The Technology Vent and Rant Thread - Page 109

Hitch · 10-12-2023, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

It may be objectively awful, but for many it is subjectively the best. Could you recommend a better library manager AND format converter that integrates well with Kobos?

And there it is. King of the Heap, due to lack of Heap Applicants.

Hitch

ekbell · 10-12-2023, 11:00 AM

I acquired Calibre for book conversion and kept using it as a book manager because it, when combined with appropriate plugins, keeps my books in reasonable order. I don't like the builtin ereader but then I have few reasons to use it as I prefer reading on a small screen where I have a choice of ereader apps.

BTW as someone who doesn't know any better what are the objectively awful aspects of Calibre?

ownedbycats · 10-12-2023, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by token_01

Why do people insist on recommending Calibre for library management when Calibre is objectively awful?

lol, misusing the word 'objectively'

CRussel · 10-12-2023, 12:55 PM

Well, sorry to rain on this dissing parade, but I quite like it. Yeah, OK, it uses an underlying toolset that is less than forgiving (and certainly not lovely), and it's overly sensitive to networking because of the chosen database, but both of those are trivial in the scope of things. There is nothing out there that could begin to do as good a job of managing my >4,000 ebooks. And, with the appropriate plugins, liberate them ALL from the evil of DRM.

The reader? Hardly use it, except to do a quick search for something in a series of books. I prefer my Kindles, thank you.

Could it be better? Probably. But it's the product of one developer and his vision. It will always reflect his choices and preferences. And I'm fine with that!

DiapDealer · 10-12-2023, 07:19 PM

I don't keep an ebook library. Nor do I do much conversion. So nearly all of calibre's main features are wasted on me. But I still love it. Mainly because it's a walking, talking Python tutorial!

And just to stay on topic: **shakes fist at Omada's still flaky A.F. "Lock to A.P." feature**

DNSB · 10-12-2023, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by token_01

Why do people insist on recommending Calibre for library management when Calibre is objectively awful?

It does conversion (well, depending on the format) and library management (very poorly). It reminds me of iTunes which was also very bad and bloated software.

Sadly, I couldn't find a standard for "objectively awful". Can you point me to a few links that define that term.

As for what calibre does, I've looked at quite a few other library management software and while calibre does not do what Destiny, for instance, does, calibre is much more affordable for a home library. Can you recommend any replacements for calibre for home use? One with calibre's search, metadata management capability and device support would be preferred.

Hemmi · 10-12-2023, 08:20 PM

I just want to de-DRM my ebooks and back them up. And occasionally split an omnibus into the separate books. Calibre does all of that and allows me multiple ways to sort the books so I can figure out if I already own a book before I buy it again. I don't need to do anything else.

DNSB · 10-12-2023, 09:42 PM

The main complaint I've heard about calibre is that you are not able to modify the on disk calibre library structure. Mostly from people who feel their directory structure is superior to anything that anyone else could design. For the most part, they are the same people who insist that using a carefully crafted directory structure to store their ebook files is inherently superior to any search based system.

ownedbycats · 10-12-2023, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

The main complaint I've heard about calibre is that you are not able to modify the on disk calibre library structure. Mostly from people who feel their directory structure is superior to anything that anyone else could design. For the most part, they are the same people who insist that using a carefully crafted directory structure to store their ebook files is inherently superior to any search based system.

Don't forget this guy.

DNSB · 10-12-2023, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Don't forget this guy.

I'm trying hard to forget.

The people responsible for SQLite advise against using SQLite on a network but that gnashgab knows better. The advice from most people on using calibre on a network connected library is it is not a question of if it will break but when it will break. I think I've posted the SQLite Over a Network, Caveats and Considerations a few times.

BetterRed · 10-13-2023, 01:47 AM

I like calibre because bugs get squashed toot-sweet, new features are added (e.g. calibre:// links, text search), there's a boatload of user developed plugins, its the nearest thing to what Cairo's WinFS was supposed to be, and… its free!

BR

Terisa de morgan · 10-13-2023, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by token_01

Why do people insist on recommending Calibre for library management when Calibre is objectively awful?

It does conversion (well, depending on the format) and library management (very poorly). It reminds me of iTunes which was also very bad and bloated software.

Awful and objectively don't match but... please, as you're so sure... can you recommend an alternative? I guess that, for this statement, you've made some comparative than can show... and not simply trying to reinforce an opinion as it's a fact.

issybird · 10-15-2023, 07:33 AM

Having Alexa play my Audible books is entirely broken for me these days. No matter how carefully I e-nun-ci-ate the title, she plays something else. Sometimes there's a word in common (Time Machine instead of Cocktail Time), sometimes it beats the heck out of me. Sometimes I add the author, usually it's a book I have in progress, no matter; I can't get her to play the right book.

