Converting from Epub vs ORIGINAL_EPUB

[Sirtel]

You could save the original epub in the book's data folder and delete it from the library. You can always restore it from the data folder if you want.

[BetterRed]

this - ↑ ↑ ↑ ✔

1. I have the save_original_format tweaks set to False.

2. I copy the original format file(s) to the book's 'data' folder straight after I add/create them. The names get prepended with 'Original EPUB', 'Original PDF', etc.

BR

[meghane_e]

Hello,
Thank you for getting back to this! Sorry my brain works in glacial time.

To clarify: when you're referring to 'data' folder, do you mean the Calibre library folder, ie "C:\Calibre Library\MyMainLibrary\Author\Book Title (15683)"? Or do you mean "Set up a separate 'data' folder for these types of scenarios"?

I think I've tried using the Calibre library folder for that before and the problem is if you use Calibre to back up the library or copy books between libraries those files get left out.

I essentially use the second method for doing this stuff. I have an 'Epub Processing' folder that I use that contains subfolders for every book I've worked on. And when I'm really on top of things, I even use git to check in revisions. It just basically checks in the whole file vs line-by-line edits, but it's my current method of saving multiple revisions. It does require a certain level of alertness to stay on top of that (it's why I can't successfully code any more).

[Sirtel]

The data folder is a default calibre feature. Every book in the library can have a data folder for saving stuff you don't necessarily want in the library list, but do want to be included in the library and easily accessible. You can access the data folder by right-clicking on the Edit Metadata icon and selecting "Manage data files" or by a keyboard shortcut (mine is ctrl+d, but I don't remember if it was default or I changed it).

[BetterRed]

I mean the optional 'data' folder within the book folders, e.g.

"D:\Calibre\Libraries\Books\Strunk\Elements of Style (3488)\data\"

I create the 'data' folder via the Open folder→Open book data folder action:



I manage the content with the Windows File Manager, i.e. I don't use calibre's Manage data files tool. Firstly because it didn't exist when the 'data' folder feature was introduced, but mainly because it lacks the tools (built-in and 3rd party) I have in Windows file manager.

---

Calibre does not have a backup/restore specific tool.

Save to Disk saves selected data from the library to a user specified file system hierarchy - there is no Unsave from Disk.

Library Export/Import facilitates migrating calibre libraries and configuration data to another platform - i.e computer and/or operating system and/or file system. It also uses a calibre-only/proprietary spanned archive file format.

The best backup/restore solution for calibre (and most everything else) is to use a WikiP: file synchronisation tool to maintain a one way incremental clone (a.k.a. 'a mirror') of your library folders (in their entirety) and configuration folder(s).

I've been using GoodSync and it's predecessor for almost 30 years, FreeFileSync and rsynch are popular within the calibre user community.

BR

[enuddleyarbl]

After seeing this thread, I had to think about my use of that ORIGINAL_EPUB format. I don't think I've ever used it. Not only have I never used it, every time I polish an epub, I automatically delete the format before-hand.

I guess I'll head over to Tweaks and turn both those options to FALSE.

I'm not sure if I'll copy the original of any epubs I buy to the data folder since I have a folder set up elsewhere for all my original purchases.

Thanks for the information.

[JSWolf]

I've used the ORIGINAL_EPUB. That when I want to check something, I've made a mistake and I need to get something from the original ePub, or I just want to see the formatting of the original ePub.

[meghane_e]

Wow, lots of new information the last few posts (for me). I didn't know about the 'data/' folder. It looks like that Sirtel and BetterRed showed two ways to get to the same folder. Thanks!

I mainly use 'E' (edit metadata), 'T' (launch editor), 'Ctrl+D' (download metadata) and 'O' (open book folder). The Calibre 9.14 version doesn't have Alt+O for opening the data folder listed as an option, at least not on my machine (Windows 10). I took an image but forgot how to upload. It's uploaded now!

@Sirtel, Ctrl+D is the default for 'Download Metadata'. Maybe you changed yours?

@enuddleyarbl, with many years to make errors in, I'm frequently eventually very sad if I don't have the original file saved somewhere. If you make any change to a file, the future may eventually have something to say about it.

Thank you everyone!

[enuddleyarbl]

I always download my new book purchases into a folder where I keep them. Or so I thought. I just took a look at what I've saved there, and the majority are from my Amazon days (.azw and .azw3). I never thought to save actual epubs on first conversion. Then, I noticed that a good chunk of my saved epubs are actually .acsm files (i.e., the files I'd use to download the .epub files) and, to the best of my knowledge, they were probably only valid for a short period of time. So, once again, I neglected to save the actual epubs upon first download. I'm pretty sure I can re-download the acsm files (mostly from Kobo) and grab the epubs from those without too much problem. But, I'm not sure about the old Amazon files. I'll have to work on that.

[BetterRed]

@meghane_e - most of calibre's 200+ shortcuts are configurable via Preferences→Advanced→Shortcuts, only about half of them have a default setting.

I have replaced most of the defaults (many to None) and set values for shortcuts that have no default - e.g. for Open book folder I replaced 'O' with 'Ctrl+O', and for Open data folder I replaced 'None' with 'Alt+O'.

The Calibre Config Reports optional plugin is the easiest way to discover the available shortcuts, including those provided by optional plugins. It also hooks-up with the Preferences→Advanced→Shortcuts dialogue.



BR