Handling new editions of existing books

[DMcCunney]

I have a fair number of volumes in Calibre where a new version of an existing book will appear (like updated Project Gutenberg titles or some of the things posted to MobileRead.)

When I download them and add to Calibre, it thinks the titles are duplicates. Well, they are. What I'd like to do is tell Calibre "Replace the existing eBook file with this one, but use the existing catalog entry and metadata."

Calibre itself doesn't appear to offer this as an option. How do other folks handle this?
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Dennis

[itimpi]

There is a Tweak that stops files being treated as duplicates, but I personally do not use it as i do not find the duplicate checking reliable enough to want it to happen automatically and possibly overwrite the wrong book.

If you know it is a duplicate then you can highlight the existing record and drag-and-drop the file to the Book Details area. Alternatively you can go into the Edit Metadata dialog and drag the new copy to the Formats area. In both cases it will replace the existing one.

[higgs]

There is a setting within the Adding books settings to auto-merge added books if they already exist, and can be set to overwrite existing formats.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by higgs

There is a setting within the Adding books settings to auto-merge added books if they already exist, and can be set to overwrite existing formats.

I'm aware of it, but there are too many chances for error. For example, Calibre's first way of determining duplicates is title. I have an assortment of books that are entirely different books that simply happen to have the same title.

That option would be problematic here.
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Dennis

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by itimpi

There is a Tweak that stops files being treated as duplicates, but I personally do not use it as i do not find the duplicate checking reliable enough to want it to happen automatically and possibly overwrite the wrong book.

I recall that, and wouldn't use it either. Calibre's first duplicate assumption is the book's title, and I have an assortment that are quite different books that happen to have the same title.

If you know it is a duplicate then you can highlight the existing record and drag-and-drop the file to the Book Details area. Alternatively you can go into the Edit Metadata dialog and drag the new copy to the Formats area. In both cases it will replace the existing one.

That's approximately what I do now. I'd just like a way to avoid doing it. "Add duplicate title, copy over metadata, then delete older version" gets tedious.
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Dennis

[itimpi]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

That's approximately what I do now. I'd just like a way to avoid doing it. "Add duplicate title, copy over metadata, then delete older version" gets tedious.

If you know it is a duplicate before you start why start by adding it to Calibre and then do the unnecessary steps to get back to a single record in the Calibre database? If you find the current record and then drop the new book onto it to replace the existing ebook file that minimises the steps needed.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by itimpi

If you know it is a duplicate before you start why start by adding it to Calibre and then do the unnecessary steps to get back to a single record in the Calibre database? If you find the current record and then drop the new book onto it to replace the existing ebook file that minimises the steps needed.

Yes, I could simply open the appropriate folder from the record in Calibre and drop the replacement file into it, overwriting the existing one, which would have the effect I want.

The amount of actual labor and time involved is roughly equivalent to what I currently do, and my interest is time and labor saving.

I'll play with your method a bit, and see how it goes. It may well be an overall improvement.
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Dennis

[theducks]

personally, I have Add Books set to creat a New record, the I use find duplicates PI, sorting on date (added),

then, I verify the new book IS appropriate. select the OLD books record first, then merge the second record (this only seems to add the formats)

[itimpi]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Yes, I could simply open the appropriate folder from the record in Calibre and drop the replacement file into it, overwriting the existing one, which would have the effect I want.

The amount of actual labor and time involved is roughly equivalent to what I currently do, and my interest is time and labor saving.

I'll play with your method a bit, and see how it goes. It may well be an overall improvement.
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Dennis

i am not suggest you open the folder. I am suggesting you drag-and-drop the new file onto the record in Calibre which is easier.

[JSWolf]

There is a way to replace the existing eBook very easily.

1. Select the eBook's entry.
2. Hit E on the keyboard to bring up the Edit metadata dialog.
3. Drag/drop the eBook into the space at the upper right that shows the eBook(s).
4. Click OK.

DONE!

[itimpi]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There is a way to replace the existing eBook very easily.

1. Select the eBook's entry.
2. Hit E on the keyboard to bring up the Edit metadata dialog.
3. Drag/drop the eBook into the space at the upper right that shows the eBook(s).
4. Click OK.

DONE!

you do not have to open the Edit Metadata dialog. For step 2 Just drop the new file on the Book Details area for the book which is 2 steps less.

[Divingduck]

An other solution is to add the book by using its own metadata (see preferences -> Import/Export -> Adding Books). A new edition have a new ISBN and with this different ISBN calibre will add a new record (if I remember correct).

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by Divingduck

An other solution is to add the book by using its own metadata (see preferences -> Import/Export -> Adding Books). A new edition have a new ISBN and with this different ISBN calibre will add a new record (if I remember correct).

Worth noting for future reference. I have yet to have a reason to add by ISBN.

But the books in question from places like Project Gutenberg are minor updates to existing editions. There is unlikely to be a new ISBN in the mix.
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Dennis