Cross-platform with Dropbox

Ahuka · 06-17-2019, 07:37 PM

I am trying to use Calibre on two computers with my Library on Dropbox. I added one folder on the first machine, 39 books, great. Then on the second machine I told it to look at the Dropbox library, and it too saw 39 books, so I thought I was in good shape. Then I added a bunch more on machine #1, which now has 472 books, but Machine 2 still only shows 39. Is there a trick I am missing to get Machine 2 to "re-sync" with the library and see everything?

Thanks,

theducks · 06-17-2019, 07:56 PM

Keeping the working library on NAS or cloud is not supported (and is dangerous). Always run Calibre from a local drive.

Calibre reads the DB into RAM at the start of a session. Any changes during the session are written out, BUT the DB only writes to storage when it changes and only reads when it starts.

Never have 2 full calibre session access the same library, no matter where it is.
Itis ok to have a 1-way sync to a NAS. But it is also recommended that be paused while calibre is in use.Files may get locked just at the wrong time.

Pick a 'master' Library, and only make changes there. The other is a clone.
OR
Just set up your Master PC as a content server for remote access (you will need to configure your router for outside access) or use some other app to avoid the configure network hardware thing.

BetterRed · 06-17-2019, 08:21 PM

↑ ↑ ↑ ✔️

See ==>> I am getting errors with my calibre library on a networked drive/NAS?

In this context cloud storage is synonymous with a network drive or NAS.

BR

Sirtel · 06-17-2019, 11:41 PM

It can be done (i.e. keep your library in Dropbox and access it from two computers), but you must be very-very careful, as Calibre doesn't really support it. The right way to do it is to pause Dropbox, open Calibre, make changes, close Calibre, resume syncing, and when the syncing is done, quit Dropbox. Then the same process in the same order on the other computer. Never run Dropbox while Calibre is open, and don't leave Dropbox syncing on the background.

Also you should run Library Maintenance regularly, as errors still happen, no matter how careful you are.

06-17-2019, 11:41 PM	#4
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,127 Karma: 224756896 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	It can be done (i.e. keep your library in Dropbox and access it from two computers), but you must be very-very careful, as Calibre doesn't really support it. The right way to do it is to pause Dropbox, open Calibre, make changes, close Calibre, resume syncing, and when the syncing is done, quit Dropbox. Then the same process in the same order on the other computer. Never run Dropbox while Calibre is open, and don't leave Dropbox syncing on the background. Also you should run Library Maintenance regularly, as errors still happen, no matter how careful you are. Last edited by Sirtel; 06-17-2019 at 11:48 PM.

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06-17-2019, 07:37 PM	#1
Ahuka Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States Device: Kindle	Cross-platform with Dropbox I am trying to use Calibre on two computers with my Library on Dropbox. I added one folder on the first machine, 39 books, great. Then on the second machine I told it to look at the Dropbox library, and it too saw 39 books, so I thought I was in good shape. Then I added a bunch more on machine #1, which now has 472 books, but Machine 2 still only shows 39. Is there a trick I am missing to get Machine 2 to "re-sync" with the library and see everything? Thanks,

06-17-2019, 07:56 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,799 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Keeping the working library on NAS or cloud is not supported (and is dangerous). Always run Calibre from a local drive. Calibre reads the DB into RAM at the start of a session. Any changes during the session are written out, BUT the DB only writes to storage when it changes and only reads when it starts. Never have 2 full calibre session access the same library, no matter where it is. Itis ok to have a 1-way sync to a NAS. But it is also recommended that be paused while calibre is in use.Files may get locked just at the wrong time. Pick a 'master' Library, and only make changes there. The other is a clone. OR Just set up your Master PC as a content server for remote access (you will need to configure your router for outside access) or use some other app to avoid the configure network hardware thing.

06-17-2019, 08:21 PM	#3
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,567 Karma: 26954694 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	↑ ↑ ↑ ✔️ See ==>> I am getting errors with my calibre library on a networked drive/NAS? In this context cloud storage is synonymous with a network drive or NAS. BR