Importing books without calibre creating a copy

Trillian · 06-10-2013, 05:06 AM

Hi, I'm new here and really need your help regarding calibre. I searched if this topic already exists but I was a little bit overwhelmed by the amount of threads and couldn't find an answer. If I'm just blind I'm really sorry and a moderator or admin can close and/or delete this thread.

I want to organize all my (gutenberg) books with calibre to have a good overview. Is it somehow possible to import those books/files without calibre saving it in its folder for a second time? I already have a specific way to archive my books on my pc and don't want to have them saved in the calibre folder too. I know I could just delete my original files but I don't really like how calibre stores them. I love the program but this annoys me

I hope there is an option I just haven't found yet, that allows me to only import the files without saving them again.

I'd be happy if someone can help me because it drives me crazy that I haven't found any solution by myself so far

btw I'm really sorry for this weird/long title, I just couldn't find a better way to express what I'm looking for.

DoctorOhh · 06-10-2013, 05:11 AM

Welcome to Mobileread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trillian

Is it somehow possible to import those books/files without calibre saving it in its folder for a second time?

No.

Trillian · 06-10-2013, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorOhh

Welcome to Mobileread.

No.

That was fast! Thank you for your answer, even though it's not what I hoped someone would say

Well when there is no other possibility I'm going to have to live with it, because otherwise I really like calibre. Thank you again!

gabby98 · 06-10-2013, 11:35 AM

I have a "Catalog" Library that I use just to keep track of what I own and i use my own organization on the computer. Once I have all the metadata set up the way in want, I save the books to disk with the organization settings the way I want them, copy the formats column to a custom column for notation purposes, delete the formats (actual books in the calibre library) and copy the empty books to my "Catalog". I don't know if this is more work than you want, but it works well for me. I use Calibre's awesomeness, but keep my (ocd) organization the way I want.

I just typed this up real quick so let me know if it doesn't make sense or needs more clarification.

Trillian · 06-11-2013, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabby98

I have a "Catalog" Library that I use just to keep track of what I own and i use my own organization on the computer. Once I have all the metadata set up the way in want, I save the books to disk with the organization settings the way I want them, copy the formats column to a custom column for notation purposes, delete the formats (actual books in the calibre library) and copy the empty books to my "Catalog". I don't know if this is more work than you want, but it works well for me. I use Calibre's awesomeness, but keep my (ocd) organization the way I want.

I just typed this up real quick so let me know if it doesn't make sense or needs more clarification.

Thank you for your reply, gabby98. I think I understood everything

let me put it in my words: you imported the books you want to archive. Then you update the metadata the way you want it to be. Since you want the format in your catalog aswell you created a new column for that. I only have mobi, so that wouldn't be necessary for me. Well and then you just go into the calibre folder and delete the dublicates the programm created. Now you only have the information stored in calibre and your books archived the way you want. Did I understand everything correctly?

theducks · 06-11-2013, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trillian

Thank you for your reply, gabby98. I think I understood everything

let me put it in my words: you imported the books you want to archive. Then you update the metadata the way you want it to be. Since you want the format in your catalog aswell you created a new column for that. I only have mobi, so that wouldn't be necessary for me. Well and then you just go into the calibre folder and delete the dublicates the programm created. Now you only have the information stored in calibre and your books archived the way you want. Did I understand everything correctly?

NO
Never use the file system to delete books(files) within the Library...That breaks the Library.

Use the Librarian (Calibre) to Remove All Formats (not the same as Delete, which removes all records of the books. This way everything remain in sync

Trillian · 06-11-2013, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Use the Librarian (Calibre) to Remove All Formats (not the same as Delete, which removes all records of the books. This way everything remain in sync

ah okay, thanks for that info! I'm going to check that out soon. Thank you very much for your help!

theducks · 06-11-2013, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trillian

ah okay, thanks for that info! I'm going to check that out soon. Thank you very much for your help!

Just to clarify:
This is a Right-click option on the Delete Icon

Trillian · 06-11-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Just to clarify:
This is a Right-click option on the Delete Icon

i just checked and I found it. It's one of the delete options. I use the german version so it's roughly translated "all formates of this book".

Once again thank you for your help. I think that's a great way to keep track of all my books without calibre saving a second version of it.

Adoby · 06-11-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trillian

Did I understand everything correctly?

I think you missed one very interesting bit.

When the books were correct, gabby98 used the save to disk feature in calibre to save the books to some intricate folder structure, using the metadata for the books. At the same time the internal metadata for the books is updated as well. So not only does calibre hold the correct information about the books, the books themselves are updated with this metadata.

Trillian · 06-11-2013, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adoby

I think you missed one very interesting bit.

When the books were correct, gabby98 used the save to disk feature in calibre to save the books to some intricate folder structure, using the metadata for the books. At the same time the internal metadata for the books is updated as well. So not only does calibre hold the correct information about the books, the books themselves are updated with this metadata.

