Calibre database folders based on tags/subjects rather than authors name?

[optoabhi]

I have always arranged my books (textbooks) based on subjects and sub-subjects; for example:

1. Mathematics
   
   1. Algebra and Calculus
      
      1. Single Variable
         
      2. Multi Variable
   2. Discrete Mathematics
      
   3. Statistics
      
   4. Optimizations
      
   5. Differential Equations
2. so on ...

This way, if I want to look up a textbook, it's easy because I know under what subject to look for it. I will just browse to that folder and retrieve that book. This is what tag does in Calibre, because a book can fall under multiple subjects. Calibre helps in avoiding duplicates this way.

Whereas the way Calibre creates the database is based on Author's name (last name?). It is of course easy to find the book with the search function in Calibre software that is pointing towards your library database. But what if you just had the library database folder in a backup drive while you travel and you want to retrieve a book from it. I assume some of you must have gone through the same dilemma as I am going through when you don't have Calibre software to help you, how do you guys manage such a scenario?

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by optoabhi

This way, if I want to look up a textbook, it's easy because I know under what subject to look for it. I will just browse to that folder and retrieve that book. This is what tag does in Calibre, because a book can fall under multiple subjects. Calibre helps in avoiding duplicates this way.

Whereas the way Calibre creates the database is based on Author's name (last name?). It is of course easy to find the book with the search function in Calibre software that is pointing towards your library database. But what if you just had the library database folder in a backup drive while you travel and you want to retrieve a book from it. I assume some of you must have gone through the same dilemma as I am going through when you don't have Calibre software to help you, how do you guys manage such a scenario?

Since Calibre and it's libraries live on my laptop, that is not an issue for me. OTOH, I do use a save to disk with template to generate a copy of the library in the cloud. It's likely you could use a template to save your files with directory structure that would fit your needs.

[BetterRed]

@optoabhi - depends on what platform you're on when you travel, assuming it's Android or iOS there are apps such as Calibre Companion, Libreca and others that can access a calibre library on an external disk or cloud storage via the library database.

Or you could make your library available over 'net using calibre server, and access it via a browser.

Or you could do as DNSB suggests and use the Save to Disk feature to save books in a subject folder hierarchy - caveat: off-hand I'm not sure if there's a way to transform a calibre tag hierarchy into a folder hierarchy.

Personally I never need access to more than a dozen e-books when travelling, so I just copy the format files I think I might need from the library to my tablet and access them via an old ES File Manager app. I have a backup of my library on an FTP server so if I really need something else I can get it from there.

BR

[theducks]

There is a STICKY at the top" Want to change the Library Structure: Simple answer:NO

The others have outlined how to place files on a device with a certain structure.

If you hav Android or IOS: Calibre companion will offer books on the device filtering just about any way that Calibre can and it passes the book to the viewer designated for file type. There is no need for custom structure. CC is your device end Librarian

[optoabhi]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Since Calibre and it's libraries live on my laptop, that is not an issue for me. OTOH, I do use a save to disk with template to generate a copy of the library in the cloud. It's likely you could use a template to save your files with directory structure that would fit your needs.

Hello David, that's and excellent idea. I can save it to my Google Drive or DropBox for backup and retrieval whenever needed. Did you create a custom script for the save-to template? Would it be okay if you could share your template?

[gbm]

See Save to disk and The calibre template language.

For examples use this search in your favourite search engine.

mobileread calibre save to disk template examples

bernie

Originally Posted by optoabhi

Hello David, that's and excellent idea. I can save it to my Google Drive or DropBox for backup and retrieval whenever needed. Did you create a custom script for the save-to template? Would it be okay if you could share your template?