Comparing versions

[tamhas]

Is there a tool such that, if one has two versions of the same book, one can tell what the differences are in the versions? I recognize that when a book has been revised, one doesn't know if the newer version will have more or less material, but my understanding is that the primary need here is telling whether two books with slightly different names are actually the same book or not.

[DNSB]

Sadly, the best tool for that job is likely to be your Mark One eyeball.

[capink]

Calibre does actually provide the feature you are asking for. Open the first book in calibre editor, go to file > compare to another book > choose the book you want to compare against.

Edit: Note however that feature probably only going to work for different revisions of the book, by the same publisher. If you have to different copies for the same book published by different publishers, the xhtml filenames are probably different and I don't think the comparison would be of value in this case. Never tried this myself, so you have to test it yourself.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by capink

Calibre does actually provide the feature you are asking for. Open the first book in calibre editor, go to file > compare to another book > choose the book you want to compare against.

It will only work if you have both books in a format that's can read by the calibre book editor- i.e. EPUB or AZW3.

BR

[Wiggo]

Originally Posted by capink

Calibre does actually provide the feature you are asking for. Open the first book in calibre editor, go to file > compare to another book > choose the book you want to compare against.

Or TextDiff PI

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=350421

Edit: Note however that feature probably only going to work for different revisions of the book, by the same publisher. If you have to different copies for the same book published by different publishers, the xhtml filenames are probably different and I don't think the comparison would be of value in this case. Never tried this myself, so you have to test it yourself.

Unfortunately, that's true.

[MSWallack]

It's a bit of a clunky method, but it works... Export each book to .docx and then use Micro$oft Word's Track Changes feature. If you're comparing versions from different publishers, you can do a bit of cleanup and normalization first (e.g., make sure that both books use — (em dash) instead of -- (2 hyphens) or – (en dash); check … (ellipsis) instead of ... (3 periods), etc.).

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by MSWallack

It's a bit of a clunky method, but it works... Export each book to .docx and then use Micro$oft Word's Track Changes feature. If you're comparing versions from different publishers, you can do a bit of cleanup and normalization first (e.g., make sure that both books use — (em dash) instead of -- (2 hyphens) or – (en dash); check … (ellipsis) instead of ... (3 periods), etc.).

Why Word->Review->Track Changes and not Word->Review->Compare ?

BR

[Comfy.n]

Originally Posted by Wiggo

Or TextDiff PI

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=350421

TextDiff is fast and accurate, I second this suggestion.

Just select the two books you need to compare, then click the plugin toolbar button!

[MSWallack]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Why Word->Review->Track Changes and not Word->Review->Compare ?

BR

Um... because I wrote my response quickly and didn't jump into Word to check on the correct verbiage. Oops.

[Dal Bhat]

Inserting $ into the company name Microsoft is really quite juvenile and trollish.

[MSWallack]

Originally Posted by Dal Bhat

Inserting $ into the company name Microsoft is really quite juvenile and trollish.

I'll take that as a bit of a compliment; I'm only enough that I haven't been called "juvenile" in quite some time. As to substance, I'd suggest that when Microsoft (there, see, I didn't use the $ because I'm having a serious conversation) begins to respect its customers by, for example, fixing errors that have existed in its software for years (I recently came across an error that has been reported for more than 15 years!) and which customers have asked to have fixed instead of focusing on new "features" that few want or need or not introducing new workflows that break existing uses (often with no notice or way to revert), then I'll be more inclined to show the company a bit of respect. But for now, like many other large companies, Microsoft seems to prioritize money way above (way, way, way above) customer satisfaction.

But that is a conversation for another thread on another forum.

[Comfy.n]

I'll catch a ride on this off-topic discussion to vent my recent rant after having a work computer "upgraded" to Win 11. I was expecting big improvements but this was so far from reality... Windows' lack of basic features in corporate environments such as decent File Management, actual Multiple Monitors' and Virtual Desktops' support is beyond frustrating. Of course users can run whatever extra software they want in home computers, some of which can add to the OS those features, however when it comes to workplace that's often not possible due to IT department policies.

[BetterRed]

If MS adds high function features to Windows the regulatory authorities come down on them like a ton of bricks at the behest of the 3rd party developers, if a 3rd party developer reverse engineers a MS product the regulators turn a blind eye… or give the 3rd party developer a grant.

I use several Word add-ins, one of which was abandoned in 2016 the other in 2018, they are COM addins written in C++ shipped as DLLs. Not only do they still work in 2024… in one case the Add-in works better (faster and more reliably) than it did in 2018… which one's that… ePUB Tools.

