merge to backup library

peaceridge · 03-22-2015, 11:10 AM

I keep a backup calibre library on an sd card. In order to back up my pc library to the sd card, I currently delete the library off the sd card and readd it from the main one. Is there a better way? I'd like to just add/merge new/changed ebooks to the backup - I don't even care if it still contains ebooks I deleted from the main library.

BetterRed · 03-22-2015, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peaceridge

I keep a backup calibre library on an sd card. In order to back up my pc library to the sd card, I currently delete the library off the sd card and readd it from the main one. Is there a better way? I'd like to just add/merge new/changed ebooks to the backup - I don't even care if it still contains ebooks I deleted from the main library.

@peaceridge - look for a file synch tool, they do exactly what you want.

Options will vary on different OS's. I use GoodSynch (commercial payware) on Windows and *x, Free File Synch is rated highly, Time Machine is a built option on MAC, rsynch on Linux of you're into scripting.

For most tools keeping deleted folders/files is a configurable option.

Are SD's reliable enough as backup media? In my experience no - as always YMMV.

BR

itimpi · 03-22-2015, 11:54 AM

Look for the FreeFileSync software. Using this you can copy just the changed files which should be a lot faster.

There are many other similar apps around, but FreeFileSync is one of the fastest and simplest to use (and its free). Make sure when installing it that you select the Advanced option so that you can reject the options to install various add-ons (e.g. toolbars, etc) that you will not want.

JSWolf · 03-22-2015, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itimpi

Look for the FreeFileSync software. Using this you can copy just the changed files which should be a lot faster.

There are many other similar apps around, but FreeFileSync is one of the fastest and simplest to use (and its free). Make sure when installing it that you select the Advanced option so that you can reject the options to install various add-ons (e.g. toolbars, etc) that you will not want.

Do NOT download FFS from Sourceforge. Last time I did that, I got crapware installed with it. Download from the FFS website and when you get to the part of the installer that wants to install some other software, select advanced so you can tell the installer not to install this other software.

peaceridge · 03-22-2015, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@peaceridge -Are SD's reliable enough as backup media? In my experience no - as always YMMV.

BR

Thanks, yeah I'm extra careful with my library - besides keeping it on my tablet with Calibre Companion, on various schedules I backup to Dropbox, an external hard drive, a usb thumb drive and the sd card - it just that the sd card is really slow.

I'll go looking for sync software. I'll try FreeFileSync (from its site first). Thanks for the heads up.

BetterRed · 03-22-2015, 12:41 PM

So why bother with an SD in the mix - why not replace with a good quality thumb drive.

I have some 8GB ~10 year old corsairs, they're still going strong. And they're not handled with kid gloves - two of them live in tractor/sugar harvester cabs

BR

peaceridge · 03-22-2015, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

So why bother with an SD in the mix - why not replace with a good quality thumb drive.

I have some 8GB ~10 year old corsairs, they're still going strong. And they're not handled with kid gloves - two of them live in tractor/sugar harvester cabs

BR

Because I can leave the sd card in my laptop computer so I can store it without worrying about it sticking out like a thumb drive would. But you make a good point - I'll add a second thumb drive and see how it goes with me remembering to take it out

when I store the computer.

theducks · 03-22-2015, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

So why bother with an SD in the mix - why not replace with a good quality thumb drive.

I have some 8GB ~10 year old corsairs, they're still going strong. And they're not handled with kid gloves - two of them live in tractor/sugar harvester cabs

BR

Isn't the guts (the actual storage) of a SD card mostly the same as a thumb drive?

itimpi · 03-22-2015, 01:48 PM

If you are prepared to stick with USB2 then you can get thumbdrived that are effectively flush with the USB socket. There are also the 'nano' type drives that only stick out about 1/8 inches. This is great for a drive that you want to leave in place in the SUB socket the vast majority of the time. I expect at some point the same will be possible with USB3 drives.

BetterRed · 03-22-2015, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Isn't the guts (the actual storage) of a SD card mostly the same as a thumb drive?

I guess so. But the foundries produce different quality chips off the same dies, which is why lexar, corsair etc thumb drives are 10 ten times the price of the popup shop jobs - or is that no longer so?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Are SD's reliable enough as backup media? In my experience no - as always YMMV.

I did use SanDisk cards in my recorder and camera, but they didn't last very long. So I now use popup shop cards and throw them away after a few swaps in and out. As soon as I can I upload to safer storage and I always have a spare card or two in my pocket. Maybe cameras and recorders work SD cards harder than PCs and e-readers

BR

Divingduck · 03-23-2015, 09:14 AM

This is because of often delete/write and formatting actions on the medium and is similar to USB-Sticks. If you like to use these cards/Sticks for long term usage, you need a file sync software for reducing these actions to a necessary amount of actions. This will have as well the advantage as time saver for bigger libraries.

03-22-2015, 11:10 AM	#1
peaceridge Wizard Posts: 1,008 Karma: 4407864 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North Carolina Device: Kobo Aura1, Nexus7.2, Galaxy Tab A 8.4, Ipad Air & Mini 6	merge to backup library I keep a backup calibre library on an sd card. In order to back up my pc library to the sd card, I currently delete the library off the sd card and readd it from the main one. Is there a better way? I'd like to just add/merge new/changed ebooks to the backup - I don't even care if it still contains ebooks I deleted from the main library.

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03-22-2015, 11:54 AM	#3
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,553 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	Look for the FreeFileSync software. Using this you can copy just the changed files which should be a lot faster. There are many other similar apps around, but FreeFileSync is one of the fastest and simplest to use (and its free). Make sure when installing it that you select the Advanced option so that you can reject the options to install various add-ons (e.g. toolbars, etc) that you will not want.

03-22-2015, 12:41 PM	#6
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,926 Karma: 27620688 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	So why bother with an SD in the mix - why not replace with a good quality thumb drive. I have some 8GB ~10 year old corsairs, they're still going strong. And they're not handled with kid gloves - two of them live in tractor/sugar harvester cabs BR

03-22-2015, 01:48 PM	#9
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,553 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	If you are prepared to stick with USB2 then you can get thumbdrived that are effectively flush with the USB socket. There are also the 'nano' type drives that only stick out about 1/8 inches. This is great for a drive that you want to leave in place in the SUB socket the vast majority of the time. I expect at some point the same will be possible with USB3 drives.

03-23-2015, 09:14 AM	#11
Divingduck Wizard Posts: 1,165 Karma: 1410083 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Germany Device: Sony PRS-650	This is because of often delete/write and formatting actions on the medium and is similar to USB-Sticks. If you like to use these cards/Sticks for long term usage, you need a file sync software for reducing these actions to a necessary amount of actions. This will have as well the advantage as time saver for bigger libraries.

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