Sharing libraries with Windows and Linux?

[MontyJ]

I have about had it with Windows 10, so have setup a dual-boot scenario on my PC with the latest Ubuntu flavor of Linux.

The goal is to slowly acclimate myself to Linux, but still keep Win10 there for stuff I haven't yet figured out how to do in Linux. At some point I expect to throw the switch and finally be rid of Windows.

Ok, everything is going well and I have all my major programs, browsers, email, etc working in Linux except Calibre.

The issue is the size of my libraries. I have over 500GB of eBooks. And, I simply do not have the room on the Linux install drive to copy the files over. That would defeat the purpose anyway, as I am the only user and I want all additions/changes, etc to be updated to the other OS until the time I throw the switch.

Can I "share" the libraries on my Windows install with the Linux Calibre setup so I see the same thing in both?

If it can be done w/o mucking things up, what files do I need to "point to" in the Windows setup so the Linux Calibre will pick them up just as the Windows version does?

Thanks for any pointers!

Monty

[eschwartz]

The libraries should work as-is -- just have both OSes point to a shared partition (or mount the Windows partition read-write and point the linux calibre at that).

The one problem will be that Windows is a case-insensitive filesystem, so changes created by Windows can easily become incompatible with linux.
When that happens, just run (in the libraries list) Library Maintenance ==> Restore database

For a while I was running calibre portable on my flashdrive* to access my libraries on Windows (school computers, not my fault ) and I had to restore the database a whole bunch of times but other than that no problems.
Actually, just to be sure, I ran it every time I switched OSes.


* -- rsynced to laptop's internal storage, because never leave your only copy on a flashdrive.

[PeterT]

Remember thought that the user preferences are not within the database but associated with the Windows or Linux user profile, so do make sure to manually update those as you go.

The same goes for plugins withe the additional caveat that they can store aettings in the database as well as in the user profile.

[eschwartz]

For display purposes only, most stuff should be in the database. But true enough, you will want to migrate the settings as well.

Probably best to redo them from scratch.


But if you are careful you *could* copy-paste the settings folder. A lot of the configuration is OS-agnostic, though I expect the saved window geometries won't transfer well.

That may be slightly more nitpicky than you are willing to put up with.

[theducks]

Be verrrrry careful.
The same DB/Library WILL turn into a mess if you use any part of Calibre (except server) to make, even tiny, changes from the OTHER OS.

Been there, the scars were horrid

safest
1) (USE the CLI) Content server viewed with you browser of choice from remote machines (or when using the alternate boot)

2) drop books to be added into the Auto add folder in the Host OS of the GUI Calibre. They will be added (shortly) when that GUI next starts

[gbm]

I would recommend that you look at Linux Mint instead of Ubuntu. Mint is more of a users distro than a "Hey this is cool lets do it"--I am looking at you Unity-- distro than Ubuntu , the UI is a whole lot better and easer to learn.

bernie

[eschwartz]

I have to agree that Mint's Cinnamon-desktop is by far my favorite DE. I'm using it here on ArchLinux, as a matter of fact.

[MontyJ]

Well, that first step of simply pointing to existing libraries worked like a charm! Thanks eschwartz!!

Now that I am looking at it, I have years of customizations in my Windows Calibre that I really don't want to slog through rebuilding in Linux, LoL.

But given the cautionary words I see, perhaps if I do a Linux backup of my Home folder first, then try to copy over the existing Windows preferences and profiles settings files and see how it goes?

I am not so concerned about the plug-ins as I don't don't use all that many, and they are easily reinstallable. But can I pick and choose the settings/profile stuff? What are they and where are they located in Windows?

[Edit - Forgot to say thanks for the Mint Linux recommendation! Will look into that]

[eschwartz]

The calibre config folder can be found in Preferences ==> Advanced ==> Miscellaneous ==> Open calibre configuration directory (button)

And on Windows that will usually be:

%APPDATA%\calibre

And on linux:

~/.config/calibre

Try copying that over as-is, start calibre, see if anything breaks.
You will need to teach calibre where all the libraries went to. Hopefully nothing else will require fixing.

I don't know if anything will, since I haven't actually tried this.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

The calibre config folder can be found in Preferences ==> Advanced ==> Miscellaneous ==> Open calibre configuration directory (button)

And on Windows that will usually be:

%APPDATA%\calibre

And on linux:

~/.config/calibre

Try copying that over as-is, start calibre, see if anything breaks.
You will need to teach calibre where all the libraries went to. Hopefully nothing else will require fixing.

I don't know if anything will, since I haven't actually tried this.

That part works, and is safe. All you need to do is update the Path to the Libraries. Each time it can't find one, you are given a SINGLE (easy way) chance to redirect to the new location. Library
If you blow that chance: use the delete Library on the stale name entry, then Create/Switch: Use existing

[MontyJ]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

The calibre config folder can be found in Preferences ==> Advanced ==> Miscellaneous ==> Open calibre configuration directory (button)

And on Windows that will usually be:

%APPDATA%\calibre

And on linux:

~/.config/calibre

Try copying that over as-is, start calibre, see if anything breaks.
You will need to teach calibre where all the libraries went to. Hopefully nothing else will require fixing.

I don't know if anything will, since I haven't actually tried this.

Fantastic! With fingers crossed (after backup made, LoL) I did the whole copy/paste thing and started it up. I was expecting some hiccups, major or minor, but all my little tweaks, regex filters, plug-ins, conversion customizations, etc were all there! I just tried a couple of test inputs, conversions, and outputs, and so far, no problems.

The only thing it did not do, and it is a very minor thing, was the location of the metadata detail screen. I had it placed across the bottom, but it remained on the right hand side even after I did the C&P. Again, I can move it easily.

Thanks for your tips...they worked like a champ!

[MontyJ]

Originally Posted by theducks

That part works, and is safe. All you need to do is update the Path to the Libraries. Each time it can't find one, you are given a SINGLE (easy way) chance to redirect to the new location. Library
If you blow that chance: use the delete Library on the stale name entry, then Create/Switch: Use existing

Yea, you are sure right on that one! Kinda weird, because the path that is there is the correct one, but doesn't work until you go through the little process of selecting it again!

But all is well; thanks for the helpful pointers!

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by MontyJ

Fantastic! With fingers crossed (after backup made, LoL) I did the whole copy/paste thing and started it up. I was expecting some hiccups, major or minor, but all my little tweaks, regex filters, plug-ins, conversion customizations, etc were all there! I just tried a couple of test inputs, conversions, and outputs, and so far, no problems.

The only thing it did not do, and it is a very minor thing, was the location of the metadata detail screen. I had it placed across the bottom, but it remained on the right hand side even after I did the C&P. Again, I can move it easily.

Thanks for your tips...they worked like a champ!

Yes, like I said I expect the only real issue worth mentioning would be window geometries.
Good news, that.