How do you handle altered and original version of books?

[Barty]

I have books that I need to edit for specific device. For example, for a programming book that uses color syntax highlighting which does not show up well on the kindle, I edit to remove all the colors. But I want to keep the original version too. How do you handle keeping various versions of the same book and tracking which version is which. Right now, I save the original in a separate directory outside of the calibre library, but this kind of defeats the purpose of having calibre.

[BetterRed]

@Barty - one way would be to put them into an archive, I suggest a .7z, because calibre can process zips and rars in various ways, whereas it doesn't do any processing of .7z archives - which means you are less likely to get confused.

If you want quick and easy access to the files that are stored elsewhere, you can put a link into a custom column and then click on the link in Book details sidebar.

Or you could do both - keep originals in a .7z in the library for safekeeping, and break out a copy into a scratch location as and when needed,and put a link into a custom column for easy reference.

You'd put the link into a column something like this



I would edit the column in the book list via F2, which will take you to here



Then in the Book details sidebar you'll have something like this to click



BR

[fidvo]

One idea (and I've spent less time thinking about it than writing this post, so take it for what it's worth) is to keep both the original and modified versions of the books in Calibre as separate records.

You might have a separate library for your originals and modified versions for specific devices. Or you might use Virtual Libraries. Or just set up a field to track which is which.

For instance, set up a custom tag-based field to store values such as "Original" and "Kindle". I say Tag-based because it's likely most of your original books will also be Kindle-ready, with only a few exceptions. You'll want to be able to mark a single book as both. This also allows you to prepare special versions for other devices in the future. Then, any time you want to transfer books to your Kindle, use the tag browser to filter only Kindle books so you'll know you have the right versions.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Barty

I have books that I need to edit for specific device. For example, for a programming book that uses color syntax highlighting which does not show up well on the kindle, I edit to remove all the colors. But I want to keep the original version too. How do you handle keeping various versions of the same book and tracking which version is which. Right now, I save the original in a separate directory outside of the calibre library, but this kind of defeats the purpose of having calibre.

I have two libraries. One for my eBooks as they come and the other for the eBooks I put on my H2O. The second library, I can make changes if I want without losing the original eBook.

[Barty]

Thanks all.

I think I'll go with the second Foundation, I mean, library. That seems the most straightforward.

[nqk]

I simply keep the original as zip file.

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