Can I rsync my library?

Cactus Chef · 02-09-2024, 01:37 PM

My laptop was my daily driver for 7ish years, then about six months back I finally built a proper new desktop tower. I did a one-time export of my Calibre configs and libraries over to the new desktop with the assumption that it would become my daily driver, but for various reasons it continues to be my laptop. Now the library is out of sync again.

Both the laptop and the PC are running Linux. Can I safely rsync the Calibre Library directory between the two endpoints directly? This would be easier than my current method of using a flash-drive go-between (e.g. rsyncing from laptop -> flash drive, then flash-drive -> desktop). I had heard it was a bad idea to try to rsync across different OS's, but if they're both Linux, I'm assuming it should be fine?

Quoth · 02-09-2024, 02:13 PM

It seems fine doing a one-way rysnc, But I only change stuff on one Linux box. Also I use a preset settings via grsync that only overwrites old files and never removes anything.

You may end up with extra caltrash, or extra stuff, so occasionally I do an export, copy that to server, delete calibre library on server and laptop and then (g)rysnc.
The export is then an archive. I might delete an archives export after a new one is made.
Keep both Linux and Calibre at same revision.
I do also have a test linux box and a VM with Win10 (but only a few ebooks on that) out of curiosity.

I use my workstation which has a 4K screen and UPS. I rsync to a server. I rsync from that to a laptop if I'm going out somewhere, and then I don't change anything on Calibre.
I might edit or write LO Writer or plain text when out, and then manually copy via lan back to workstation.

I also do backups using Timeshift and direct copies to Ext4 USB HDD.

Cactus Chef · 02-09-2024, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

It seems fine doing a one-way rysnc, But I only change stuff on one Linux box. Also I use a preset settings via grsync that only overwrites old files and never removes anything.

Looking at screenshots of grsync--does it have the ability to do a verbose dry-run before running like the cmdline does?

JSWolf · 02-09-2024, 06:57 PM

FreeFileSync works very well and can do a one way sync. It's very easy to use. There is a Linux version.

Given that both are Linux, it will be fine.

https://freefilesync.org

JSWolf · 02-09-2024, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cactus Chef

Looking at screenshots of grsync--does it have the ability to do a verbose dry-run before running like the cmdline does?

FreeFileSync can show you what it's going to do before it does it.

Quoth · 02-11-2024, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

FreeFileSync can show you what it's going to do before it does it.

So can rsync / grsync

02-09-2024, 01:37 PM	#1
Cactus Chef Addict Posts: 296 Karma: 4504466 Join Date: Apr 2019 Device: Kobo Sage, Kobo Clara HD, Galaxy Tab S5e, Kindle 4th Gen	Can I rsync my library? My laptop was my daily driver for 7ish years, then about six months back I finally built a proper new desktop tower. I did a one-time export of my Calibre configs and libraries over to the new desktop with the assumption that it would become my daily driver, but for various reasons it continues to be my laptop. Now the library is out of sync again. Both the laptop and the PC are running Linux. Can I safely rsync the Calibre Library directory between the two endpoints directly? This would be easier than my current method of using a flash-drive go-between (e.g. rsyncing from laptop -> flash drive, then flash-drive -> desktop). I had heard it was a bad idea to try to rsync across different OS's, but if they're both Linux, I'm assuming it should be fine?

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02-09-2024, 02:13 PM	#2
Quoth the rook, bossing Never. Posts: 11,164 Karma: 85874891 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper11	It seems fine doing a one-way rysnc, But I only change stuff on one Linux box. Also I use a preset settings via grsync that only overwrites old files and never removes anything. You may end up with extra caltrash, or extra stuff, so occasionally I do an export, copy that to server, delete calibre library on server and laptop and then (g)rysnc. The export is then an archive. I might delete an archives export after a new one is made. Keep both Linux and Calibre at same revision. I do also have a test linux box and a VM with Win10 (but only a few ebooks on that) out of curiosity. I use my workstation which has a 4K screen and UPS. I rsync to a server. I rsync from that to a laptop if I'm going out somewhere, and then I don't change anything on Calibre. I might edit or write LO Writer or plain text when out, and then manually copy via lan back to workstation. I also do backups using Timeshift and direct copies to Ext4 USB HDD.

02-09-2024, 06:57 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,015 Karma: 129333114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	FreeFileSync works very well and can do a one way sync. It's very easy to use. There is a Linux version. Given that both are Linux, it will be fine. https://freefilesync.org

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