Local Cloud Access

[HippieWiccan]

I am moving this here from Google Play...I didn't realize this was here :c)

My comment: Cloud How about support for libraries stored on a local cloud drive?

MultiPie Ltd reply:
What exactly is a "local cloud drive"? If it is a library visible as files on the device then the ability is already in CC. And please, do not ask for product enhancements in the review system. We cannot carry on a conversation and the star system discourages our responding. Use our forum: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=264

A local cloud drive is my WD Cloud. Right now I have to have Calibre open on my laptop and use the content server to access books on my tablet through the app. I would like to be able to access my libraries that are stored on my WD Cloud drive directly w/o having to route them through the laptop. If this is already doable please let me know what I am doing wrong :c) Thank you!!!

[chaley]

Moderator Notice
I took the liberty of moving this question to its own thread because I think it might be of general interest.

[HippieWiccan]

Originally Posted by chaley

I took the liberty of moving this question to its own thread because I think it might be of general interest.

Groovy! I wasn't sure where to put it :c)

[chaley]

First, thank you for coming here from the GP review system. We are constantly frustrated that people ask questions etc there. We are limited to exactly one 350-character response. There is no history. The ratings get in the way (TBH: often they annoy me to the point I simply will not respond). etc etc etc.

Unfortunately CC is unable to access arbitrary "cloud" storage. Every vendor does things differently, and some don't do much at all. For example, I have a Synology NAS with "cloud" support, but it doesn't support any interface that allows me to access it securely from CC.

On the other hand, if you are willing to sync your cloud storage to your device, perhaps to an SD card, then CC can access it using its "local storage" option. The intent of the local storage option is to allow people to put their library on an SD card and plug that into the device, but it will work fine with a library synced over a network. I don't know if the WD Cloud app can sync; I see indications both ways. It seems that the app AndFTP Pro can sync folders on the device, but I don't see any way to test it without spending money. And of course the downside of this solution is that the entire library must be synced to the device.

The current "local provider" can read a calibre book database downloaded from the "cloud" using whatever app is appropriate. Simply download the metadata.db file to a folder and aim CC at that folder. The problem is that the books and covers will not be available, so there isn't much you can do after you find a book. Things would work if after finding a book you went to the cloud and downloaded the calibre book folder, but that would require you to put that folder in exactly the right spot on your device.

I have been considering making a provider that uses a downloaded calibre file, but instead of expecting a real calibre library, when you download a book it asks you where it can find the cover and the book file. This would let you use the cloud app to get the book & cover and save them so CC can find them, but it is very manual. I am not sure that the use case justifies the significant development.

[HippieWiccan]

Thank you for your reply!

The problem with syncing the books to my device is it's a 8.700+, 200 Gb catalog of cookbooks! There is just no way to have them on the device...to upload them to a cloud like DropBox would be expensive and way too time consuming! It wouldn't be a problem, but my laptop is shared with my wife and I can't always have calibre up and connected.

I understand that every cloud does it differently and it makes sense why this is not supported.

If you ever do sort it out, please let me know! Thank you again :c)

I will go back an change my review if you'd like :c)

[chaley]

Originally Posted by HippieWiccan

Thank you for your reply!

The problem with syncing the books to my device is it's a 8.700+, 200 Gb catalog of cookbooks! There is just no way to have them on the device...to upload them to a cloud like DropBox would be expensive and way too time consuming! It wouldn't be a problem, but my laptop is shared with my wife and I can't always have calibre up and connected.

I understand that every cloud does it differently and it makes sense why this is not supported.

If you ever do sort it out, please let me know! Thank you again :c)

One thing you might consider -- installing a 24/7 calibre content server on your network. The cheapest way to do that is to scavenge a PC that won't run modern windows, for example a older computer running XP. Such computers can often be had for free. I know, as I have given away many of them. Sometimes charity shops just give them away. Sometimes your friends will have one in a closet. Perhaps you have one in a closet.

Most of these computers will happily run linux and calibre, and they can connect to your WD cloud ("nfs mount") so you don't need large disks. Because the content server is read-only you don't need to worry about simultaneous changes to the database.

Some people have done something similar using Raspberry PI machines, which are very cheap and very energy efficient. I don't know how hard it would be to set one up.

I did it by spending some money and getting an Intel NUC, which is a tiny box that sits in the corner. I got one to connect my TV to the network for streaming (e.g., netflix), and as a side benefit it runs a content server.

Lots of options, unfortunately not exactly turnkey.

I will go back an change my review if you'd like :c)

Thanks for asking, but I leave that decision to you.

[cybmole]

i assume you have an android device.
you could try a reader app that has in-built the ability to fetch books from a local network - such as mantano premium with it's file browser. it is possible that such an app will be able to see the WD cloud and let you browse the calibre library in a basic folder tree- better than nothing?

to test that scenario for free, try doing it in ES file explorer - if fact that could be all you need. tell your device what app to use for opening an epub book, set up a favourites link in es explorer for searching - and then see if "opening" triggers an auto-download

all you should need for ES file explorer is the local IP address of your WD cloud, then set it up with the LAN section. This is how I access shared folders on my windows PC

if all that fails then there's the WD cloud mobile app !
GIYF
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/produ...x?id=1140#Tab8