• Settings

Settings

Questions about the Settings page in Book Crawler.

Data Files

Older versions of BC defaulted to using "Crawler.sqlite" as the main database file.  As of version 6.0, BC uses a file that starts with a date/timestamp and ends in bcs (for example, 20140623191316.bcs).  You should be able to figure out what your main database file is by looking at the size and timestamp for the file.  

You can see which data file you are loading from within the BC app.  Go to Settings -> DB to see which is your current file.  It will also give you statistics on any other data file listed on your device and allow you the ability to load one of the alternate data files.

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Reset Database

Reset Database allows you the option to delete all entries from your database.  A 'full reset' will reset the database to its original state.  A 'partial reset' will maintain collections and any settings that are stored within your database file.  This is the better option if you want to maintain your smart collections.  Either option will remove all books, authors, and tags from the database.

Update Entries

Update Entries

Searches will be performed on all books in the database to update any missing information.  Select "filter by..." to only update the entries missing titles or artwork, if desired.


 

Merge Aliases

Merge aliases will prompt you to merge entries which BC believes to be duplicate authors or aliases to the same author.  


 

Correct Titles

This option will standardize all titles to use inter-capped words for all words with the exception of articles that are three letters or less.

Delete All Images

This option will remove all cover artwork currently in the database.

Lock All Editions

This option will turn on the lock attribute for all entries in the database.  The lock value will prevent BC from automatically altering values when viewing a book.

Import/Export

This is where CSV(text only file) and the database file can be imported and exported.  There are two options for importing/exporting a file.

Dropbox

This option allows you to import/export your files from the dropbox webserver.  You must create a free account to do so. 

"Full Access" is provided for longtime users of BC.  Dropbox did not originally provide applications a way to segregate their access to a particular folder and you had to grant complete access to your Dropbox account to use it.  Those original users transferred data to a BookCrawler directory in their account.  Since there is now a way to only grant access to an application folder, you no longer need to do this.  Only turn on full access if you need to continue to access the BookCrawler directory under your main account.  Just be sure that each device uses the same authorization mode otherwise you will not be able to locate your previous backup when you try to restore.

Select the "Link" button to create and/or enter your account information. Once you have successfully logged in, a "BookCrawler" directory will be created for storing and retrieving your book crawler files. (Full access -> /BookCrawler, regular access /Apps/BookCrawler)

Select "Backup" to upload/backup your file to dropbox and, conversely, "Restore" to download/restore the file to the Book Crawler application.  Restoring your database file will replace your current database, but importing the CSV file will just edit your database.

The restore button expects to find your database (DB) file under the same name as your currently loaded database file and the import CSV file under "Crawler.csv".  You can select an alternate file to load by pressing:

Files can be directly uploaded through your dropbox account via the dropbox website or the dropbox application.  

You can use dropbox to share your database with the developer should a problem arise.

 

Email

Press Email to attach your database and CSV files to an email.  Your DB(sqlite) file will not be attached to the email if it is larger than 7MB.  In that case, you will need to use one of the two methods suggested above.  Both the CSV and sqlite files can be imported into Book Crawler via the email app on your device.  Select the sqlite or CSV file from the email attachment and the device will offer the choice to "Open in Book Crawler".

 

Miscellaneous Settings

  • Batch Scanning

Batch scanning is the optimal setting to use when more than one book will be scanned at a time.  It will cause the scanner to continue until the application is exited (when using pic2shop) or done is pressed (when using zbar).  When this setting is turned OFF, Book Crawler will automatically display the book details and search for information associated with the ISBN scanned.

  • Goodreads Reviews

Turn this setting ON to view reviews from Goodreads.  Turn this setting OFF if you are concerned with bandwidth consumption.  Goodreads will automatically be searched when this is on when book detail is viewed.

  • Social Networks

This is a setting to provide the previous interface to Facebook and Twitter should you decide that you do not wish to use the latest Community feature.

  • Condensed Display

This will show a condensed view of book data when displaying the list of books.  No cover artwork will be displayed, just the title and author. Most people will want to keep this set to OFF.

  • Large Database

This setting is  an optimization intended for larger databases (~1000+).  When viewing books sorted by author, the sections will be divided by the first letter of the last name instead of being sectioned by the full name.  Internal searches will also wait to be performed until the Search button is pressed instead of happening as the entry is typed.

  • Predefined Genres/Formats

Set "Predefined Genres/Formats" to "OFF" to remove the pre-defined values that aren't being used.

  • Custom Label

This setting defines the label for the custom field. This will help you keep track of what you are using each custom field for.

  • Input Method

This setting defines the default input method to use when adding new books. It allows you to circumvent the menu option when you intend to select the same option each time.

  • CSV Encoding

This setting allows you to set the encoding of an imported and exported CSV file.  By default, it is set to "8-bit ISO Latin".  It will produce an empty csv file when that encoding fails because there are characters that can't be represented by the current setting.  If this happens, try setting it to another encoding until you find success.

  • Scanner

This setting allows you to choose which scanner the ISBN scanner defaults to.  

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