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The code base is a nightmare and still uses Python 2. I'm not surprised it hasn't been forked, although I'm a little surprised it hasn't been replaced. Frankly

The code base is a nightmare and still uses Python 2. I'm not surprised it hasn't been forked, although I'm a little surprised it hasn't been replaced. Frankly, the software is just fine for most needs, and the person in charge is still active, so the desire to replace it just hasn't materialized. EDIT: Looks like somebody actually took the initiative to port it to Python 3.

deleted 7y ago
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scrollaway 7y ago
Calling the codebase a nightmare is the understatement of the year. I tried forking it at some point. I don't think I could reasonably even attempt describe the codebase in a way that wouldn't get me banned from HN, and most likely the rest of the internet. Needless to say I gave up.
- Hendrikto 7y ago
  That makes me very curious. Could you write a blogpost on the topic by any chance?
- echelon 7y ago
  We would actually love to read that. An article title such as "Popular open source software Calibre has a codebase that isn't just bad, it's outright dangerous" would definitely make me click. If you feel strongly, please do this. It adds value. The creator might really benefit from it.
  - 6gvONxR4sf7o 7y ago
    How would you feel if someone came out with an article about "echelon's code isn't just bad, it's outright dangerous" and wrote a whole article attacking and shaming you, just because you might benefit from it? Sure you might benefit, but there are much more constructive, kinder ways to do it. Even if he and his code aren't great, Goyal's done a lot of free public service here. Let's not be dicks. If you want to learn about the codebase, here it is https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibre https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibre
    - echelon 7y ago
      Good point. I was responding to the tone of the OP, but it's not at all kind or constructive. They should be praised for their contributions, not torn down. That would be a dick move. Forgive me, I have the flu and I'm grumpy today.
  - saagarjha 7y ago
    That’s clickbait and not very constructive. Fun to read, maybe, but it probably won’t be for Kovid and it won’t help make Calibre better.
  - justin66 7y ago
    > If you feel strongly, please do this. It adds value. The creator might really benefit from it. There is an awful lot of self-deception packed into this paragraph. > We would actually love to read that. That part is probably true for many.
  - CodeMage 7y ago
    No. I definitely wouldn't like to read a post with an attitude like the one espoused in the titled you proposed. However, I would gladly read a post that reviews Calibre codebase in a helpful, friendly way.
afiori 7y ago
I would say that the reason it has not been successfully forked is that reliability is better than a nice UI.
kemayo 7y ago
> EDIT: Looks like somebody actually took the initiative to port it to Python 3. For reference, here's the ongoing python 3 port pull request: https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibre/pull/870 https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibre/pull/870
trianglem 7y ago
It's an incredibly reliable piece of software. Isn't that what's most important?
hombre_fatal 7y ago
> I'm not surprised it hasn't been forked, although I'm a little surprised it hasn't been replaced. Shouldn't be all that surprising. Things are harder than people think, and only a few people are willing to stake actual skin in the game instead of just complain. Also, Calibre is already a niche tool. All of my friends/family have a Kindle, they all use Amazon's default send-the-kindle feature, and none of them probably even know how to get the physical ebook file out of the Amazon system nor care. And ebook file management just isn't a very sexy problem to solve beyond a proof of concept weekendware effort. Surely most people aren't spending much time in Calibre anyways. I know I just use it intermittently to load the next 10 books onto my ereader. It's not a part of my life I'm very passionate about changing.

deleted 7y ago

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scrollaway 7y ago

Calling the codebase a nightmare is the understatement of the year. I tried forking it at some point. I don't think I could reasonably even attempt describe the codebase in a way that wouldn't get me banned from HN, and most likely the rest of the internet. Needless to say I gave up.

Hendrikto 7y ago
That makes me very curious. Could you write a blogpost on the topic by any chance?
echelon 7y ago
We would actually love to read that. An article title such as "Popular open source software Calibre has a codebase that isn't just bad, it's outright dangerous" would definitely make me click. If you feel strongly, please do this. It adds value. The creator might really benefit from it.
- 6gvONxR4sf7o 7y ago
  How would you feel if someone came out with an article about "echelon's code isn't just bad, it's outright dangerous" and wrote a whole article attacking and shaming you, just because you might benefit from it? Sure you might benefit, but there are much more constructive, kinder ways to do it. Even if he and his code aren't great, Goyal's done a lot of free public service here. Let's not be dicks. If you want to learn about the codebase, here it is https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibre https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibre
  - echelon 7y ago
    Good point. I was responding to the tone of the OP, but it's not at all kind or constructive. They should be praised for their contributions, not torn down. That would be a dick move. Forgive me, I have the flu and I'm grumpy today.
- saagarjha 7y ago
  That’s clickbait and not very constructive. Fun to read, maybe, but it probably won’t be for Kovid and it won’t help make Calibre better.
- justin66 7y ago
  > If you feel strongly, please do this. It adds value. The creator might really benefit from it. There is an awful lot of self-deception packed into this paragraph. > We would actually love to read that. That part is probably true for many.
- CodeMage 7y ago
  No. I definitely wouldn't like to read a post with an attitude like the one espoused in the titled you proposed. However, I would gladly read a post that reviews Calibre codebase in a helpful, friendly way.

afiori 7y ago

I would say that the reason it has not been successfully forked is that reliability is better than a nice UI.

kemayo 7y ago

> EDIT: Looks like somebody actually took the initiative to port it to Python 3. For reference, here's the ongoing python 3 port pull request: https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibre/pull/870 https://github.com/kovidgoyal/calibre/pull/870

trianglem 7y ago

It's an incredibly reliable piece of software. Isn't that what's most important?

hombre_fatal 7y ago

> I'm not surprised it hasn't been forked, although I'm a little surprised it hasn't been replaced. Shouldn't be all that surprising. Things are harder than people think, and only a few people are willing to stake actual skin in the game instead of just complain. Also, Calibre is already a niche tool. All of my friends/family have a Kindle, they all use Amazon's default send-the-kindle feature, and none of them probably even know how to get the physical ebook file out of the Amazon system nor care. And ebook file management just isn't a very sexy problem to solve beyond a proof of concept weekendware effort. Surely most people aren't spending much time in Calibre anyways. I know I just use it intermittently to load the next 10 books onto my ereader. It's not a part of my life I'm very passionate about changing.