My Kobo library screen

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by lkmiller

Well, looks like I have my project for the day. 106 fewer books in the new library than in the old. Sigh!

Hmmm... I noticed that when I looked in the Kobo desktop app after syncing, I had multiple copies of several books. Going to the web, I could delete some of the duplicates/triplicates where the dates were different. For the 3 pairs of books where the date was the same, deleting one book deleted both and restoring restored both. The record holder was "A Wizard in Bedlam" which showed 4 copies, 3 with the same date.

After doing this cleanup, I now show 928 books in the new view, 968 in the old "I'm Reading" and 957 in the old "Purchased" view.

Other oddities such as the first 54 items in sort by title or sort by author being mis-sorted, sorting by the author name using the full name and not the more expected lastname, firstname sort -- except for a couple where the name was in the lastname, firstname format or Mr. firstname lastname.

On a brighter note, the secondary SAN finished rebuilding after a failed drive was replaced while I was having fun with my Kobo account. Nothing like an exciting Sunday watching a rebuild. Ranks up there with paint drying for sheer thrills.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by davidfor

This one always amuses me. There is lots of discussion about copyright and the license associated with ebooks. Everyone seems to want it more like paper books. But, here is one place that everyone seems to think it must NOT be like paper books. It seems that authors/publishers/retailers are expect to replace the version you bought with an updated version for the rest of your life.

I'm not so much concerned with the updated version, just access to the version I paid for. One book I purchased is now available in a "deluxe" version and I am not able to download the original version. I've got it backed up in several places so not a big deal and I'm not going to contact Kobo customer service. If I didn't have the backups, I'd be a bit more upset. It's not like we have the option of hitting the used bookstores as I've done on several occasions to replace a deadtree book.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

I would never rely on hard drives for anything if I can avoid it. Everything I care about is on cloud back-up.

Local hard drive and NAS. External hard drives for fast nearline access (one set at home, the other in the vault at work), cloud for slower access. I avoid relying on a single backup technology no matter where it is stored. I've had several occasions where my backups have been inaccessible. Local internet connectivity issues, cloud provider issues, "you need to change your password to meet our security standards" when I was using a 73 character randomly generated password, etc. Seagate 3TB external that decided to die--under warranty but if it had been the only backup, that would have been a slim consolation.

Suspenders and belt.

As one quotes goes: "I know I'm paranoid, I just don't know if I'm paranoid enough." Max Peltier, Strange Days

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Huh. Odd, my library on the website hasn't changed appearance/layout at all. i don't use the desktop app either. I used to download them to my PC from the website and upload via Calibre, but now that I have a Kobo eReader I just use the cloud.

I'm thinking I should keep an eye on this though, just in case it suddenly changes for me as well.

Thanks for clearing it up for me!

If you're accessing your library from a bookmark, then that would be why you're still seeing the old library. It's still there at the same url. But if you go to it from a link on the Kobo site, you will probably see the new interface. Try this link:

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/library

---------------------

I'm not too concerned about the discrepancy between the number of books in new vs. old libraries because I have everything in calibre and backed up in my own cloud storage. I'd just like the new library to correctly reflect what should be in my account.

Having search is nice, but all the sort options are a complete mess. I don't see any rhyme or reason to it. What alphabet are they using?! Or are they sorting by some random letter in the middle of the title or author? Maybe some different hidden field altogether? The only one that works is date added, but many things are now listed as 4/20/2016.

I've gone through my list of books that were transferred from Sony and was able to add most of them back. Some of them were already there. I also had a few transfers from Borders, and they were all there. I still seem to have at least 17 books missing from the new interface. More if there are any weird duplicates like DNSB reported.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by Tarana

According to the update, it came out early in 2016. The last time I accessed a book using the Kobo app on my Windows computer was at the very end of 2015. I guess I'm behind. Still trying to figure out where my books were put. They used to be in Adobe Digital editions folder. Searching, searching. I need to print out templates from a pattern in a book in my library and the app doesn't let you do that!

You are confusing two applications. Adobe Digital Editions keeps books in the a folder inside the documents directory. I can't remember the name, but it has the word "Digital" in it. The Kobo desktop application keeps its books elsewhere. I can't check now but it is probably in "%APPDATA%\Kobo". Of course, these two applications manage different book formats-downloaded in different ways.

