Keeping parallel portable and installed versions

Hayai · 02-20-2022, 06:27 PM

Hi,

I want to use a portable and a locally installed version, but when I open the locally installed version and the portable drive is connected, it instead opens the portable app... Is there any way to have both and keep them separate?

Thanks!

BetterRed · 02-20-2022, 09:44 PM

You can have multiple instances of calibre installed (e.g a 64 bit and a 32bit which will use the same preferences & libraries), and one or more self contained portables. But there can only be one instance of calibre running.

What are you trying to achieve.

BR

Hayai · 03-03-2022, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

You can have multiple instances of calibre installed (e.g a 64 bit and a 32bit which will use the same preferences & libraries), and one or more self contained portables. But there can only be one instance of calibre running.

What are you trying to achieve.

BR

Thanks for answering, currently the portable version is not self-contained, but when I open the locally installed one, it opens the library contained in the portable version.

I want a local app to open and vet e-books before adding them to my library, so basically a local toolbox without access to my main Calibre-repository.

BetterRed · 03-03-2022, 07:58 PM

Many calibre users, me included, have a separate library (e.g. Intake) to which they add new books. That's where the books' metadata gets bashed into shape, conversions are run etc. Once that's done the book is transferred to the main library (e.g Books).

BR

theducks · 03-03-2022, 08:22 PM

The method to transfer that BR mentioned is Copy To Library:delete after copy (AKA a Move) (select the bookks: right click:... only available if you have more than 1 Library on the switch menu)

Hayai · 03-04-2022, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Many calibre users, me included, have a separate library (e.g. Intake) to which they add new books. That's where the books' metadata gets bashed into shape, conversions are run etc. Once that's done the book is transferred to the main library (e.g Books).

BR

I guess the point here is that I want to different instances of the software available. I want the two to have different settings and plugins, on top of different libraries (and I don't want either to be able to access the other).

Someone did say that portable versions of Calibre should be standalone though, so I have no idea why the locally installed Windows-version can/does access it. If anyone knows how to untangle them, I would appreciate it.

theducks · 03-04-2022, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayai

I guess the point here is that I want to different instances of the software available. I want the two to have different settings and plugins, on top of different libraries (and I don't want either to be able to access the other).

Someone did say that portable versions of Calibre should be standalone though, so I have no idea why the locally installed Windows-version can/does access it. If anyone knows how to untangle them, I would appreciate it.

Because someone told (used the Create/Switch) Installed version about the other Library.
The Plugins and USER settings are separate. Per Library settings are part of Metadata.db (

that is why Create a New Library has the option to copy the structure (as CONFIGURED)

BetterRed · 03-04-2022, 04:14 PM

If the portable version was not self contained you wouldn't be able to install it on a USB stick and use it on multiple computers that don't have calibre installed --- which is why the portable packaging was originally created.

As per the post from @theducks, portable and installed instances can be entangled by giving them access to the same libraries - but that is a post-install user decision.

BR

Hayai · 03-13-2022, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

If the portable version was not self contained you wouldn't be able to install it on a USB stick and use it on multiple computers that don't have calibre installed --- which is why the portable packaging was originally created.

As per the post from @theducks, portable and installed instances can be entangled by giving them access to the same libraries - but that is a post-install user decision.

BR

The thing is, I never really did anything other than trying to keep them apart. I did nothing (that I know of anyways) to in any way merge them. Anyways, I'll reinstall and try again

02-20-2022, 06:27 PM	#1
Hayai Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2022 Device: None	Keeping parallel portable and installed versions Hi, I want to use a portable and a locally installed version, but when I open the locally installed version and the portable drive is connected, it instead opens the portable app... Is there any way to have both and keep them separate? Thanks!

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02-20-2022, 09:44 PM	#2
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,718 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	You can have multiple instances of calibre installed (e.g a 64 bit and a 32bit which will use the same preferences & libraries), and one or more self contained portables. But there can only be one instance of calibre running. What are you trying to achieve. BR

03-03-2022, 07:58 PM	#4
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,718 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Many calibre users, me included, have a separate library (e.g. Intake) to which they add new books. That's where the books' metadata gets bashed into shape, conversions are run etc. Once that's done the book is transferred to the main library (e.g Books). BR

03-03-2022, 08:22 PM	#5
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,047 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	The method to transfer that BR mentioned is Copy To Library:delete after copy (AKA a Move) (select the bookks: right click:... only available if you have more than 1 Library on the switch menu)

03-04-2022, 04:14 PM	#8
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,718 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	If the portable version was not self contained you wouldn't be able to install it on a USB stick and use it on multiple computers that don't have calibre installed --- which is why the portable packaging was originally created. As per the post from @theducks, portable and installed instances can be entangled by giving them access to the same libraries - but that is a post-install user decision. BR

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