Question about File Locations

[KrowNB]

I've been saving my epubs and PDFs in directories under author names. When imported into calibre, that program creates its own copies of those files in its library. My question is, after importing into calibre and processing as required, is there any need or advantage in retaining the original files or are they just using valuable disk space?

K

[user_none]

Originally Posted by KrowNB

is there any need or advantage in retaining the original files or are they just using valuable disk space?

They are just using valuable disk space. A lot of users will archive the originals to a DVD or other media as a backup.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by KrowNB

I've been saving my epubs and PDFs in directories under author names. When imported into calibre, that program creates its own copies of those files in its library. My question is, after importing into calibre and processing as required, is there any need or advantage in retaining the original files or are they just using valuable disk space?

K

This has been a hot topic at times but your approach is a refreshing change from the usual, "calibre messed up my files so it's no good." Thanks for that.

Whether you want to keep your original books is up to you and also depends on how much disk space you have. Once calibre copies your originals to its own folder, it no longer needs them so you can safely delete them. However, you would be wise to maintain a backup copy (several, including one offsite, would be even better; this also applies to the rest of your computer) of calibre's folder. If you decide you want your books back in their original form, you can always use the Save to Disk feature to restore them.

Some people are uncomfortable with calibre using its own format to store files so they keep their originals. In my case, it was because I was trying calibre out and wanted to keep my originals in case I didn't like it. I have plenty of disk space so it was a harmless paranoia. I defintely like calibre now and I now just keep my originals mostly out of habit. If ever I start running out of disk space (I still have plenty), the originals are history.

[Worldwalker]

I keep the originals around in my download area, and at random intervals I back that up to DVD. My 2500 or so books are using about a dollar worth of disk space, so I can deal. (note: my books are almost all epubs or text files; had they all been PDFs, that space usage could skyrocket to almost the price of a large Starbucks coffee)

[pollito pito]

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

This has been a hot topic at times but your approach is a refreshing change from the usual, "calibre messed up my files so it's no good." Thanks for that.
....

Amen!

[Pinecone]

VALUABLE disk space????????

Disk space is currently available for under 4 cents per GIGABYTE. So to store approximately 1000 books costs you 4 cents.

[KrowNB]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

VALUABLE disk space????????

Disk space is currently available for under 4 cents per GIGABYTE. So to store approximately 1000 books costs you 4 cents.

Thanks to everyone that replied. Of course I know I have to backup - been caught by that before! I guess "valuable" was probably not the correct word to use. It was a reference not to cost but to what's available on my main drive. I'm periodically having to delete files from it to maintain enough free space to ensure no problems running or installing applications. I just wanted to know if I only backed up the calibre library files and deleted the original files if that would come back to haunt me some day. I've got my answer now. Thanks again.

K

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

VALUABLE disk space????????

Disk space is currently available for under 4 cents per GIGABYTE. So to store approximately 1000 books costs you 4 cents.

While what you say is true, not everyone can afford even that. Some people are on really tight budgets. Where they live has a lot to do with the actual cost of upgrades. Others may be running older machines that can handle only one drive and don't have the capability to add another drive or transfer everything to a new drive. Not everyone even knows how to change out a hard drive and the thought of learning how to do so terrifies them (not everyone is a geek).

[gweminence]

I too, thought, "Oh, here we go again".

It WAS refreshing to see a genuine take on the 'hot topic' Lady F referred to.

My answer:

As has been stated, they're taking up space. My view is that I'm converting a book from an 'original' file for a reason, and so, after I've tweaked metadata and ensured the integrity of the conversion, I have no need of the original at all, and I delete it. I see no need, personally (and this IS a personal wants-or-doesn't sort of thing) to make backups of inferior copies of books.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

While what you say is true, not everyone can afford even that. Some people are on really tight budgets. Where they live has a lot to do with the actual cost of upgrades. Others may be running older machines that can handle only one drive and don't have the capability to add another drive or transfer everything to a new drive. Not everyone even knows how to change out a hard drive and the thought of learning how to do so terrifies them (not everyone is a geek).

There are no 'geeks' in your neighborhood that work for cookies(chocolate-chip, of coarse ) and milk?

Folks really need to learn how to dust inside, SAFELY (to the equipment: Static-Ouch!). If your PC is near the floor, this should happen about every 2K hours, just to clear the fins and vent holes.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by theducks

There are no 'geeks' in your neighborhood that work for cookies(chocolate-chip, of coarse ) and milk?

Folks really need to learn how to dust inside, SAFELY (to the equipment: Static-Ouch!). If your PC is near the floor, this should happen about every 2K hours, just to clear the fins and vent holes.

To whom are you addressing this? I was merely playing Devil's Advocate.

It is funny that you brought up dusting the inside of a computer, though (although I have no clue why; what does it have to do with upgrading hard drives?), since I dusted mine a couple of days ago (and I am NOT a geek!). 2K hours many be a a bit too long in my home since my house resembles Oklahoma during the '30s, no matter how often I clean it.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

To whom are you addressing this? I was merely playing Devil's Advocate.

It is funny that you brought up dusting the inside of a computer, though (although I have no clue why; what does it have to do with upgrading hard drives?), since I dusted mine a couple of days ago (and I am NOT a geek!). 2K hours many be a a bit too long in my home since my house resembles Oklahoma during the '30s, no matter how often I clean it.

I brought it up in 'changing Hard drives', as the same people that are scared to tackle the HD upgrade job, will probably NOT open up and 'dust' either

Floor level systems collect more Lint, which block air flow (inside and entry). Dust just reduces cooling efficiency (unless it contains high metallic content, then ).

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by theducks

I brought it up in 'changing Hard drives', as the same people that are scared to tackle the HD upgrade job, will probably NOT open up and 'dust' either

Floor level systems collect more Lint, which block air flow (inside and entry). Dust just reduces cooling efficiency (unless it contains high metallic content, then ).

Cleaning out dust is much easier than swapping HDDs. My machine is at desk level and still collects dust like a stray dog collects fleas. Fortunately, all I have to do is shine the little flashlight I always keep on my desk (old age sucks!) on the grill on the side of my computer. If I see dust, I open her up and gently blow it out with canned air (and yes, I do know to not spin the fans and to not touch anything unless I'm grounded).

The carrots seem to do well in the dust in my house so it mustn't have too high a metalic content (it does tend to glow in the dark though). All seriousness aside, it's interesting where the dust comes from. Before I started my book scanning project, most of the dust that got into my computer was fine grained house dust. Now, it's long fiber paper dust. That stuff is really insidious!

[speedlever]

Uh oh. I am a geek.. and I do spin the fans! Forgive me for I have sinned! (I also vacuum out my PCs).

Back to the thread at hand... this is good to know as I have a tendency to just keep everything. I also find that when I import a new book into calibre (that I've bought from a source other than Amazon), calibre stores it in the format that I purchased it. And when I email it to my K3, calibre converts it to mobi and stores that too. So I end up with 3 copies of the file: the original, a clean copy in original format, and the mobi version.

I could delete all but the mobi version, but they take up so little space (in the scheme of things), that I haven't bothered to do so. Yet.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by speedlever

Uh oh. I am a geek.. and I do spin the fans! Forgive me for I have sinned! (I also vacuum out my PCs). ...

10 Hail Marys... I've been told that vacuuming can cause static discharge.