Beta Test of new Kobo Driver

[timlegge]

Hi

I am looking for brave users to beta test a new Kobo driver for Calibre. This driver displays all the books on the device (delivered 100 free books, ePubs and PDFs).

More importantly, it allow you to delete books properly (at least I think so). It removes all database references, book files (pdf and ePub) and image files.

It was developed on Linux on the Beta branch of Calibre. See:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82755

For details on how to download the beta version. If you are a current Calibre user be aware that this version upgrades your Calibre database and you cannot go backwards (read the entire reference thread for details).

So, you are testing a beta driver on beta software. You should be very afraid ;-)

How to proceed:

1) Download and install calibre-0.6.95
2) Start Calibre
3) In preferences go to Plugins and disable the current Kobo driver
4) Add the attached kobo_plugin.zip
5) Close calibre

6) Attach your Kobo to the computer
7) Completely backup the device (including the hidden .kobo directory). You are mostly concerned with .kobo/KoboReader.sqlite and .kobo/images but any ePubs or PDFs should be backed up as well

8) Start Calibre
9) Verify that all the books are listed (on my test system 15 to 30 seconds seems about right to list the books)
10) Attempt to delete a book. I would start with a pdf or epub and finish with a kobo book. It can take some time to delete a book (5 to 20 seconds).

As far as I know, this is the first software to allow you to delete/manage books on a kobo.

There are no guarantees. I will offer assistance where I can and review bug reports. I am not responsible for your library, what you delete, what you lose... Make sure you have a full backup and you are comfortable with how to recover or do not try this.

That being said, expect limited response tonight as I am taking a break to read a little for a change.

Oh, I have done very limited tested on Windows (listed and deleted a book) but as above, it was developed on Linux. Also, I have the Canadian verion (not sure it matters)

If it causes an issue, simply disable the plugin and re-enable the delivered driver.

Tim

The latest version of the plugin will always be in this message until it ships with Calibre

[marnom]

So far, it works nicely with calibre-0.6.96 on Windows.

[JBlyth]

Originally Posted by marnom

So far, it works nicely with calibre-0.6.96 on Windows.

Shouldn't that be 0.6.95????

Anyway, I get the following error when I try to import the ZIP file. (My OS is WIN 7 64 bit)

ERROR: ERROR: Unhandled exception: <b>ImportError</b>:cannot import name isbytestring

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\dialogs\config\__init__.py", line 545, in add_plugin
File "site-packages\calibre\customize\ui.py", line 284, in add_plugin
File "site-packages\calibre\customize\ui.py", line 67, in load_plugin
File "<string>", line 341, in <module>
ImportError: cannot import name isbytestring

Cheers
John in Sunny Carnarvon - Western Australia

[PeterT]

Under Vista / 64 bit, using 6.96 I do not see any of the preloaded books.

I also get an error when trying to view completed jobs (but this is probably a Calibre error, and a ticket has been openned).

ERROR: ERROR: Unhandled exception: <b>AttributeError</b>:'QTableView' object has no attribute 'show_details'

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\jobs.py", line 315, in show_details
AttributeError: 'QTableView' object has no attribute 'show_details'

[chaley]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Under Vista / 64 bit, using 6.96 I do not see any of the preloaded books.

6.96 does not by default include the new kobo driver. Did you install the new plugin as described in the first post?

[PeterT]

Yes I did... I disabled the original driver and added in the new one.

When I go to Plugins I see "Kobo Reader Device Interface (1.0.0)" greyed out; and "Kobo Reader Device Interface - NEW (1.0.0)" in Green.

[PeterT]

Now this is weird! For the heck of it I tried "calibre-debug -g" and I now SEE the 100 free books listed!

Heck; now it is working however I launch Calibre!

Guess this quirk can be put to bed.

[timlegge]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Now this is weird! For the heck of it I tried "calibre-debug -g" and I now SEE the 100 free books listed!

Heck; now it is working however I launch Calibre!

Guess this quirk can be put to bed.

So after you run calibre-debug -g once can you go back and run Calibre normally?

[PeterT]

Now... trying to drop a Kobo book I get

ERROR: Error: Error communicating with device

coercing to Unicode: need string or buffer, NoneType found

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\device.py", line 58, in run
  File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\device.py", line 308, in _delete_books
  File "<string>", line 256, in delete_books
TypeError: coercing to Unicode: need string or buffer, NoneType found

Same error happens on an ePub.

[timlegge]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Now... trying to drop a Kobo book I get

ERROR: Error: Error communicating with device

coercing to Unicode: need string or buffer, NoneType found

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\device.py", line 58, in run
  File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\device.py", line 308, in _delete_books
  File "<string>", line 256, in delete_books
TypeError: coercing to Unicode: need string or buffer, NoneType found

Same error happens on an ePub.

Okay, it looks like I will have to test with the 0.6.96 version. My test was with 0.6.95 and the newer version came out later.

Tim

[mylesau]

I have the same error but posted it in the other thread. Looks very promising Tim - great work

[timlegge]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Now... trying to drop a Kobo book I get

ERROR: Error: Error communicating with device

coercing to Unicode: need string or buffer, NoneType found

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\device.py", line 58, in run
  File "site-packages\calibre\gui2\device.py", line 308, in _delete_books
  File "<string>", line 256, in delete_books
TypeError: coercing to Unicode: need string or buffer, NoneType found

Same error happens on an ePub.

Try using the attached plugin file. I think I know what is happening. I have a SD card installed and never thought of testing without one

Tim

I removed the plugin. I will always attach the latest to the first message in this thread.

[PeterT]

Well it looks to have worked; but wow.... not speedy!

Dropping Aesop's Fables took close to 2 minutes.

Will do more testing as soon as battery recharges

[HarryH]

I am using Linux , Ubuntu 10.4, installed on the desktop the beta
calibre version , added the new plugin as indicated in the above post

As this is all a test , a little apprehensive about using it .. I have one purchased book , it is what needs back up ..

Will be following the posts

Harry

[timlegge]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Well it looks to have worked; but wow.... not speedy!

Dropping Aesop's Fables took close to 2 minutes.

Will do more testing as soon as battery recharges

Perfect. Yes, it is slow not that much usually. The database deletes are slow' I did notice on a mac yesterday that disabling the antivirus onaccess checks of the sqlite database made a big difference.

Tim