Plugin ideas... add yours here - Page 56

BetterRed · 01-23-2016, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canpolat

I'm looking for a plugin that I can use in the following scenario:

I export my Calibre library (not the books, only the data stored at Calibre database) and send it to my friend.
She imports that library as a separate book-less library. Then she starts working on fixing the tags, genres, etc.
Once she is ready with fixing, she exports the library and sends it back to me.
When I get the library and importing the differences to my existing library. The plugin prompts me with changes and I accept them (or deny some of them) and the merging happens.
The books with changed metadata are marked in Calibre so that I can work on them (embed metadata, etc.)

I know this sounds complicated and does seem niche, but isn't that what plugins are for? I hope someone finds the idea challenging enough to give it a shot.

If you don't have any luck finding someone to write a plugin to suit: have your search engine go find things that match 'compare sqlite databases'. There are quite a few to choose from, this one looks 'interesting' ==>> SQLiteSync

But do your own assessment - I only looked at the blurb.

BR

canpolat · 01-23-2016, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

If you don't have any luck finding someone to write a plugin to suit: have your search engine go find things that match 'compare sqlite databases'. There are quite a few to choose from, this one looks 'interesting' ==>> SQLiteSync

But do your own assessment - I only looked at the blurb.

BR

Thanks BetterRed. I kind of looked at that earlier, but the main problem I see is: how to do the export/import without sharing any books. I can only think of exporting to/importing from CSV. Do you have any experience about doing this "book-less" (especially the import)? Now that I think of it: if export/import with CSV works, it would be probably easier to compare the CSV files.

canpolat · 01-23-2016, 08:18 AM

It looks like the Import List plugin has most of the underlying functionality for this kind of a scenario, so I suggested this as a future for that plugin as well (link).

BetterRed · 01-23-2016, 08:58 AM

I have repaired 'broken' calibre databases, without having access to the author and book folders, returned the database to the owner, which they have then gone on to use.

If your friend is going to use the library manager to update the metadata by downloading from Amazon, Goodreads etc then I'm pretty sure calibre will need the author and book folders.

If you take a copy of the library and remove all the format files, you should have something your friend can use to update the metadata. Remember the metadata in format files is not updated unless they are sent to a device, saved to disk or the polish or embed metadata functions are invoked.

I can't guarantee using one of the sqlite utilities will do what you want. They are just tools, that you will have to use in some well-defined and robust workflow procedures.

As for exporting the 'bookless' library - I would simply put it in an archive and have your friend unarchive it, when she's finished she probably only needs to return the database to you.

Its just an idea, you may not need it if someone writes the PI for you. I cannot guarantee it will work for you. If you're not convinced it will work, or you're not confident that you and your friend can make it work - don't do it.

Another approach might be to create a CSV catalogue from the existing library, send that to your friend who would use the Import List plugin to create a book-less library. After she has updated the metadata she would create a CSV catalogue which you would read with the Import List plugin.

BR

canpolat · 01-23-2016, 10:13 AM

The modification of tags will happen manually. I hope this can be done without the book directories.

I'm not sure my friend can keep up with DB related suggestions and workflows, so I want to steer away from database related solutions. CSV sounds simpler to me. Also, I want to review the changes before applying them, so just importing (archive/unarchive) the database may not be the best solution in this case.

I thought something similar to your last suggestion (that's why I asked if extending the Import List plugin is an option at the linked thread). I installed the Import List plugin, exported a library using calibredb and started the import (around 6500 titles). But it is taking too much time, unfortunately (it has been running for an hour and the import has not yet finished, I suspect it gets stuck for some reason). On the other hand using the catalogue feature to export data sounds very good (instead of directly using calibredb). That sounds simpler and more user friendly and will be easier to use for my friend. I'll keep working on this and try to find out why Import List is taking so long... Thanks a lot for your suggestions. If it wasn't for your replies I couldn't have come this close.

theducks · 01-23-2016, 10:29 AM

Also look at using http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/gene...l#set-metadata To automate tag adding

(Is this an Replace all tags or just Add_more?)
I don't believe there is an Unset metadata (to just remove tags by ID)

canpolat · 01-23-2016, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Also look at using http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/gene...l#set-metadata To automate tag adding

(Is this an Replace all tags or just Add_more?)
I don't believe there is an Unset metadata (to just remove tags by ID)

Thanks for the response the ducks. I don't think using command line tools is something my friend will be comfortable with.

