Installing and configuring CC

[maddz]

Forgive me if there is actually something posted already, but if there is, I can't find it. What I am after is a step-by-step guide to set up CC to view my library.

Devices:
iMac where I manage my ebook library using Calibre. At the moment, the Calibre library is stored in my iCloud account - and it appears that there is no way to connect CC to iCloud.
Icarus Illumina BK654 with CC demo installed (if I get on with it, I'll get the pro version).
Coming soon: smartphone (probably with tethering) as my current phone is ancient and doesn't work as a hot spot.

So, what I am thinking is that I will have to set up a Calibre virtual library in Dropbox (if I can remember my password) or, better still, on the Icarus, maybe on an external SD card. Some titles I don't want to access via the Icarus as they are seriously large/in colour/are graphic novels; they will continue to be accessed via the iPad.

Is there somewhere a 'Calibre Companion for Dummies' that will take me through what I need to do both on the Mac and the Icarus? I've found the FAQs, but can't find any basic set-up instructions.

[chaley]

Given my understanding of your situation I recommend that you use the wireless device to connect a device to the calibre library on your iMac. Doing it this way removes the entire iCloud issue.

Have you looked at our FAQ How do I setup Calibre Companion to connect to calibre? That discusses how to connect to calibre as a wireless device. The basic instructions are brief because the process is simple: turn on the wireless device in calibre then (try to) connect as a wireless device in CC. Almost all of that answer deal with network problems.

As for the cloud connection: CC guides you through the connection process: signing in, choosing the library, and fetching metadata.

If you put your calibre library on an SD card then you can use CC to fetch books from it. See or FAQ [Android] I have a copy of a calibre library on an SD card. Can CC use it?

The Icarius is (I think) an e-ink device. You might want to check the "Attempt color correction for E-Ink" box in CC's Settings / Other.

[maddz]

I did look at the various FAQs you mentioned, but they all seemed to relate to troubleshooting, not the various steps needed to go through to set everything up correctly. I suspect I will end up using the SD card and loading a Calibre virtual library on it as that will sidestep the wireless issue. At the moment, I have everything loaded in the onboard memory.

The reason for using iCloud was (a) it was cheaper and (b) easier because we're a Mac shop at home. The other cloud stores I have are Dropbox and Google Drive (and Amazon). However, neither is big enough to hold both the ebook library and the stash of RPG PDFs I have together. The RPG PDFs are not held in Calibre due to not all actually being PDF... At the moment, my primary issue is to get the ebook library installed correctly so I can see series and collection information without resorting to metadata plugboards in Calibre.

Yes, the Icarus is an eInk device.

[chaley]

Are you intending to put your entire library into CC? If so, and reading between the lines, I suspect that you aren't going to be particularly pleased with the calibre library on an SD card approach. CC treats that library as if it were somewhere on a network. You must copy books from that library into CC's library, a process which duplicates the books.

As for the wireless device: have you tried it? It works "out of the box" for the vast majority of people, requiring no setup to speak of. The wireless device is the best way hands down to manage a large library in calibre & CC because it takes care of automatically propagating metadata changes in calibre to CC. None of the other connection types do that.

[maddz]

I've got around 1700 individual titles, and it's slowly growing as I replace physical books with ebooks. As I said, some volumes won't ever be accessed on the Icarus; they'll only be accessed via the Kindle app on my iPad or via preview; it's only the epubs I want to access.

I'll try the wireless device, but does it work if I'm on the train with a tether or only when I'm at home? Remember, my Calibre library is in iCloud.

[chaley]

The wireless device works when it can see the computer running calibre. Usually this is at home, unless you do something very special.

If you want train access then the SD card may be the best bet. That said, you might still want to connect from time to time as a wireless device in order to update metadata of books you already have on the device.

If you are using the SD card "Cloud Connection" you might also find that the demo version of CC does everything you want.

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by maddz

I'll try the wireless device, but does it work if I'm on the train with a tether or only when I'm at home? Remember, my Calibre library is in iCloud.

iCloud has nothing to do with connecting to calibre as a wireless device. Connecting as a wireless device (while at home) allows you to push to your device from calibre any books you wish (all 1700 if you have the room on the SD card). Once the books are on the device it makes no difference if you are on a train, boat, plane etc... The books will already be on your device.