Which plugins are essential to install?

[bluepeter]

Originally Posted by DNSB

If you click on the 6 releases link, it shows versions up to 10.0.15. So far I haven't run into any of the mentioned issues so I haven't updated.

Ah, I see. Thanks. I've not had any problems with the version that I currently have installed, so I think I'll follow your example.

[capink]

Calibre plugins provide a wide array of useful functionality, but calibre itself covers the most essential functions. There are only two exceptions provided to the two plugins that provide what I consider essential functionality in setting up your calibre library:

• Import List: Allows you to import entries (as empty books in calibre) from csv files, but also include the ability to import from online lists on sites like goodreads. The alternative was tedious manual labor to import a lot of books into calibre.
  
  This plugin is also useful in updating metadata for your already existing books in mass (ratings for example). Calibre itself provides the ability to export your books' metadata, but does not provide the functionality to import it back.
  
  I sometimes use calibre's export functionality to save my existing books' metadata into csv file, and use an external program to edit these. The only way I can import the modified metadata back is to use Import List plugin.
  
• GetFileName: I never actually used this one because it was developed after I've already set up my calibre library, but boy did I wish I had similar functionality back then to save me hours of manual work.
  
  This plugin is useful when first converting you books from folder structure to calibre. It allows you to save the folder path (among other data like date ... etc) in custom calibre columns. This way you can still search books using your old folder structure, while still getting up to speed with calibre and setting up a new system using calibre's powerful tools.

[AnnieQuinn]

Originally Posted by capink

[*]GetFileName: I never actually used this one because it was developed after I've already set up my calibre library, but boy did I wish I had similar functionality back then to save me hours of manual work.

This plugin is useful when first converting you books from folder structure to calibre. It allows you to save the folder path (among other data like date ... etc) in custom calibre columns. This way you can still search books using your old folder structure, while still getting up to speed with calibre and setting up a new system using calibre's powerful tools.[/LIST]

Oh, I haven't tried this yet. But from your description, it seems like we'll be storing the same book in two places, right?

One place in the Calibre library, and another place in the old folder containing the original file?

[capink]

Originally Posted by AnnieQuinn

Oh, I haven't tried this yet. But from your description, it seems like we'll be storing the same book in two places, right?

One place in the Calibre library, and another place in the old folder containing the original file?

No. You only need to store it in calibre. When you first import the book into calibre, the plugin will store the folder structure in a custom column (you have to pre-configure the plugin first and set up the custom column).

Now that all your books have their original folder structure stored in this custom column, you can use calibre search to navigate books. For example you can locate books that used to be stored in a particular folder using calibre search:

#my_custom_column:"=C:\my books\fiction\mystery"

This will list all the books that were imported from this particular folder.

Also, you can use calibre's powerful search and replace to transform the folder structure into tags, or even hierarchical tags or genres. A basic familiarity in regular expressions can be helpful in this endeavor.

I am sure users of this plugin can provide better explanation and use cases. But this is how I imagine I would have used it. I had to waste hours doing this kind of task manually, because the plugin was not yet developed at the time.