[GUI Plugin] SmartEject

[JimmXinu]

New Version Released

Version 2.5.0 - 09 May 2022
- Need to change dup search due to Calibre change to not search on punctuation.
- Add 'Stop wireless device connection' option.
- Update translations

[ownedbycats]

Request, if feasible: The option to have SmartEject run a 'update cached metadata' before ejecting. Sometimes when marking books as read, I forget to do this and thus they remain in the 'to be read' collection on my Kobo.

[JimmXinu]

Calling 'Update cached metadata on device' launches a background job and I wouldn't want SmartEject to eject after that finishes some indeterminate time later--assuming I could even watch for the end of it, which I don't know how.

All of the other actions are conditional--are there unsync'ed lists and do these searches return anything.

I'm not aware of anything SmartEject can check to know if the cached metadata has been updated already.

So there would have to be a confirmation dialog like SmartEject shows for unsync'ed lists etc asking you if you want to continue to eject or update metadata, but you'd get it every time and you'd have to remember to so 'yes' once and then 'no' later.

Or I suppose SmartEject could remember whether you'd already asked it to update metadata recently. But that wouldn't catch if you'd changed anything during the 'recent' time window.

[JimmXinu]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Request, if feasible: The option to have SmartEject run a 'update cached metadata' before ejecting. Sometimes when marking books as read, I forget to do this and thus they remain in the 'to be read' collection on my Kobo.

Another idea: Could you use a Reading List to manage marking books read and configure it to sync to the device? Then SmartEject could use the existing check for RL lists needing sync.

[ownedbycats]

Re-send the book to device every time I want to mark it as read? I'm not sure if there's a setting I missed in RL that lets you sync without re-sending.

Interestingly, part of my mark-as-read action is removing it from my TBR list, which clears 'To Be Read' from #kobocoll.

[JimmXinu]

My reading work flow already does that, basically. So I don't consider it an issue.

Much less of an issue than a Yes/No dialog every time you eject, anyway.

[foosion]

I have the Reading List plugin set up to put a mark in the onkobo column if a book is on my libra 2 (and to do nothing for my clara bw). It does so on connection.

I had thought checking the Reading List box on Smart Eject would cause Reading List to check for books that are on the Libra 2 when the device is ejected (and put a mark in the onkobo column), but it does not. Have I misunderstood what checking this box on Smart Eject is supposed to do?

EDIT: I care about this when I add a new book to my Libra. I'd like Calibre to keep track without having to push the "sync now" button on Reading List or ejecting and reconnecting.

[ownedbycats]

It checks for any books that need to be synced.

[foosion]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

It checks for any books that need to be synced.

Sorry to be obtuse, but what does that mean? What's the criterion for need?

[JimmXinu]

One of the settings in Reading List for each list is "Device to sync this list to".

SmartEject asks Reading List if there are any lists that need to be sync'ed.

If you don't have any lists with that set for the currently connected device, RL tells SmartEject there's nothing that needs sync'ing.

It's the same code that sets whether RL's 'Sync Now' menu option is disabled or not, as I recall..

[foosion]

A request then, if possible. Could SmartEject trigger RL to do what RL does on initial connection (or when clicking on RL's Sync Now option)?

The goal is to have a checkmark in the onkobo column after adding a book and ejecting, without having to manually click on RL's sync now button or having to reconnect so that RL's sync on device connection function will operate.

[JimmXinu]

Originally Posted by foosion

A request then, if possible. Could SmartEject trigger RL to do what RL does on initial connection (or when clicking on RL's Sync Now option)?

I think you are conflating 'List updated from device' and 'Syncing list to device', which are rather opposite. RL disables the 'Sync to device' options for "populated from device" list.

Originally Posted by foosion

The goal is to have a checkmark in the onkobo column after adding a book and ejecting, without having to manually click on RL's sync now button or having to reconnect so that RL's sync on device connection function will operate.

SmartEject is intended to work the other way around from what you are doing.

Instead of a list that is updated to match the device (List type "Auto populated from books on device"), SmartEject is intended to work with a type "Manually add/remove items" list that is configured to sync to the device.

The way I use it is basically opposite of yours--there's a list (and column) for what's *not* on device and the lists/columns I use are "To Send to device", not "What's on device", with the additional "catch all" of SmartEjects "Added Books(not on device)" search.

[foosion]

Originally Posted by JimmXinu

I think you are conflating 'List updated from device' and 'Syncing list to device', which are rather opposite. RL disables the 'Sync to device' options for "populated from device" list.

SmartEject is intended to work the other way around from what you are doing.

Instead of a list that is updated to match the device (List type "Auto populated from books on device"), SmartEject is intended to work with a type "Manually add/remove items" list that is configured to sync to the device.

The way I use it is basically opposite of yours--there's a list (and column) for what's *not* on device and the lists/columns I use are "To Send to device", not "What's on device", with the additional "catch all" of SmartEjects "Added Books(not on device)" search.

Now I see. It took me a while.

Would it be possible and would you be willing to modify SmartEject so that it does what I want - update the Calibre list to match what's on the device?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by foosion

Now I see. It took me a while.

Would it be possible and would you be willing to modify SmartEject so that it does what I want - update the Calibre list to match what's on the device?

Here's the way it works for me.

I have Reading List set to sync on connect the list of Books set to go on the device. So when I plug in my device, the books sync to my device. After that is done, I eject. Then after the import is done and I am back to the home screen, I use NickelMenu to activate USB so I do not have to unplug/plug the USB cable. Once I'm again connected to the USB, Reading list will update the column showing what books on on the device. Also, calibre will finish updating the metadata and then I can eject and detach the USB cable.

[foosion]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Here's the way it works for me.

I have Reading List set to sync on connect the list of Books set to go on the device. So when I plug in my device, the books sync to my device. After that is done, I eject. Then after the import is done and I am back to the home screen, I use NickelMenu to activate USB so I do not have to unplug/plug the USB cable. Once I'm again connected to the USB, Reading list will update the column showing what books on on the device. Also, calibre will finish updating the metadata and then I can eject and detach the USB cable.

An alternative is to click Sync Now on RL. It would be easier if SmartEject did this, to save on some clicks (and remembering to click). Clearly I'm not the only one who wants to sync before disconnecting.