Feature Request: Configure devices before scan

[Nobahdi Atoll]

When connecting my Android Tablet for the first time it asks me if I want to configure the device for use with calibre. I obviously do so I click yes and instead of allowing me to configure it does scan before I can tell it what to scan (1GB of eBooks on sd Card) and what NOT to scan (38GB Intenally/ 22GB on SD of comic files). I only want calibre to read from a single folder designated for my eBook files (convieniently named 'eBooks) instead it reads 128 GB of my device (very slowly i might add taking 3-4 Hours) before allowing me to configure ANYTHING at all... now this is fine now that I've got it configured, but I suggest when a new device is detected it should be configured before it is scanned. Or at least I would imagine that should be the logical way to do things to avoid uneccessary scanning.

Would it be possible to pop up the device configuration directly after selecting to manage device with calibre?

P.S. I still have another 2 rounds of 3-4 hour scans to go through with A) My Windows PC (after having finished scanning on my Debian box), and B) My work PC So you can see how this is an inconvienience.

[Kovid Goyal (kovid)]

This is not worth the effort for me personally. If some one else wants to implement it, I will be happy to supply any needed guidance. If so, re-open the ticket and we can discuss it.

 status wontfix

[Nobahdi Atoll (nobahdi-atoll)]

Well I wouldn't even complain except MTP is a crap protocol to begin with and on Windows it times out during this 4 hour process and I have to start all over again. Is calibre coded in python purely or does it use otther toolkits, python I know, C variations I can manage well enough but working with Linux toolkits makes me lightheaded.

[Kovid Goyal (kovid)]

MTP is awful, I agree. I'd suggest you simply use one fo the wireless conenction methods instead and avoid it all together. https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq.html#how-do-i-use-calibre-with-my-android-phone-tablet-or-kindle-fire-hd

To answer your question, calibre is mostly python, but some parts are C, such as the parts that interface witht he OSes MTP implementation.

[Nobahdi Atoll (nobahdi-atoll)]

Well as I said I'm decent with C languages so I'll look into the source and see if I can do with it if you can point me to the right file(s) to look into

[Kovid Goyal (kovid)]

It's all in the mtp folder. You would basically want to implement code
to scan only the top level of each filesystem and the present the user
with a dialog to select the folders to scan from that top level.
Currently, what happens is the entire fs is scanned and used to present
that dialog.

[Nobahdi Atoll (nobahdi-atoll)]

Doesn't look like it will be too hard, I'll play with and see what I come up with, and submit a patch if I can work it out feasibly.

[Nobahdi Atoll (nobahdi-atoll)]

I think the easiest starting approach is to set initial scan only to read folders, then wait for user to select folders. Then I'll tweak further from there, till I get it how I want it. Expect a patch in a couple of days to try out.