No, the Kobo desktop application does not support printing. For that, you will need to download the epub version and use another reader application. I haven't needed to do this, so I can't recommend what to use.

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by shalym

With all of the options available today, why would anyone keep their precious files in only one place??

M point exactly.

Originally Posted by lkmiller

If you're accessing your library from a bookmark, then that would be why you're still seeing the old library. It's still there at the same url. But if you go to it from a link on the Kobo site, you will probably see the new interface. Try this link:

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/library

Nope, no bookmark. I'm not too concerned about what kind of interface my library has though, to be honest. I was curious because it sounded as if I was on a different version than the others in this thread. It's still working, that's what matters.

[MacEachaidh]

Interesting thread, thanks.

I've restored the items to my Library via the Purchase History and the "Add to library" button on each item's page, but two of my books have been deleted from the store since my purchase. Did a "chat" with Kobo Customer "Service" (so hopeless!!) and got them restored.

So ... Is there a way now to stop these books from re-downloading?

(I use the Kobo Desktop to download new purchases, since my buddy Alf likes it better, and I don't want to be in ADE's clutches.)

Or is this new Library an attempt to tighten the control over user behaviour?

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

Interesting thread, thanks.

I've restored the items to my Library via the Purchase History and the "Add to library" button on each item's page, but two of my books have been deleted from the store since my purchase. Did a "chat" with Kobo Customer "Service" (so hopeless!!) and got them restored.

So ... Is there a way now to stop these books from re-downloading?

Other than not synching, no. But, once it has downloaded, select the book remove the book from the device. That keeps the metadata in the library but the actual book won't be there.

(I use the Kobo Desktop to download new purchases, since my buddy Alf likes it better, and I don't want to be in ADE's clutches.)

Or is this new Library an attempt to tighten the control over user behaviour?

I doubt it. The old library was horrible. This is better. The issues are bugs that should be fixable (such as the sorting), missing books (which was either always there and highlighted by the fact people are actually using the new library, or a bug or deficiency in a migration script) and function that was always missing (there has never been a good way to prevent a book from downloading to devices, using the trash was just a workaround, though a good description for the books I had in it).

[MacEachaidh]

Thanks, David. :-)

Yes, I realise I can delete the downloaded books from my device each time they're re-downloaded -- and the firmware makes that a little easier by having a blanket option in the settings -- but it's still a bit of a pain. And yeah, the Trash option was only a workaround, but at least it was an option.

By the way, I asked the "service" person why Kobo didn't give any notification that the Library update was happening and Trash would be permanently cleared, and his reply was that the system was owned by Kobo, and Kobo is under no obligation to notify customers of changes. Not an official line, I suspect, but while it's technically true, it still seems a bit raw for an employee to be saying. I'm hoping I get a "feedback" request in my inbox so I can make the comment.

Yeah, I'm not in fact complaining about the new Library -- I agree, this is probably better, once the stumbles are ironed out -- more musing that each time there are changes to systems, there seem to be fewer user options than before. (Kindle and B&N seem to be in similar situations, from what I read.) And the friends of my buddy Alf are noting that the download capabilities of the newer Library seem designed not to let Alf come to visit. The Desktop seems to be okay -- for now -- but maybe in its next update it will no longer be.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by davidfor

The old library was horrible. This is better.

I principle I agree. Problem is pretty much none of the new features work right now. Sorts are a mess, date added is messed up for some books making it not totally useful and from what Geoff has said search, which I was thrilled to see, isn't totally reliable either. Lets hope they're able to work out these issues fairly quickly, unlike other issues the website has had over the years.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

Thanks, David. :-)

Yes, I realise I can delete the downloaded books from my device each time they're re-downloaded -- and the firmware makes that a little easier by having a blanket option in the settings -- but it's still a bit of a pain. And yeah, the Trash option was only a workaround, but at least it was an option.

By the way, I asked the "service" person why Kobo didn't give any notification that the Library update was happening and Trash would be permanently cleared, and his reply was that the system was owned by Kobo, and Kobo is under no obligation to notify customers of changes. Not an official line, I suspect, but while it's technically true, it still seems a bit raw for an employee to be saying.

