How to run the content server when my laptop is turned off?

[Clem2605]

Hello,

So, here it is:

My current set up:

So, right now I have Calibre on my laptop, with its libraries backed up on my OneDrive.

Until now, I had two kobos, one for my books and one for my fanfictions, and I connected them to their own Calibre library as needed when I wanted to add new books/update the metadata of either one.
While this works really well with my 'book' library, my 'fanfiction' library changes a lot nearly every day, and connecting my kobo each time is a pain, so I mostly read on my computer which my eyes really don't like.

I recently purchased an e-ink android tablet whose main purpose is for my studies, but I would like to make it my solution in handling my fanfictions as well.



So, I would like to be able to access my Calibre library (on OneDrive, ideally) at all times (while on wifi of course) on my tablet without the trouble of downloading/re-downloading every time my metadata changes.

I have two problems:

1) The tablet doesn't read metadata other than the cover, size (?), and title, much less allow me to search/browse by them.
This really isn't practical, so I would like a site/app that allows me to browse my library online and only download the one I want to read right now on my tablet.
Consulting my book on OneDrive have the same problem: I can't easily access the metadata, and I don't see a way of arranging the library to make it easily browsable.

So, the obvious solution is to use the Calibre Content Server.

2) But since I only have a laptop, the server won't work if it's sleeping or turned off, this means I can only use it if I'm right in front of my computer. This is not ideal. I also don't have access to any computer/server that would always be turned on, on which I could run Calibre.

So my question is: is there any way to set up the Calibre Content Server in such a way that I could access it anytime via the net?
Maybe on an external server, but how?
I don't know anything about web hosting. Any resource I find on the net is made for regular websites and I have no idea about how to adapt it to Calibre or the Content server.



I already did some research on other resources and I'm pretty sure that Calibre Sync is my only option, but since it's not free I wanted to make sure there wasn't any other way to do what I want before buying it. If you have any other suggestions, I would welcome them.

This has been so frustrating because I basically only need a way to display my OneDrive books nicely and download them as needed to read on my device. But every app/site I come across is either a reading app that doesn't display the metadata that well (and needs the book to be downloaded to do it anyway) or a cloud app that doesn't display metadata that well and makes me pay for the service I'm already paying for with OneDrive .

[Wiggo]

External server to save 5 bucks for Calibre Sync? Your studies apparently do not include mathematics.

[gbm]

Calibre Sync is your best solution. other wise "wake on lan" could be used if your laptop and router supports it.

Next best would be to buy a cheap desktop to use as a server.

bernie

Originally Posted by Clem2605

Hello,

So, here it is:

My current set up:

So, right now I have Calibre on my laptop, with its libraries backed up on my OneDrive.

Spoiler:

Until now, I had two kobos, one for my books and one for my fanfictions, and I connected them to their own Calibre library as needed when I wanted to add new books/update the metadata of either one.
While this works really well with my 'book' library, my 'fanfiction' library changes a lot nearly every day, and connecting my kobo each time is a pain, so I mostly read on my computer which my eyes really don't like.

I recently purchased an e-ink android tablet whose main purpose is for my studies, but I would like to make it my solution in handling my fanfictions as well.



So, I would like to be able to access my Calibre library (on OneDrive, ideally) at all times (while on wifi of course) on my tablet without the trouble of downloading/re-downloading every time my metadata changes.

I have two problems:

1) The tablet doesn't read metadata other than the cover, size (?), and title, much less allow me to search/browse by them.
This really isn't practical, so I would like a site/app that allows me to browse my library online and only download the one I want to read right now on my tablet.
Consulting my book on OneDrive have the same problem: I can't easily access the metadata, and I don't see a way of arranging the library to make it easily browsable.

So, the obvious solution is to use the Calibre Content Server.

2) But since I only have a laptop, the server won't work if it's sleeping or turned off, this means I can only use it if I'm right in front of my computer. This is not ideal. I also don't have access to any computer/server that would always be turned on, on which I could run Calibre.

So my question is: is there any way to set up the Calibre Content Server in such a way that I could access it anytime via the net?
Maybe on an external server, but how?
I don't know anything about web hosting. Any resource I find on the net is made for regular websites and I have no idea about how to adapt it to Calibre or the Content server.



I already did some research on other resources and I'm pretty sure that Calibre Sync is my only option, but since it's not free I wanted to make sure there wasn't any other way to do what I want before buying it. If you have any other suggestions, I would welcome them.

This has been so frustrating because I basically only need a way to display my OneDrive books nicely and download them as needed to read on my device. But every app/site I come across is either a reading app that doesn't display the metadata that well (and needs the book to be downloaded to do it anyway) or a cloud app that doesn't display metadata that well and makes me pay for the service I'm already paying for with OneDrive .

[Clem2605]

Originally Posted by Wiggo

External server to save 5 bucks for Calibre Sync? Your studies apparently do not include mathematics.

In my experience, you can find basically anything for free online, provided you know what you're searching for or are willing to dedicate a bit of time to set it up. Since I don't really understand what I'm searching for, I'd rather ask here than pay for something I have no way of testing and so no way of knowing if it's what I need, only to discover that there was a way to do it for free a few weeks later...

But thanks for your help !

[Clem2605]

Originally Posted by gbm

Calibre Sync is your best solution. other wise "wake on lan" could be used if your laptop and router supports it.

Next best would be to buy a cheap desktop to use as a server.

bernie

Thank you, I may have discovered a hidden server at home after all, but if it doesn't works, I will go with Calibre Sync. (My computer do not support the wake on lan option, sadly...)

[jmurphy]

Using Calibre's built-in server app means installing Calibre on the server *and* moving your library to the server. You won't really be able to use Calibre on your laptop anymore.