Easiest one to create "folders" in...??

[cybmole]

Surely all that matters to the user is that books appear to be in folders / collections. And that tools exist for rearranging that. Where they are really, under the bonnet, matters only to programmers.
I have no idea what file conventions / hierarchies my Kobo reader actually uses , but so long as calibre knows that stuff I am good to go.

[cybmole]

Ps should we be calling them folders or directories
(Runs and hides )

[shalym]

Originally Posted by cybmole

Ps should we be calling them folders or directories
(Runs and hides )

Now you're just being mean.

Shari

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I have heard people say numerous times that they leave their Kobo overnight to index the new books they put on, that makes me think far longer than 5s/book... I don't think they were talking about strictly cases where hundreds upon hundreds are added at once.
~5s/book is slightly longer than the Kindle, but not enough to actually cause complaint, I should think.

From what I hear, it stores the entire search-this-book index at that time (rather than using a separate index process while you read them) -- which can be expected to take time. Have I heard incorrectly?

yes, the Kobo does have to process eBooks added to the device. The amount of time per book varies depending on the book. But, these people who say they have to leave their device going over night are adding a huge amount of books in one go.

But don't forget the Kindle's indexing issues. I've read many posts about failed indexing and the batter being eaten alive.

I'd rather wait for Kobo's processing then risk Amazon's failed indexing.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by markom

I do it all the time with my Kindle DX using KindlePdfViewer, so you should be able to do that with Paperwhite too if you install and use KOReader as a file manager.

You can use folders and subfolders.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=209276

But, using KOReader on the PW means that you lose the use of the native reading software. The idea here is to do it natively and not with a third party solution that changes the reading environment.

Most Readers do not support directories. They support collections. As for Kobo, Calibre can manage those collections with no need to jailbreak. Kindle's need to be jailbroken to have Calibre manage collections. So if you buy a PW2 you could get a device that cannot be jailbroken and if you buy a Voyage you will get a device that cannot be jailbroken.

Kobo collections just work. The new forthcoming Glo HD (same screen as the Voyage at a fraction of the price $129.99) will allow Calibre to manage collections. The voyage, no way since the 5.6.x firmware and Amazon plugging all the holes that allowed for jailbreaking.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by cybmole

Ps should we be calling them folders or directories
(Runs and hides )

Folder is the icon, directory is what it is.

[cybmole]

The bait still works
I was worried for an hour, there

[Hrafn]

Originally Posted by cybmole

Surely all that matters to the user is that books appear to be in folders / collections. And that tools exist for rearranging that. Where they are really, under the bonnet, matters only to programmers.
I have no idea what file conventions / hierarchies my Kobo reader actually uses , but so long as calibre knows that stuff I am good to go.

But the OP has explicitly stated that they do not want "using calibre & 'collections'".

The simplest, easiest to remember, easiest to use system is where what is "under the bonnet" matches where "they appear to be" and you can arrange, rearrange, to your heart's content, using your OS's file manager, without having to add, use and remember new "tools" -- i.e. the folders/directories-based viewpoint.

Some prefer using Calibre to do everything, that's perfectly okay. But others do not like its One-eReading-Manager-to-Rule-Them-All approach. When somebody asks for help with a folders/directories approach instead of Calibre, sending them back to Calibre is considerably less-than-helpful.

[cybmole]

Except that a book can be in several collections, but only in one subdirectory.
Tags/collections are more flexible. Does not have to be calibre flavour.
Get a kindle and use amazon collections.....

[Hrafn]

Originally Posted by cybmole

Except that a book can be in several collections, but only in one subdirectory.
Tags/collections are more flexible. Does not have to be calibre flavour.
Get a kindle and use amazon collections.....

1. Except that I am perfectly happy classifying books hierarchically either by author, or by author then series (for more prolific authors).
2. It in fact means (i) added complexity for a form of flexibility that I have no need for, and (ii) the lack of flexibility to form the hierarchical associations I do want. It is NOT "more flexible", but rather differently flexible.
3. Why would I want Amazon telling me how to read any more than I want Calibre?
4. Reading is a very subjective and personal experience. Therefore it is very likely that 'one size will not fit all.' Kindly respect that and stop trying to tell people the one correct way to eRead!

