Update HTML source in Calibre?

[Manichean]

While that, in principle, should work, it is a Bad Idea to mess around in Calibre's library folder directly. Try using the calibredb command instead (the relevant options would be add_format and remove_format).

[Spacejock]

I've recently switched to compiling ebooks using the command line. I prefer having more control over the process.

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by Spacejock

I've recently switched to compiling ebooks using the command line. I prefer having more control over the process.

Exactly what do you feel you have more control over?

[Manichean]

Originally Posted by Spacejock

I've recently switched to compiling ebooks using the command line. I prefer having more control over the process.

Be that as it may, but if you're using Calibre's database, it's still a bad idea to muck around inside the library folder manually.
And, by the way: All the options available in the command line are also available in the GUI.

[theducks]

and if you (mostly) use the SAME values, set them as the defaults in the Preferences CONVERSION OUTPUT section (there are side-bar sections for various formats)

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Archon

Yeah select the book, hit the "E" key, and select the "ZIP" format from the upper right window and hit the green recycle button on the right.

Then just re-add the same book. Make sure the titles are the same and Calibre will add it right into the book.

Then re-convert using the ZIP as the source and the EPUB will be updated to the new version.

Thanks, looks like it works just fine! I tried it as described and it appears to have worked just fine. I need to upgrade to the latest version and play with the file some more (sadly more changes required) but thanks. This will help a lot. Sometimes it's the little things that can really help streamline a process!

[Spacejock]

Originally Posted by dwanthny

Exactly what do you feel you have more control over?

Converting four ebooks into five different formats each, with one double-click of the mouse. Automatically reading the latest version of the source html file for each.

(Couldn't find any way to generate multiple output formats for multiple titles in the Calibre UI. I could only do all Epub, then all Mobi, etc.)

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by Manichean

by the way: All the options available in the command line are also available in the GUI.

Apparently not.

Originally Posted by Spacejock

Converting four ebooks into five different formats each, with one double-click of the mouse. Automatically reading the latest version of the source html file for each.

That answers that question. Thanks for the info.

[Manichean]

Originally Posted by dwanthny

Apparently not.

Which one is missing? What he is doing, if I understood correctly, is just running a conversion script he set up.

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by Manichean

Which one is missing? What he is doing, if I understood correctly, is just running a conversion script he set up.

I guess I misunderstood, I don't run from command line, but I thought he was converting directly to multiple formats in a single command line argument. From your statement I guess it is a series of individual and separate command line arguments, one for each format combined in a single script or batch file.

Still the option to accomplish a single book conversion to multiple formats automatically in succession is not a option the GUI currently supports.

[BearMountainBooks]

Thanks again, guys and gals. I did another file this morning and deleting the html rather than the whole book saves me oodles of time. I had to do about 3 uploads and it shaves off some of the maintenance. Excellent!

Thanks!

[Manichean]

Originally Posted by dwanthny

From your statement I guess it is a series of individual and separate command line arguments, one for each format combined in a single script or batch file.

That, at least, would be my guess. From what I know, output format is determined by the file extension of the specified output filename, so one would have to use multiple commands for multiple output formats.

[Archon]

(Edit metadata window? Add a format? Is someone typing in tongues here?)

MamaSylvia a lot of the members here are extremely intelligent and highly proficient technically but may not talk your language. So, be patient and ask as many questions as you need to.

Here is some info on Metadata:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metadata

The best quote here is:

Metadata (metacontent) is traditionally found in the card catalogues of libraries. By describing the contents and context of data files, the quality of the original data/files is greatly increased.

So, think of Calibre's Metadata as a "card catalog" with a "dewey decimal system" for all your books. Information such as the year it was published and the Author's name is Metadata.

The "Edit metadata window" they speak of is the window that opens when you select a book with your mouse in the Calibre list window and hit the "E" key or right click on a book and select "Edit Metadata".

Now, the "add a Format" means for one book I can have the book in several different computer file types. Think of it like, you can have a hardbound book and a paperback of the same book. So, you have the book in two formats, hardbound and paperback. Computers keep files stored in different formats for different programs or devices. And Calibre can keep a book in multiple formats for many different eReaders, or even to be read on the computer screen itself.

All learning starts with a question.
So, ask anything you want to know, someone here will be happy to help.

Happy Monday

[Spacejock]

Originally Posted by dwanthny

I guess I misunderstood, I don't run from command line, but I thought he was converting directly to multiple formats in a single command line argument. From your statement I guess it is a series of individual and separate command line arguments, one for each format combined in a single script or batch file.

Still the option to accomplish a single book conversion to multiple formats automatically in succession is not a option the GUI currently supports.

Not that I can find.

Yes, I have a series of batch files which export each ebook from yWriter into html, then runs the html through four Calibre conversion processes to generate mobi/epub/rtf files plus another epub formatted for a larger screen size.

Then it runs three more sets of batch files, one for each novel in the series.

I use variables in the actual conversion batch files so I can use the same code for all four books. Only the input file and publication details (and cover image) change from one to the next.

I'm a programmer (I wrote yWriter, the novel-writing software), so when it comes to automating things I'll reach for the commandline once I realise it's a task I need to do often.