Questions about calibre features

[LadyKate]

I was wondering if there is a plan or an existing feature for attaching notes to an author rather than an individual book? Frequently I find I want to make a note about an upcoming book or an old book that I have not read yet but don't want to make an entry for a book that does not exist. Being able to make a note on the "author but not an individual book" would solve this.

Also, a great feature would be a record of the last five searches. I find I search for one author which often leads to something else, then i get sidetracked and if I didn't make a note of the search elsewhere... lol, my memory isn't that good these days.

When opening a second instance of calibre on the same computer, is there a potential for corruption of the data? I sometimes what to have two instances so I can check different spellings of the authors name etc. but don't want to take the risk of corrupting the library.

[speakingtohe]

First question was discussed and was too complex I believe. Some people put in a fake record for books they want to buy. Works well and you could find them all by typing formats:false in the searchbar.

The little drop down arrow at the end of the searchbar will show you your last searches.

Accessing the library in two different places can cause corruption. I use the content server if I want to check author names or series names.

If you start the content server (don arrow beside connect/share) the click that arrow again it will show you the address. type address followed by :8080 - or - http://localhost:8080/ in the url bar in your browser and you can access it on the same computer. Very fast and easy.


Helen

[theducks]

Originally Posted by LadyKate

When opening a second instance of calibre on the same computer, is there a potential for corruption of the data? I sometimes what to have two instances so I can check different spellings of the authors name etc. but don't want to take the risk of corrupting the library.

Never open 2 instances of Calibre on the same Database
Note: Calibre has also has only one settings

If you want to VIEW additional records. Start the Content Server and use you browser. Views are unlimited (OS limits will hit first)

[copyrite]

I use this plugin

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118772

To keep track of my history on the fly, so to speak.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by copyrite

I use this plugin

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118772

To keep track of my history on the fly, so to speak.

- and if you click the little down glyph at the end of the search bar, you'll see the previous dozen or more searches



I also find Quickview helps me keep track of what I'm doing - its very powerful, but since I came to grips with it - via some private discussion with chaley - I use it a lot.

There is an existing feature via which I keep author notes, missing book lists, obits, press clippings, wikip and publisher links etc. But its not One-Click to set up, but once done it's One-Click to open up - see attachment

1. I created a folder in which I can keep author notes - in the attachment it's called E:\TestAuthors, This folder is quite separate and distinct from my Calibre library folders, and in it I created a folder for Joseph E. Stiglitz - that happens to the Author name exactly as I have it in calibre, but that is not essential - it could have been Joe Stiggy.

2. This can be the 'tricky bit'. You need to put a reference to the folder into the Author Link field in the Manage Authors list. I've only used this on Windows and I've found that it only works reliably if I use an 'internet style' link - i.e. file:///E:/TestAuthors/Joseph%20E.%20Stiglitz/, which is not the sort of thing that drips of the end of my fingers, so I use a shell extension called FileMenuTools (FMT) to get them.

It would be nice if the Author Link field had a Browse button, like the Insert Link in Comments, but I use FMT a lot so I've never bothered Kovid to do an Enhancement.

3. Once you've done that you can put stuff into the folder - in the attachment I've put a couple of URLs and a text file into Stiglitz's folder.

4. When I click on Joseph E. Stiglitz link in Book details rather than opening the default link specified in Look & Feel->Book Details in a browser, my Test Authors\Joseph E. Stiglitz folder opens and from there I can do whatever I want.

I stress this Author folder is NOT the Calibre library author folder - its in a parallel universe - and if I move or rename the folder I'll have to renew the link in Manage Authors.

BR

PS : I don't think there is anything in the manual about the Author Link Field

[LadyKate]

Thank you. I will be trying the plug in and looking into using the content server. Have not used that feature yet.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

I also find Quickview helps me keep track of what I'm doing - its very powerful, but since I came to grips with it - via some private discussion with chaley - I use it a lot.

I know quickview is supposed to stay open on top of the Calibre window, but is supposed to stay on top of every window in Win 7? When I switch from Calibre back to here on my browser, quickview is on top of my browser window too.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

I know quickview is supposed to stay open on top of the Calibre window, but is supposed to stay on top of every window in Win 7? When I switch from Calibre back to here on my browser, quickview is on top of my browser window too.

I've noticed that too. I think its got to do with the way all 'child windows' work in calibre, and I suspect that's probably done by the Qt library calibre uses to provide a lot of the GUI base functionality. It's a consequences of calibre targeting multiple operating environments, Qt is one of the few (only ?) free-to-use, hi-function GUI libraries that works on Windows, OS/X and Linux.

If you minimise a child window like Quickview or Preferences it shows as a 'mini Title bar' on the desktop. In my case they land on the bottom left corner.

Interestingly the Book Information window (press I) also stays on top as you browse the library list - but when I switch to another program it does not appear on top of it's window. What's the difference - Preferences and Quickview have minimise buttons, - not sure why they have them, and not sure if its germane - but Book Information doesn't have a minimise button.

BR