Sonny Software

I am sure these have been asked before, or at least two of them! Can't seem to find where they might be.

1. How do I change the destination backup directory?

2. How do I change the normal database?

3. Whenever I open Bookends, it opens with 3 copies. How do I stop this?

4. I have tried to keep my library database on a Kingston USB memory stick. However, whenever I open it, it wants me to rebuild/repair which means all my formatting is lost. A real problem because of my eyesight. It doesn't do this if drag the database to the desktop, but then I have the previous 3 copies opening. Seems to be connected but not sure if it is.

Many thanks and sorry If I have repeated any of the questions.

capyboppy wrote:
1. How do I change the destination backup directory?

You can't. But you use a symlink to it so that Dropbox can copy it elsewhere.

2. How do I change the normal database?

You mean have another library open as default? Just open the other library. Bookends always opens the last-opened library the next time it is launched.

3. Whenever I open Bookends, it opens with 3 copies. How do I stop this?

Not sure I understand. Three copies of what? You mean three different libraries?

4. I have tried to keep my library database on a Kingston USB memory stick. However, whenever I open it, it wants me to rebuild/repair which means all my formatting is lost. A real problem because of my eyesight. It doesn't do this if drag the database to the desktop, but then I have the previous 3 copies opening. Seems to be connected but not sure if it is.

First rebuilding won't cause you to lose anything at all. Second, when you rebuild you create a new library, which is given a new name (default is the old name + rebuilt). Make sure to use the new library (you can trash the old one). If you're always being asked to rebuild, it probably means you keep opening the old (unrebuilt) library.

Jon
Sonny Software

Righto Jon, I will try and clarify better.

1. Not sure what you mean by symlink. As I said, I have been trying to use my one database on a usb stick. Main reason in case I don't have access to the internet.

2. & 3. Not quite. I only have the one library which up until now I have kept on my usb stick. everytime I open it (from the usb stick) I get three copies opening, one after the other! Therefore I have to close two of them down before I can use it. Wondered if it was because I had the database on the usb stick instead of on the mac or dropbox, but not seen anyone have this problem up to now.

4. But it is the old original library I would be wanting to use. I don't lose the references or files, it is just the formatting, i.e. larger fonts and background colours.

Thanks again for your help.

Quick update.
The same thing has happened when opening the library from the mac. Wanting to rebuild. If I ignore it, it seems to be fine. I have tried syncing to a new database on the usb stick which seemed to work at first. However, on closing I got the following error as shown on the screen shot.

capyboppy wrote:1. Not sure what you mean by symlink. As I said, I have been trying to use my one database on a usb stick. Main reason in case I don't have access to the internet.

The DropBox won't be of any interest. But why care where Bookends keeps backups? One reason for the location, BTW, is because Apple requires this for apps sold on the Mac App Store. The other advantage is that there is no ambiguity -- I can tell the user where the backup is. A common question I get is "where is my library", and of course if they saved it to the non-default location I can't tell them.

2. & 3. Not quite. I only have the one library which up until now I have kept on my usb stick. everytime I open it (from the usb stick) I get three copies opening, one after the other! Therefore I have to close two of them down before I can use it. Wondered if it was because I had the database on the usb stick instead of on the mac or dropbox, but not seen anyone have this problem up to now.

Where are the other libraries located, if not on the usb stick? (See the question from above?). If three windows open, it means you have three copies of your library. You can see the full pathname of each library by Command-clicking on the proxy icon in the title bar of each library window. If you're using Lion, each opened library will be opened automatically when your run Bookends again. You can turn this feature off in System Preferences, General, by unchecking "Restore windows when quitting and re-opening apps".

4. But it is the old original library I would be wanting to use. I don't lose the references or files, it is just the formatting, i.e. larger fonts and background colours.

Again, that is not affected at all by rebuilding your library. All fonts and colors are retained. A rebuild (or repair) has no effect on the reference data at all. If you think it does, you're doing something wrong (or differently from what you describe), and you should contact tech support off-forum.

Jon
Sonny Software

Just rebuild the library (File -> Database Maintenance > Rebuild). That's what Rebuild is for (or Repair). Then use the fresh, rebuilt library (which will have a new name).

Jon
Sonny Software

The DropBox won't be of any interest. But why care where Bookends keeps backups? One reason for the location, BTW, is because Apple requires this for apps sold on the Mac App Store. The other advantage is that there is no ambiguity -- I can tell the user where the backup is. A common question I get is "where is my library", and of course if they saved it to the non-default location I can't tell them.

I understand your reasoning on this now. The reason I wanted to choose the location is merely for preference. The normal library on my usb stick, and the back up in dropbox to cover for eventualities.


Where are the other libraries located, if not on the usb stick? (See the question from above?). If three windows open, it means you have three copies of your library. You can see the full pathname of each library by Command-clicking on the proxy icon in the title bar of each library window. If you're using Lion, each opened library will be opened automatically when your run Bookends again. You can turn this feature off in System Preferences, General, by unchecking "Restore windows when quitting and re-opening apps".

To the best of my knowledge I just had the one copy. I had copied it from my usb stick when having the problems to my desktop, then deleted the one that was originally on my usb stick. I had created another library with the same name but followed by usb at the end so the names wouldn't clash. So unless there is a library somewhere I have forgotten about I can't understand this. That is a mystery. If it carries on I guess I can create a new library, sync it, then delete the original to see if it still happens. Did that error message box mean anything by the way?


Again, that is not affected at all by rebuilding your library. All fonts and colors are retained. A rebuild (or repair) has no effect on the reference data at all. If you think it does, you're doing something wrong (or differently from what you describe), and you should contact tech support off-forum.

It definitely was changing all my font sizes, I think I should know because of my eyesight However, I shall see how it goes and if it continues do as you say and contact tech.

capyboppy wrote:To the best of my knowledge I just had the one copy. I had copied it from my usb stick when having the problems to my desktop, then deleted the one that was originally on my usb stick. I had created another library with the same name but followed by usb at the end so the names wouldn't clash. So unless there is a library somewhere I have forgotten about I can't understand this. That is a mystery. If it carries on I guess I can create a new library, sync it, then delete the original to see if it still happens. Did that error message box mean anything by the way?

Please see my comments about Lion (you didn't say if you're using it or not). If three library windows open, you have three libraries.

The error message meant that there was a problem with library database internal structure. That's what Rebuild and Repair are for, to fix such problems.

capyboppy wrote:It definitely was changing all my font sizes, I think I should know because of my eyesight However, I shall see how it goes and if it continues do as you say and contact tech.

No, Rebuild or Repair can't do that. If font sizes changed (globally) it's because the default reference font settings changed (either by your intervention, or because there was some problem with the preferences file). If you see such a problem again contact me directly.

Jon
Sonny Software

Sorry Jon
I forgot to comment about Lion. Yes, I am using Lion. I normally have the settings set to reopen windows etc should there be a crash. The problem with the rebuilding was it was happening every single time I opened it. Saying that though, I tried once more last night and for some strange reason it didn't do it. I will see how it goes and if it it does carry on or start up again I will contact you via tech support. Many thanks for your help.