She will be adding new tags to some of the books I have (she doesn't like the depth of my tagging). So, she will use my base library (she doesn't have to start from scratch) and I will benefit from her more detailed work on some of the books.

theducks · 01-23-2016, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canpolat

Thanks for the response the ducks. I don't think using command line tools is something my friend will be comfortable with.

She will be adding new tags to some of the books I have (she doesn't like the depth of my tagging). So, she will use my base library (she doesn't have to start from scratch) and I will benefit from her more detailed work on some of the books.

I was thinking that YOU

would use them to merge her CSV bac kinto your DB

remember, most of the CLI tools use the books {ID} to link the command to a specific title

canpolat · 01-23-2016, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

I was thinking that YOU

would use them to merge her CSV bac kinto your DB

remember, most of the CLI tools use the books {ID} to link the command to a specific title

Oh! OK. I will keep that possibility in mind then. Once I get back the DB, I guess I can write a script to compare the fields we are interested in and provide a diff before merging them in. And setting metadata would be excellent in that case.

theducks · 01-23-2016, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canpolat

Oh! OK. I will keep that possibility in mind then. Once I get back the DB, I guess I can write a script to compare the fields we are interested in and provide a diff before merging them in. And setting metadata would be excellent in that case.

Have her make a mark (custom column) for any ID she changed.
Simple, then, to reduce the set to those to change.

eschwartz · 01-23-2016, 11:08 PM

Keep in mind we are engaging in dark arts here... not officially supported AT ALL...

You could simply send the metadata.db, and have your friend do whatever to it.

Then swap out the new metadata.db

Any purely metadata changes would live in the DB and therefore you will have the new version.
Any changes to author/title will change the filepaths for book formats which is bad news.

Then use:
Library Maintenance ==> Library metadata backup status ==> Queue all books for backup (button)
to force all the metadata.opf files to be rewritten (it would be quite awkward if you ever had to do a restore and reverted all that new information).

Assuming only non- author/title changes were made by your friend, I don't think it will blow up on you, although standard disclaimer that "here be dragons".

rmhartman · 02-03-2016, 06:54 PM

Amazon supports emailing books to be loaded onto your Kindle. A plugin that would take an ebook and mail it as an attachment to a configurable email address would be very useful here.

I suggest that the target email address be asked for each time, but remembered so that your frequent email target would not have to be retyped. But you could use it to email a book to a friend, not just your kindle.

Likewise the format(s) to be mailed could be defaulted and/or remembered to be Kindle format ... but should be selectable, so that you could email an epub book to someone.

rmhartman · 02-03-2016, 06:55 PM

(I did not see anything like this in the "index" sticky ... if I missed it, please point it out.)

JimmXinu · 02-03-2016, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmhartman

Amazon supports emailing books to be loaded onto your Kindle. A plugin that would take an ebook and mail it as an attachment to a configurable email address would be very useful here.

Already a core Calibre feature. Look in Calibre Preferences for 'Sharing Books by Email' in the 'Sharing' group.

Mr.Husky · 02-08-2016, 12:38 PM

Deleted. Not actual anymore.

02-03-2016, 06:54 PM	#837
rmhartman Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Palm Tungsten, Palm TX	Email (BOOK) to (EMAIL@SERVER.COM) Amazon supports emailing books to be loaded onto your Kindle. A plugin that would take an ebook and mail it as an attachment to a configurable email address would be very useful here. I suggest that the target email address be asked for each time, but remembered so that your frequent email target would not have to be retyped. But you could use it to email a book to a friend, not just your kindle. Likewise the format(s) to be mailed could be defaulted and/or remembered to be Kindle format ... but should be selectable, so that you could email an epub book to someone.

