Set timestamp

mfaine1 · 01-01-2021, 04:31 PM

It looks like the only way I can set the date field is one at a time while editing book metadata. I want to set the date field to the same as the pubdate field.

I tried search and replace but the timestamp field is not in the list of destination fields.

kovidgoyal · 01-01-2021, 11:02 PM

The timestamp is how calibre tracks when a book is added to the library, please dont set it to anything else.

mfaine1 · 01-02-2021, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

The timestamp is how calibre tracks when a book is added to the library, please dont set it to anything else.

Then I am probably referring to the wrong field, I mean the one that is labeled Date in the columns, the field that can be changed here:

https://imgur.com/gallery/c3FzKYs

I tried last_modified and it doesn't seem to work either, though it appears as though it will.

https://imgur.com/gallery/v5bNg28

BetterRed · 01-02-2021, 04:13 PM

In the column list the column labelled Date has the lookup name timestamp

Click image for larger version

Name: Screenshot 2021-01-03 074919.jpg
Views: 102
Size: 101.9 KB
ID: 184442

But in the book list it shows a lookup name of date

Click image for larger version

Name: Screenshot 2021-01-03 075441.jpg
Views: 104
Size: 18.3 KB
ID: 184443

I've never understood why.

FWIW, I don't need to know when I added a book to a library, so soon after I started using calibre I re-purposed the Date column. When I add a book I clear it with '-', and when I finish reading the book I set it today with '='. This hasn't caused me any grief. I don't connect devices to calibre.

BR

ownedbycats · 01-02-2021, 04:20 PM

For older files, I use the GetFileName plugin and then copy the filedate to the date field. I use a Calibre ID column if I actually want to sort the order they were added in. I've never run into issues with this.

mfaine1 · 01-03-2021, 02:04 PM

Interesting, that's the source of my confusion. That's exactly why I thought the field was called timestamp. My idea was to set it to the same as the pub date since it didn't seem to have much of a useful purpose. I like your idea but I'm already using custom attributes for that based on a thread on the kobo utilities plugin. I do think that I might do as ownedbycats suggested though. Thank you both.

mfaine1 · 01-03-2021, 02:22 PM

ownedbycats, It looks to me like this plugin only allows adding to custom fields, I assume you put it in a custom field and then manually copy it to the date field somehow? I can't seem to copy anything to the date field unless I enter it manually, it's never on the list of destination fields. Is there a way to do this automatically after the GetFileName plugin triggers?

ownedbycats · 01-03-2021, 03:42 PM

Yeah, I just manually copy it. I think it's one of the reasons I requested a bugfix for the "copy/paste dates of unlike formats" a few months back.

BetterRed · 01-03-2021, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfaine1

Interesting, that's the source of my confusion. That's exactly why I thought the field was called timestamp. My idea was to set it to the same as the pub date since it didn't seem to have much of a useful purpose. I like your idea but I'm already using custom attributes for that based on a thread on the kobo utilities plugin. I do think that I might do as ownedbycats suggested though. Thank you both.

I am not sure why Kovid doesn't want people to re-purpose the Date column, I assume it has something to do with device integration, that why I mentioned it… as something I don't do.

BR

ownedbycats · 01-03-2021, 04:02 PM

Usually, the books that I re-date are ones I don't send to device anyways (e.g. game manuals that I downloaded years ago, or physical books that I was able to find a purchase date for).

01-01-2021, 04:31 PM	#1
mfaine1 Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2020 Device: Kindle	Set timestamp It looks like the only way I can set the date field is one at a time while editing book metadata. I want to set the date field to the same as the pubdate field. I tried search and replace but the timestamp field is not in the list of destination fields.

01-02-2021, 04:13 PM	#4
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,725 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	In the column list the column labelled Date has the lookup name timestamp But in the book list it shows a lookup name of date I've never understood why. FWIW, I don't need to know when I added a book to a library, so soon after I started using calibre I re-purposed the Date column. When I add a book I clear it with '-', and when I finish reading the book I set it today with '='. This hasn't caused me any grief. I don't connect devices to calibre. BR

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Exclude timestamp when merging	Polnocnica	Library Management	4	06-14-2020 07:49 AM
timestamp	iomari	Calibre	2	04-12-2019 11:25 PM
Modified timestamp changed	theducks	Library Management	2	03-12-2012 11:52 PM
PRS-T1 Timestamp issues	luvduchovny	Sony Reader	8	11-05-2011 04:39 PM
mi.timestamp set from imported book	KariK	Development	4	09-18-2011 11:58 AM

01-01-2021, 11:02 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,351 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	The timestamp is how calibre tracks when a book is added to the library, please dont set it to anything else.

01-02-2021, 04:20 PM	#5
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,974 Karma: 75337983 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	For older files, I use the GetFileName plugin and then copy the filedate to the date field. I use a Calibre ID column if I actually want to sort the order they were added in. I've never run into issues with this.

01-03-2021, 02:04 PM	#6
mfaine1 Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2020 Device: Kindle	Interesting, that's the source of my confusion. That's exactly why I thought the field was called timestamp. My idea was to set it to the same as the pub date since it didn't seem to have much of a useful purpose. I like your idea but I'm already using custom attributes for that based on a thread on the kobo utilities plugin. I do think that I might do as ownedbycats suggested though. Thank you both.

01-03-2021, 02:22 PM	#7
mfaine1 Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2020 Device: Kindle	ownedbycats, It looks to me like this plugin only allows adding to custom fields, I assume you put it in a custom field and then manually copy it to the date field somehow? I can't seem to copy anything to the date field unless I enter it manually, it's never on the list of destination fields. Is there a way to do this automatically after the GetFileName plugin triggers?

01-03-2021, 03:42 PM	#8
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,974 Karma: 75337983 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	Yeah, I just manually copy it. I think it's one of the reasons I requested a bugfix for the "copy/paste dates of unlike formats" a few months back.

01-03-2021, 04:02 PM	#10
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,974 Karma: 75337983 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	Usually, the books that I re-date are ones I don't send to device anyways (e.g. game manuals that I downloaded years ago, or physical books that I was able to find a purchase date for).