Kobo Firmware question

[maddz]

Having just taken the plunge and acquired a Kobo Forma after a hiatus with an Android device (I used to use a Kobo Touch), I'm in the process of setting it up.

From the few books I purchased from Kobo, I see that series information is supported. My question is: what about sub-series information? For example, the Robin Hobb Realm of the Elderlings series is split into several trilogies. If only series is supported, then I run the risk of reading them in the wrong order. If the new firmware doesn't support sub-series information, then is it possible to override the metadata from Kobo with the metadata from calibre?

[NiLuJe]

@maddz: Yes (to your final question). See the options in the Calibre Kobo driver, as well as the KoboUtilities plugin, and @davidfor's numerous posts on the subject.

[maddz]

All my calibre setting were for my Touch last used 2.5 years ago; things aren't working properly for the Forma when I did a test upload (author 1 with series, sub-series and stand alone books, author 2 with series).

Now I've got to figure out what changes I need to make for the Forma to get:

Automated collections
Series & sub-series info

I suspect the first is a matter of tweaking the tick-boxes in the KoboTouchExtended plug-in, and the second is a matter of editing the meta-data plugboard.

[maddz]

OK, got the collections working correctly.

Still can't see the series info except on books direct from Kobo.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by maddz

OK, got the collections working correctly.

Still can't see the series info except on books direct from Kobo.

You put the books on the Kobo and then eject it. Once they are imported into the database, you have to plug the Kobo back into the computer with Calibre running so it can add the series info. The series info cannot be added without the books already being in the database.

[maddz]

So I see. Managed it by updating cached metadata on device from the device button.

Still don't see the sub-series data though, but as that's a custom column job I may not be able to get at it. We'll see. My main problem is side-loading everything so I can take the Forma into work with me.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by maddz

So I see. Managed it by updating cached metadata on device from the device button.

Still don't see the sub-series data though, but as that's a custom column job I may not be able to get at it. We'll see. My main problem is side-loading everything so I can take the Forma into work with me.

You don't need sub series. Just put the books in the order of the main series.

So if you have books 1-5 and 2 & 3 are a sub series, they will be labeled as the main series 2 & 3.

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You don't need sub series. Just put the books in the order of the main series.

So if you have books 1-5 and 2 & 3 are a sub series, they will be labeled as the main series 2 & 3.

Or you could number them 1,2.1,2.2,3,4,5. I don't know how it will sort on the device, but I believe you will be able to see the series numbers.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

Or you could number them 1,2.1,2.2,3,4,5. I don't know how it will sort on the device, but I believe you will be able to see the series numbers.

Or using my example of 1-5, do it this way...

Series [1]
Series-sub-series 1 [2]
Series-sub-series 2 [3]
Series [4]
Series [5]

That would also do for the Series column in Calibre.