Changeover to portable version

[WoSch]

I use Calibre since about 7 month. Now I want to change to the portable version. But I can't reach to get my library (of course not under the folder Calibre Portable) as my favorit library. I changed the library in Calibre and killed the Calibre Library. The program confirmed that the library is killed. But the next time I open Calibre this library is there again and I have to change to my own library again. What can I do?

[BetterRed]

WoSch - move 'your' library inside the Calibre Portable folder. maybe rename it first to something like MyLibrary, so your Calibre Portable folder would have:

folder Calibre
folder Calibre Library
folder Calibre Settings
folder MyLibrary
file  calibre-portable.exe

Now use the Library/Switch Create feature to 'hook' the MyLibrary folder as an existing library.

BR

[WoSch]

Thank you. But I don't want the library (the Books) into the program folder. Or does it meen, only the metadata.db have to be under the program folder and the books are outside?

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by WoSch

Thank you. But I don't want the library (the Books) into the program folder. Or does it meen, only the metadata.db have to be under the program folder and the books are outside?

The raison d'être for Calibre Portable is to enable the user to have their librar(y/ies), the calibre software and its attendant settings, plugins etc as a self contained package that can be put on a thumb or shirt pocket drive.

Ordinarily, there is little point is using Calibre Portable installed on a fixed disk, calibre keeps all of its settings etc in its configuration folder (%appdata%\calibre). The only entries in the registry are those required by the trusted installer.

BTW : I suggest you don't 'install' Calibre Portable (or any other portable application) in the Program Files or Program Files (x86) folders - Windows regards those folders as its 'bailiwick', create a folder called something like PortablePrograms and put them in there.

If you really want to have Calibre Portable installed on your computer hard drive but you want the library elsewhere then put a symbolic link to the library inside the Calibre Portable folder. See Quick Guide to Symbolic Links.

And just in case you're thinking of putting the library on a network drive or similar, you need to be aware of this ==>> I am getting errors with my calibre library on a networked drive/NAS?

BR

[WoSch]

Many thanks. I don't have installed in the Program Files. My folder 'Programs portable' is on drive D (and on others drives, as well as USB). It containes only not installed programs. But the dates (if there are many) are in separate folders on the same drive.

In Calibre I find my books if I choose this Library (D:\E-Books\Calibre). But after opening Calibre is as standard opened the Calibre Library under the program folder of Calibre Portable. My wish is to go automatically to my folder, without the indirection over choosing the library.

[eschwartz]

And once again, calibre Portable is specifically designed so that you must put your library inside the Calibre Portable folder.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by WoSch

Many thanks. I don't have installed in the Program Files. My folder 'Programs portable' is on drive D (and on others drives, as well as USB). It containes only not installed programs. But the dates (if there are many) are in separate folders on the same drive.

In Calibre I find my books if I choose this Library (D:\E-Books\Calibre). But after opening Calibre is as standard opened the Calibre Library under the program folder of Calibre Portable. My wish is to go automatically to my folder, without the indirection over choosing the library.

@WoSch - why do you want the library to be located outside the Calibre Portable folder?

The reason to put the library inside the Calibre Portable folder is that by doing so the software is no longer subject to the vagaries of Windows drive letter assignment - it can use paths that are relative to its location.

Otherwise the only way I can re-suggest is to put a symbolic link with a relative destination path into the Calibre Portable folder- but understand that a move or rename of the destination will break the symbolic link.

@eschwartz - does PA still do a Portable Calibre, couldn't see it in their directory. Sigil's there, but it's a bit long in the tooth.

BR

[WoSch]

Thank you eschwartz and BetterRed.

I want to have the books separate for two reasons:
1. When I install the software Calibre Portable on an other PC or an external drive, the books should not be copied.
2. In the folder, where the books are, there are other files in this context. These files belong to the books but should not be inside Calibre folder.

The problem is resolved after creating a hard-link.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by WoSch

The problem is resolved after creating a hard-link.

I suspect we have a 'lost in translation' problem

A 'hard-link' to 'what'? Hard-links are for files. A calibre library is a folder.

For folders you need an NTFS reparse point, like a junction, symbolic link (aka soft-link) or mount point.

But if you've got something working then...

BR

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@WoSch - why do you want the library to be located outside the Calibre Portable folder?

The reason to put the library inside the Calibre Portable folder is that by doing so the software is no longer subject to the vagaries of Windows drive letter assignment - it can use paths that are relative to its location.

Otherwise the only way I can re-suggest is to put a symbolic link with a relative destination path into the Calibre Portable folder- but understand that a move or rename of the destination will break the symbolic link.

@eschwartz - does PA still do a Portable Calibre, couldn't see it in their directory. Sigil's there, but it's a bit long in the tooth.

BR

PA.com has never done a portable calibre, on the grounds that they would have to push updates every week and they don't feel up to that.

There is, however, a development version here: http://portableapps.com/node/20518
It relies on unpacking Kovid's calibre-portable.exe in order to install/update.

I would prefer the PA.com dev build, since it integrates into the PortableApps launcher, and uses their powerful infrastructure for updating the configuration files to match changing drive letters (as well as $TMP redirection and registry cleanup, although calibre doesn't really bother the registry much).

It is more robust for libraries stored in arbitrary locations (which is to say, you can use them).

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

PA.com has never done a portable calibre, on the grounds that they would have to push updates every week and they don't feel up to that.

There is, however, a development version here: http://portableapps.com/node/20518
It relies on unpacking Kovid's calibre-portable.exe in order to install/update.

I would prefer the PA.com dev build, since it integrates into the PortableApps launcher, and uses their powerful infrastructure for updating the configuration files to match changing drive letters (as well as $TMP redirection and registry cleanup, although calibre doesn't really bother the registry much).

It is more robust for libraries stored in arbitrary locations (which is to say, you can use them).

Good-oh - I had the impression, from you, that they did a version, although I had never looked until yesterday Thankfully, I didn't send the OP off on a wild goose chase looking for it.

I'll get by... as long as I can drop symlinks into the Calibre Portable directory

BR

[eschwartz]

Well, I usually include a direct link for precisely that reason (it is hard to find otherwise).

Other than that, it isn't any harder than Kovid's portable builds, and of course PA.com would be justified in saying experience has it's advantages.
Of course if you have everything working perfectly already there is no reason to change...

[BetterRed]

My experience with PortableApps, admittedly a few years ago, was somewhat less than satisfactory. I cannot imagine that even today they would give the same QoS we enjoy from Kovid Goyal.

I no longer bother beta testing other folks software. Calibre is an exception.

BR

[eschwartz]

I never had any problems with PortableApps.

It is a NSIS executable that starts calibre.exe with a few environment variables set, after running a few string replacements on certain configuration files.

Kovid's custom-built wrapper executable is not fundamentally superior (more reliable) just because he wrote calibre too.
And the PA.com executable does a few tricks his one doesn't -- that's all I am saying.