[GUI Plugin] Count Pages

[CRussel]

I've been using this plug-in for years, mostly without issue. However, of late, a significant number of books (~30%) that I add to calibre don't update my #pages column when I run the plug-in. There have always been a few, but in the last month or so, the number has definitely grown.

My standard workflow: Import book, Edit metadata to add Goodreads identifier (and update a whole list of custom columns), and then save that and run the Count Pages plugin.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by CRussel

I've been using this plug-in for years, mostly without issue. However, of late, a significant number of books (~30%) that I add to calibre don't update my #pages column when I run the plug-in. There have always been a few, but in the last month or so, the number has definitely grown.

My standard workflow: Import book, Edit metadata to add Goodreads identifier (and update a whole list of custom columns), and then save that and run the Count Pages plugin.

What MODE are you using with the PI.
If you are using a Website, it may have changed (won't scrape).
I happen to use the Approximate mode (APN)

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by theducks

What MODE are you using with the PI.
If you are using a Website, it may have changed (won't scrape).

↑ ↑ ↑ ✔

Originally Posted by CRussel

I've been using this plug-in for years, mostly without issue. However, of late, a significant number of books (~30%) that I add to calibre don't update my #pages column when I run the plug-in. There have always been a few, but in the last month or so, the number has definitely grown.

My standard workflow: Import book, Edit metadata to add Goodreads identifier (and update a whole list of custom columns), and then save that and run the Count Pages plugin.

Could you post the plugin's configuration settings you use. If you're downloading the page count it could be a problem with the download site.

FWIW: I gave up on page counts because of that, at least a decade ago, I switched to counting words in the preferred output format (ePub). I only use it for indicative purposes.

BR

[CRussel]

I have it set to download page counts from Goodreads. The approximation versions never seemed all that close to reality when I first started using the plug in way, way back.

Worst part is that Amazon has page counts quite reliably these days, but that's not an option for the plugin (and by the time that was added as an option, Amazon would probably change their web page anyway!)

[theducks]

To me Page count is simply a uniform comparison tool.

By using the same setting on all books, I can quickly guestimate reading length between books. (Byte count is too easily distorted by Images and embedded fonts)
Other things that throw all guestimates off: Sample chapters, Other books by ads (w/cover images), publishers ads
Where's the Beef (just the main story)?

Almost as bad as books the us slightly bigger line-spacing (1.3 vs the standard 1.2) to make them appear to have more filling

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by theducks

To me Page count is simply a uniform comparison tool.

This is me, too. By definition pages are irrelevant to ebook reading, I don't care what the dead tree page numbers are, but having a page count calculatedmeans that I can trust with a fair degree of confidence than an 180 "page" book is about half long as a 360 "page" book

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by theducks

To me Page count is simply a uniform comparison tool.

By using the same setting on all books, I can quickly guestimate reading length between books.

[anishmittal]

The plugin hangs, when I select a large number of books for counting of pages and words. May be plugin can limit how many books it processes in parallel. I would like my entire library of 1000 books to be processes one by one, so that it does not hangs, and the results be updated after each processing.

[anishmittal]

In continuation my previous comment, it also hangs when multiple small jobs of counting pages are started.For example, I started 10 jobs of 25 books each. It hanged.

[theducks]

(*assumes you are NOT configured to use a lot of/any the Download option (on the other tab)
I use Estimate: APNX (since I have a Kindle to reference)

There is something wrong on your system that is blocking Worker processes
OR
Your Count Pages.json is damaged
found at

C:\Users\<your logon>\AppData\Roaming\calibre\plugins

Blow that away, you will just need to configure the plugin before next use

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by anishmittal

In continuation my previous comment, it also hangs when multiple small jobs of counting pages are started.For example, I started 10 jobs of 25 books each. It hanged.

Apart from what @theducks said...

When does it hang? During the original setup of the jobs? Or when the jobs are running? And how long did you leave it for? If it was during the original setup of the jobs, calibre is probably not going to be responding until after that has finished. I have definitely started 100 counts in one batch with no issues. Beyond the overall time it takes to run. And I wouldn't start a bigger batch for exactly that reason.

As to breaking up a large set of counts to be done, it won't be done in the plugin, or at least it won't be done by me. Simple select the ones you want to do in a batch and do them. Keep the batch size manageable as you don't want to have the PC crash for some other reason and not get the calculations recorded.