I only use her to play books when I'm in bed, but while there are advantages to streaming, especially more granular playback speeds, I'd much rather not have to look at a glowing screen to restart it every time she times out.

DiapDealer · 10-15-2023, 11:57 AM

If it's an Audible book you have in progress, "read my book" should suffice. It always has for me. That's assuming you don't have multiple books going on different unsynced devices, of course.

issybird · 10-15-2023, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

If it's an Audible book you have in progress, "read my book" should suffice. It always has for me. That's assuming you don't have multiple books going on different unsynced devices, of course.

Ooh, thanks. I'll cue up my book on a phone first and then try it tonight. (But I sense a malevolent force at work. Just saying.)

Sigh. I couldn't wait. And it seems I was right about the malevolent force; instead of returning to the book I was streaming from a Fire tablet via the Audible app, she launched the title she mistook for it, before I resorted to the Fire. Again.

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10-12-2023, 11:00 AM	#1622
ekbell Guru Posts: 627 Karma: 12345678 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Canada Device: none	I acquired Calibre for book conversion and kept using it as a book manager because it, when combined with appropriate plugins, keeps my books in reasonable order. I don't like the builtin ereader but then I have few reasons to use it as I prefer reading on a small screen where I have a choice of ereader apps. BTW as someone who doesn't know any better what are the objectively awful aspects of Calibre?

10-12-2023, 12:55 PM	#1624
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,297 Karma: 80074820 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), iPad Air M3	Well, sorry to rain on this dissing parade, but I quite like it. Yeah, OK, it uses an underlying toolset that is less than forgiving (and certainly not lovely), and it's overly sensitive to networking because of the chosen database, but both of those are trivial in the scope of things. There is nothing out there that could begin to do as good a job of managing my >4,000 ebooks. And, with the appropriate plugins, liberate them ALL from the evil of DRM. The reader? Hardly use it, except to do a quick search for something in a series of books. I prefer my Kindles, thank you. Could it be better? Probably. But it's the product of one developer and his vision. It will always reflect his choices and preferences. And I'm fine with that!

10-12-2023, 07:19 PM	#1625
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,691 Karma: 205039118 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I don't keep an ebook library. Nor do I do much conversion. So nearly all of calibre's main features are wasted on me. But I still love it. Mainly because it's a walking, talking Python tutorial! And just to stay on topic: shakes fist at Omada's still flaky A.F. "Lock to A.P." feature

10-12-2023, 08:20 PM	#1627
Hemmi Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,667 Karma: 15987608 Join Date: Apr 2015 Device: Sonys, Nooks, Kobo Libra, Forma, Mini, Paperwhite	I just want to de-DRM my ebooks and back them up. And occasionally split an omnibus into the separate books. Calibre does all of that and allows me multiple ways to sort the books so I can figure out if I already own a book before I buy it again. I don't need to do anything else.

10-12-2023, 09:42 PM	#1628
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 46,929 Karma: 169810634 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	The main complaint I've heard about calibre is that you are not able to modify the on disk calibre library structure. Mostly from people who feel their directory structure is superior to anything that anyone else could design. For the most part, they are the same people who insist that using a carefully crafted directory structure to store their ebook files is inherently superior to any search based system.

10-13-2023, 01:47 AM	#1631
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,820 Karma: 30277270 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	I like calibre because bugs get squashed toot-sweet, new features are added (e.g. calibre:// links, text search), there's a boatload of user developed plugins, its the nearest thing to what Cairo's WinFS was supposed to be, and… its free! BR

10-15-2023, 07:33 AM	#1633
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 21,359 Karma: 235166015 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: Mini, H2O, Glo HD, Aura One, PW4, PW5	Having Alexa play my Audible books is entirely broken for me these days. No matter how carefully I e-nun-ci-ate the title, she plays something else. Sometimes there's a word in common (Time Machine instead of Cocktail Time), sometimes it beats the heck out of me. Sometimes I add the author, usually it's a book I have in progress, no matter; I can't get her to play the right book. I only use her to play books when I'm in bed, but while there are advantages to streaming, especially more granular playback speeds, I'd much rather not have to look at a glowing screen to restart it every time she times out.

10-15-2023, 11:57 AM	#1634
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,691 Karma: 205039118 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	If it's an Audible book you have in progress, "read my book" should suffice. It always has for me. That's assuming you don't have multiple books going on different unsynced devices, of course.

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