How to make and run a Linux calibre portable USB Stick.

gbm · 10-13-2020, 10:06 AM

The first few posts in this thread will explain how to make and use calibre portable on Linux. Will start with a very basic setup then go to what is my recommended setup. Then show how to have both 32-bit and 64-bit on the same stick or hard drive folder, also have multiple versions of calibre on the same stick or hard drive folder.

Just a reminder 32 bit builds will not run on resent Linux systems releases.

bernie

gbm · 10-13-2020, 10:07 AM

Basic setup.

Go here and download the version of calibre you want to use--for this example we will use calibre 4.23.0.
Format a usb stick using a linux file system--will not work using a windows type--will use ext4 for this example.
On the usb stick create a folder name "calibre"--note do not capitalize calibre.
On the usb stick create a folder name "CalibreConfig".
On the usb stick create a folder name "CalibreLibrary".
At this point your usb should look like this:
Extract the version of calibre downloaded earlier to the calibre folder on the usb stick.
Open the usb stick using your your file manger open the calibre folder.
Open the resources folder.
Now copy the calibre-portable.sh file to the root of the usb stick.
On Ubuntu based systems just click on the calibre-portable.sh file and select run.

calibre will now open.
You can also using your file manger just right click the usb stick and open in terminal:
Then type in "./calibre-portable.sh" press enter then press enter again..

Code:

/calibre-portable$ ./calibre-portable.sh
Generating default configuration file at /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable.conf
Set any non-default options here.
CONFIG FILES:       /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/CalibreConfig
--------------------------------------------------
LIBRARY FILES:      /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/CalibreLibrary
--------------------------------------------------
SOURCE FILES:       *** Not being Used ***
--------------------------------------------------
PROGRAM FILES:      /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre
--------------------------------------------------
TEMPORARY FILES:    /tmp/CALIBRE_TEMP_twAnVAp
--------------------------------------------------

Press CTRL-C if you do not want to continue
Press ENTER to continue and start Calibre

Starting up Calibre from portable directory "/media/Yourusername/calibre-portable"
Using library at /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/CalibreLibrary

calibre will now open.

bernie

gbm · 10-13-2020, 10:07 AM

This will make a usb stick or calibre folder on a hard that is totally self-contained does not use space on the hard drive for tmp files.

Go here and download the version of calibre you want to use--for this example we will use calibre 4.23.0.
Format a usb stick using a linux file system--will not work using a windows type--will use ext4 for this example.
On the usb stick create a folder name "calibre-portable":
Open the folder calibre-portable
In the folder calibre-portable create a folder name "calibre"--note do not captalize calibre.
In the folder calibre-portable create a folder name "CalibreConfig".
In the folder calibre-portable create a folder name "CalibreLibrary".
In the folder calibre-portable create a folder name "tmp".
At this point your usb should look like this:
Extract the version of calibre downloaded earlier to the calibre folder.
Open the usb stick using your your file manger open the calibre folder.
Open the resources folder.
Now copy the calibre-portable.sh file to the root of the folder calibre-portable.
Click on the calibre-portable.sh file and chose run in terminal.
Type

Code:

./calibre-portable.sh

Code:

Generating default configuration file at /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable/calibre-portable.conf
Set any non-default options here.
CONFIG FILES:       /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable/CalibreConfig
--------------------------------------------------
LIBRARY FILES:      /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable/CalibreLibrary
--------------------------------------------------
SOURCE FILES:       *** Not being Used ***
--------------------------------------------------
PROGRAM FILES:      /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable/calibre
--------------------------------------------------
TEMPORARY FILES:    /tmp/CALIBRE_TEMP_fPtntSA
--------------------------------------------------

Press CTRL-C if you do not want to continue
Press ENTER to continue and start Calibre

At this time press CTRL-C.
This will create thee calibre-portable.conf file.
Now open the calibre-portable.conf file using a text editor
Change:

Code:

# CALIBRE_TEMP_DIR="/tmp/CALIBRE_TEMP_$(tr -dc 'A-Za-z0-9'</dev/urandom |fold -w 7 | head -n1)"

to:

Code:

 CALIBRE_TEMP_DIR="$(pwd)/tmp/CALIBRE_TEMP_$(tr -dc 'A-Za-z0-9'</dev/urandom |fold -w 7 | head -n1)"

Save the file.
On Ubuntu based systems just click on the calibre-portable.sh file and select run

.
Calibre will now open

Or you can use run in terminal.

