Author Name Display and Sort

[theducks]

All the discussion on Author sorting, I thought a Poll for fun (not binding on the Developers) to see how people use the Author sort and what shows on the display

[transmitthis]

When I first got this program, it took me almost 2hours to work out how to swap LN,FN and get it to "sort" how I wanted: and I'm an IT consultant.....so I can understand the number of posts about this (esp when you have to go into settings/ tweaks for The algorithm used to copy author to author_sort for example) - not something you expect first off.

Personally I have the Authors as First Name / Last Name and Author sort the same.
I like to be able to just click on the Authors column and have it sort Alphabetically by FN/LN

PS, nothing against any developers, as they do a fantastic job, its just the nature of an open sorce app with loads of options.

[Manichean]

Originally Posted by transmitthis

When I first got this program, it took me almost 2hours to work out how to swap LN,FN and get it to "sort" how I wanted: and I'm an IT consultant.....so I can understand the number of posts about this (esp when you have to go into settings/ tweaks for The algorithm used to copy author to author_sort for example) - not something you expect first off.

It's not something a large portion of the user base wants to change. Also, making the change when starting the libary is easy- it's the people who decide that, after something like 1000 books, they'd like their authors as LN, FN, prettyplease, that make for the most interesting threads

[Nyssa]

That would be me, except I "only" had about 200 books at the time (I'm still not at 1000). I try to use a program as is, until I figure out what I really want. Sometimes that takes a while; so I appreciate the fact that there is a place where I can get the info that I need when I need it as I tweak . If I were to have any complaints it is that I find the Calibre Manual very difficult to search and to understand - another reason why I find this forum to be invaluable.

[encapuchado]

I voted to <LN, FN> both in the author and author-sort fields. As you can see in another thread, I'm fighting with Calibre and/or Sigil to get the order I want. The current score? Calibre/Sigil 1 Me 0

[speakingtohe]

Is this poll for the main window or the tag browser?

In the main window, I don't really care, but in the tag browser I definitely would prefer sorted by FN,LN as it used to be once upon a time.

Three reasons:
That is how it is displayed by default in the first versions I used and it seemed
more intuitive.
It is easier (for me at least) to check if there are author mispellings etc.
That is how the books are stored.

Still, I know this is probably a minority opinion and have learned to deal with it by rarely using the tag browser for author lookup.

Superb idea for a poll BTW. First one I have noticed in the calibre subforum.

Helen

[Starson17]

Originally Posted by encapuchado

I voted to <LN, FN> both in the author and author-sort fields. As you can see in another thread, I'm fighting with Calibre and/or Sigil to get the order I want. The current score? Calibre/Sigil 1 Me 0

You're fighting to get the right entry into the sort field (author_sort). Calibre always sorts by that field. You don't actually have a sort problem, you have a problem with getting the right data into the author_sort field. That problem boils down to: first, you aren't sure what is in the author field of your e-book (you are using internal metadata), and second, you aren't sure how what's in the author field gets converted into the author_sort field. Keep plugging away, you'll get there

[Starson17]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

in the tag browser I definitely would prefer sorted by FN,LN as it used to be once upon a time.
Helen

The displayed value in the tag browser can be the author's name (FN LN by default) or the author's sort value (LN, FN by default); this choice is determined by the "Use author sort in Tag Browser" (categories_use_field_for_author_name) tweak. It sounds like you want to change the tweak.

[CWatkinsNash]

Well, it's not exactly my preference so much as what I've gotten used to - I have a Kindle, and the Kindle wants LN, FN which it then translates to FN LN on the home screen. I've learned that it's best to do as the Kindle wishes or the Kindle gets very angry.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

Well, it's not exactly my preference so much as what I've gotten used to - I have a Kindle, and the Kindle wants LN, FN which it then translates to FN LN on the home screen. I've learned that it's best to do as the Kindle wishes or the Kindle gets very angry.

You can use either the {authors} (what shows on the screen) or {author_sort} in the send/save Templates,. So set what you want to see on the screen and set whatever template field to pickup LN, FN

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by theducks

You can use either the {authors} (what shows on the screen) or {author_sort} in the send/save Templates,. So set what you want to see on the screen and set whatever template field to pickup LN, FN

I was going to do that, but by the time I started working with the send/save templates I was already used to it. The Kindle had assimilated me. The good news is, if I ever decide to switch, I have the regex saved and ready to go in S&R.

[kiwidude]

Would be interesting to get a lot more responses in the poll to get beyond the outrageous statistical error it currently has. Speaking as one of those in the "supposed minority" of using LN,FN of course

[travger]

FN LN is nicer to look at (and shows in my main view), but I would never sort that way.
1st, I hate to scroll through all the 'Davids' or 'Johns', 2nd, sometimes I can't remember the first name. Last name comes more easily.
As far as I care, tag browser could show just LN, to see the whole name I have to drag the panel wider.

[sadievan]

I have currently been changing each author as I enter books to be

Authors: LN, FN
Authors Sort: LN, FN

If I wanted to change all my Authors to FN LN would I just go into edit metadata and hold the author sort button and click on 'set author from author sort' to change each one?

Carol

[theducks]

Originally Posted by sadievan

I have currently been changing each author as I enter books to be

Authors: LN, FN
Authors Sort: LN, FN

If I wanted to change all my Authors to FN LN would I just go into edit metadata and hold the author sort button and click on 'set author from author sort' to change each one?

Carol

Underneath the Tag Browser, there is "Manage ..."
See if any of those will do what you need in bulk (or at least at the Author Level)