How to update Series information from Calibre -> Kobo ?

[grant3]

My apologies if this is a repeat.

I have Calibre w/ Kobo Utilities + Kobo Touch add-ons. I can:

• correctly update the "Read %" in Calibre library (yay!)
• correctly create "Collections" on Kobo based on the "#genre" custom column (yay!)

What i'm missing is how to have Kobo display the Series + Series_Index data.

Could I bother someone for advice?

My device is a Kobo Forma. thank you.

[davidfor]

There is an option in the KoboTouch driver to set series info whenever you connect the device. Or, use the option to update all the metadata. Plus, the Kobo Utilities plugin has a function to update metadata. That includes updating series info. And it has a "Manage series" function in the device list for change books on the device that aren't in the library.

I'd suggest going through the options for both the driver and the plugin and seeing what's what. And the plugin has a manual that should be up to date.

[grant3]

I have investigated through both plugins and still don't know how to make them actually do series updates. Yes, the checkboxes in the configuration are checked, but clearly that alone is not enough..

The "Manage series information in device library" is always greyed out in Calibre.

Unfortunately the Kobo Utilities manual doesn't have actual instructions on how to transfer Series metadata onto the device.

and the Kobo Touch plugin doesn't have any manual which I can find.

So I'm hoping that someone can provide the "Setting Series Metadata on your Kobo For Dummies" steps.

[grant3]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Or, use the option to update all the metadata

Ok this is the step that made it happen:

1. Connect Kobo to computer
2. in Calibre, select "Device -> Update cached metadata on device"

good stuff!

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by grant3

I have investigated through both plugins and still don't know how to make them actually do series updates.

Did you look at all the functions? In the plugin there is a function called "Update metadata in device library".

Yes, the checkboxes in the configuration are checked, but clearly that alone is not enough..

But, it is needed and if it still doesn't work once you have checked the appropriate options in the driver, something else is going on.

The "Manage series information in device library" is always greyed out in Calibre.

As stated above, this is only available from the device list. Connect the device, change to the device list, select books you want in the same series and the function should be available

Unfortunately the Kobo Utilities manual doesn't have actual instructions on how to transfer Series metadata onto the device.

No, there isn't any "to update the series do...", but if you search for series, you will find the parts of the plugins that do something with series. Reading about those functions should tell you what to do.

and the Kobo Touch plugin doesn't have any manual which I can find.

There is a thread in the Device sub-forum that has most of the details. The first posts are a little out of date. But, they do cover this.

So I'm hoping that someone can provide the "Setting Series Metadata on your Kobo For Dummies" steps.

Honestly, I think that is a waste of time. Stating there is an option in the driver should be enough. The driver options are clear as I can make them and all have tooltips*. Exploring them a bit is a good idea. Same goes for the plugin. I have tried to make the names of the function and options as obvious a possible.


* Or should. If I missed one, please tell me.

[grant3]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Honestly, I think that is a waste of time.

perhaps an academic discussion, and I appreciate that all of the hard work I am using is volunteered by others

But clearly writing clear instructions isn't a "waste of time" for the people who waste hours trying to make the tools work without those clear instructions.

[grant3]

Originally Posted by davidfor

As stated above, this is only available from the device list. Connect the device, change to the device list, select books you want in the same series and the function should be available

For example, this is a confusing statement.

It sounds like you're saying the expected behaviour is a user has to manually re-enter series metadata into the books after they've transferred to the device.

Now that I've discovered that Calibre can somehow transfer the series information automatically, why would I or anyone else want to re-type it every time they put new books on their device?

[grant3]

btw, I just realized you're the author of the Kobo Plugins.

Again, thank you for your generous volunteer work. Please don't mistake me for being ungrateful.

Below is an example of an instruction manual I wrote for jailbreaking the kindle. The kindle gurus tend to say the same thing: "It's already so clear! Read the instructions!" but in my experience, the threshold for what is "clear" varies drastically between the people who are writing the tools (very high experience level) and the people who have just started using the tools.