Code:

CONFIG FILES:       /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable/CalibreConfig
--------------------------------------------------
LIBRARY FILES:      /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable/CalibreLibrary
--------------------------------------------------
SOURCE FILES:       *** Not being Used ***
--------------------------------------------------
PROGRAM FILES:      /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable/calibre
--------------------------------------------------
TEMPORARY FILES:    /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable/tmp/CALIBRE_TEMP_vLpwXYB
--------------------------------------------------

Press CTRL-C if you do not want to continue
Press ENTER to continue and start Calibre

Starting up Calibre from portable directory "/media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable"
Using library at /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable/CalibreLibrary

bernie

gbm · 10-13-2020, 10:08 AM

Reserved for future use 3.

bernie

gbm · 10-13-2020, 10:08 AM

Reserved for future use 4.

bernie

Suffolk Punch · 11-28-2020, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbm

This will make a usb stick or calibre folder on a hard that is totally self-contained does not use space on the hard drive for tmp files.
<snip!>
Starting up Calibre from portable directory "/media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable"
Using library at /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable/CalibreLibrary[/CODE]

bernie

Thanks Bernie. Your 'recommended setup' worked for my Linux Mint 19.3 system. I can now run (separately) Calibre 4.23 + small library from a USB stick (to dedrm) and Calibre 5.6.0 + big library.

Martin

DirCat · 01-28-2022, 09:29 AM

That works perfectly. Thanks!

My question though (before I go and shell out the $ for it): Can you use the same setup on Dropbox? Meaning making the Dropbox a portable Linux Calibre drive so the program (and all of the plugins) can be accessed everywhere.

(The reason I'm asking is that I lost my main computer's Calibre instance and worry that my USB drive might mess up as well. By having it out in the cloud like that, it wouldn't be lost nearly as easily.)

(EDIT: I just realized that the Dropbox drive probably isn't formatted as an EXT4 drive. That means it may not work right...)

theducks · 01-28-2022, 10:07 AM

IMHO the important thing is Backups. (You do backup your Library folder?)
A fresh Calibre install is easy to do. It is the rest....

Backup the (entire) Configuration folder any time you install a New plugin (name) to capture the configuration (your preferences).
Even if the PI gets updated Later, you are good as Calibre will simply notify you and your settings are not lost (notify is only for PI in the MR Index, not those other tools)

DNSB · 01-28-2022, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirCat

That works perfectly. Thanks!

My question though (before I go and shell out the $ for it): Can you use the same setup on Dropbox? Meaning making the Dropbox a portable Linux Calibre drive so the program (and all of the plugins) can be accessed everywhere.

(The reason I'm asking is that I lost my main computer's Calibre instance and worry that my USB drive might mess up as well. By having it out in the cloud like that, it wouldn't be lost nearly as easily.)

(EDIT: I just realized that the Dropbox drive probably isn't formatted as an EXT4 drive. That means it may not work right...)

You might want to check the calibre FAQs for I am getting errors with my calibre library on a networked drive/NAS?. The only question with having your library on a networked/cloud/etc. drive, is when not if, your library will be corrupted.

DirCat · 02-04-2022, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Backup the (entire) Configuration folder any time you install a New plugin (name) to capture the configuration (your preferences).
Even if the PI gets updated Later, you are good as Calibre will simply notify you and your settings are not lost (notify is only for PI in the MR Index, not those other tools)

Okay, I'm already doing that, so that should be good. (I'm actually backing up the entire drive, I think. I need to check that.)

DirCat · 02-04-2022, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

You might want to check the calibre FAQs for I am getting errors with my calibre library on a networked drive/NAS?. The only question with having your library on a networked/cloud/etc. drive, is when not if, your library will be corrupted.

Yeah... maybe it isn't such a good idea...

rjwse@aol.com · 02-08-2022, 02:46 PM

Can a Linux calibre portable usb stick work in a chromebook if the chromebook has Linux enabled?

kovidgoyal · 02-08-2022, 10:03 PM

If normally installed calibre can run on the said chromebook, the portable one will run as well.

geordiejohn · 10-08-2022, 07:16 AM

Is there a terminal command to install calibre on a 32bit Acer chromebook please,I have tried everything?
Thank you.

Quoth · 10-08-2022, 08:21 AM

Version 5.44 is the last 32bit version due to QT.

