Library creation on empty drive fails

sasilk · 08-13-2011, 12:09 AM

Hi,

Quick details:
Calibre version 8.14
Mac OS X Snow Leopard

I have a nice, newly formatted, dedicated external drive that I want to move my Calibre files to, but when I ask Calibre to move the library to the new location in the root of the drive it fails with a "Location is not empty" message. I'm guessing that it's detecting the hidden system files there and that's what's causing the error.

I can get around it by manually copying the files across and then pointing Calibre to the 'new' library, but is there a better way to approach this?

In either case, having the app tell a user that an ostensibly empty directory (drive) can't be used because it isn't empty is bound to cause some confusion and frustration. At the very least, a better error message would be useful.

Stephen Silk

pchrist7 · 08-13-2011, 01:27 AM

Hi
I think the message during creation is intended to help users think about where they place new library. Several users have placed libraries in "My Documents", later deleted the library, and poof My Documents were gone.
Not an expert, but have you tried to create a directory in /newlib and use that ?
Brgds Per

DoctorOhh · 08-13-2011, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasilk

I have a nice, newly formatted, dedicated external drive that I want to move my Calibre files to, but when I ask Calibre to move the library to the new location in the root of the drive it fails with a "Location is not empty" message. I'm guessing that it's detecting the hidden system files there and that's what's causing the error.

Generally speaking moving your library to the root directory of any drive isn't advisable, but I can see why you might want to devote an entire external drive to your library. If you want to use calibre to move the library just point it to a new directory on that drive and you shouldn't get the error message. Having your library in a folder other than root will allow you to put more than one library on the drive. I have two a working library and a finished library.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasilk

I can get around it by manually copying the files across and then pointing Calibre to the 'new' library, but is there a better way to approach this?

There is no better way if you want it in the root directory and there are other files there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasilk

In either case, having the app tell a user that an ostensibly empty directory (drive) can't be used because it isn't empty is bound to cause some confusion and frustration. At the very least, a better error message would be useful.

Maybe this can be changed, but the error message has been there for a year and your the first to post confusion/frustration with its message. You might be the first to try to move it to the root of a drive. I'll let the developers voice their opinion about the possibility of changing the message.

Good Luck.

kovidgoyal · 08-13-2011, 01:53 AM

Moving libraries to the root of the drive is a bad idea, for various reasons, and not one I want to encourage. Also there is no generic way to know what files a particular operating system treats as hidden in its file explorer.

08-13-2011, 12:09 AM	#1
sasilk Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 14 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Australia Device: iPad Pro 12"; Kindle Paperwhite	Library creation on empty drive fails Hi, Quick details: Calibre version 8.14 Mac OS X Snow Leopard I have a nice, newly formatted, dedicated external drive that I want to move my Calibre files to, but when I ask Calibre to move the library to the new location in the root of the drive it fails with a "Location is not empty" message. I'm guessing that it's detecting the hidden system files there and that's what's causing the error. I can get around it by manually copying the files across and then pointing Calibre to the 'new' library, but is there a better way to approach this? In either case, having the app tell a user that an ostensibly empty directory (drive) can't be used because it isn't empty is bound to cause some confusion and frustration. At the very least, a better error message would be useful. Stephen Silk

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08-13-2011, 01:27 AM	#2
pchrist7 Addict Posts: 385 Karma: 6514 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Denmark Device: Kindle 3 3G+Wifi, Oasis	Hi I think the message during creation is intended to help users think about where they place new library. Several users have placed libraries in "My Documents", later deleted the library, and poof My Documents were gone. Not an expert, but have you tried to create a directory in /newlib and use that ? Brgds Per

08-13-2011, 01:53 AM	#4
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,345 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Moving libraries to the root of the drive is a bad idea, for various reasons, and not one I want to encourage. Also there is no generic way to know what files a particular operating system treats as hidden in its file explorer.

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