Calibre store: using a web browser instead of calibre's dialog

chaley · 05-19-2011, 02:49 PM

In calibre's store, with the exception of Amazon (and possibly one or two others) the default is to open book detail pages in calibre's browser instead of using the system's browser (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Safari, what-have-you).

On the plus side, using calibre's browser provides a non-configuration interface. You double-click on a search entry and see the details. You close the details and are back at the searches. If you obtain a non-Adobe-infested book, calibre can automatically import it into the library. On the minus side, you lose a browser's password management, multiple tabs/windows, history, status line (https indications etc), and bookmarking.

My question: which do (would) you prefer, using calibre's browser or the system browser? For those of you who have purchased non-Amazon books, did you do it using calibre's browser or your system browser?

hakan42 · 05-19-2011, 03:17 PM

For the reasons already mentioned (bookmarks, password storage, etc) I'd love to use my system browser.

Actually, the fact that I can't remember most of my store passwords and use my browser (or, in that case, KeePass) as non-biological memory is what kept me from using the stores integrated in calibre.

Regards,
Hakan

kovidgoyal · 05-19-2011, 03:53 PM

+1 for system browser

EDIT: But there should be some mechanism for at least public domain "stores" like MR or PG to override and always use the internal browser.

user_none · 05-19-2011, 04:04 PM

You don't count Kovid. But I'll make the change in the searc to default to having the system browser checked.

Manichean · 05-19-2011, 06:01 PM

I like the internal browser. The whole process has a very nice, streamlined feel to it.
Would it be possible to make this a selectable option, along the lines of "use Calibre internal browser, if possible" and letting the store plugins decide whether or not they need the system browser?

nynaevelan · 05-19-2011, 06:42 PM

I too like using the internal browser, one of the reasons I like using the calibre store is it offers the functionality without having to leave the program. I would also like the option for the user to decide which browser would be the default.

user_none · 05-19-2011, 07:08 PM

If you select a store directly from the "Get books" drop down menu it will still open in the internal browser. If you go into preferences, plugins, select the store. You can configure this on a per store basis to not use the internal browser.

In the store search dialog under the list of stores is a check box that says open in external browser. The change will default this to checked. However, the search dialog remembers your selection. So if in the next release you see it check, uncheck it and it will stay that way.

05-19-2011, 02:49 PM	#1
chaley Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,043 Karma: 7548549 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Notts, England Device: Kobo Libra 2	Calibre store: using a web browser instead of calibre's dialog In calibre's store, with the exception of Amazon (and possibly one or two others) the default is to open book detail pages in calibre's browser instead of using the system's browser (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Safari, what-have-you). On the plus side, using calibre's browser provides a non-configuration interface. You double-click on a search entry and see the details. You close the details and are back at the searches. If you obtain a non-Adobe-infested book, calibre can automatically import it into the library. On the minus side, you lose a browser's password management, multiple tabs/windows, history, status line (https indications etc), and bookmarking. My question: which do (would) you prefer, using calibre's browser or the system browser? For those of you who have purchased non-Amazon books, did you do it using calibre's browser or your system browser?

05-19-2011, 03:53 PM	#3
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 44,566 Karma: 24495948 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	+1 for system browser EDIT: But there should be some mechanism for at least public domain "stores" like MR or PG to override and always use the internal browser. Last edited by kovidgoyal; 05-19-2011 at 04:04 PM.

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05-19-2011, 03:17 PM	#2
hakan42 Zealot Posts: 136 Karma: 60 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Munich, Germany Device: Nook Classic rooted; Galaxy S IV with Aldiko, other older devices	For the reasons already mentioned (bookmarks, password storage, etc) I'd love to use my system browser. Actually, the fact that I can't remember most of my store passwords and use my browser (or, in that case, KeePass) as non-biological memory is what kept me from using the stores integrated in calibre. Regards, Hakan

05-19-2011, 04:04 PM	#4
user_none Sigil & calibre developer Posts: 2,487 Karma: 1063785 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida, USA Device: Nook STR	You don't count Kovid. But I'll make the change in the searc to default to having the system browser checked.

05-19-2011, 06:01 PM	#5
Manichean Wizard Posts: 3,130 Karma: 91256 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Device: Cybook Gen3	I like the internal browser. The whole process has a very nice, streamlined feel to it. Would it be possible to make this a selectable option, along the lines of "use Calibre internal browser, if possible" and letting the store plugins decide whether or not they need the system browser?

05-19-2011, 06:42 PM	#6
nynaevelan eBook Junkie Posts: 1,526 Karma: 1464018 Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Device: Kindle Fire 2020, Kindle PW2	I too like using the internal browser, one of the reasons I like using the calibre store is it offers the functionality without having to leave the program. I would also like the option for the user to decide which browser would be the default.

05-19-2011, 07:08 PM	#7
user_none Sigil & calibre developer Posts: 2,487 Karma: 1063785 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida, USA Device: Nook STR	If you select a store directly from the "Get books" drop down menu it will still open in the internal browser. If you go into preferences, plugins, select the store. You can configure this on a per store basis to not use the internal browser. In the store search dialog under the list of stores is a check box that says open in external browser. The change will default this to checked. However, the search dialog remembers your selection. So if in the next release you see it check, uncheck it and it will stay that way.

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