10-13-2020, 10:06 AM	#1
gbm Wizard Posts: 2,215 Karma: 8888888 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD,Hisence Sero 7 Pro RIP, Nook STR, jetbook lite	How to make and run a Linux calibre portable USB Stick. The first few posts in this thread will explain how to make and use calibre portable on Linux. Will start with a very basic setup then go to what is my recommended setup. Then show how to have both 32-bit and 64-bit on the same stick or hard drive folder, also have multiple versions of calibre on the same stick or hard drive folder. Just a reminder 32 bit builds will not run on resent Linux systems releases. bernie

10-13-2020, 10:07 AM	#2
gbm Wizard Posts: 2,215 Karma: 8888888 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD,Hisence Sero 7 Pro RIP, Nook STR, jetbook lite	Basic Linux usb stick. Basic setup. Go here and download the version of calibre you want to use--for this example we will use calibre 4.23.0. Format a usb stick using a linux file system--will not work using a windows type--will use ext4 for this example. On the usb stick create a folder name "calibre"--note do not capitalize calibre. On the usb stick create a folder name "CalibreConfig". On the usb stick create a folder name "CalibreLibrary". At this point your usb should look like this: Extract the version of calibre downloaded earlier to the calibre folder on the usb stick. Open the usb stick using your your file manger open the calibre folder. Open the resources folder. Now copy the calibre-portable.sh file to the root of the usb stick. On Ubuntu based systems just click on the calibre-portable.sh file and select run. calibre will now open. You can also using your file manger just right click the usb stick and open in terminal: Then type in "./calibre-portable.sh" press enter then press enter again.. Code: /calibre-portable$ ./calibre-portable.sh Generating default configuration file at /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre-portable.conf Set any non-default options here. CONFIG FILES: /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/CalibreConfig -------------------------------------------------- LIBRARY FILES: /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/CalibreLibrary -------------------------------------------------- SOURCE FILES: * Not being Used * -------------------------------------------------- PROGRAM FILES: /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/calibre -------------------------------------------------- TEMPORARY FILES: /tmp/CALIBRE_TEMP_twAnVAp -------------------------------------------------- Press CTRL-C if you do not want to continue Press ENTER to continue and start Calibre Starting up Calibre from portable directory "/media/Yourusername/calibre-portable" Using library at /media/Yourusername/calibre-portable/CalibreLibrary calibre will now open. bernie Last edited by gbm; 10-13-2020 at 10:31 AM.

01-28-2022, 09:29 AM	#7
DirCat Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 84276 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Device: Samsung Tablet	That works perfectly. Thanks! My question though (before I go and shell out the $ for it): Can you use the same setup on Dropbox? Meaning making the Dropbox a portable Linux Calibre drive so the program (and all of the plugins) can be accessed everywhere. (The reason I'm asking is that I lost my main computer's Calibre instance and worry that my USB drive might mess up as well. By having it out in the cloud like that, it wouldn't be lost nearly as easily.) (EDIT: I just realized that the Dropbox drive probably isn't formatted as an EXT4 drive. That means it may not work right...) Last edited by DirCat; 01-28-2022 at 09:43 AM. Reason: Added the ext4 line.

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10-13-2020, 10:08 AM	#4
gbm Wizard Posts: 2,215 Karma: 8888888 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD,Hisence Sero 7 Pro RIP, Nook STR, jetbook lite	Reserved for future use 3. bernie

01-28-2022, 10:07 AM	#8
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,249 Karma: 61360164 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	IMHO the important thing is Backups. (You do backup your Library folder?) A fresh Calibre install is easy to do. It is the rest.... Backup the (entire) Configuration folder any time you install a New plugin (name) to capture the configuration (your preferences). Even if the PI gets updated Later, you are good as Calibre will simply notify you and your settings are not lost (notify is only for PI in the MR Index, not those other tools)

02-08-2022, 02:46 PM	#12
rjwse@aol.com Addict Posts: 333 Karma: 2228060 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: LaVernia, Texas Device: kindle epub readers on android	Can a Linux calibre portable usb stick work in a chromebook if the chromebook has Linux enabled?

02-08-2022, 10:03 PM	#13
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,604 Karma: 28548974 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	If normally installed calibre can run on the said chromebook, the portable one will run as well.

10-08-2022, 07:16 AM	#14
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