01-18-2017, 12:14 AM | #1 |
Member Retired
Posts: 65
Karma: 9940
Join Date: Dec 2014
Device: N/A
|
Manual Library Backup Questions
______________________________________________
Last edited by FlyHero; 07-08-2019 at 03:24 PM. |
01-18-2017, 12:31 AM | #2 |
Well trained by Cats
Posts: 29,659
Karma: 54369090
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The Central Coast of California
Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A
|
That is fragile
Each title folder has a number associated AKA {id} if you do something in calibre that changes that (in the DB and Parent Library) , things go sideways with your simple 'copy'. You could try Synctoy (to the external drive only). Remember Calibre needs to be stopped so no files change or lock while syncing |
01-18-2017, 01:58 AM | #3 |
null operator
Posts: 20,414
Karma: 25894272
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Device: none
|
I also suggest you use one of the folder/file sync products such as SyncToy. I use one called GoodSync, it's very good (keeps multiple versions too), runs on just about everything, but its not free. BR |
01-18-2017, 02:21 PM | #4 |
Member Retired
Posts: 65
Karma: 9940
Join Date: Dec 2014
Device: N/A
|
I use Linux but I am not great at it. I prefer manually backing things up at this point due to comfort level. Every time I have tried to automate or use some tools things go wrong (most probably my fault) but it's made me jittery, especially with backups since those are the safety valve if I screw something up so I need them to be NOT screwed up.
That said would copying over the entire Calibre Library then be the only safe option given what you guys said above? I was thinking that taking the entire author folder for any new or changed books would be ok since the title numbers etc are inside that...and the new .db would match everything changed right? I checked and there are not any hidden directories or files inside the Calibre Library directory. Basically I'd be making the old backup look exactly like the new on on the computer but manually...in my mind this is exactly what a sync tool would do but my mind has been known to be wrong. Is this still stupid? |
01-18-2017, 03:41 PM | #5 |
null operator
Posts: 20,414
Karma: 25894272
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Device: none
|
@hap124 - the difficulty in doing incremental synchronisation manually is not 'knowing' how to do it, it's in the actual doing of it. I wouldn't trust myself to get it right - here's a couple of examples why:
The Linux rsynch command line program is what most Linux users would use to do directory synchronisation. BR |
01-19-2017, 06:20 PM | #6 |
Addict
Posts: 296
Karma: 1599870
Join Date: Jun 2012
Device: none
|
The problem with copying files manually is that there can be leftover files in your backup if you delete books or rename authors or titles. Therefore, the only way to guarantee that your backup is identical to your original is to delete the entire contents of your backup before copying it over again. This is far more dangerous than setting up an automated system once and then running it periodically.
Since you're running Linux, there's an easy solution if you're willing to use the command line. Use rsync. There's a bewildering array of options, but basically you can ignore most of them and use something like this as your template: Code:
rsync -av --delete (source) (destination) You can save the command in a text file once you have it right and just copy and paste it into the terminal each time you want to back up your files. If you're feeling a little more confident you can even turn it into a bash script. And make sure that you include leading and trailing slashes on both the source and destination folders. For example, I back up my external HD to an identical external HD, both encrypted with VeraCrypt, and I've never had problems. The command in this case is: Code:
rsync -av --delete /media/veracrypt1/ /media/veracrypt2/ |
01-21-2017, 04:42 PM | #7 |
Connoisseur
Posts: 60
Karma: 499999
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Laois, Ireland
Device: Kindle App Android, Kindle PW2, Calibre
|
I Use FreeFile Sync to make a weekly backup of my Library and Calibre setting and have never had an issue upon reinstall after my Bi-Annual rebuild of my system. (My own fault for testing software etc)
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Touch A Couple of Questions about the Nook STR (DRM and Backup) | iJn | Barnes & Noble NOOK | 17 | 10-14-2011 03:30 PM |
Kindle 3 questions not answered in manual | eteagle | Amazon Kindle | 2 | 09-05-2011 02:15 PM |
Several questions regarding Calibre Backup | inkyichi | Related Tools | 4 | 08-01-2011 04:41 PM |
Questions about the PB 602 manual | Sil_liS | PocketBook | 0 | 12-01-2010 08:02 AM |
Questions about creating a Backup, fanfiction, and covers | Rika24 | Calibre | 1 | 11-05-2010 08:32 PM |