Sync Library on two computers

BrianG · 12-31-2009, 10:07 AM

Hello. My home computer stays on 24/7, so I have set up my scheduled Calibre news feeds there (about 20). I have configured the schedules to load new content every morning.

There are times when I'm away from home with only my work laptop (along with my Kindle). I'm trying to figure out whether it's possible to sync the content of my library on both computers so that I can download the latest news even when I am on the road (without having to generate it with a separate instance of Calibre).

I moved my home Calibre library to DropBox, and this seems to work without issue. The content itself is now synced in a DropBox folder. I now theoretically have access to my home Calibre content on my work computer.

I'm extremely hesitant to install calibre on my work computer and point the directory to the DropBox folder. It would be a mistake to point two installations of Calibre into the same directory, correct?

So ... I'm looking for ideas.

Is there an easy way for me to import the new content into a completely separate instance of Calibre on my work computer?

Is there an easy way for me to identify and just drag/drop my new content into my Kindle when I am connected with USB (looks like the folder structure might present a bit of a problem)?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

thanks,
Brian

kovidgoyal · 12-31-2009, 11:29 AM

you can run two instances of the same directory as long as you make sure they are the same version and you dont run them simultaneously.

The solution I use if to use unison to sync the directories between multiple computers. Simply have a special shortcut to launch calibre that runs unison first.

Baumi · 12-31-2009, 11:45 AM

I have both my desktop an laptop pointed to the calibre folder on DropBox and it works like a charm.

Things to watch out for: Don't use both instances at the same time, make sure you update versions on both systems simultaneously, and give DropBox time to sync changes back to the cloud after modifying the library on one computer.

In my case, I find it easy to live with these limitations (and if I should ever screw up, there's always DropBox' built-in backup :-) ), but I don't know if they're more problematic for you.

DoctorOhh · 01-03-2010, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianG

I'm extremely hesitant to install calibre on my work computer and point the directory to the DropBox folder. It would be a mistake to point two installations of Calibre into the same directory, correct?

I have both my library and the Calibre program in my dropbox.

The only thing I do special is exit Dropbox when I am updating Calibre. After the update is complete I activate Dropbox again. I haven't set any special bat file to start up Calibre so the preferences are stored locally.

It works like a charm. I also run portableapps from the dropbox. This allows me to have the exact same browser, (Firefox) bookmarks, history, extentions on my work and home machines. It also stops my family from screwing up my browser since they know to exit my browser and start the local one.

Happy New Year!

HarryT · 01-03-2010, 05:30 AM

You can use Microsoft's free "SyncToy" tool to easily keep two folders in sync. Assuming your two computers are networked, it works beautifully across a network.

moriakaice · 01-04-2010, 05:24 AM

Is there any chance that we'll see implementation of some sync service in calibre? So that we could just put our login and password and calibre would do the magic for us

kovidgoyal · 01-04-2010, 10:38 AM

Yeah, its on the todo list.

moriakaice · 01-04-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Yeah, its on the todo list.

I'm really glad to hear that! Thanks!

beartard · 01-04-2010, 06:59 PM

If you happen to use Ubuntu Linux, the latest version includes its own, free, dropbox-esque mobile backup called UbuntuOne. It seems to work well between my laptop and desktop since I'm on the road most of the week for work, yet do most of my ebook management at home on the weekends.

12-31-2009, 10:07 AM	#1
BrianG Member Posts: 23 Karma: 22 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle DX	Sync Library on two computers Hello. My home computer stays on 24/7, so I have set up my scheduled Calibre news feeds there (about 20). I have configured the schedules to load new content every morning. There are times when I'm away from home with only my work laptop (along with my Kindle). I'm trying to figure out whether it's possible to sync the content of my library on both computers so that I can download the latest news even when I am on the road (without having to generate it with a separate instance of Calibre). I moved my home Calibre library to DropBox, and this seems to work without issue. The content itself is now synced in a DropBox folder. I now theoretically have access to my home Calibre content on my work computer. I'm extremely hesitant to install calibre on my work computer and point the directory to the DropBox folder. It would be a mistake to point two installations of Calibre into the same directory, correct? So ... I'm looking for ideas. Is there an easy way for me to import the new content into a completely separate instance of Calibre on my work computer? Is there an easy way for me to identify and just drag/drop my new content into my Kindle when I am connected with USB (looks like the folder structure might present a bit of a problem)? Any ideas would be appreciated. thanks, Brian

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12-31-2009, 11:29 AM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 44,411 Karma: 23977332 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	you can run two instances of the same directory as long as you make sure they are the same version and you dont run them simultaneously. The solution I use if to use unison to sync the directories between multiple computers. Simply have a special shortcut to launch calibre that runs unison first.

12-31-2009, 11:45 AM	#3
Baumi Connoisseur Posts: 56 Karma: 290 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle DXG, Cybook G3	I have both my desktop an laptop pointed to the calibre folder on DropBox and it works like a charm. Things to watch out for: Don't use both instances at the same time, make sure you update versions on both systems simultaneously, and give DropBox time to sync changes back to the cloud after modifying the library on one computer. In my case, I find it easy to live with these limitations (and if I should ever screw up, there's always DropBox' built-in backup :-) ), but I don't know if they're more problematic for you.

01-03-2010, 05:30 AM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	You can use Microsoft's free "SyncToy" tool to easily keep two folders in sync. Assuming your two computers are networked, it works beautifully across a network.

01-04-2010, 05:24 AM	#6
moriakaice Memento Mori Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2007 Device: eClicto, iPad WiFi, Kindle 3 WiFi	Is there any chance that we'll see implementation of some sync service in calibre? So that we could just put our login and password and calibre would do the magic for us

01-04-2010, 10:38 AM	#7
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 44,411 Karma: 23977332 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Yeah, its on the todo list.

01-04-2010, 06:59 PM	#9
beartard Minister of Linux Posts: 196 Karma: 73235 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Winter Haven, Florida, USA Device: nook, T-Mobile MyTouch 3G Slide	If you happen to use Ubuntu Linux, the latest version includes its own, free, dropbox-esque mobile backup called UbuntuOne. It seems to work well between my laptop and desktop since I'm on the road most of the week for work, yet do most of my ebook management at home on the weekends.

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