Sync new books in series?

[American_Desi]

I'm not sure if this is a Calibre or a Calibre Companion request, but I would like to see the ability to sync entire book by Series, such that when I reconnect via Wireless connection, any new books added to a given Series that is being synced to my iPad will automatically be downloaded to my iPad. Currently, I still have to go into the desktop client and tell it to download each book, although I can batch select them.

[chaley]

Originally Posted by American_Desi

I'm not sure if this is a Calibre or a Calibre Companion request, but I would like to see the ability to sync entire book by Series, such that when I reconnect via Wireless connection, any new books added to a given Series that is being synced to my iPad will automatically be downloaded to my iPad. Currently, I still have to go into the desktop client and tell it to download each book, although I can batch select them.

Unfortunately there isn't any mechanism to permit CC to ask if new books exist. However, you should be able to accomplish what you want using the calibre reading list plugin. The following steps worked for me:

1. Install the reading list plugin if needed.
2. Create a user category containing the series you want synced to your device. You can do this using "Manage User Categories" available on the tool icon of the tag browser. For this example I called the category "series on device".
3. Make sure that Reading List knows about your device. Connect the device as a wireless device, open Customize Plugin, click the Devices tab, and "Add connected device" if needed. Tap OK.
4. Create a reading list auto-populated by a search (Reading List / Customize Plugin). The search I used was
   

   @series on device:true and ondevice:false

5. Set the reading list to synchronize when your device connects. The options I used are
   • Device: the device you want to sync with.
   • When syncing: add/overwrite all list items
   • Sync as soon as connected: checked

From here on new books in the series listed in the user category will automatically sync when you connect as a wireless device.

Note that the same technique will work for any category: authors, tags, publishers, custom columns, what-have-you. Just add the desired category item to the user category defined above.

[American_Desi]

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

[American_Desi]

I'm stuck on step #4. When I create the search code, is series supposed to be replaced by the series name, and is the name supposed to be in quotes? For example I have a series called

The Transformers

So, should the code look like

@The Transformers on device:true and ondevice:false

or

@"The Transformers" on device:true and ondevice:false

Also, is "device" supposed to be replaced with the specific device name or does it already understand which device this is after successfully completing step #3?

Finally, if I want to sync multiple different series in this way, and still want each series to show up as a separate series in Calibre Companion, do I need to create a new list for each series, or can I get multiple different series in one list?

[chaley]

Originally Posted by American_Desi

I'm stuck on step #4. When I create the search code, is series supposed to be replaced by the series name, and is the name supposed to be in quotes? For example I have a series called

The Transformers

So, should the code look like

@The Transformers on device:true and ondevice:false

or

@"The Transformers" on device:true and ondevice:false

The series name itself does not appear in the search. Instead use the name of the user category you created in step 2.

You can see the correct syntax for the search by clicking on the user category name in the calibre tag browser. It will show you how to enter the search.

There are some screen shots of my test setup attached.

Also, is "device" supposed to be replaced with the specific device name or does it already understand which device this is after successfully completing step #3?

You select the device you added in step 3. It should be a drop-down list.

Finally, if I want to sync multiple different series in this way, and still want each series to show up as a separate series in Calibre Companion, do I need to create a new list for each series, or can I get multiple different series in one list?

You can put as many series as you want in the user category. In fact, you can also put authors, publishers, tags, or any other category you want.