Add book from Amazon URL

[srv181]

Many of my books are in paper format. It would be fantastic if I could add a book record directly from an Amazon URL. For Example: under Add Books, a new option to Add from URL would be fantastic.

Also, format "Paper" would help as well, but is not as important.

Thanks for considering this.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by srv181

Also, format "Paper" would help as well, but is not as important.

Make an empty text file. Change the extension to .paper. Add that to the book.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by srv181

It would be fantastic if I could add a book record directly from an Amazon URL. For Example: under Add Books, a new option to Add from URL would be fantastic.

I think that would be terrible and break often. Also why give preferential treatment to Amazon?

[Comfy.n]

FWIW: Add from ISBN -> if you type amazon:xxxxxxx (identifier contained in the url after .../dp/), this brings up the download metadata dialog, from which you can hit Download Both for covers and metadata.

It's not so straightforward as the feature you suggest, but gets the same result (?)

[srv181]

thanks for your comments @ownedbycats, @Quoth, and @Comfy.n

as I said, a format "paper" is not such an issue - I don't want/need a file for the book, it would just be a convenience when searching.

What I am aiming for is not having to manually enter the ISBNs from the books I want to add (usually more than 5 at a time) to the "Add from ISBN" dialog. Even scanning the ISBNs on my phone, adding the numbers to an evernote note, and then pasting the scanned list to the Add from ISBN list is pretty tedious.

As for Amazon, I'm not picky, another source would be fine with me as well.

But I will give a try to a combination of your tips, maybe if I add the .paper files and then go to Amazon (the only site that has a large # of English books in Austria) and get the ISBN. Maybe that is faster.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by srv181

thanks for your comments @ownedbycats, @Quoth, and @Comfy.n

as I said, a format "paper" is not such an issue - I don't want/need a file for the book, it would just be a convenience when searching.

What I am aiming for is not having to manually enter the ISBNs from the books I want to add (usually more than 5 at a time) to the "Add from ISBN" dialog. Even scanning the ISBNs on my phone, adding the numbers to an evernote note, and then pasting the scanned list to the Add from ISBN list is pretty tedious.

As for Amazon, I'm not picky, another source would be fine with me as well.

But I will give a try to a combination of your tips, maybe if I add the .paper files and then go to Amazon (the only site that has a large # of English books in Austria) and get the ISBN. Maybe that is faster.

How do you add the URL? Manually, I guess, or selecting it at the amazon webpage. You can do something similar in other way:
* Install the plugin GoodreadsSync
* Create the empty books
* Search the book in goodreads: In that table you can add an URL (the goodreads url for the book)
* Having the goodreads id, then download metadata.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by srv181

Many of my books are in paper format. It would be fantastic if I could add a book record directly from an Amazon URL. For Example: under Add Books, a new option to Add from URL would be fantastic.

Also, format "Paper" would help as well, but is not as important.

Thanks for considering this.

Write a plugin to do this and then you can maintain this for when it breaks.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by srv181

What I am aiming for is not having to manually enter the ISBNs from the books I want to add (usually more than 5 at a time) to the "Add from ISBN" dialog. Even scanning the ISBNs on my phone, adding the numbers to an evernote note, and then pasting the scanned list to the Add from ISBN list is pretty tedious.

Even 25+ years ago you could barcode scan a book direct into any field in Windows/Mac/Linux/DOS

A barcode scanner to connect direct isn't expensive. You can pay a bit more and have a small box at PC and have a Wireless one (864 MHz Licence free in Europe, slightly different in USA).

I have a 20 year old serial one and it works via Serial-USB adaptor. The more "direct" ones connected inline with the keyboard. A serial or USB model needs a driver to make it seem like a keyboard if the program has no dedicated alternate input. A barcode input plugin is almost certainly possible.

[theducks]

A 'Keyboard Wedge' model just looks like another keyboard. No driver needed...
BUT you must place the cursor where you want it to type.
When I joined MR, I just started e-books and Calibre. I used Add from ISBN to document my paperback collection (900+ books). Some were so old that the did not have a ISBN.
Do this task in batches of 10. Resolve issues (Can't find. No cover... Fot the latter, I had my trusty HP4C attached to my Laptop which was Remote Desktop connected to My Calibre PC via wired ethernet). Took me MONTHS to get them all in, then I needed to refine comments... (that took longer)

[srv181]

Thanks all for your tips!
In the meantime, I've found a method that works and no longer need the "add from URL" option.
- 90% of the books I mean are from orders, either Amazon or other online sellers.
- in Calibre, I open the "Add from ISBN"
- I go back to the page of the book on the sellers page (which I would have to do in the "add from URL" version as well)
- copy the ISBN rather than the URL
- add it to my "add from ISBN" list

and voila, the book is not only added but Calibre finds the precise metadata for the book!

So thanks again, I will keep you tips for those few books that I actually buy in stores

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by theducks

A 'Keyboard Wedge' model just looks like another keyboard. No driver needed...

Used those years ago. They were PS/2 based. No idea if USB ones exist, but no pass through needed as you can connect a second USB keyboard unlike PS/2 or original AT or PC DIN. A smart USB barcode scanner or wireless RX box ought to be user configurable as HID keyboard or Serial over USB. It's even possible to program a $2 PIC that takes a USB client connector directly to do that and connect to any arbitary ancient Keyboard or Serial barcode scanner. Add two and a pair of off the shelf 864MHz or BT serial modules (under $10 each) and convert an old Keyboard or Serial barcode scanner to wireless.

Having to be in the correct field is an issue, hence a plug-in that automatically checks if ISBN already there, of if not adds a record and looks up ISBN databases.
When I started on this there was no public Internet ISBN databases, in fact no web sites!
It's not needed to look up Amazon. There are ISBN databases, though they might just have the publisher block and not the title.
I just tested my phone's barcode scanner which only previews (no network permission). Then you tap on what you want to do. By default if you tap Books it opens the default web browser and Google Books, something like:
https://books.google.ie/books?vid=is...ir_esc=y&hl=en

So a plugin would have a place to configure search action and returned page parsing and thus only that would need user edits. The actual plugin only need edited if Calibre changes how it interacts.

I'm no fan of Google/alphabet, but likely they have more ISBNs for paper books as they have ones not in print and not on Amazon.

[theducks]

USB scanners exist (I believe PS2 is the odd one these days).
Avoid the 'Flood" (hold the scan head against the bar code) style. It is bin bait in any bright light situation.

The one I have is really old Pro model (Symbol 4004 that I am too cheap to buy the USB cord), so I now use a PS2->USB Keyboard-mouse adapter.
This rig works perfect for add from ISBN as there is only 1 field. You Tab (or mouse) to OK when ready.

[dunhill]

To value my library, I enter the number of the store where I made the purchase in isbn, and through the internet search plugin I can manually update the price of the book

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by theducks

USB scanners exist (I believe PS2 is the odd one these days).

There's also smartphone apps that use the phone camera. I use one and then dump it to a text file to copy into Calibre's 'add from ISBN.'

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by dunhill

To value my library, I enter the number of the store where I made the purchase in isbn, and through the internet search plugin I can manually update the price of the book

Worrying about the value of a library where you are not allowed to resell a ebook? An interesting concept.

I do know people who enter the price they paid to keep track of their spending and who track the prices of physical books that might be considered collector's editions but you are the only one I've heard of who worries about the current price of an already purchased ebook.