[Release] KoboOPDS – OPDS catalogs and wireless downloads in Nickel

[rantanplan]

I just tested the latest version. To do that, I removed the old folders from .adds and put the koboroot.tgz into the hidden .kobo folder.

It works now like expected, the kepub format is identified correctly and there's now a proper download screen. Though the download screen didn't seem to update for a very long time (like 5 minutes or so) it did eventually finish the process.

Then I had to wait another ~5 minutes for the device itself to import the book, while staying on the black "content is being imported" screen. I thought it crashed but I think running local server on a Libra 2 is just too much overhead for the little device.


I also run a COPS instance on my raspberry pi and that is much faster. I can just open it's web interface in a browser modal on my Libra 2 and the download is just instant with the benefit, that COPS can run kepubify server side. That has its own downside, as COPS cannot do the refresh for the metadata import but it's fast.


EDIT:
I didn't immediately notice but the device is noticable slow now after closing the modal. I think the local webserver isn't properly stopped.

EDIT 2:
The cover also wasn't created until after I restarted device.

[rantanplan]

Logs (will expire after 1 week):
httpd.log (I misspelled the filename )
import.log

There are time out errors in the logs.

[JSWolf]

Could this be reworked so it can connect to calibre with a driver to give you all the same features you get with the current KoboTouch driver?

[eBookLuke]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

Logs (will expire after 1 week):
httpd.log (I misspelled the filename )
import.log

There are time out errors in the logs.

Thanks for the detailed logs — they helped identify the actual problem.

KoboOPDS 0.9.17 is now available.

The issue was caused by two related race conditions:

• Repeated taps could start multiple downloads of the same book, with both processes using the same temporary book and cover files.
• NickelDBus could time out even though Nickel had already accepted the import request. KoboOPDS interpreted this as a failure and unnecessarily requested another library scan.

Version 0.9.17 now:

• allows only one active download of each book;
• uses process-specific temporary files;
• shows “Downloading…” immediately after tapping;
• runs only one import worker;
• checks the Kobo database after a NickelDBus timeout before requesting another scan.

This should resolve both the missing temporary-file errors and the repeated one-minute import attempts shown in your logs.

You can download it here:

https://effecta.duckdns.org/files/koboopds/

[rantanplan]

Can I install the new version over the previous version or do you recommend removing the folder from .adds first?

[eBookLuke]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

Can I install the new version over the previous version or do you recommend removing the folder from .adds first?

you can update directly in the Kobo: there is a small icon to update that appears when a new version is available.

Luke

[rantanplan]

Originally Posted by eBookLuke

you can update directly in the Kobo: there is a small icon to update that appears when a new version is available.

Luke

I didn't realize. Thank you, I'll test it later.

[rantanplan]

The tool is so much faster now! It's great, you seem to have fixed the issues. Even the mass-download of 5 books was almost instant.

One small thing that you could improve is that the loading of all books on a shelf can be quite slow. I understand that you have to parse the metadata, but can you create an indicator that the device is not frozen but just loading the content?


BTW, do you have a ko-fi.com or similar so I can donate a few €?

[eBookLuke]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

The tool is so much faster now! It's great, you seem to have fixed the issues. Even the mass-download of 5 books was almost instant.

Thank you very much — I and CiccioAI both really appreciate your feedback and your offer to support the project!

We are particularly pleased that the performance and mass-download improvements are working well on your device.

KoboOPDS 0.9.19 is now available.

The new version includes the requested loading indicator. KoboOPDS now immediately displays a localized “Loading books…” message when:

• opening a shelf or category;
• performing a search;
• changing catalog page;
• manually refreshing the catalog.

The indicator is deliberately static and high contrast, making it suitable for e-ink screens and clearly showing that the Kobo is still processing the request.

And yes, there is now a Ko-fi page:

https://ko-fi.com/effecta

The heart icon in KoboOPDS now opens a local support page containing the Ko-fi address and a QR code. Scanning it opens Ko-fi on your phone, avoiding compatibility problems with the Kobo browser.

If you already have KoboOPDS installed, you can update directly from the device:

1. Open KoboOPDS settings using the gear icon.
2. Go to the Updates section.
3. Tap Check now.
4. Install version 0.9.19 and allow the Kobo to restart.

Alternatively, the complete installation package is available here:

https://effecta.duckdns.org/files/koboopds/

Thank you again for testing KoboOPDS, for the helpful suggestions and for offering to support its development!

[Magste]

I notice when browsing my Calibre Web OPDS collection, the booklist shows Title, Series and Publisher, not Title, Series and Author as I'd expect. Is that a KoboOPDS setting/config I can change somewhere?

[eBookLuke]

Originally Posted by Magste

I notice when browsing my Calibre Web OPDS collection, the booklist shows Title, Series and Publisher, not Title, Series and Author as I'd expect. Is that a KoboOPDS setting/config I can change somewhere?

Thanks for reporting this — the problem has now been identified and fixed.

It was not a KoboOPDS setting. The parser could mistakenly select a later <name> element, such as a contributor or publisher, instead of the name contained inside the <author> block.

KoboOPDS 0.9.20 is now available.

The new version:

• reads names only from the corresponding <author> blocks;
• prevents publisher or contributor names from replacing the author;
• supports multiple authors;
• applies the correction to both the book list and details page.

If you already have KoboOPDS installed, you can update directly from the device:

1. Open settings using the gear icon.
2. Go to the Updates section.
3. Tap Check now.
4. Install version 0.9.20 and allow the Kobo to restart.

The complete package is also available here:

https://effecta.duckdns.org/files/koboopds/

Could you please test the new release with your Calibre Web OPDS catalog and let us know whether the correct author is now displayed?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by eBookLuke

KoboOPDS 0.9.20 is now available.

Does it work on the new 6.x firmware for the newer Kobo Readers?

[eBookLuke]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Does it work on the new 6.x firmware for the newer Kobo Readers?

If Nickel Menu works, even KoboOPDS may work!
If you own a 6.x Kobo please test it.

Luke

[rantanplan]

Kobo OPDS does not work on 5.x or later.