is it possible to use Calibre with library on a cloud

[thomass]

I'm aware of the calibre2opds but it is a different thing.


How about a usage like this:

1. there should be no local storage usage (except for a temp file for the index of the library (metadata.db,etc) and the used items )
2. I want to use the library via Calibre

if this is not possible yet could be regarded as a feature request also.

[itimpi]

I believe that something like this may be on the roadmap - but if so it is a LONG way off. I must admit that in practise I do not see how from a technical perspective it could operate as you describe as there is no standard for accessing cloud based files.

What is much more likely to happen (and IS on the roadmap) is for the Calibre database and library to be held on a remote database server and shareable between multiple Calibre front-ends. Even this requires fundamental internal changes so is not happening quickly.

[thomass]

thanks for the response.

Originally Posted by itimpi

there is no standard for accessing cloud based files.

starting to support some major ones and adding others one by one could be a way to do this.

[itimpi]

Originally Posted by thomass

thanks for the response. starting to support some major ones and adding others one by one could be a way to do this.

Easy to say, but as far as I know the major ones do not support read/write of individual records within a file (which is what would be required). The possible exception at the moment being iCloud, and for that it is not currently reliable.

[thomass]

Originally Posted by itimpi

as far as I know the major ones do not support read/write of individual records within a file (which is what would be required).

you mean directly edit file on the cloud?
I think there is no need for that although it could be better. To edit a file(apparently we need this for metadata.db) standard editing procedure could be used. (ie download>edit>upload , or such files could be stored in a syncing folder that is syncing automatically by the applications of the clouds.)

1. library will not synced with a local folder. when there is a need to download (and maybe then edit>upload) it could be done.
2. database file(s) could be synced with local

[itimpi]

Holding the metadata.db file locally does not work well as it cannot be synced while Calibre is using it, and leaving it until later would make the library very error prone. Also Calibre does a lot of file I/O an doing this remotely is likely to be extremely slow even with current internet speeds (as the servers limit performance). If the filestore and metadata.db ever get out-of-phase with each other then 'bad things' happen to ones Calibre library.

I still think the best way forward will not the way that you suggest, but the ability have the whole of Calibre (data and code) running on a remote server. The sort of work that would be needed to get this working is already underway although I think it is still a multi-year project.

[thomass]

Thanks for your replies, really appreciated your attention on my rather noobish idea.

Giving up the idea of "remote library" then.