One library with content stored on multiple disks

jelzin · 07-24-2016, 10:36 AM

Hi,

I'm trying to think of a solution for the following problem:
I want to have 1 central librabry but it should be able to span multiple (USB) disks. The main disk (internal) has the newest content, older content can be on another disk (or disks). The older content doesn't have to be accessible from the central library but the metadata has to be, in other words, i want to know what i have in this central library.
The reason for having multiple disks is because i have a lot of large PDF's so that fills up the disks i have in a hurry. While it is possible to keep buying bigger disks but i don't want to do that yet (only as a absolute last option).

This is the solution i'm thinking about:
1) create a secondary library (with the portable version) on the first disk with all the content on it (this disk will then be almost full). The contents of this library doesn't change anymore from this point forward in time.
2) Then duplicate the whole disk on a second disk or internal drive. After completion replace all the content file's (epub, awz, mobi, pdf's etc) with a dummy file. That dummy file (e.g. an epub file) contains only the name of the original content disk (these dummy files are very small). I'm converting this dummy file to all other formats i have in de secondary library. The actual replacement will be done by some clever scripting, not by hand

3) copy the content of this secondary library (with those dummy file's) through Calibre's copy function to the central library.

So after this action i should have a central library with the info of the secondairy libray in it but not the actual content.

But i wonder if there is another sollution to my problem that i have not yet discovered and that you maybe know and are willing to share with me

Johan

eschwartz · 07-24-2016, 10:49 AM

Disk Spanning (i.e. RAID)?

jelzin · 07-24-2016, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Disk Spanning (i.e. RAID)?

Well i have not thought about that but a raid sollution could be one way to deal with this problem when your computer isn't a laptop. Nice one to keep in mind b.t.w!

But my main computer is a laptop and i don't want to drag those USB disk with me all the time when i'm on the road. I don't have to access the contents on those disks when i'm not at home.

Thanks for your answer!

kovidgoyal · 07-24-2016, 11:12 AM

Just copy only the metadata.db file from your large library into a new folder. That will give you a library with all the metadata and no actual files.

jelzin · 07-24-2016, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Just copy only the metadata.db file from your large library into a new folder. That will give you a library with all the metadata and no actual files.

Mister Goyal, you just made my day! Sometimes the most simple sollution is the best one and this one sure is.

Okay i'll lose the images but i do have all the important data in the central database and that is what i was looking for.

for the answer!

07-24-2016, 10:36 AM	#1
jelzin Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2014 Device: Kobo Aura HD	One library with content stored on multiple disks Hi, I'm trying to think of a solution for the following problem: I want to have 1 central librabry but it should be able to span multiple (USB) disks. The main disk (internal) has the newest content, older content can be on another disk (or disks). The older content doesn't have to be accessible from the central library but the metadata has to be, in other words, i want to know what i have in this central library. The reason for having multiple disks is because i have a lot of large PDF's so that fills up the disks i have in a hurry. While it is possible to keep buying bigger disks but i don't want to do that yet (only as a absolute last option). This is the solution i'm thinking about: 1) create a secondary library (with the portable version) on the first disk with all the content on it (this disk will then be almost full). The contents of this library doesn't change anymore from this point forward in time. 2) Then duplicate the whole disk on a second disk or internal drive. After completion replace all the content file's (epub, awz, mobi, pdf's etc) with a dummy file. That dummy file (e.g. an epub file) contains only the name of the original content disk (these dummy files are very small). I'm converting this dummy file to all other formats i have in de secondary library. The actual replacement will be done by some clever scripting, not by hand 3) copy the content of this secondary library (with those dummy file's) through Calibre's copy function to the central library. So after this action i should have a central library with the info of the secondairy libray in it but not the actual content. But i wonder if there is another sollution to my problem that i have not yet discovered and that you maybe know and are willing to share with me Johan

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How to batch add books stored in multiple zip files?	atkach	Library Management	3	10-12-2014 01:39 PM
Virtual Libraries and multiple disks	Giuseppe Chillem	Calibre	1	09-03-2013 12:36 PM
No Collection Support for SD card stored content	Otter	Nook Color & Nook Tablet	17	12-30-2010 03:11 PM
Where are the books and annotations in library stored?	henry_moh	enTourage Archive	4	10-07-2010 02:10 PM
Where are books stored in eBook Library?	ponga163	Sony Reader	8	01-01-2009 09:36 PM

07-24-2016, 10:49 AM	#2
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)	Disk Spanning (i.e. RAID)?

07-24-2016, 11:12 AM	#4
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,347 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Just copy only the metadata.db file from your large library into a new folder. That will give you a library with all the metadata and no actual files.

Advert

Advert