Managing categories on a Kindle 3

HarryT · 08-30-2010, 08:02 AM

Can I use Calibre to automatically load a book into a specified category on a Kindle 3? If so, could someone explain how to do it, please?

Thanks!

itimpi · 08-30-2010, 08:35 AM

I do not believe that is supported (although I would like to be told I am wrong

). Kovid said something about the Kindle not exposing the necessary control files via the USB interface.

HarryT · 08-30-2010, 09:07 AM

Thank you!

GRiker · 08-30-2010, 09:25 AM

There's someone in the Kindle forum with a stand-alone Windows applet doing collection management, maybe we can lobby that person to adapt their code as a calibre feature. I've added a post there suggesting it; perhaps if others do as well we can see this feature added to calibre.

G

kovidgoyal · 08-30-2010, 10:08 AM

The only way to get the Kindle to automatically build collections based on USB interaction is to create a collections.json file and then reboot the Kindle (with the wireless turned off). Since this is simply too clunky a workaround, I lack the motivation to implement it in calibre.

HarryT · 08-30-2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

The only way to get the Kindle to automatically build collections based on USB interaction is to create a collections.json file and then reboot the Kindle (with the wireless turned off). Since this is simply too clunky a workaround, I lack the motivation to implement it in calibre.

I understand entirely. Thank you for explaining.

jacktanner · 08-30-2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

The only way to get the Kindle to automatically build collections based on USB interaction is to create a collections.json file and then reboot the Kindle (with the wireless turned off). Since this is simply too clunky a workaround, I lack the motivation to implement it in calibre.

It's clunky, but if that's what it takes, I'll take it...

Starson17 · 08-30-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacktanner

It's clunky, but if that's what it takes, I'll take it...

As Kovid says - patches to implement features are always welcome.

Lady Fitzgerald · 08-30-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starson17

As Kovid says - patches to implement features are always welcome.

Not everyone knows how to do that.

chaley · 08-30-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

Not everyone knows how to do that.

And some of us who do know how to do that do not have a kindle.

jacktanner · 08-30-2010, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaley

And some of us who do know how to do that do not have a kindle.

If someone puts together a patched build that generates a collections.json file, I'll be happy to test with my Kindle and report back.

JSON is a pretty easy format to generate (and to validate), but I don't know what the fields are for collections.json .

chaley · 08-31-2010, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacktanner

If someone puts together a patched build that generates a collections.json file, I'll be happy to test with my Kindle and report back.

JSON is a pretty easy format to generate (and to validate), but I don't know what the fields are for collections.json .

I did calibre's JSON metadata cache stored on readers and the collection work for Sonys. JSON is not the problem. The problem is determining for the Kindle what works and does not work, and what means what in the pseudo-DB. It took weeks to work out what the Sony's DB fields mean, and I am still discovering gotchas. This thread shows one recent example.

I can't imagine attempting similar work for a Kindle without a Kindle in hand. The initial development and subsequent maintenance would be very painful, with no personal benefit.

Starson17 · 08-31-2010, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

Not everyone knows how to do that.

I'm a firm believer that everyone has the capability to lean how to do that, so I'll fix your post:
Not everyone wants to spend the time/effort to learn how to do that.

jacktanner · 08-31-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaley

I can't imagine attempting similar work for a Kindle without a Kindle in hand. The initial development and subsequent maintenance would be very painful, with no personal benefit.

Fair enough. Since other folks are probably trying to reverse-engineer collections.json , it may be worth revisiting this once the format is better documented.

Sydney's Mom · 08-31-2010, 08:51 PM

In was up until after 3 am on Friday moving 354 books in 15-odd collections. Definately a pain. But I guess that is what you get when you try to keep it as simple as possible. Any customization is impossible.

08-30-2010, 08:02 AM	#1
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Managing categories on a Kindle 3 Can I use Calibre to automatically load a book into a specified category on a Kindle 3? If so, could someone explain how to do it, please? Thanks!

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08-30-2010, 08:35 AM	#2
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,553 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	I do not believe that is supported (although I would like to be told I am wrong ). Kovid said something about the Kindle not exposing the necessary control files via the USB interface.

08-30-2010, 09:07 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Thank you!

08-30-2010, 09:25 AM	#4
GRiker Comparer of the Ephemeris Posts: 1,496 Karma: 424697 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: iPad	There's someone in the Kindle forum with a stand-alone Windows applet doing collection management, maybe we can lobby that person to adapt their code as a calibre feature. I've added a post there suggesting it; perhaps if others do as well we can see this feature added to calibre. G

08-30-2010, 10:08 AM	#5
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,258 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	The only way to get the Kindle to automatically build collections based on USB interaction is to create a collections.json file and then reboot the Kindle (with the wireless turned off). Since this is simply too clunky a workaround, I lack the motivation to implement it in calibre.

08-31-2010, 08:51 PM	#15
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,896 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	In was up until after 3 am on Friday moving 354 books in 15-odd collections. Definately a pain. But I guess that is what you get when you try to keep it as simple as possible. Any customization is impossible.

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