Like all successful businesses making money has always been a major focus for MS; any business where its not a major focus will fail… Q.E.D Apple Mk1.

Large corporations and governments have always been MS's primary targets. I've had lunch "with Gates" three times, at a large Sydney based financial services firm, at a Hong Kong bank, and a large teaching hospital (memorably in a partially dismantled operating theatre). However he has never dropped into my place see me for a cup of tea

BR

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

If MS adds high function features to Windows the regulatory authorities come down on them like a ton of bricks at the behest of the 3rd party developers, if a 3rd party developer reverse engineers a MS product the regulators turn a blind eye… or give the 3rd party developer a grant.

I think it's a bit more nuanced than that and also relates to "can the feature /program be turned off" for reasons of privacy, or using an alternative, that might suit better or work better.

Also they deliberately added apis not needed to Win95 so Office 95 would not run on Win3.11/WFWG3.11, even with Win32s. So they then had to upgrade NT 3.5 to NT 3.51, and some got that upgrade free.

NT 4.0 didn't have USB. Except it did via a belated service pack, but MS marketing killed that to boost Win2000 sales. However many waited for XP Sp1 as Win2K was released unfinished (NT 5.0 and NT 5.1).

Win9x was promoted to buisness and had no security. WinME was a disaster.


Now we have Copilot (Clipit/clippy 2.0) and Recall coming.

Outlook (especially the version with Windows) was always a disaster. IE had stupidity built in (I forget, ActiveX or OCX sor something) yet you couldn't disable it. Eventually they lost a court case and Browser choice had to be provided. They have ignored it with Edge.

If Win10 or Win11 isn't a Corporate version you have to go through hoops or use CLI to create local users.

If you replace something on the PC, Wiindows and various office programs may want re-authorised. This may involve a long phone call typing in numbers from screen to keypad and hearing a too fast long code to type on screen.

I sold, installed and gave training and wrote programs for Windows for over 10 years, because the alternatives where either not as good or too expensive (up till 2006). That's not been true now for over 10 years. OS gone slowly downhill on GUI and increased bloat since 2003. Many GUI changes since 2007 stupid. Increasing bloat and removal of little used but important features because telemetry is misunderstood.

I switched completely in Jan 2017. I'd put it off for years, because migration always has pain.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

I think it's a bit more nuanced than that and also relates to "can the feature /program be turned off" for reasons of privacy, or using an alternative, that might suit better or work better.

Also they deliberately added apis not needed to Win95 so Office 95 would not run on Win3.11/WFWG3.11, even with Win32s. So they then had to upgrade NT 3.5 to NT 3.51, and some got that upgrade free.

NT 4.0 didn't have USB. Except it did via a belated service pack, but MS marketing killed that to boost Win2000 sales. However many waited for XP Sp1 as Win2K was released unfinished (NT 5.0 and NT 5.1).

Win9x was promoted to buisness and had no security. WinME was a disaster.


Now we have Copilot (Clipit/clippy 2.0) and Recall coming.

Outlook (especially the version with Windows) was always a disaster. IE had stupidity built in (I forget, ActiveX or OCX sor something) yet you couldn't disable it. Eventually they lost a court case and Browser choice had to be provided. They have ignored it with Edge.

If Win10 or Win11 isn't a Corporate version you have to go through hoops or use CLI to create local users.

If you replace something on the PC, Wiindows and various office programs may want re-authorised. This may involve a long phone call typing in numbers from screen to keypad and hearing a too fast long code to type on screen.

I sold, installed and gave training and wrote programs for Windows for over 10 years, because the alternatives where either not as good or too expensive (up till 2006). That's not been true now for over 10 years. OS gone slowly downhill on GUI and increased bloat since 2003. Many GUI changes since 2007 stupid. Increasing bloat and removal of little used but important features because telemetry is misunderstood.

I switched completely in Jan 2017. I'd put it off for years, because migration always has pain.

You forgot Windows 8/8.1 was a disaster because no start menu and no real desktop. When I got a laptop with Windows 8.1 installed, I found a 3rd party program to add the start menu back in and a proper desktop. So thatr made Windows 8.1 work quite well.

Windows 11 works well. It's what I am using now. The problem is that because Microsoft did an Apple and made it so Windows 11 will not run on a lot of computers, Windows 10 is it and when Microsoft discontinues Windows 10, those computers will have to stay on Windows 10, upgrade to Windows 11 via 3rd party hacks or get replaced with a new computer.