Mac/Linux dual boot with shared Calibre database?

MarjaE · 07-05-2023, 05:28 PM

Similar to this question here, but with different systems:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=327499

I'm beginning to migrate from an older version of MacOS to a newer version of Linux. My 1st choice was Mint, but due to compatibility issues, I'm going with Fedora 38 T2 with Gnome Classic.

I tried testing in VirtualBox but it was a pain. I can't run Lima or Parallels. I don't think a virtual machine will work.

Since I want to be able to work from either Mac or Linux, I want to put my Calibre Libraries and other working files in a shared partition. Both sides have to be able to read and write to this partition, so for now, it *has* to be ExFAT. If I buy one of the Paragon Software options, then it could be another file system. I can use CCCloner to back it up.

How could I safely set this up?

JSWolf · 07-05-2023, 05:30 PM

I think you may be better off dual-booting Windows.

Quoth · 07-05-2023, 06:12 PM

ExFat is terrible.
Either you need to have the MacOS read ext4, or have Linux read the Mac File System (probably easier).

Fedora is free version of Red Hat and soon only CentOS will be up to date. More suitable for servers. A laptop /Workstation is better off with a Debian based Distro: Debian, Ubuntu or Mint. Mint with Mate Desktop can have no animation and is very stable.
Better to just have Calibre on Ext4 and Mint only.
I used Red Hat from 1998 to 2008 (though it was CentOS version at the end). Debian / Ubuntu / Mint from about 2005. Mint only from 2015 (with Windows) and then ended dual boot Jan 2017. Now only occasionally use Windows for Tests.
I sorted other people's Macs but decided overpriced so never bought one.

MarjaE · 07-05-2023, 08:27 PM

I figure I have a better chance of configuring Linux for my accessibility needs.

Especially Linux Mint. But there's no compatible version of Linux Mint, so I tried Ubuntu, and settled for Fedora. https://wiki.t2linux.org/distributions/overview/

I tried using hfs+ for the shared partition, and then ntfs, but even if both systems could read it, only one could write to it. I could use apfs with these drivers, but want to make sure I've got a good Linux setup beforehand: https://www.paragon-software.com/home/apfs-linux/#

Quoth · 07-06-2023, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarjaE

I figure I have a better chance of configuring Linux for my accessibility needs.

Yes, far better now than Windows. XP was better than Linux till about 2006.
NTFS is read/write on Linux.
A 3rd party thing gives Apple MacOS read/write of NTFS. But check ownership / permissions.

Which silicon does your Mac use?

JSWolf · 07-06-2023, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

Yes, far better now than Windows. XP was better than Linux till about 2006.
NTFS is read/write on Linux.
A 3rd party thing gives Apple MacOS read/write of NTFS. But check ownership / permissions.

Which silicon does your Mac use?

Older version of MacOS means Intel processor. All M1 (and up_ processors can run the current MacOS.

MarjaE · 07-07-2023, 02:57 AM

It's an Intel Mac but the T2 chip makes it hard to install most Linux distros.

It can run newer versions of MacOS, but Apple has redesigned text rendering for retina monitors, and broken it on 1080p monitors in the process. I would quickly get migraines using newer versions. I ran into that problem with my old monitor, and when I found a new one with lower brightness, I tested and ran into it all over again...

MarjaE · 01-08-2024, 06:30 PM

I tried the free version of the Paragon driver, but couldn't get it to work.

I moved my Calibre libraries to an HFS+ disk where both systems can read the files. But unless I move them to ExFat, or another common format, only the Mac system can write to them.

There are a lot of warnings about multiple systems modifying the same Calibre library.

I'm still mostly using the Mac, so if my Linux partition could access the libraries in read-only mode, that would be enough for now. But I can't figure out how to do that. Calibre can't read the library if it can't write to the disk, and Calibre Spy within Calibre refuses to read the library if Calibre can't.

I suppose I could split each of my libraries into smaller libraries, a few topics each, and copy those as needed. But it seems like a pain.

Quoth · 01-08-2024, 07:34 PM

ExFat won't be good for Calibre.
You used to be able to get NTFS drivers for Mac. Linux Calibre *might* work with NTFS. Linux has no problem using NTFS.

Quote:

There are a lot of warnings about multiple systems modifying the same Calibre library.

Yes, asking for trouble. But if you are using only one Calibre at a time and it's a local disk most of warnings won't apply.

Sell the Mac and get a cheap S/H AMD for Linux, or forget Linux and only use the Mac. It's not cost effective having Mac HW to run Linux.

MarjaE · 01-09-2024, 04:21 PM

I switched the shared partition to HFS+ *not* journalled. I hope that works out.

Quoth · 01-09-2024, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarjaE

I switched the shared partition to HFS+ *not* journalled. I hope that works out.

Why HFS+ and not NTFS? I know you used to need a 3rd party driver for Mac, but there was one.

BetterRed · 01-09-2024, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

Why HFS+ and not NTFS? I know you used to need a 3rd party driver for Mac, but there was one.

More than one, including those from Paragon which the OP presumably knows about given she mentions Paragon post #1.