I hope that's not an official line. The strange thing is that most sites would be trumpeting these sort of changes. They'd be bombarding use with "new site soon" messages for weeks before and then something big on the day.

I'm hoping I get a "feedback" request in my inbox so I can make the comment.

Hopefully you will get the chance.

Yeah, I'm not in fact complaining about the new Library -- I agree, this is probably better, once the stumbles are ironed out -- more musing that each time there are changes to systems, there seem to be fewer user options than before. (Kindle and B&N seem to be in similar situations, from what I read.) And the friends of my buddy Alf are noting that the download capabilities of the newer Library seem designed not to let Alf come to visit. The Desktop seems to be okay -- for now -- but maybe in its next update it will no longer be.

I can't think of how this affects Alf's stuff. That works on already downloaded books. You can still download the epub version of the book and there shouldn't be a change for the Desktop downloaded version (but I really should check that). I'll try and remember to have a look at Alf's site tonight to see what is being said.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I principle I agree. Problem is pretty much none of the new features work right now. Sorts are a mess, date added is messed up for some books making it not totally useful and from what Geoff has said search, which I was thrilled to see, isn't totally reliable either. Lets hope they're able to work out these issues fairly quickly, unlike other issues the website has had over the years.

Hopefully everyone is telling Kobo about the problems. It's sort of like the tree falling in the forest - if no-one reports it, there isn't a bug. Alternatively, if no-one reports the problem, it obviously isn't important and hence there is no reason to be fix it quickly. If everyone here who has a problem complains, then Kobo will see that it is important to us and it should push the fixes up their priorities.

And if anyone does complain:

- Be polite.
- Explain in detail what is wrong - saying "Your site doesn't work" will just be ignored.
- Don't just point to this thread. Maybe add "I did a search and found others were seeing the same problems".
- Be polite. (Yes, but it is worth repeating)

[BrodieKobo]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Hopefully everyone is telling Kobo about the problems. It's sort of like the tree falling in the forest - if no-one reports it, there isn't a bug. Alternatively, if no-one reports the problem, it obviously isn't important and hence there is no reason to be fix it quickly. If everyone here who has a problem complains, then Kobo will see that it is important to us and it should push the fixes up their priorities.

And if anyone does complain:

- Be polite.
- Explain in detail what is wrong - saying "Your site doesn't work" will just be ignored.
- Don't just point to this thread. Maybe add "I did a search and found others were seeing the same problems".
- Be polite. (Yes, but it is worth repeating)

We're following this thread so please continue to post issues you are having. We're in the process of fixing search and sort issues asap, as well as many others listed here. I'll do my best to keep the group updated, but as always we really appreciate your feedback on what's working and what isn't. Apologies for the inconveniences caused with this migration (much more has gone on under the hood with this visual change to ensure books deliver properly) -- if you have encountered critical issues with this change, please contact our call centre so we can ensure your books are transferred properly. In the meantime I'll do my best to answer any questions I can here.

[Josieb1]

I bought a new book yesterday and when I went to download it I noticed it was in my library twice, I didn't delete a copy in case it took them both out.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Nope, no bookmark. I'm not too concerned about what kind of interface my library has though, to be honest. I was curious because it sounded as if I was on a different version than the others in this thread. It's still working, that's what matters.

Yup, you're definitely on a different version if you get the old library at both of these links:
https://www.kobobooks.com/library/library.html
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/library

Maybe they haven't migrated all accounts to the new interface.

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

Or is this new Library an attempt to tighten the control over user behaviour?

I think that it is strongly encouraging us to use Kobo apps/devices. The download option is tucked away in a menu. Then when you select it, they remind you that you could just sync your device/app instead.

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

And yeah, the Trash option was only a workaround, but at least it was an option.

For now, the Trash is still available here:
https://www.kobobooks.com/library/trash/index.html

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

And the friends of my buddy Alf are noting that the download capabilities of the newer Library seem designed not to let Alf come to visit. The Desktop seems to be okay -- for now -- but maybe in its next update it will no longer be.

Initially Alf's friends thought the option to download epubs from the website had been removed, but that's not the case.