library won't import - Page 2

BetterRed · 06-10-2020, 09:26 PM

There's nothing too esoteric about a calibre library. It ia a folder that has a metadata.db file in it, along with Author and Book Title subfolders, the latter containing a cover image, a restoreable copy of the book's metadata, and usually one or more book format files -- EPUB, PDF, CBZ etc -- but only one of each format.

The export/import feature was implemented to address this question ==>> How do I move my calibre data from one computer to another?. And then there's this question ==>> How do I backup calibre?

Basically you want to keep a copy of the library folder and everything it. The folder/file synch utilities maintain such copies incrementally. After the first copy, which would be of everything, they only copy changes (adds, changes and deletes) since the last copy.

Because the backup is an exact replica of a calibre library, it in itself is a calibre library. So if your library is destroyed, you can us normal OS tools to copy the backup to restore it, or even point calibre at the backup library and use it directly.

I use GoodSync to backup all my data, including calibre libraries and configuration data, to external USB 3.0 drives on a daily basis, and to a remote FTP server on a weekly basis.

BR

Kasrielle · 06-13-2020, 10:48 PM

So all I have to do is back up my calibre library folder? Wow - I feel like such an idiot!

Done!

BetterRed · 06-14-2020, 05:17 AM

And the configuration folder.

BR

stumped · 06-14-2020, 06:11 AM

actually, if you don't have lots of plugins, the config folder is just a nice to have.
without it, you simply have to recreate your preferences from scratch.
with plugins its more of a pain as you'd have to download the zips and re-add them

BetterRed · 06-14-2020, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stumped

actually, if you don't have lots of plugins, the config folder is just a nice to have.
without it, you simply have to recreate your preferences from scratch.
with plugins its more of a pain as you'd have to download the zips and re-add them

IMO its worthwhile adding a 10 second step in a backup job to save a few 10s of megabytes and not have to worry about remembering what one did 10 years ago when a disk drive fails.

If you say its not worth it, then at least let's agree to disgree.

BR

stumped · 06-14-2020, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

IMO its worthwhile adding a 10 second step in a backup job to save a few 10s of megabytes and not have to worry about remembering what one did 10 years ago when a disk drive fails.

If you say its not worth it, then at least let's agree to disgree.

BR

i agree with you. i include the config file when I backup. I just wanted to clarify why it is useful, and that its not the end of the world if that backup goes missing, or if getting windows to reveal a hidden folder is too challenging

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06-10-2020, 09:26 PM	#16
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,570 Karma: 26954694 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	There's nothing too esoteric about a calibre library. It ia a folder that has a metadata.db file in it, along with Author and Book Title subfolders, the latter containing a cover image, a restoreable copy of the book's metadata, and usually one or more book format files -- EPUB, PDF, CBZ etc -- but only one of each format. The export/import feature was implemented to address this question ==>> How do I move my calibre data from one computer to another?. And then there's this question ==>> How do I backup calibre? Basically you want to keep a copy of the library folder and everything it. The folder/file synch utilities maintain such copies incrementally. After the first copy, which would be of everything, they only copy changes (adds, changes and deletes) since the last copy. Because the backup is an exact replica of a calibre library, it in itself is a calibre library. So if your library is destroyed, you can us normal OS tools to copy the backup to restore it, or even point calibre at the backup library and use it directly. I use GoodSync to backup all my data, including calibre libraries and configuration data, to external USB 3.0 drives on a daily basis, and to a remote FTP server on a weekly basis. BR

06-13-2020, 10:48 PM	#17
Kasrielle Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sunshine Coast BC, Canada Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Keyboard	So all I have to do is back up my calibre library folder? Wow - I feel like such an idiot! Done!

06-14-2020, 05:17 AM	#18
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,570 Karma: 26954694 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	And the configuration folder. BR

06-14-2020, 06:11 AM	#19
stumped Wizard Posts: 3,305 Karma: 10259306 Join Date: May 2016 Device: kobo forma, Kobo Libra, Huawei media Tab, fire HD10, PW3 HDX8.9,	actually, if you don't have lots of plugins, the config folder is just a nice to have. without it, you simply have to recreate your preferences from scratch. with plugins its more of a pain as you'd have to download the zips and re-add them

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