Using calibre on 2 computers at the same time

[JSWolf]

You are better off using your Calibre library locally. That way it's not only faster, but more reliable.

[kacir]

Originally Posted by BadAngel

I have Calibre installed on my laptop and desktop. Win7 on both. I have opened one library on both systems over my network. My question is can I change info on one system and have it reflect on both without having to shut down and restart Calibre? I have tried playing around and received a "library locked" message a few times. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Are you aware that Calibre can work as a server, so you can access the data (read only, of course) from many computers, phones, tablets that run browser.
For the changes in library, have a look at some kind of remote desktop.

Accessing the database stored in a single location from two separate Calibre instances is asking for trouble.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by sadievan

Do you know of any known problems if I create a link/shortcut to my Calibre folder in dropbox. Or is it better to just use a sync program to 'backup' Calibre to Dropbox.

Links are an issue, becase I believe Dropbox cannot tell if files change behind a link. So syncing only happens when dropbox starts. Although that might be a good thing...

You can simply move it instead.

IMHO syncing a backup is better -- but it is only an option at all if you plan to only change things on one computer.

[sadievan]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Links are an issue, becase I believe Dropbox cannot tell if files change behind a link. So syncing only happens when dropbox starts. Although that might be a good thing...

You can simply move it instead.

IMHO syncing a backup is better -- but it is only an option at all if you plan to only change things on one computer.

OK. Thanks. I really would like to be able to change things on 2 computers, my laptop and desktop. Do you know of any safe way to do this. If not I will do the laptop only and just sync my backups to Dropbox.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by sadievan

OK. Thanks. I really would like to be able to change things on 2 computers, my laptop and desktop. Do you know of any safe way to do this. If not I will do the laptop only and just sync my backups to Dropbox.

Just be careful to sync Dropbox both before and after, making sure all changes are recorded in Dropbox and the current computer is up-to-date. The most common problem with Dropbox is syncing while calibre moves files, as they fight over which file goes where. The second problem is opening calibre on another computer before it was synced, then Dropbox sees differing changes from two computers and renames a ton of files to "file (computer's conflicted copy date.fileextension" which will be a pain in the neck to deal with. Especially because the most obvious file to be renamed and replaced with an older copy, will be the database.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by sadievan

OK. Thanks. I really would like to be able to change things on 2 computers, my laptop and desktop. Do you know of any safe way to do this. If not I will do the laptop only and just sync my backups to Dropbox.

I believe some people install calibre portable along with their library onto their 'Dropbox Drive' - then wherever they are they can access the same library with the same calibre (version, settings, plug-ins etc)

From memory DoctorOhh a long time user of calibre and one of the 'senior' moderators of the calibre forum does this - I'm sure he wont mind if you send a PM and get him to chime in.

I have tried it, but my alternate location is on the end of a slow and unreliable satellite link, so whilst it worked, it wasn't viable at 256Kbs, and there's a traffic quota on the sat link. Worked fine on higher speed links (10Mps+) though.

Also avoids the issue of leaving computers turned on - Dropbox is more or less always on.

BR

[PeterT]

Or just install and use calibre on one PC, leave the content server running on it, and make use of either VNC or any other remote control tool to access that PC from any other computer when you want to make changes.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Or just install and use calibre on one PC, leave the content server running on it, and make use of either VNC or any other remote control tool to access that PC from any other computer when you want to make changes.

[sadievan]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Just be careful to sync Dropbox both before and after, making sure all changes are recorded in Dropbox and the current computer is up-to-date. The most common problem with Dropbox is syncing while calibre moves files, as they fight over which file goes where. The second problem is opening calibre on another computer before it was synced, then Dropbox sees differing changes from two computers and renames a ton of files to "file (computer's conflicted copy date.fileextension" which will be a pain in the neck to deal with. Especially because the most obvious file to be renamed and replaced with an older copy, will be the database.

I mostly use my laptop so I just moved my Calibre Library from Dropbox back to the laptop. I then backed up my Calibre Library to a folder on Dropbox. That should work out OK. I did find 5 old conflicted copy files in the folder so I figured I better just be safe.

Thanks for your help.

[sadievan]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

I believe some people install calibre portable along with their library onto their 'Dropbox Drive' - then wherever they are they can access the same library with the same calibre (version, settings, plug-ins etc)

From memory DoctorOhh a long time user of calibre and one of the 'senior' moderators of the calibre forum does this - I'm sure he wont mind if you send a PM and get him to chime in.

I have tried it, but my alternate location is on the end of a slow and unreliable satellite link, so whilst it worked, it wasn't viable at 256Kbs, and there's a traffic quota on the sat link. Worked fine on higher speed links (10Mps+) though.

Also avoids the issue of leaving computers turned on - Dropbox is more or less always on.

BR

I mostly use my laptop so I just moved everything back there and then created a backup to Dropbox. Thanks for the tip though. Will have to wander over there and check it out.

Carol

[sadievan]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Or just install and use calibre on one PC, leave the content server running on it, and make use of either VNC or any other remote control tool to access that PC from any other computer when you want to make changes.

Thanks. Do you have a preference for any particular VNC?

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

I believe some people install calibre portable along with their library onto their 'Dropbox Drive' - then wherever they are they can access the same library with the same calibre (version, settings, plug-ins etc)

From memory DoctorOhh a long time user of calibre and one of the 'senior' moderators of the calibre forum does this - I'm sure he wont mind if you send a PM and get him to chime in.

I have tried it, but my alternate location is on the end of a slow and unreliable satellite link, so whilst it worked, it wasn't viable at 256Kbs, and there's a traffic quota on the sat link. Worked fine on higher speed links (10Mps+) though.

Also avoids the issue of leaving computers turned on - Dropbox is more or less always on.

BR

While certainly a useful idea, this doesn't alleviate the problem of potential clashes. Also, I would and do just backup my .config/calibre/ the same way I backup Calibre\ Libraries/*/ but avoid dropping the binaries into Dropbox.
All in all, this doesn't really solve the problem of multi-PC access any more than storing the actual library did.

And I would REALLY hate storing a git checkout of the source code in calibre.
(I think it would also store the cache? )


This method does handle the question of how to sync the config and keep all PCs up to date with the minimum effort, though.

[PeterT]

Nope.... Just select one that is free for home usage. I've seen some comments that the free version of RealVNC might be a tad outdated on some platforms. TightVNC on the other hand does appear to well maintained.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

While certainly a useful idea, this doesn't alleviate the problem of potential clashes. Also, I would and do just backup my .config/calibre/ the same way I backup Calibre\ Libraries/*/ but avoid dropping the binaries into Dropbox.
All in all, this doesn't really solve the problem of multi-PC access any more than storing the actual library did.

And I would REALLY hate storing a git checkout of the source code in calibre.
(I think it would also store the cache? )


This method does handle the question of how to sync the config and keep all PCs up to date with the minimum effort, though.

It's an alternative to putting calibre and libraries on a flash stick, without the hazard of losing or forgetting the flash stick.

My neighbour works FIFO, she puts 'everything possible' in her cloud account. She has a laptop in her work locker and another one at home in a fire proof safe. So there's practically no chance of concurrent updates, other than via foul play.

Just occurred to me, I was doing much the same thing 25 years ago when I was building hot desk call centres and trading rooms - nothing much changes.

BR

[theducks]

I use Tight VNC server.
I have Real VNC client because one of my clients uses that (has extra security).

They play nicely together (and with VNC server on Linux)