Problem is, Apple has a habit of crippling 3rd party drivers of any kind, and then one is subject to spending long spells on a merry-go-round waiting for a workaround.

@MarjaE - what is your objective?

My impression is that you want a dual boot MacOS/Linux platform where you can run calibre from both against the same libraries?

If that's true… why?

BR

DNSB · 01-09-2024, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@MarjaE - what is your objective?

My impression is that you want a dual boot MacOS/Linux platform where you can run calibre from both against the same libraries?

If that's true… why?

From other posts by MarjaE, it appears he believes that he can meet his accessibility needs better under Linux that under MacOS. He specifically mentioned Linux Mint but is using Fedora since it runs better under his Mac hardware.

BetterRed · 01-09-2024, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

From other posts by MarjaE, it appears he believes that he can meet his accessibility needs better under Linux that under MacOS. He specifically mentioned Linux Mint but is using Fedora since it runs better under his Mac hardware.

In which case, why not:

export calibre config & libraries from MacOS/HFS+ to an Exfat stick;
import what's on the ExFat stick into Fedora/Ext4
discard calibre install, config & libraries from MacOS/HFS+

But I get the impression the OP wants to have the same calibre configuration and libraries available on both platforms… not to run simultaneously but to…

One possibility: to manage libraries on MacOS and view/edit books on Fedora.

BR

Quoth · 01-10-2024, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

In which case, why not:

export calibre config & libraries from MacOS/HFS+ to an Exfat stick;
import what's on the ExFat stick into Fedora/Ext4
discard calibre install, config & libraries from MacOS/HFS+

Yes, that's what I would do. But I don't have a Mac.

07-05-2023, 06:12 PM	#3
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,016 Karma: 105092227 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	ExFat is terrible. Either you need to have the MacOS read ext4, or have Linux read the Mac File System (probably easier). Fedora is free version of Red Hat and soon only CentOS will be up to date. More suitable for servers. A laptop /Workstation is better off with a Debian based Distro: Debian, Ubuntu or Mint. Mint with Mate Desktop can have no animation and is very stable. Better to just have Calibre on Ext4 and Mint only. I used Red Hat from 1998 to 2008 (though it was CentOS version at the end). Debian / Ubuntu / Mint from about 2005. Mint only from 2015 (with Windows) and then ended dual boot Jan 2017. Now only occasionally use Windows for Tests. I sorted other people's Macs but decided overpriced so never bought one. Last edited by Quoth; 07-05-2023 at 06:17 PM.

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07-05-2023, 05:28 PM	#1
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	Mac/Linux dual boot with shared Calibre database? Similar to this question here, but with different systems: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=327499 I'm beginning to migrate from an older version of MacOS to a newer version of Linux. My 1st choice was Mint, but due to compatibility issues, I'm going with Fedora 38 T2 with Gnome Classic. I tried testing in VirtualBox but it was a pain. I can't run Lima or Parallels. I don't think a virtual machine will work. Since I want to be able to work from either Mac or Linux, I want to put my Calibre Libraries and other working files in a shared partition. Both sides have to be able to read and write to this partition, so for now, it has to be ExFAT. If I buy one of the Paragon Software options, then it could be another file system. I can use CCCloner to back it up. How could I safely set this up?

07-05-2023, 05:30 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,745 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I think you may be better off dual-booting Windows.

07-05-2023, 08:27 PM	#4
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	I figure I have a better chance of configuring Linux for my accessibility needs. Especially Linux Mint. But there's no compatible version of Linux Mint, so I tried Ubuntu, and settled for Fedora. https://wiki.t2linux.org/distributions/overview/ I tried using hfs+ for the shared partition, and then ntfs, but even if both systems could read it, only one could write to it. I could use apfs with these drivers, but want to make sure I've got a good Linux setup beforehand: https://www.paragon-software.com/home/apfs-linux/#

07-07-2023, 02:57 AM	#7
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	It's an Intel Mac but the T2 chip makes it hard to install most Linux distros. It can run newer versions of MacOS, but Apple has redesigned text rendering for retina monitors, and broken it on 1080p monitors in the process. I would quickly get migraines using newer versions. I ran into that problem with my old monitor, and when I found a new one with lower brightness, I tested and ran into it all over again...

01-08-2024, 06:30 PM	#8
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	I tried the free version of the Paragon driver, but couldn't get it to work. I moved my Calibre libraries to an HFS+ disk where both systems can read the files. But unless I move them to ExFat, or another common format, only the Mac system can write to them. There are a lot of warnings about multiple systems modifying the same Calibre library. I'm still mostly using the Mac, so if my Linux partition could access the libraries in read-only mode, that would be enough for now. But I can't figure out how to do that. Calibre can't read the library if it can't write to the disk, and Calibre Spy within Calibre refuses to read the library if Calibre can't. I suppose I could split each of my libraries into smaller libraries, a few topics each, and copy those as needed. But it seems like a pain.

01-09-2024, 04:21 PM	#10
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	I switched the shared partition to HFS+ not journalled. I hope that works out.

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