Using w/o wireless? Very confused!

[trianglekitty]

Sorry, I'm very confused even after reading the FAQ. I just got a Samsung Galaxy yesterday and I'm trying to set up Calibre Companion. I can't get Calibre to contact via wireless or content server. However, I really don't even *want* to content that way. My computer is on her last legs and will be replaced shortly, and currently has all kinds of problems with the CPU. I would rather tether the device and send files that way.

It doesn't seem like this is possible, though? I didn't realize that calibre companion only works with a wireless connection. I *think* I can save the entire library to a card, then change the settings in Calibre companion to use the card as a cloud library? If so, could someone please outline the steps? I tried saving some files to the device and a card and then tried to use the storage location as a cloud library, but it wouldn't allow me to select the file location. I assume that's because I saved a few books and not a 'library', which I guess is a different file type? I'm just really lost, frankly.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by trianglekitty

Sorry, I'm very confused even after reading the FAQ. I just got a Samsung Galaxy yesterday and I'm trying to set up Calibre Companion. I can't get Calibre to contact via wireless or content server. However, I really don't even *want* to content that way. My computer is on her last legs and will be replaced shortly, and currently has all kinds of problems with the CPU. I would rather tether the device and send files that way.

It doesn't seem like this is possible, though? I didn't realize that calibre companion only works with a wireless connection. I *think* I can save the entire library to a card, then change the settings in Calibre companion to use the card as a cloud library? If so, could someone please outline the steps? I tried saving some files to the device and a card and then tried to use the storage location as a cloud library, but it wouldn't allow me to select the file location. I assume that's because I saved a few books and not a 'library', which I guess is a different file type? I'm just really lost, frankly.

CC is not really intended for tethered (hardwire)

Wireless device connection should not stress the system any more that a hardwire. To Calibre, they are both just a device.

You do need to Start Wireless device connection or Content server.
And your WiFi needs to be on the same router as the PC

BTW CPU problems are commonly caused by clogged Fins/bad fans/grills

Get someone to clean out the lint.

[trianglekitty]

Oh, I know what caused the problem. The computer's fan actually broke, and even though I replaced it promptly, the CPU suffered thermal damage. The computer is also a lemon, and needed every part replaced (down to the freaking USB ports!) twice before it was a year old. It's been slowly dying again and now it as the point where I need to replace it, which is why I don't really feel like trying to mess around and figure out why it won't connect. I've already made sure it was connecting to the same router, tried setting the ISP manually, made sure the firewall port was open, and tried just connecting to the content server.

[chaley]

Originally Posted by trianglekitty

It doesn't seem like this is possible, though? I didn't realize that calibre companion only works with a wireless connection.

Correct. With the exception of the "Cloud local library", CC requires a network connection.

I *think* I can save the entire library to a card, then change the settings in Calibre companion to use the card as a cloud library? If so, could someone please outline the steps? I tried saving some files to the device and a card and then tried to use the storage location as a cloud library, but it wouldn't allow me to select the file location. I assume that's because I saved a few books and not a 'library', which I guess is a different file type? I'm just really lost, frankly.

As you will be replacing the computer, it is probably best to discuss wireless device connection problems after you have it. Who knows -- the problems might simply go away.

Regarding the CC cloud local library: a "calibre library" is defined by the presence of the file "metadata.db", which is calibre's database. If you put that file in a folder on an SD card then CC will see it as a library. However, it won't be particularly useful library because none of the covers or book files are there. That leads us to ...

Assuming you have enough space on the SD card, simply copy the calibre library directory on your PC to the SD card. Don't pick and choose -- copy everything. When you are finished you should have a lot of author directories and the metadata.db on the SD card. CC will happily use that library.

Question: why not put your library on the cloud somewhere? That would eliminate moving the SD card around and would be easier to keep in sync with your real library. You can get a fair amount of space for free from Box and from Microsoft OneDrive. Same is true for Google Drive, but you need to be a bit more careful with GD because it can eat your library.

You could even go as far as moving your "real" library to a cloud-synced directory. There can be problems with this, specifically with sync problems. There are lots of threads in the calibre forum talking about this. FWIW: I have my library on Dropbox and have never had a problem, probably because I do not run calibre (GUI) on more than one computer.

EDIT: I updated the local library CC FAQ to contain the above information.

[NSILMike]

Perhaps you should connect and sync via USB until you replace your PC. I'm no expert on Samsung phones, but I'd be surprised if you can't transfer files to specific folders via USB. You just need to set that up such that you put books into the folder you want CC to use.

[chaley]

Originally Posted by NSILMike

Perhaps you should connect and sync via USB until you replace your PC. I'm no expert on Samsung phones, but I'd be surprised if you can't transfer files to specific folders via USB. You just need to set that up such that you put books into the folder you want CC to use.

Unfortunately, CC does not know about books transferred by cable, even if they are in CC's folder.

[NSILMike]

Originally Posted by chaley

Unfortunately, CC does not know about books transferred by cable, even if they are in CC's folder.

Yes, I should have mentioned that (although it does seem to figure it out when you do get a successful wireless sync.)
I was assuming this will work itself out when the original poster replaced the PC, but until then using USB and whichever reader app they've chosen should be fine (I use FBReader, for instance, and I can open books directly from it or via CC.)