[Feature request] Watch Folder (alternative to Import Document)

[ajvsol]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe. I currently use Calibre to manage all my learning files (not only PDF and captured web pages, but also EPUB, MOBI, ODT and others), but the reader viewer UX isn't great and it doesn't support incremental reading.

Describe the solution you'd like I'd like to be able to select my Calibre Library folder so that I can easily edit those files which are already in my Calibre Library.

Describe alternatives you've considered Don't know an alternative except making do without Polar at the moment, since I value the organisation I've put into my Calibre Library and that I can manage any file type from within it.

[burtonator]

You would be ok with keeping the file in polar if it was deleted in the source? The biggest challenge here (I think) is what to do if the original file is deleted.

[ajvsol]

Ideally the "watch" feature would check the files still exist every time on start-up, but for the MVP feature I'd be okay with a message saying "this file is deleted" if it can't find it.

[ajvsol]

Actually I just realised that would cause performance issues with large libraries, maybe instead just a check when the file is accessed and that "deleted" message if so.

I can see there being issues if a file is renamed or moved however. Another app I saw had the same issue and they solved it by using XMP sidecar files.

[danieltomasz]

I for it too :) It think it could be also beneficial for https://github.com/burtonator/polar-bookshelf/issues/427 The way i am currently using Zotero :

• Zotfile which move all pdfs with human readable names to one folder
• I store this folder on dropbox which allow me for transfer and backup between different computers (because it allow me for bigger flexibility, I stopped using Zotero storage and use dropbox free plan for storing file)

So it would be nice to read directly from this folder by using Polar (anyway Zotfile has other variation of the problem with deleting files https://github.com/jlegewie/zotfile/issues/96 but I anyway I am happy so far with managing it by hand or by using console command when I have duplicates)

BTW in some point I could switch to Polar storage if could synchronize it with my local folder dropbox-like way :)

About checking deleted files I think several things will be enough:

1. check when the file is accessed and that "deleted" message if so
2. Option to rescan all entries, but not every start but when user will so
3. Option to save file from polar when with annotations to folder again (prompt asking user) when the original file was deleted in the folder (but this is something extra)

[burtonator]

Just as an aside Dropbox or 3rd party sync won't ever really be supported. We have to control the repo directly .

Use polar cloud sync... it's free for 95% of users anyway will support more features like selective sync.

https://getpolarized.io/docs/device-sync.html

[rjbergerud]

Polar cloud sync has the drawback of not having compatibility with as many devices. For instance, my use case is similar to @danieltomasz, using Zotero + zotfile + dropbox to manage all my papers from my computer, and easily have them sync to my ereader (which supports dropbox sync). Trying to figure out how I can incorporate polar bookshelf into this system, but really scratching my head since polar doesn't seem to play nicely with zotero, dropbox, or calibre.

[burtonator]

@rjbergerud if you could create a feature request here:

https://app.getpolarized.io/feature-requests

... that would help. I think you just want polar to listen to your dropbox or zotero locally and automatically import those files?