Windows to Mac...advice appreciated

[Kai Winters]

Hi all,
I'm currently using an old ASUS laptop with Windows 8. I'm thinking about a new one and possibly moving to an Air 13". I've never used a Mac before and am concerned with the problems of moving my files, programs from a Windows based comp to an Apple.
I'd appreciate any and all suggestions, advice, horror tales, ease of migration stories, etc.
I've been using Calibre for years and love it...can I move my library from Windows to OSX problem free? Will my plugins, "Alf" stuff all go along with it or do I have to start again?
Thanks for the help,
Kai

[eschwartz]

You can move libraries over by just copying the library folder, opening it in calibre, and running the restore database option from "Library Maintenance". It will rebuild the database according to the unix structure of a Mac filesystem, and grab library settings from the json backup, too!

I think you will have to reinstall your plugins, but I know Alf can backup your keyfiles, or you can copy over the %calibreconfig%\plugins\dedrm.json as it appears to be fully platform-independent. In fact, you can probably copy over the whole plugin folder, but you may need to install each plugin again anyway so calibre notices the addition -- it is recorded in another file somewhere.

[MelBr]

Originally Posted by Kai Winters

Hi all,
I'm currently using an old ASUS laptop with Windows 8. I'm thinking about a new one and possibly moving to an Air 13". I've never used a Mac before and am concerned with the problems of moving my files, programs from a Windows based comp to an Apple.
I'd appreciate any and all suggestions, advice, horror tales, ease of migration stories, etc.
I've been using Calibre for years and love it...can I move my library from Windows to OSX problem free? Will my plugins, "Alf" stuff all go along with it or do I have to start again?
Thanks for the help,
Kai

I've helped 2 uni professors last month move their files from a Win laptop to a new Mac. Mac has a Migration Assistant which automates this process: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2518 and will move all of your files over automatically. You can also move your files over manually and move just the ones you want (some people have a lot of crud leftover over the years of use so sometimes it's much saner to just move the stuff you need and archive the rest and dig it out only if you ever need it). Heck, you can even take it to Apple store and have one of the geniuses do it for you for free.

Calibre uses the same database on all OSes I've tried (Win/Lin/Mac) so all you need to do is copy files over and point the Calibre to use that folder (using the "Switch/create Library" option). There are no issues that I'm aware of.

Good luck and feel to PM for any issues Ditching Win is best decision I made few years back.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by MelBr

I've helped 2 uni professors last month move their files from a Win laptop to a new Mac. Mac has a Migration Assistant which automates this process: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2518 and will move all of your files over automatically. You can also move your files over manually and move just the ones you want (some people have a lot of crud leftover over the years of use so sometimes it's much saner to just move the stuff you need and archive the rest and dig it out only if you ever need it). Heck, you can even take it to Apple store and have one of the geniuses do it for you for free.

Calibre uses the same database on all OSes I've tried (Win/Lin/Mac) so all you need to do is copy files over and point the Calibre to use that folder (using the "Switch/create Library" option). There are no issues that I'm aware of.

Good luck and feel to PM for any issues Ditching Win is best decision I made few years back.

The issue with databases on different OS's is that the filenames in the Library folder will be different, since Windows filenames are not case sensitive. I would guess that migration between two unix-based OS's, say Ubuntu and OSX, wouldn't be a problem. But Windows will be special (special needs?) as usual.

Though in my case, I ditched for linux, not OSX.

[eschwartz]

Also, I really, REALLY doubt your configuration files will move over cleanly, though certain ones are safe. Plugin configs, I think as well as device config (device_drivers_{device_plugin_name}.py), but no guarantees.

[MelBr]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

The issue with databases on different OS's is that the filenames in the Library folder will be different, since Windows filenames are not case sensitive. I would guess that migration between two unix-based OS's, say Ubuntu and OSX, wouldn't be a problem. But Windows will be special (special needs?) as usual.

Though in my case, I ditched for linux, not OSX.

They will be the same. Kovid uses the "least comon denominator" for filename lengths possible and databases are SQLite databases. If there is case-sensitivity involved, they're already recorded in the database.

FYI, Mac's filesystem, HFS+, is usually configured to be case-insensitive but case-preserving.

I've shared a large calibre database among all of the OSes I've used (Win/Mac/Lin) without any issues. OP won't have any issues with Calibre as far as my experiences. As for plugins, it's always best to install those afresh with the new calibre install.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by MelBr

They will be the same. Kovid uses the "least comon denominator" for filename lengths possible and databases are SQLite databases. If there is case-sensitivity involved, they're already recorded in the database.

FYI, Mac's filesystem, HFS+, is usually configured to be case-insensitive but case-preserving.

I've shared a large calibre database among all of the OSes I've used (Win/Mac/Lin) without any issues. OP won't have any issues with Calibre as far as my experiences. As for plugins, it's always best to install those afresh with the new calibre install.

Then maybe OSX will share the Windows insanity? I can assure you this is a well-known and confirmed problem when switching OS's, though. You are ALWAYS recommended to rebuild the database when transferring to a new OS. Your experiences notwithstanding; you may have gotten lucky (or have a ticking time bomb) but that is no guarantee whatsoever that it will work again, as Kovid has told many people.

It's a simple fix though.

[MelBr]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Then maybe OSX will share the Windows insanity? I can assure you this is a well-known and confirmed problem when switching OS's, though. You are ALWAYS recommended to rebuild the database when transferring to a new OS. Your experiences notwithstanding; you may have gotten lucky (or have a ticking time bomb) but that is no guarantee whatsoever that it will work again, as Kovid has told many people.

It's a simple fix though.

Most of the "cross-platform Calibre testing" I've done was reading in & adding books to Win-created databases with Mac & Linux... with no issues. I've also read Mac-created Calibre DB with Windows Calibre but haven't tried adding etc (just searching, reading, etc). It could be that Win FS somehow messes things up for Calibre as you continue using it and adding to it but couldn’t really comment on that since I don't use it.

In any case, rebuilding a calibre database once you've moved it over is simple indeed

[DoctorOhh]

@Kai Winters Here is the section of the FAQ that explains how to move libraries between computers. Before moving your library I would suggest running Library maintenance - Check Library (drop down menu from library icon) and when asked, say Yes to checking your library for mismatched data and fixing any issues it reports. Then run it again after you have successfully moved the library.

Most likely you will have to install your plugins again. Keep your existing library setup so you can refer to the settings in case you need to jog your memory of the settings for any installed plugins.

Good Luck and enjoy your new computer.