Camoufox download loop while downloading metadata

[Sarmat89]

As long as the metadata download window is opened, Calibre 9.18 does the following weird stuff:
1. It downloads a file into ...\Calibre\dbin\camoufox\camoufox<XXXXXXXX>-download
2. It tries to unpack it into various subfolders like ...\Calibre\dbin\camoufox\camoufox<XXXXXXXX>-install\unpacked\fonts
3. It removes everything, and starts with step 1.

There is no any diagnostics available in the log.

When the window is closed, the activity stops, everything is deleted except the following empty file:
...\Calibre\dbin\camoufox\metadata.json

[kovidgoyal]

does nto reproduce for me. maybe try rebooting in safe more with networking, run a metadata download socamoufox is installed and then resume normal operation

[kovidgoyal]

Also the disk you have calibre portable installed on needs about 4GB free space for the download and unpack and install steps.

[Sarmat89]

Could you add the free space check? It's just won't do to keep downloading stuff in vane.

[kovidgoyal]

https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibr...e4bc459dbbd937

[buellie]

9.18 adds start menu items again
9.18 and previous versions add registry entries
9.18 and previous version add to c:\windows\users\data\ local and roaming

i dont need to prove anything.
a portable version is supposed to be self contained hence the word portable
must be no in your vocabulary in India

[buellie]

now you cant even remove it from the start menu OmG

[DNSB]

I tried a portable install of calibre 9.18 to a directory named Calibre Portable on my D for data drive. When run standalone (no source), camoufox downloaded to D:\Calibre Portable\Calibre Portable\Calibre\dbin\camoufox. No start menu item was created. I removed the camoufox start menu item from C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs before starting the test install and it was not restored during the calibre 9.18 portable install and metadata download. See the attached image.

The batch file I used for testing simply contained:

set CALIBRE_DEVELOP_FROM=""
"D:\Calibre Portable\Calibre Portable\calibre-portable.exe"

I repeated the test on a clean VM and the result was the same. Camoufox was downloaded in the calibre portable directory and no start menu item was created. Since this was a clean VM, I did not need to change the CALIBRE-DEVELOP_FROM variable.

I suspect this of being a PEBKAC issue.

[BetterRed]

My install of calibre portable 9.18 does not have camoufox:



The only time I've seen it is in the calibre portable 9.17.100 Preview edition:



But nothing in startmenu.

BR

[DNSB]

Have you tried download metadata from Amazon or Google with 9.18? AFAIA, those are two builtin plugins that will trigger a camoufox download.

[BetterRed]

I don't download metadata from Google, Amazon or anywhere else, or download from news publishers via Recipes.

But I do have a vague memory of doing a metadata download when running the 9.27.100 preview to trigger the camoufox download… it took a long time, as metadata data downloads are wont to do… so I recall that I cancelled. I didn't realise I was cancelling the download/install of camoufox.

So, I just installed a fresh instance of preview and let it complete. I don't have high speed broadband… 20Mb/s on a good day… so it took several minutes.

And guess what I have a new Start Menu shortcut:

C:\Users\<me>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Camoufox Private Browsing.lnk

Which targets

D:\Calibre\Portables\ZTest\Calibre Portable\Calibre\dbin\camoufox\158.0.1-beta.41\private_browsing.exe

So, I seem to have confirmed @buellie's findings,

BR

[BetterRed]

I'm repeating the above with 9.18 portable.

I've deleted the start menu entry

And with 9.18 portable I got no start menu shortcut.

@buellie - if you installed an earlier version of calibre portable (e.g. 9.17) into the same location, and you did a metadata download that's probably when the start menu shortcut was created.

BR

[DNSB]

Yes, they complained about the shortcut before (the calibre is installing spyware/malware messages). Perhaps it was expected that Kovid's patch to prevent the start menu shortcut from being installed would also remove an existing shortcut?

As I said, Calibre Portable running without source installed the camoufox download in it's directory. Calibre Portable with source is a bit of a mishmash and likely something that should not be permitted since it must violate the basic rule of portable installs.

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by buellie

i dont need to prove anything.
a portable version is supposed to be self contained hence the word portable
must be no in your vocabulary in India

ROFL, you do need to prove at a minimum that you are: a) not a racist b) not brain damaged. Sadly for you, you are now on my ignore list so your attempts to do so will disappear into the void. Goodbye and dont let the door hit you on the way out.

[Capricorn]

Having read this thread, and seeing on my computer, that camoufox has appeared in my start menu (no portable installation), I wonder what this camoufox does? It is mentioned in the thread that amazon and google plugins need it, but I thought metadata came directly from amazon or google databases. I now assume that assumption is completey false. I am trying to learn a bit more here.
Thank you for any explanation,