Keeping Calibre customizations in sync across multiple copies

CuriousGrrl · 02-02-2011, 12:51 PM

I am using Calibre at home and at work, on Ubuntu Linux, Windows XP, and Windows 7 (all are using 0.7.43). I keep my ebook library on Dropbox so I always have access to it. I just discovered how to to add some neat custom columns and I want to make sure that data will be available to all my copies of Calibre.

What is the best way to make sure that any Calibre customizations (including plugins, plugin customizations, custom columns, saved searches, etc) can be somewhat kept in sync amongst my various copies of Calibre? Is it even possible?

If not, will I be doing any harm to my metadata.db by making updates in my home copy of Calibre when I only have custom columns in my work copy of Calibre (primarily I use the Linux version at home and work). I don't want to lose any custom column data when the Dropbox metadata.db gets updated by a non-custom-column-having copy of Calibre, for example.

Also, am I doing any harm in sharing the metadata.db between Linux and Windows? The only problem I read about was issues with filename naming conventions (Linux respecting upper/lowercase and Windoze ignoring it), but I was hoping keeping the files on Dropbox would eliminate differences between OS filesystems.

kovidgoyal · 02-02-2011, 12:54 PM

custom columns and saved searches are stored in metadata.db, so you wont have any issues with them.

Plugins have to be installed/customized per calibre install

user_none · 02-02-2011, 01:35 PM

calibre sanitizes file names and writes them in a consistant manner so you don't have to worry.

itimpi · 02-02-2011, 01:40 PM

If the Calibre config folder was also in DropBox would this mean that plugins etc are also kept in sync?

kovidgoyal · 02-02-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itimpi

If the Calibre config folder was also in DropBox would this mean that plugins etc are also kept in sync?

Theoretically, yes, but the config folder is not designed to be OS neutral. For example, the current library path will change, previously used directories in the open dialogs will change and so on.

CuriousGrrl · 02-02-2011, 02:22 PM

The stuff I care about most (custom metadata/columns) seems to be handled. I can easily live with plugin installs on my various copies of Calibre.

Thanks everyone

eschwartz · 05-12-2013, 06:15 PM

I have dropboxed a couple of files/folders in my calibre config directory that don't have local pathway settings, including the plugins folder, tweaks.py, gui.json, and device_drivers_KINDLE2.py.

This requires dropboxing the SYMLINK to those files/folders, which then pushes any config updates to the main file in the config directory, and will almost definitely not work on Windows XP.

It works for me, between two linux systems at least.

02-02-2011, 12:51 PM	#1
CuriousGrrl Kindle lover/Linux user Posts: 23 Karma: 16 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 2i	Keeping Calibre customizations in sync across multiple copies I am using Calibre at home and at work, on Ubuntu Linux, Windows XP, and Windows 7 (all are using 0.7.43). I keep my ebook library on Dropbox so I always have access to it. I just discovered how to to add some neat custom columns and I want to make sure that data will be available to all my copies of Calibre. What is the best way to make sure that any Calibre customizations (including plugins, plugin customizations, custom columns, saved searches, etc) can be somewhat kept in sync amongst my various copies of Calibre? Is it even possible? If not, will I be doing any harm to my metadata.db by making updates in my home copy of Calibre when I only have custom columns in my work copy of Calibre (primarily I use the Linux version at home and work). I don't want to lose any custom column data when the Dropbox metadata.db gets updated by a non-custom-column-having copy of Calibre, for example. Also, am I doing any harm in sharing the metadata.db between Linux and Windows? The only problem I read about was issues with filename naming conventions (Linux respecting upper/lowercase and Windoze ignoring it), but I was hoping keeping the files on Dropbox would eliminate differences between OS filesystems.

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02-02-2011, 12:54 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,221 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	custom columns and saved searches are stored in metadata.db, so you wont have any issues with them. Plugins have to be installed/customized per calibre install

02-02-2011, 01:35 PM	#3
user_none Sigil & calibre developer Posts: 2,487 Karma: 1063785 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida, USA Device: Nook STR	calibre sanitizes file names and writes them in a consistant manner so you don't have to worry.

02-02-2011, 01:40 PM	#4
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,553 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	If the Calibre config folder was also in DropBox would this mean that plugins etc are also kept in sync?

02-02-2011, 02:22 PM	#6
CuriousGrrl Kindle lover/Linux user Posts: 23 Karma: 16 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 2i	The stuff I care about most (custom metadata/columns) seems to be handled. I can easily live with plugin installs on my various copies of Calibre. Thanks everyone

05-12-2013, 06:15 PM	#7
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	I have dropboxed a couple of files/folders in my calibre config directory that don't have local pathway settings, including the plugins folder, tweaks.py, gui.json, and device_drivers_KINDLE2.py. This requires dropboxing the SYMLINK to those files/folders, which then pushes any config updates to the main file in the config directory, and will almost definitely not work on Windows XP. It works for me, between two linux systems at least.

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