Compare Library book with Device

[BobC]

I may be missing something obvious (perhaps a plugin) but is there any simple way of getting Calibre to compare a book on a connected device with the copy in the library.

A simple check by date and size would suffice.

BobC

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by BobC

I may be missing something obvious (perhaps a plugin) but is there any simple way of getting Calibre to compare a book on a connected device with the copy in the library.

A simple check by date and size would suffice.

BobC

It won't work. There are some changes made to the eBook when it's sent to the device by Calibre.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by BobC

I may be missing something obvious (perhaps a plugin) but is there any simple way of getting Calibre to compare a book on a connected device with the copy in the library.

A simple check by date and size would suffice.

As @JSWolf said, it isn't as simple as that as the book will get updated when sent to the device and the dates and size won't necessarily match. But, it depends on what you are actually after.

Are you really looking for the list of books that have been modified since last sending them to the device? That could be done, but, to the best of my knowledge hasn't been. I usually manage that pre-emptively by adding changed or new books to a Reading List to automatically go to the devices it is supposed to be on. And if I'm not sure, I just add the book to the lists as it won't harm. So, I haven't really needed it.

If it is ToC issues, the ToC updating in my Kobo Utilities plugin will check and update this. But, it won't do anything if they match. And it isn't fast, so doing it for a lot of books might take some time.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by davidfor

As @JSWolf said, it isn't as simple as that as the book will get updated when sent to the device and the dates and size won't necessarily match. But, it depends on what you are actually after.

Are you really looking for the list of books that have been modified since last sending them to the device? That could be done, but, to the best of my knowledge hasn't been. I usually manage that pre-emptively by adding changed or new books to a Reading List to automatically go to the devices it is supposed to be on. And if I'm not sure, I just add the book to the lists as it won't harm. So, I haven't really needed it.

If it is ToC issues, the ToC updating in my Kobo Utilities plugin will check and update this. But, it won't do anything if they match. And it isn't fast, so doing it for a lot of books might take some time.

Thanks to both yourself and Jon for the the explanation why I couldn't find a way to do it. I have recently been using Action Chains and Reading lists to deal with books I have changed but sometimes forget. Looks like I need to be more careful in this regard. I'd hoped to find a way of handling older books.

BobC

[Quoth]

I increment a version number suffix in the title field if I revise the book. Since the title is part of the file name I can do "Remove Matching Book From Device" and Cancel if the device filename has same number in it (usually have to scroll to side in dialogue) and OK if it's less.
I always Save As and increment file name number suffix before any deletion or major edit in a source file (programs or novels etc).

It makes no difference to eBook retailer uploads as they use the title you separately enter and then means you can see if you updated them or not on the Publisher book details