Jailbreaking kindle for dummies: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=267541

[PeterT]

The other thing to remember is that while the standard Kobo driver will update series info, it only does it when the Kobo is reconnected to calibre AFTER the books have been processed by the device, and only if Metadata management is set to automatic.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

[grant3]

Originally Posted by PeterT

The other thing to remember is that while the standard Kobo driver will update series info, it only does it when the Kobo is reconnected to calibre AFTER the books have been processed by the device, and only if Metadata management is set to automatic.

Yes, that I understand and makes sense.

The part about making the Calibre -> Kobo metadata update automatic is the part i couldn't get going.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by grant3

perhaps an academic discussion, and I appreciate that all of the hard work I am using is volunteered by others

But clearly writing clear instructions isn't a "waste of time" for the people who waste hours trying to make the tools work without those clear instructions.

Writing clear instructions are rarely a waste of time. But, the problem is how many sets. Do I write a "Here is how to get series info on the device", plus "Here is how to get the title updated on the device" and "Here is how to update the authors on the device". That is effectively what you asked for.

Originally Posted by grant3

For example, this is a confusing statement.

It sounds like you're saying the expected behaviour is a user has to manually re-enter series metadata into the books after they've transferred to the device.

Now that I've discovered that Calibre can somehow transfer the series information automatically, why would I or anyone else want to re-type it every time they put new books on their device?

And, now, I'm going to be a bit rude.

The reason I used "rarely" above is because if no-one reads the instructions, it is a waste of time. Your statement above about there not being anything about the series info in the help for the utilities plugin shows you didn't read it. And your earlier question about the Manage Series function, again, showed you didn't read it, or read my post where I mentioned it. The post didn't tell you how to use the function, but it explicitly stated how to get past the problem you then complained about. And this comment even more. The reason for using this function is definitely explained in the manual. And I also stated it when I first mentioned the function.

I know I am terrible at writing user guides. And I know very well the problem of the developer knowing what should be covered. I have frequently stated this here and asked for feedback on them, or, for help in writing them. Beyond some spelling and grammar comments, guess how many responses I have gotten? So, I am really hoping that your complaints are your way of volunteering to write the instructions yourself to help others.

[grant3]

Hi David, I did read the instructions, several times.

It's not a criticism of your instruction writing ability. The fault is probably mine that I can't figure it out.

I linked to my `Jailbreaking for dummies` thread to demonstrate the kind of instruction manuals I write. I was hoping it would encourage you to invite me to contribute to your documentation. I also searched for your repository so I could make a pull request with suggestions, but wherever you keep your code appears to be private.

It appears all I've done is offend you and made myself look like a fool. The latter is normal, but for the former I truly apologize.

In all sincerity, I appreciate the effort you donate to the community and hope you find the assistance you deserve.

[maddz]

Grant, for what it's worth, I have the same problem as I use a Kobo and side-load 99% of my books. As I have over 3100 ebooks loaded in Calibre, it's a pain to have to update series metadata manually as you potentially have to select your entire library (slow because the database is on another machine).

What I have done is have a view defined using the View Manager plug-in purely to send to device; I ensure I have the date modified column visible, and sorted in descending order (i.e. most recently modified first). Then when I've sent to the Forma, ejected, allowed it to process the content, and reconnected it, switch to the Send to Device view, then I just select the books I have recently modified and then do the device action. Otherwise, it takes forever to select the complete library. (Then I have to remember to switch back to my default view...)

[davidfor]

Why not just let the driver do the update? It is checking the series info in the library against what the driver has retrieved from the database. Then it is only changing where these don't match. I'm pretty sure that will be faster than what you are doing.

[mxbndr]

Forgive me, I'm late to this party, but I am similarly having trouble getting my Libra H2O to receive updated Series information from Calibre. Here are the versions I am running:

- Calibre 5.7.2
- KoboTouch 2.5.1

Here are some pictures of my settings:
https://imgur.com/a/nBUdqhL

And here is what it looks like on my Kobo:
https://imgur.com/a/SuBEpUx

I have connected the device several times without adding or removing any books, and have also tried "Update metadata in device library" via KoboUtilities, as well as "Update cached metadata on device" via the Device dropdown. Nothing seems to update the Series area on the Libra H2O.

Am I missing something?