, same books, still all LIT. I'm guessing that Calibre doesn't convert like I want it to. I'm guessing it copies the files somewhere, leaves the originals, and converts the copies, leaving me with twice as many books. Is there any way I can bulk convert books in a folder? I want all the LIT files changed into MOBI files. I want to open the folder and see only MOBI! I don't want libraries or multiple formats of the same book. Is this possible?

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08-11-2014, 03:33 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,062 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Have you read the FAQ at where you downloaded Calibre? Please explain to me how you can convert from LIT to AZW3 and still only 1 format of a book (and still do it safely).

08-11-2014, 04:03 PM	#3
j0hnUK Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: Kindle	I've read FAQ's here http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq.html and even understood some of it, although most isn't relevant to me. I have no idea how to covert anything, let alone AZW3 (which I have never heard of). I had no idea converting ebooks could be in any way unsafe I really have tried searching and reading and I'm stuck, so any help will be gratefully received.

08-11-2014, 04:16 PM	#4
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,553 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	If you want to convert books using the GUI then books are copied into the Calibre library, and any converted books are stored there as well and need to be exported to use them. The alternative is to use the command line tools in which case you can specify the location of both the I put and output files. Which way are you trying to do this?

08-11-2014, 05:06 PM	#5
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq....tory-structure If you want to keep your books in the folder you had, you must use the command-line method described here: http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/cli/ebook-convert.html If you want to use the library interface in any way, shape or form, you will have to allow calibre to organize the books for you. @Worldwalker has an excellent explanation here why that might not be such a bad thing...

08-11-2014, 05:42 PM	#6
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,525 Karma: 78910202 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Take a look in this thread for an example of a command line way to convert all books in a given folder from one format to another. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=196946

08-15-2014, 02:17 PM	#7
j0hnUK Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: Kindle	Thanks for the replies! Some interesting links. Seems that I'm not the only one having iTunes nightmares every time I try to use Calibre. I'm going to have a look at the command line thing, hopefully I'll find it less frustrating than Calibre.

08-15-2014, 05:13 PM	#9
twowheels Wizard Posts: 1,854 Karma: 13432974 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD, iPad Pro 10", iPhone 15 Pro, Boox Note Max	Are you on Linux, Mac, or Windows? I'm sure somebody (myself included) can help you put together a bash script or batch file to convert an entire folder easily using the command line tools. I'm thinking for loop that finds *.lit and runs ebook-convert with the file, targeting a mobi output.

08-15-2014, 08:16 PM	#11
twowheels Wizard Posts: 1,854 Karma: 13432974 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD, iPad Pro 10", iPhone 15 Pro, Boox Note Max	Ah, yes, in that other thread.

08-15-2014, 10:03 PM	#12
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,525 Karma: 78910202 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	And linked to from this thread....

08-29-2014, 12:19 AM	#13
Lordblacknail Groupie Posts: 171 Karma: 330000 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa, Florida Device: Kobo Libre 2 Galaxy Tab S7 Plus Kobo Libre Colour	Here's the problem with worldwalker's explanation as to why Calibre is good for you, shut up and take the medicine. Not all of us has 303 books, one copy, all in the same format, of each book. I have over 300K eBooks, in a variety of formats, pretty much every format that an eBook was ever released in. I use Calibre to convert one eBook format to another eBook format. I keep all of my books in a file called Book Pool, in folders by authors name, first name first. I put any book that I get, in any format, written by Larry Niven in the Larry Niven folder. If it is written by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, I still put it in The Larry Niven folder, because I don't read Pournelle. I might have fifty copies of a book like Storm Front by Jim Butcher in the Jim Butcher folder, and if I want to read it and put it on my Kindle, I will find, usually the latest copy, convert it, and put it on my Kindle. If it has artifacts, I will try another copy to put on my Kindle. I have not looked at every book in my book pool folder, I have no idea which ones in there are 5.0v and which aren't. I don't ever expect to know unless I want to read it. I realize my situation is not like most people, who have a few hundred books and it isn't a issue for them to review them and keep them in a Calibre library. But it doesn't work for me.

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08-29-2014, 03:11 AM	#15
Lordblacknail Groupie Posts: 171 Karma: 330000 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa, Florida Device: Kobo Libre 2 Galaxy Tab S7 Plus Kobo Libre Colour	No apology needed, I was just commenting. I have a nook color and Kindles, soon to get a Aura HD so I need at least mobi and epub. Plus I have absolutely no interest in going thru all my books to get rid of the bad ones and keep the good ones. It's enough that I can find it when I need it, then fix any issues that crop up. The harm that it would cause as you mentioned, is sometimes I will load 5 or 6 versions of a book into Calibre to see if the formatting is good. I don't need that in my library list. Calibre is a great program and I use it most every day, but only the parts that I need.