Any way to autofill a "last read" date column?

ownedbycats · 04-07-2020, 03:07 AM

I created a #lastread date column to keep track of when I last opened a book, but right now I have to manually fill it. Is there any way (plugins or otherwise) to have it automatically update the date when I view the book?

JSWolf · 04-07-2020, 07:39 AM

The way to solve the problem is to make lead read the date you actually finished reading the book. Then you only have to update that column once.

theducks · 04-07-2020, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

I created a #lastread date column to keep track of when I last opened a book, but right now I have to manually fill it. Is there any way (plugins or otherwise) to have it automatically update the date when I view the book?

You have a Kobo
Kobo Utilities has a setting to update a last read column

JSWolf · 04-07-2020, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

You have a Kobo
Kobo Utilities has a setting to update a last read column

That would mean plugging in the Kobo ever single time a book was read. Given how many time the Kobo would have to b plugged in, would that not put undue stress to the USB port?

theducks · 04-07-2020, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That would mean plugging in the Kobo ever single time a book was read. Given how many time the Kobo would have to b plugged in, would that not put undue stress to the USB port?

It can do more than 1 book per connection. It uses the Kobos finished date.

USB ports are made to be attached frequently. That is why they are used for charging. (My phone gets charged almost daily. It is years old)
What they won't take is abuse (knocks and bangs). Place them in a stable place when a cable is connected to the device.

JSWolf · 04-07-2020, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

It can do more than 1 book per connection. It uses the Kobos finished date.

USB ports are made to be attached frequently. That is why they are used for charging. (My phone gets charged almost daily. It is years old)
What they won't take is abuse (knocks and bangs). Place them in a stable place when a cable is connected to the device.

That's actually a better idea. Plug in the Kobo once a day to grab the data to update the columns.

PeterT · 04-07-2020, 04:10 PM

Those suggestions are great if the OP reads on his Kobo. I sense though he reads on his PC

BetterRed · 04-07-2020, 05:52 PM

Try this plugin ==>> [GUI Plugin] Auto Datestamp and View

It's not in the index so you have to install it manually, i.e. download from here, and then use the Preferences->Plugins->Load plugin from file option.

BR

davidfor · 04-08-2020, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That would mean plugging in the Kobo ever single time a book was read. Given how many time the Kobo would have to b plugged in, would that not put undue stress to the USB port?

With the number of times I connect my Kobo devices for testing various things, it hasn't been a problem yet. In fact, I'm more worried about the port in the laptop. I'm sure it isn't as tight a fit as when I got it.

But, as @theducks said, the plugin can scan for all books that have had their reading status and update them all. Doesn't matter if you connect every hour, daily, weekly or when you get back from that nice relaxing cruise. Plus two weeks of quarantine.

JSWolf · 04-08-2020, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Try this plugin ==>> [GUI Plugin] Auto Datestamp and View

It's not in the index so you have to install it manually, i.e. download from here, and then use the Preferences->Plugins->Load plugin from file option.

BR

Does it work with Calibre 4.x? Why isn't it part of the plugin Index?

BetterRed · 04-08-2020, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Does it work with Calibre 4.x?

No idea

Why isn't it part of the plugin Index?

Probably because the developer hasn't asked that it be added to the index. See spoilers at top of the index. Or he/she did ask and the moderator forgot - didn't ask me.

BR

JSWolf · 04-08-2020, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Probably because the developer hasn't asked that it be added to the index. See spoilers at top of the index. Or he/she did ask and the moderator forgot - didn't ask me.

BR

This solution would only be temporary because when Calibre goes Python 3, this plugin will be left behind.

davidfor · 04-08-2020, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

This solution would only be temporary because when Calibre goes Python 3, this plugin will be left behind.

Not if people think it is important.

JSWolf · 04-08-2020, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

Not if people think it is important.

But most people don't even know it exists because it's not in the Calibre list of plugins. That needs to happen so those not on MR can see it exists.

BetterRed · 04-08-2020, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But most people don't even know it exists because it's not in the Calibre list of plugins. That needs to happen so those not on MR can see it exists.

Why don't you contact the Pi developer to:

ask him to update his first post so that it conforms to the established conventions,
to follow the instructions at the top of the index to get the the plugin included therein.
and refer him to the relevant sticky Plugins threads regarding Py3.

Added: I see theducks has posted in the plugin thread, I'll leave thee and he to sort it out

BR

04-07-2020, 03:07 AM	#1
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,971 Karma: 75337983 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	Any way to autofill a "last read" date column? I created a #lastread date column to keep track of when I last opened a book, but right now I have to manually fill it. Is there any way (plugins or otherwise) to have it automatically update the date when I view the book?

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04-07-2020, 07:39 AM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,745 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The way to solve the problem is to make lead read the date you actually finished reading the book. Then you only have to update that column once.

04-07-2020, 04:10 PM	#7
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,511 Karma: 78910202 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Those suggestions are great if the OP reads on his Kobo. I sense though he reads on his PC

04-07-2020, 05:52 PM	#8
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,722 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Try this plugin ==>> [GUI Plugin] Auto Datestamp and View It's not in the index so you have to install it manually, i.e. download from here, and then use the Preferences->Plugins->Load plugin from file option. BR