Use of Kobo as external disk drive

MichaelH · 03-13-2016, 04:34 PM

When I plug my Nook into the PC it is seen as an external drive, with its own letter, and I can create and populate folders using Windows Explorer. The Kindle is also seen by the PC as an external drive, but any folders created using the PC are not replicated on the machine itself. Instead it's necessary to move the books into different collections one by one, which makes me glad I don't have one.

I'm wondering whether to get a Kobo. When it''s connected to a PC can a folder structure be created using Explorer, and if so will the Kobo recognise it when it's disconnected?

M

Ken Maltby · 03-13-2016, 05:08 PM

Yes, you can create a structure that the stock Kobo software can use. You can also create a "hidden" structure that the stock software won't try to process. If you use calibre, it can also create and maintain a file structure on your Kobo device.

Luck;
Ken

MichaelH · 03-13-2016, 06:06 PM

Thanks. In case I'll get one.

I don't know why the Kindle doesn't behave the same way as the Nook. IMO that should be enough to make it unmarketable.

robko · 03-13-2016, 07:02 PM

Just to clarify: if you're looking for the directory structure to show up in the stock firmware then NO, Kobo does not display your directory structure. It won't change it and you can use it to keep track of your books in file explorer, but it does not show up in the library view of the Kobo etc. You can use Calibre to automatically populate collections (not sure what's involved in turning a directory into this in Calibre)
There are some alternative readers that can be installed on Kobo's (no rooting needed) that will allow you to display your books in a directory structure while using the device.

And the reason this doesn't make a Kindle or Kobo unmarketable is that there are obviously lots of people who don't care (i.e. me) or it's not a deal breaker for (all those who own a Kobo or Kindle). Lots of things I'd like the device to do differently, but my desires don't rule the market.

DNSB · 03-13-2016, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelH

I'm wondering whether to get a Kobo. When it''s connected to a PC can a folder structure be created using Explorer, and if so will the Kobo recognise it when it's disconnected?

You can create a directory structure on a Kobo and it will process supported ebooks in subdirectories but a Kobo stores ebook data in a database and the directory structure is not visible to you while reading. I do use a directory structure to make it easier for me to locate ebooks when connected to a computer.

Personally, I would recommend using Calibre to manage your Kobo reader. It makes creating/managing collections much easier. With DavidFor's Kobo Utilities plugin, it also makes backing up the database a matter of a few clicks.

OTOH, I do not use collections. I do use series and use Kobo's search to locate books by title, author or series. I haven't tried collections for a while but quite a few firmware revisions back, collections slowed down when you had many of them.

MGlitch · 03-13-2016, 09:28 PM

For Kobo you should try KOReader if you want to duplicate the file structure replication that is seen on the Nook via the my files > your directory name > whatever directory name > etc directory name > you get the idea directory name

However as I migrated from Nook to Kobo, I can tell you using Calibre to create collections is a thing of beauty. I find collections (what Nook would call shelves) are very handy. And one book can be in as many collections as you would like.

03-13-2016, 04:34 PM	#1
MichaelH Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2016 Device: Kobo, no model yet	Use of Kobo as external disk drive When I plug my Nook into the PC it is seen as an external drive, with its own letter, and I can create and populate folders using Windows Explorer. The Kindle is also seen by the PC as an external drive, but any folders created using the PC are not replicated on the machine itself. Instead it's necessary to move the books into different collections one by one, which makes me glad I don't have one. I'm wondering whether to get a Kobo. When it''s connected to a PC can a folder structure be created using Explorer, and if so will the Kobo recognise it when it's disconnected? M

03-13-2016, 07:02 PM	#4
robko Wizard Posts: 2,454 Karma: 5469320 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kobo	Just to clarify: if you're looking for the directory structure to show up in the stock firmware then NO, Kobo does not display your directory structure. It won't change it and you can use it to keep track of your books in file explorer, but it does not show up in the library view of the Kobo etc. You can use Calibre to automatically populate collections (not sure what's involved in turning a directory into this in Calibre) There are some alternative readers that can be installed on Kobo's (no rooting needed) that will allow you to display your books in a directory structure while using the device. And the reason this doesn't make a Kindle or Kobo unmarketable is that there are obviously lots of people who don't care (i.e. me) or it's not a deal breaker for (all those who own a Kobo or Kindle). Lots of things I'd like the device to do differently, but my desires don't rule the market. Last edited by robko; 03-13-2016 at 07:04 PM.

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03-13-2016, 05:08 PM	#2
Ken Maltby Wizard Posts: 4,466 Karma: 6900052 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Heart of Texas Device: Boox Note2, AuraHD, PDA,	Yes, you can create a structure that the stock Kobo software can use. You can also create a "hidden" structure that the stock software won't try to process. If you use calibre, it can also create and maintain a file structure on your Kobo device. Luck; Ken

03-13-2016, 06:06 PM	#3
MichaelH Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2016 Device: Kobo, no model yet	Thanks. In case I'll get one. I don't know why the Kindle doesn't behave the same way as the Nook. IMO that should be enough to make it unmarketable.

03-13-2016, 09:28 PM	#6
MGlitch Wizard Posts: 2,855 Karma: 22003124 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: Kobo Forma, Kobo Sage, Kobo Libra 2	For Kobo you should try KOReader if you want to duplicate the file structure replication that is seen on the Nook via the my files > your directory name > whatever directory name > etc directory name > you get the idea directory name However as I migrated from Nook to Kobo, I can tell you using Calibre to create collections is a thing of beauty. I find collections (what Nook would call shelves) are very handy. And one book can be in as many collections as you would like.

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