Filename length

[LGN]

I just made a backup by saving my library, then zipping it and then removing the backup. Windows did state upon deleting it could not move the files to recycle bin due to some files have to long filename. I wonder if to long filenames could cause other problems and if there's a solution for it?

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by LGN

I just made a backup by saving my library, then zipping it and then removing the backup. Windows did state upon deleting it could not move the files to recycle bin due to some files have to long filename. I wonder if to long filenames could cause other problems and if there's a solution for it?

Shorter filenames. Seriously. Windows has a limit to length of a filename, which includes the entire file path. If you have a file buried in many layers of folders, each folder name gets added to the entire filepath name (not sure of the correct teminology). The more folder names that get added, the less room you will have for the actual filename. Either you will have to shorten the file name or eliminate some folders from the filepath.

If you are just deleting some files that have too long a name, just rename them to something shorter, then drag them to the recycle bin.

[LGN]

I understand that issue Lady Fitzgerald. I'm just wondering if it might become an issue when, for example I would unzit it to a folder which causes the filename to be to long thus causing a problem. I myself know the issue and make sure I extract it in a root folder, but eventually there might be a time I would use a Windows version which possibly not allow the use of the root folder. (Not sure, I use XP Pro, but my laptop with Vista home basic dissalows access to a lot of places. Yeah I know, vista sucks

So the problem is not that I need to place the content into the recycle bin, bust a worry about if there's other pitholes which could come from this.

Thanks for your reply, btw.

[kovidgoyal]

Simplest solution is to stop using windows. calibre guarantees that all paths it creates in the library are less than 255 characters long. So you shouldn't have any problems zipping.

[LGN]

Thanks for the responce.

Not using Windows isn't a real option I'm afraid.

I thought the best way backing up was to save all to disk first instead of zipping the original folder where Calibre stores its books.




Offtopic:Related to saving files, i got one book in the author folder A but cannot find that book with only A as author.

[chaley]

Originally Posted by LGN

Offtopic:Related to saving files, i got one book in the author folder A but cannot find that book with only A as author.

Run Check Library and see if the folder still exists in calibre's database.
Check Library is the library pull-down, under libary maintenance.

[speakingtohe]

I thought the best way backing up was to save all to disk first instead of zipping the original folder where Calibre stores its books.

Zipping is just as good or copying whole library and both are faster AFAIK.

Perhaps better as saving to disk may or may not embed custom column info etc.
Helen

[chaley]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

Perhaps better as saving to disk may or may not embed custom column info etc.

Zipping the library is much better. It will capture the database as well as the books.

A complete backup will also save the configuration folder, which is not in the library.

[LGN]

I thought about using save book because it would actually easy be imported on my other PC without having the settings in case somethings are different on both PCs. Its worth to look into though

Originally Posted by chaley

Run Check Library and see if the folder still exists in calibre's database.
Check Library is the library pull-down, under libary maintenance.

Thanks about the tip of library check.. It came up with one 'Extra title' and 1 invalid author ( metadata.opf ) Seems to be in root.

The extra title is a book without a metadata.opf file. and doesnt show up on search. The metadata.opf and extra book don't belong together.