Custom Column for Automatically Setting Status?

[TheArtfulDodger]

Hello:

I have been searching for a solution to a question I have: Namely, is there a way to create controls for a custom column that will set each book's status as:

Completed {Status = 100% completed}; Started {0% < Status < 100%}; New {Status = 0%}?

So, depending upon the status of each book, enter either 'Completed' or 'Started' or 'New'.

Further, is it possible to fill this column while the e-book is connected and then retain the values after it is unplugged?

Another custom column I would like to see is an automatic setting of a column like 'On Clara' if the book was in my ebook reader the last time it was connected and retain that value after unplugging?

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Sparky

[theducks]

Very few device (brands) make reading percentage / or simple status available to a connection.
When they do, it is device (brand) specific.
Kobo does
Older Kindles did. Modern Kindles DON'T.
Simple devices like my EZReader only manged by file, so it never did.

I have a #finished , date column. Blank until I put the date in when done

If you run a T/F (all columns affected by this setting) in tri-state mode, a posibility:
Blank = not started
No = not finished
Yes = (come on, Guess )
This is still mostly Manual unless the device driver/device supports access to status

[TheArtfulDodger]

Hello, The Ducks:

I guess I must be lucky because I have a Kobo Clara (hint was in the 5th paragraph :>)) and a Kobo WiFi. Can you point me to where I can figure out how to solve my two questions?

Thanks for your help.

Sparky

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by TheArtfulDodger

Hello, The Ducks:

I guess I must be lucky because I have a Kobo Clara (hint was in the 5th paragraph :>)) and a Kobo WiFi. Can you point me to where I can figure out how

For the first question, you can check in the [GUI Plugin] Kobo Utilities thread. Start around message #6.

I've included some screenshots of my setup following PeterT's suggestions. The finished column is the only collection I use on my Kobo's as I find search works for my purposes without having to browse through page after page of collections.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by TheArtfulDodger

I have been searching for a solution to a question I have: Namely, is there a way to create controls for a custom column that will set each book's status as:

Completed {Status = 100% completed}; Started {0% < Status < 100%}; New {Status = 0%}?

So, depending upon the status of each book, enter either 'Completed' or 'Started' or 'New'.

Further, is it possible to fill this column while the e-book is connected and then retain the values after it is unplugged?

Another custom column I would like to see is an automatic setting of a column like 'On Clara' if the book was in my ebook reader the last time it was connected and retain that value after unplugging?

I use a combination of my Kobo Utilities plugin, the Reading list and icon rules.

The Kobo Utilities plugin gets the reading status from the device.

I use the Reading list to maintain list of the status, to read, reading and finished plus some other things. When moving between the lists, it adds or removes a value in a column for the status. You can also create a plugin that populates a list with the books on the device. But, I do it the other way. The plugin can also send books to the device when it is connected. I have a list for each device and I put new or changed books in the appropriate list. When I connect, the books are sent and the list cleared. That way, I don't need to know in calibre what books are on what device, I just know they are there, or will be after I connect.

The icon rules are similar to the custom column in @DNSB's post. They show in one column, a graphical status of the book. I overlay the percent read with the icons.

[TheArtfulDodger]

Hello, again:

I have been looking through your four slides and finally, after consulting the manual, I understand what you've done. Here, I'm concentrating on finding how much of a particular book has been read. I can't figure out where the data comes from in the first place. The variable #koboreadpct represents a value which will be placed in a custom column. But how does the Kobo Utilities actually hand the value to you so that you can use it in your compare statement? Is there a list of variables that are available from the Utilities? Sorry to be so stupid but there seems to be one piece of the puzzle I'm missing.

That brings up a related question. If I disconnect the book, won't all these values go away? If so, is there a way to protect them when I disconnect?

Sparky

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by TheArtfulDodger

I have been looking through your four slides and finally, after consulting the manual, I understand what you've done. Here, I'm concentrating on finding how much of a particular book has been read. I can't figure out where the data comes from in the first place. The variable #koboreadpct represents a value which will be placed in a custom column. But how does the Kobo Utilities actually hand the value to you so that you can use it in your compare statement? Is there a list of variables that are available from the Utilities? Sorry to be so stupid but there seems to be one piece of the puzzle I'm missing.

Once the custom columns have been setup and all the hoops jumped through, those columns will be filled/updated when you connect your Kobo. Any comparisons, etc. are left up to the user.

Originally Posted by TheArtfulDodger

That brings up a related question. If I disconnect the book, won't all these values go away? If so, is there a way to protect them when I disconnect?

The whole idea with the setup is to import the information into calibre from your Kobo. Once it is in calibre, you can see the information whether or not your ereader is connected or even still in existence.