The same Calibre settings on two computers: how to do that?

[Joanna]

My Calibre (the program + libraries) is on an external hard drive, used with two computers. At the moment, I use Calibre Portable, in order to easily have the same settings (toolbar, plugings etc.) on both computers. However, as I don't use the 'Calibre default library', I have to switch to another library everytime I start/restart Calibre, which is not exactly an optimal solution.

I know it's an intentional behavior (I've also read this thread: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=176884) but I keep wondering whether there is some kind of a workaround for that, which would allow to start Calibre Portable with another library than the default one. In my case, decreased portability would not be an issue, as I run Calibre only on my computers and have the same letter defined for the drive on both of them.

Kovid's advice "dont run it with calibre-portable.exe, run it with calibre.exe, then it will be identical to running an "installed" calibre" doesn't seem to do the trick, as it just starts Calibre with different settings (those stored locally, if I'm not mistaken).

Using an installed Calibre version and synchronizing settings via cloud does not strike me as practical, considering that the whole library is on an external drive anyway.

Any ideas, other than just moving all the books to the 'Calibre default library' in the folder of the portable version?

// EDIT
Apparently, I'm terribly repetitive, as I've just realized I posted a similar question last year (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=267466). Since then, I've switched to calibre-portable.exe (as described above) but I'm still not completely satisfied (as described above ).

Hopefully, this time and with your help I'll resolve this issue once and for all .

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Joanna

My Calibre (the program + libraries) is on an external hard drive, used with two computers. At the moment, I use Calibre Portable, in order to easily have the same settings (toolbar, plugings etc.) on both computers. However, as I don't use the 'Calibre default library', I have to switch to another library everytime I start/restart Calibre, which is not exactly an optimal solution.

I know it's an intentional behavior (I've also read this thread: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=176884) but I keep wondering whether there is some kind of a workaround for that, which would allow to start Calibre Portable with another library than the default one. In my case, decreased portability would not be an issue, as I run Calibre only on my computers and have the same letter defined for the drive on both of them.

Kovid's advice "dont run it with calibre-portable.exe, run it with calibre.exe, then it will be identical to running an "installed" calibre" doesn't seem to do the trick, as it just starts Calibre with different settings (those stored locally, if I'm not mistaken).

Using an installed Calibre version and synchronizing settings via cloud does not strike me as practical, considering that the whole library is on an external drive anyway.

Any ideas, other than just moving all the books to the 'Calibre default library' in the folder of the portable version?

// EDIT
Apparently, I'm terribly repetitive, as I've just realized I posted a similar question last year (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=267466). Since then, I've switched to calibre-portable.exe (as described above) but I'm still not completely satisfied (as described above ).

Hopefully, this time and with your help I'll resolve this issue once and for all .

If you run 'Portable' permanently (or from a stick) installed, thems' the only choice. Portable expects ANY Libraries to be a sub folder inside Portable. This is NOT allowed for Programs and data to be together on a System disk (the virus writers hated it, when this hole was plugged)

[eschwartz]

What is wrong with the PortableApps.com suggestion I gave there?

[BetterRed]

@Joanna - Add a Symbolic Link (symlink) to the 'out-of-bounds' library into the Calibre Portable folder.

You use the MKLINK command to make the symlink (s).

FWIW I use a shell extension called Link Shell Extension.

BR

[fidvo]

Is there any reason why you can't put your library inside the Calibre Portable folder? It doesn't have to be the main library; you can call it whatever you want. As long as it's in the folder, Calibre Portable should start from the library you had open the last time you closed it.

I have multiple libraries on an external hard drive, and Calibre Portable opens them just fine.

[Joanna]

@eschwartz: I can't remember why I didn't decide to go with this solution back then (I think I was afraid it would be more difficult to update Calibre on a regular basis. Not sure I was right - any thoughts on that?).
In any case, I'm going to give it a try now as it may be exactly what I need.

@fidvo: somehow I was convinced that you can have only one library folder inside of the Calibre Portable, i.e. 'Calibre Library' . Glad to have been wrong! Storing the library outside of Calibre Portable is more convenient (e.g. when I would copy the whole installation just to experiment with some settings/versions) but it's not a must.

@BetterRed: thanks for your tip. I would have never thought about that as stupidly enough, I was pretty sure you can have only one library inside of the Calibre Portable folder

[BetterRed]

@Joanna - updating calibre portable will not disturb the libraries inside the Calibre Portable folder nor the configuration folder contents.

Symlinks to libraries are useful if you need persistent access to one or libraries that are on different device to the Calibre Portable device. But if on same device better to move them so that they're inside Calibre Portable folder - note no subdirectories, must be in same directory as calibre-portable.exe.

BR

[Joanna]

@BetterRed: updating original (Kovid's) Calibre Portable is completely works flawlessly and without any problems, I agree with that and do it regularly .

But what about updating the Portable Apps version? (I haven't tested it yet.)

By the way, I've finally simply moved the library to the folder with Calibre Portable and I'm pretty happy with that .

[BetterRed]

@Joanna - I don't use the PortableApps version, for me at least there would no benefit in introducing another layer of complexity, it would be more likely a hindrance. Also in the long-ago past I had problems with some PA apps, such as Firefox and OOo, so I'm a bit wary of PA.

BR

[eschwartz]

Updating the PortableApps wrapper works flawlessly. Just drop Kovid's portable installer into the same directory as the PA.com calibre installation, and it will detect it and run Kovid's installer to extract the program binaries etc. Then delete the installer to prevent repeated updates to the same version.
(Alternatively, run the installer and install to a subdirectory of the PA.com calibre installation and once again, the PA.com launcher will autodetect the updated binaries and merge them in. No need to delete the installer itself as you saved it somewhere else...)

@BetterRed, other than relying on Kovid's installer to source the binaries during an application install/update rather than providing their own weekly update, the PA.com version has exactly the same number of complexity layers -- one.

[jimbob101]

I do this with no problems.

I use Free File Sync and Dropbox to mirror the Calibre settings between 2 machines particularly after updating plug ins. I have used it to restore settings after rebuilding my laptop (Which I do a couple of times a year).

Go to Calibre / Preferences / Miscellaneous and Click on "Open Calibre Configuration Directory" to locate the configuration folder. Then simply copy the contents of this folder to your other instillation.

I set up Free file Sync to sync this folder to Dropbox and the same on the other PC and it has worked flawlessly for me for a good while. It will sync all Calibre settings, preference and configuration. I backup this folder every-time I do anything with my Calibre library.

Hope this helps.

[BetterRed]

@eschwartz - I was referring to logistics layers. I don't need whatever 'extra functionality' the PA version delivers... assuming there is any... and I don't need yet another link in my tool supply chain. I'm a minimalist - less is better, least is best

BR

[fidvo]

Originally Posted by Joanna

@fidvo: somehow I was convinced that you can have only one library folder inside of the Calibre Portable, i.e. 'Calibre Library' . Glad to have been wrong!

I made the same mistake for years. At one point I had about five different installations of Calibre Portable on my external hard drive, before I realized I could use multiple libraries with the same installation. Merging them freed up some hard drive space and made working with the libraries much easier.