Calibre Library folder on an external usb drive

andrplx · 11-01-2012, 12:37 PM

Just starting with Calibre. Great, great software.

Being a newbie I might be missing something about Calibre's configuration, so please be patient.
I installed Calibre on my laptop, but created the Library folder on an external usb drive where I keep all my music, movies and books.
If the drive is disconnected, Calibre can't access the library and actually needs to have a new library created before running.

To be able to browse my library even if I'm away from the external drive I found a workaround.
I've managed to do this by copying the metadata.db and metadata_db_prefs_backup.json files to a new library folder on my laptop.
Calibre opens the library correctly even if it is not possible to open the actual ebooks.

The problem is I must keep updating these files everytime I add a new book to Calibre.

I wonder if is possible to synchronize these files in some way or if there's a way to choose where Calibre saves these metadata files independently from the actual books folders.

theducks · 11-01-2012, 12:54 PM

IIRC there are people that keep the books on a NAS, but use a local Metadata for performance reasons. That solution should work.

BUT

Make 1 tiny change without the real Library and you have a lack of sync mess

If you need a Local reference, use the "Create a Catalog..." option on the Convert books icon. This is just another "book", but you can save it anyplace for offline viewing.

andrplx · 11-01-2012, 04:44 PM

your first option "keep the books on a NAS, but use a local Metadata" seems just right for what I'm looking for.
I've found this thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84390
I wonder if it will work once I disconnect the drive.

well, I tried the catalog option and it could be a good option.
If add new books, for example, will the catalog be automatically updated to show the new entry or do I have to generate a new catalog?

thnx a lot for the quick answer, theducks

theducks · 11-01-2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrplx

your first option "keep the books on a NAS, but use a local Metadata" seems just right for what I'm looking for.
I've found this thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84390
I wonder if it will work once I disconnect the drive.

well, I tried the catalog option and it could be a good option.
If add new books, for example, will the catalog be automatically updated to show the new entry or do I have to generate a new catalog?

thnx a lot for the quick answer, theducks

Disconnected should work (empty book), But no Covers will show (they are in the folders).

The Catalog is generation is all Manual

11-01-2012, 12:37 PM	#1
andrplx Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: none	Calibre Library folder on an external usb drive Just starting with Calibre. Great, great software. Being a newbie I might be missing something about Calibre's configuration, so please be patient. I installed Calibre on my laptop, but created the Library folder on an external usb drive where I keep all my music, movies and books. If the drive is disconnected, Calibre can't access the library and actually needs to have a new library created before running. To be able to browse my library even if I'm away from the external drive I found a workaround. I've managed to do this by copying the metadata.db and metadata_db_prefs_backup.json files to a new library folder on my laptop. Calibre opens the library correctly even if it is not possible to open the actual ebooks. The problem is I must keep updating these files everytime I add a new book to Calibre. I wonder if is possible to synchronize these files in some way or if there's a way to choose where Calibre saves these metadata files independently from the actual books folders.

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11-01-2012, 12:54 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,802 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	IIRC there are people that keep the books on a NAS, but use a local Metadata for performance reasons. That solution should work. BUT Make 1 tiny change without the real Library and you have a lack of sync mess If you need a Local reference, use the "Create a Catalog..." option on the Convert books icon. This is just another "book", but you can save it anyplace for offline viewing.

11-01-2012, 04:44 PM	#3
andrplx Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: none	your first option "keep the books on a NAS, but use a local Metadata" seems just right for what I'm looking for. I've found this thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84390 I wonder if it will work once I disconnect the drive. well, I tried the catalog option and it could be a good option. If add new books, for example, will the catalog be automatically updated to show the new entry or do I have to generate a new catalog? thnx a lot for the quick answer, theducks

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