I always thought I'm not that bad with programs and english but now I see it's totally not the case

thanks for correcting me.

gabby98 · 06-11-2013, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adoby

I think you missed one very interesting bit.

When the books were correct, gabby98 used the save to disk feature in calibre to save the books to some intricate folder structure, using the metadata for the books. At the same time the internal metadata for the books is updated as well. So not only does calibre hold the correct information about the books, the books themselves are updated with this metadata.

Thanks for pointing that out....You are correct. my originals in my mind are junk..once I update the metadata then I can save the 'good copies' using the folder structure I want, and keep the archive of books in calibre without the book itself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trillian

I always thought I'm not that bad with programs and english but now I see it's totally not the case

thanks for correcting me.

Maybe not bad....just getting to know. I had no idea about this program when i first started, I just always figure out how to make things work for how I want them to

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

NO
Never use the file system to delete books(files) within the Library...That breaks the Library.

Use the Librarian (Calibre) to Remove All Formats (not the same as Delete, which removes all records of the books. This way everything remain in sync

That is correct, thanks!

Trillian · 06-13-2013, 05:27 AM

I spent some time with calibre in the last two days and I think now I know how I can use it the way I like.

Gabby98, theducks & Adoby thank you very much for your help

theducks · 06-13-2013, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trillian

I spent some time with calibre in the last two days and I think now I know how I can use it the way I like.

Gabby98, theducks & Adoby thank you very much for your help

You are welcome.
Calibre can do most of what is needed (not the same as want).

The confusion comes from converting from a (computer) method devised because there were NOT tools available. eg. Managing metadata by filenaming

I think other confusion come from those that did not Learn to use a card catalog in a Brick and Mortar Library.
It confuses me to see an author filed under the first name:

Code:

Orson Scott Card

When I Expect:

Code:

Card, Orson Scott

but we see here at Calibre-MR, requests to show just that

AZBooks · 07-07-2013, 03:18 PM

If I understand this correctly, you can "Remove All Formats from Selected Files" to get rid of those redundant books created by Calibre.

However, if you've already updated the metadata on your original files, and use Windows Explorer or other way to manage files, why not just "Remove Selected Files (Delete)".

Sorry bout the questions, I'm use to MusicBee & MP3Tag editors and that industry practice with metadata - self contained files. I'm guessing book vendors haven't agreed on standards like music has done with ID3 and such.

06-10-2013, 05:06 AM	#1
Trillian Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2013 Device: kindle touch	Importing books without calibre creating a copy Hi, I'm new here and really need your help regarding calibre. I searched if this topic already exists but I was a little bit overwhelmed by the amount of threads and couldn't find an answer. If I'm just blind I'm really sorry and a moderator or admin can close and/or delete this thread. I want to organize all my (gutenberg) books with calibre to have a good overview. Is it somehow possible to import those books/files without calibre saving it in its folder for a second time? I already have a specific way to archive my books on my pc and don't want to have them saved in the calibre folder too. I know I could just delete my original files but I don't really like how calibre stores them. I love the program but this annoys me I hope there is an option I just haven't found yet, that allows me to only import the files without saving them again. I'd be happy if someone can help me because it drives me crazy that I haven't found any solution by myself so far btw I'm really sorry for this weird/long title, I just couldn't find a better way to express what I'm looking for.

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06-10-2013, 11:35 AM	#4
gabby98 Wizard Posts: 1,751 Karma: 2667650 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Android, Nook Simple Touch, Nook Color, ..., Glo	I have a "Catalog" Library that I use just to keep track of what I own and i use my own organization on the computer. Once I have all the metadata set up the way in want, I save the books to disk with the organization settings the way I want them, copy the formats column to a custom column for notation purposes, delete the formats (actual books in the calibre library) and copy the empty books to my "Catalog". I don't know if this is more work than you want, but it works well for me. I use Calibre's awesomeness, but keep my (ocd) organization the way I want. I just typed this up real quick so let me know if it doesn't make sense or needs more clarification.

06-13-2013, 05:27 AM	#13
Trillian Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2013 Device: kindle touch	I spent some time with calibre in the last two days and I think now I know how I can use it the way I like. Gabby98, theducks & Adoby thank you very much for your help

07-07-2013, 03:18 PM	#15
AZBooks Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2013 Device: Android Smartphone	If I understand this correctly, you can "Remove All Formats from Selected Files" to get rid of those redundant books created by Calibre. However, if you've already updated the metadata on your original files, and use Windows Explorer or other way to manage files, why not just "Remove Selected Files (Delete)". Sorry bout the questions, I'm use to MusicBee & MP3Tag editors and that industry practice with metadata - self contained files. I'm guessing book vendors haven't agreed on standards like music has done with ID3 and such.