r/ebooks • u/homebranch • 1d ago
Question Cloud Hosted Ebook Library
Hey folks!
Im working on a cloud hosted ebook management platform called HomeBranch that allows you to store, organize, and read your ebooks. It also has an OPDS server so you can access your books on your ereader.
What features would you like to see in a cloud hosted ebook library?
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u/mikhaeld 1d ago
how's that different than https://bookorbit.app ?
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u/homebranch 1d ago
It does not require you to host your own instance. While it can be self hosted for free, the cloud platform is for folks who dont want to deal with the hassle and maintenance of self hosting.
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u/plexmaniac 1d ago
Sounds great
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u/homebranch 1d ago
Its currently available to readers in the US at https://homebranch.app
Check it out and let me know what you think! :)
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u/maquis_00 1d ago
How is it different from any of the existing options like kavita, bookorbit, grimmory, calibre-web, calibre-web-automated, auto-caliweb, etc? What features are you adding to the space?
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u/homebranch 1d ago
There are indeed lots of excellent options for self hosting and ebook management platform.
While HomeBranch can be self hosted for free, we are also offering a cloud hosted option which this post is referring to and those other services do not offer to my knowledge.
Now anyone who either doesn't want to or doesn't have the technical experience to manage and maintain a server can organize, manage, and read their library anywhere.
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u/maquis_00 1d ago edited 1d ago
Hmm... Interesting idea, but not something I'd be interested in since I prefer to keep everything on my own machine. :)
Just a couple thought questions:
How will you handle the copyright side of things? How will you protect yourself if someone uses this as a way to share copyrighted materials with people? How will you ensure that nobody uses the server as a way to store/share books of illegal images?
Not trying to discourage. Just want to make sure you are protecting yourself so you don't get burned by someone doing bad stuff.
Oh.... Just thought of a fun feature....
You could offer the option of "book clubs" for people who have the same books. They could share discussion forums, and maybe you could have some way for highlights and (maybe) comments to be shared between users reading the same books. It would probably be difficult with different people having different formats and versions, though.
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u/homebranch 1d ago
I love the book club idea!! Will definitely look into that.
As far as copyright, there is a DMCA process published for folks to report unauthorized usage of copyright material. That ties into our overall moderation of the platform and what content is uploaded to it (tying into your question about questionable material). Libraries on the cloud hosted version are not shareable between accounts. Only the owner of the material is allowed to access it. Any account sharing or illegal activity will result in an suspension or ban from the platform.
I appreciate your questions and ideas! Please feel free to reach out if you have any more :)
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u/homebranch 1d ago
If this sounds like something you or someone you know would be interested in, please let me know!
I'd love to hear your feedback on the app :)
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u/VeterinarianMany7808 11h ago
Can't access it use Calibre. I know these don't belong exactly with what you are doing. If I could access and use the features for changing books to readable would be amazing.
Otherwise realistically. Filters that actually work. I want to be able to sort and maybe resort a dozen different ways. Most cloud anything has been extremely limited.
Wants tags that don't port in from another program so to do that again is just ntz imo.
Don't know if any of that is helpful. I am completely (unfortunately) Android at this point.
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u/bazoo513 1d ago
Features of Calibre built-in server would suffice, IMO.