02-08-2016, 12:38 PM	#840
Mr.Husky Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Russia Device: Kindle PW2	Deleted. Not actual anymore. Last edited by Mr.Husky; 02-09-2016 at 04:06 AM.

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01-23-2016, 08:18 AM	#828
canpolat Connoisseur Posts: 92 Karma: 17950 Join Date: Mar 2013 Device: Xodo	It looks like the Import List plugin has most of the underlying functionality for this kind of a scenario, so I suggested this as a future for that plugin as well (link).

01-23-2016, 08:58 AM	#829
BetterRed null operator Posts: 17,691 Karma: 20473671 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	I have repaired 'broken' calibre databases, without having access to the author and book folders, returned the database to the owner, which they have then gone on to use. If your friend is going to use the library manager to update the metadata by downloading from Amazon, Goodreads etc then I'm pretty sure calibre will need the author and book folders. If you take a copy of the library and remove all the format files, you should have something your friend can use to update the metadata. Remember the metadata in format files is not updated unless they are sent to a device, saved to disk or the polish or embed metadata functions are invoked. I can't guarantee using one of the sqlite utilities will do what you want. They are just tools, that you will have to use in some well-defined and robust workflow procedures. As for exporting the 'bookless' library - I would simply put it in an archive and have your friend unarchive it, when she's finished she probably only needs to return the database to you. Its just an idea, you may not need it if someone writes the PI for you. I cannot guarantee it will work for you. If you're not convinced it will work, or you're not confident that you and your friend can make it work - don't do it. Another approach might be to create a CSV catalogue from the existing library, send that to your friend who would use the Import List plugin to create a book-less library. After she has updated the metadata she would create a CSV catalogue which you would read with the Import List plugin. BR

01-23-2016, 10:13 AM	#830
canpolat Connoisseur Posts: 92 Karma: 17950 Join Date: Mar 2013 Device: Xodo	The modification of tags will happen manually. I hope this can be done without the book directories. I'm not sure my friend can keep up with DB related suggestions and workflows, so I want to steer away from database related solutions. CSV sounds simpler to me. Also, I want to review the changes before applying them, so just importing (archive/unarchive) the database may not be the best solution in this case. I thought something similar to your last suggestion (that's why I asked if extending the Import List plugin is an option at the linked thread). I installed the Import List plugin, exported a library using calibredb and started the import (around 6500 titles). But it is taking too much time, unfortunately (it has been running for an hour and the import has not yet finished, I suspect it gets stuck for some reason). On the other hand using the catalogue feature to export data sounds very good (instead of directly using calibredb). That sounds simpler and more user friendly and will be easier to use for my friend. I'll keep working on this and try to find out why Import List is taking so long... Thanks a lot for your suggestions. If it wasn't for your replies I couldn't have come this close.

01-23-2016, 10:29 AM	#831
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 26,905 Karma: 41870062 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Aura2, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Also look at using http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/gene...l#set-metadata To automate tag adding (Is this an Replace all tags or just Add_more?) I don't believe there is an Unset metadata (to just remove tags by ID)

01-23-2016, 11:08 PM	#836
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,420 Karma: 85000000 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Keep in mind we are engaging in dark arts here... not officially supported AT ALL... You could simply send the metadata.db, and have your friend do whatever to it. Then swap out the new metadata.db Any purely metadata changes would live in the DB and therefore you will have the new version. Any changes to author/title will change the filepaths for book formats which is bad news. Then use: Library Maintenance ==> Library metadata backup status ==> Queue all books for backup (button) to force all the metadata.opf files to be rewritten (it would be quite awkward if you ever had to do a restore and reverted all that new information). Assuming only non- author/title changes were made by your friend, I don't think it will blow up on you, although standard disclaimer that "here be dragons".

02-03-2016, 06:55 PM	#838
rmhartman Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Palm Tungsten, Palm TX	(I did not see anything like this in the "index" sticky ... if I missed it, please point it out.)

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