[robko]

Originally Posted by cybmole

Except that a book can be in several collections, but only in one subdirectory.
Tags/collections are more flexible. Does not have to be calibre flavour.
Get a kindle and use amazon collections.....

The OP has said they want to use folders made as directories from his laptop. Good for him.
You want to use a tagging/collection system via Calibre, Kindle or whatever. Good for you.
I really don't use a lot of collections or folder or any particular system to organize. Good for me.

None are wrong options, they are just different preferences and there is no reason to try to change everyone to the same thing.

[Dr. Drib]

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[cybmole]

Originally Posted by Rickkins

Lots of great info here, which truly appreciate.

Perhaps though, I might "refine" my question, as I'm getting confused.

Is there a device where I can simply create whatever folders I want, in windows, place my books in the folders, and simply drag n' drop the whole thing into the reader...?? And if so, which...??..)

Let me answer that for you fully and clearly, as there is no answer anywhere in the thread now as far as I can see.

1. YES. any device which can connect to a PC via USB and which windows can see as a removable drive will for sure allow you to "drag and drop the whole thing".. that is basic windows functionality

2. Most devices will also, when disconnected scan and find all the books within that dragged and dropped stuff.

BUT....

Ok so far, it's on the device, just like it was in windows, now you have to distinguish what is actually there from what the device then decides to show you. All dedicated e-readers are designed to insulate you from actual files , folders... and instead give you only a meta view of "content|" i.e. of books + authors + titles + ..... they hide the actual data from you just like a sat nav hides its internal storage of its maps.

3 So what you see on the e-reader device screen is what the the device software thinks you "ought" to see: that is usually books, on shelves or in collections. AFAIK, every e-ink device on sale nowadays will structure what it finds into shelves/collections/folders , the designers of each device have a view on how books should be presented which is not open for debate. You can disagree, and you can vote with your wallet, but there's in no commercial demand for an e=ink device which noes not organize your reading for you.

4. the closest you can get is as I outlined in a now deleted post: don't get an e-reader, get a tablet instead and install software like ES file explorer ( android) or the windows equivalent ( windows tablets) or the apple equivalent if they have one. Only tablets, not e-readers, allow you to install apps that give you that windows-like nitty gritty file view and file structure control, without hacking/rooting etc.

That file explorer software works just like windows explorer, you can navigate up/ down/ in/ out of folders, do renames /do copy pastes etc. but to actually read something you eventually will have to open a specific book file with a reader app....

5. there are many tablet reader apps, some free, some premium but whatever one you choose will, as well as opening your file for you to read it, place it on some kind of virtual shelf or in some kind of list ( as that's what most users want, according to app designer's research).
but still, you can resolutely ignore that and just read. you can even configure a tablet + an app so that open with takes you straight into the book, and maybe also so that "close" takes you back to file explorer.. at the expense of less easy access to bookmarks, notes, annotations... but your choice.

some of those apps import a copy of the book into their own database some work with the copy that already exists on the tablet. All, AFAIK, do some mandated categorising/ indexing /tagging, using metadata from the book file and/or from the filename

OK, that's me done, I can't make it any plainer, but happy to take factual criticisms ( with evidence, cross references, please)

any claims of "already said that should be backed up with #number of the post ). I don't see any post outlining the above, if there was one, it's gone.
any obscure counter examples of current e-ink devices that behave differently- please provide links to shops, specs....

That's all. No races, creeds or small animals were harmed in the making of this post ( though my budgies think it went on a bit & can I please stop clattering the keys & let them get to sleep )

let the facts continue....

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by cybmole

All dedicated e-readers are designed to insulate you from actual files , folders... and instead give you only a meta view of "content|" i.e. of books + authors + titles + ..... they hide the actual data from you just like a sat nav hides its internal storage of its maps.

Although it's certainly true that pretty much all reading devices will display the book's author and title from the metadata contained within it, there are a number of readers on the market (eg devices made by Bookeen, Onyx and Pocketbook) which will show you the folder structure within which your books are stored. Most of the big name readers however (eg Kindle, Kobo, nook), flatten out the folder structure and do not display it. Instead, these devices have a system of collections or bookshelves which allow books to be grouped together.

[cybmole]

Where would one buy those lesser name devices? Online only ? Some countries only ?.
I ask because I have never seen them advertised or even mentioned outside of MR forums