Kobo Libra Color File Names

[jjl]

I am going to transition from Kindle to Kobo. I have a work flow with Kindle where I create a file name that includes:

author_sort, Series Name & # (if exists), title & pub date (Year)

I export to a file folder on my Mac & use send to Kindle. On my kindle the book title is as defined above. That has been very helpful in reading books from a given author in either series or published order & has evolved but is working well.

With the Kobo I am connecting directly to add books via USB so I don't mess up my wife's Kindle workflow (send to folder). I am trying to replicate the same naming convention on the Kobo & although I can get close when I look at the actual file name in book details, the listing of books on the Kobo is only showing the actual book title & author.

Any guidance would be appreciated. I am using a Mac (26.5) & a new Kobo Libra Color.

[Sirtel]

If you want things like series and publication date on your Kobo, there are ways to do that without changing the filename. Series support for sideloaded books is automatic on a Kobo - you'll need to change the metadata management under Sending Books to Devices in Calibre to automatic instead of manual, and after transferring books eject your Kobo, disconnect it, wait until the new books have been processed and connect it again.

You can add the publication date as a subtitle - in the Kobo driver settings it's on the third tab, Metadata.

[theducks]

Kobo is a Metadata field device

Kobo does not use file names (for the bookshelf manager)
Kobo supports series (that is sent during the second connect cycle if configured)

If you really need pubdate, consider setting up a metadata plugboard.
Note that doing so with Title or Author may break second connect matching tasks.

[jjl]

Thank you both! I needed to think differently, focusing on Metadata was the key. And, needing to connect a 2nd time to Calibre to update the metadata was not obvious either. But, I now have Title, Author, Series & No. along with publication date in the subtitle on the Kobo which should get me what I was looking for.

Continually impressed by Calibre - supporting multiple, very different devices & workflows and leveraging the strengths of each platform to get the functionality needed!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jjl

I am going to transition from Kindle to Kobo. I have a work flow with Kindle where I create a file name that includes:

author_sort, Series Name & # (if exists), title & pub date (Year)

I export to a file folder on my Mac & use send to Kindle. On my kindle the book title is as defined above. That has been very helpful in reading books from a given author in either series or published order & has evolved but is working well.

With the Kobo I am connecting directly to add books via USB so I don't mess up my wife's Kindle workflow (send to folder). I am trying to replicate the same naming convention on the Kobo & although I can get close when I look at the actual file name in book details, the listing of books on the Kobo is only showing the actual book title & author.

Any guidance would be appreciated. I am using a Mac (26.5) & a new Kobo Libra Color.

There is no need to use author_sort.

This is what I use. It goes in Preferences > Plugins. Search for KoboTouch and then customize plugin. In the Save template section, put in the emplate posted.

books/{author} - {series} {series_index:0>2s|| - } {title}

Next, go to the Metadata, on device & advanced tab. Check Set series information.

That will set the filename correctly in a directory called books. And you will have series set in the database as well.

Oh an install the Kobo Utilities plugin. It's very much needed.

[jjl]

Thank you, I had backed into the same template moved to author. I also had installed the Kobo Utilities plugin, right now only using to backup DB but there is a lot of functionality that I will review.

Related, does anyone have any opinion on KOReader vs. the stock app? I am seeing that mentioned frequently (along with NickelMenu).

[theducks]

I use the Nickel menu to cycle the USB without moving the cable, saving wear and tear while doing the 2nd (metadata) connect. IMHO that alone is reason.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by jjl

Related, does anyone have any opinion on KOReader vs. the stock app? I am seeing that mentioned frequently (along with NickelMenu).

I tried KOReader, but I prefer heavily patched stock firmware. Then again, I edit the formatting of all my books, so I have no need of various overrides in KOReader. Of course it has many more options than stock.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by theducks

I use the Nickel menu to cycle the USB without moving the cable, saving wear and tear while doing the 2nd (metadata) connect. IMHO that alone is reason.

I do that. I also use NickelMenu to cycle the USB when I'm testing something.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jjl

Thank you, I had backed into the same template moved to author. I also had installed the Kobo Utilities plugin, right now only using to backup DB but there is a lot of functionality that I will review.

Related, does anyone have any opinion on KOReader vs. the stock app? I am seeing that mentioned frequently (along with NickelMenu).

When you say you moved to author, do you mean author directories? If you do, it's best to not do that.

I've used KOReader and it's OK. It does use more battery. I have an oldish version of KOReader installed. If I ever decide to use it again, I'll update it. I mostly read ePub because I like the way that RMSDK handles typesetting better then KePub.

I do edit my eBooks so I try to make sure they work with RMSDK on the Kobo as well as fix the poor formatting. If I cannot do that, I'll use KePub to read the book.