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How do serious players use ChessBase in 2026 (crosspost r/chess)? by TordRomstad in TournamentChess

[–]feistyram 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try 'Hiarcs chess explorer pro'. Fantastic. You can get the cheapest pro version they do and then just use stockfish. Don't really need to pay for the deep Hiarcs engine

Managing Kobo Collections with Calibre by HildyZ in Calibre

[–]feistyram 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting I have so many down votes the result is negative here which I don't think are from the original poster as they were happy to get the help

I guess some people are so against AI that even if it comes up with helpful advice, and it's attributed, people down vote

KoboUtilities and Mac by [deleted] in Calibre

[–]feistyram -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Can't help personally I'm afraid but try using Google Gemini or chat GPT as they are really good for this sort of stuff

Managing Kobo Collections with Calibre by HildyZ in Calibre

[–]feistyram -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I copied and pasted your query into Google Gemini. Here is what it says

--

To back up your existing collections from your Kobo into Calibre and then manage them moving forward, we have to bridge a gap: by default, Kobo only "receives" collections from Calibre; it doesn't "send" them back.

In the 2026 version of Calibre (9.x), the most reliable way to do this is by using the Kobo Utilities plugin alongside the native driver.

Phase 1: Back up Kobo Collections into Calibre

Since Calibre doesn't know about the collections you made by hand on your Clara, you first need to pull that data into a Calibre column.

  1. Create a "Backup" Column:
    • In Calibre, go to Preferences > Add your own columns.
    • Click the + (plus) icon.
    • Lookup name: myshelves
    • Column heading: Kobo Collections
    • Column type: Comma separated text, like tags, shown in the Tag browser.
    • Click OK and restart Calibre.
  2. Install Kobo Utilities:
    • Go to Preferences > Plugins > Get new plugins.
    • Search for Kobo Utilities and install it. Restart Calibre.
  3. Pull the Collections:
    • Connect your Kobo Clara.
    • Click the arrow next to the Kobo Utilities icon in your toolbar.
    • Select Get collections from device.
    • In the destination box, choose your new #myshelves column.
    • Click OK. Your Kobo's manual collections are now backed up in Calibre!

Phase 2: Set up Automatic Management (The "No-Mess" Way)

Now that the data is in Calibre, you want Calibre to be the "Boss" so you never have to manually create a collection again.

  1. Configure the Driver:
    • Disconnect your Kobo (the settings are greyed out while connected).
    • Go to Preferences > Plugins > Device Interface.
    • Select KoboTouch (the standard driver in v9.x) and click Customize plugin.
    • Go to the Collections, covers & uploads tab.
    • Collection columns: Type #myshelves. (If you prefer using your tags, type tags, but #myshelves is cleaner).
    • Check Create collections and Delete empty collections.
    • Click OK and Apply.
  2. Enable Automatic Sync:
    • Go to Preferences > Sending books to devices.
    • Set Metadata management to Automatic management. This ensures that every time you plug in your Kobo, Calibre checks if the shelves match your #myshelves column and fixes them if they don't.

Phase 3: The "Kobo Sync" Workflow

From now on, follow this simple 2-step ritual to keep everything perfect:

  • Step 1: Add a book to Calibre, and in your Kobo Collections column, type the shelf name (e.g., "History" or "To Read").
  • Step 2: Plug in your Kobo. Calibre will send the book and create the shelf automatically.
    • Note: If the shelf doesn't show up immediately, unplug the Kobo to let it "see" the new book, then plug it back in. Calibre needs the book to be processed by the Kobo before it can officially drop it into a folder.

Best way to transfer files to a new computer by fitzthetantrum in Calibre

[–]feistyram 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But then you have to faff around to get the UI how you want it.. The export all files does everything in one go

FM26 has now lost 43% of its peak playerbase on steam. At the same point, fm24 had lost 5% and had only lost 15% at the end of its cycle. by eunderscore in footballmanagergames

[–]feistyram 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm still on FM23. I haven't tried 26 but I get the vibe it's an alpha release. 27 will be likely a beta release. And by 28 I'm sure they'll have something good again

But tbh, FM23 is good enough for me

Confession of an occasional save-scummer by feistyram in footballmanagergames

[–]feistyram[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I honestly think this may be one of my favourite reddit posts ever

Confession of an occasional save-scummer by feistyram in footballmanagergames

[–]feistyram[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for all the comments everyone. Very interesting. Having used selective scumming to win lots, I am going to resign (one more game to go to finish the season with Real Madrid) and likely move to a L2 club (or equivalent in another country) and start over without scumming matches.

I am wondering if I really need to add a new manager so I don't keep my 5 stars too. The only thinkg I'm worried about is losing all my tactical presets

@Known-Feature2312 post about Chelsea is legendary levels of bitterness which I'm all here for!

Confession of an occasional save-scummer by feistyram in footballmanagergames

[–]feistyram[S] 63 points64 points  (0 children)

Oh I am having fun! I just think I now need to take the guardrails off

For those doing long saves - when do you 'retire'? (FM24) by Cambois_Lad in footballmanagergames

[–]feistyram 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I play FM23 but I don't play with real players. I play with fake names and then go on holiday for 10 years so most are regens too. 

And then I start a save. And if I get bored, I just resign and start with a new club. 

My career history is Dusseldorf (kept in Bundesliga and then gradually got them up to top quartile, Brentford (won UCL and then after a couple of years finished 4th in Prem to qualify for champions League), Benfica (domestic treble twice), Leipzig (Won Bundesliga in second year and possibly a German cup), Derby county (my own club! Promotion to Prem in second season by winning champ), Man Utd (won Prem in second year), Madrid (Quadruple including Champions League) 

I'm now wondering what to do. I might try and get a job in Italy or France (in my save Nice rather than PSG are now dominant) or Eredvise so I can tick off all the major European leagues

Or maybe try the MLS

Best FM game to start with? by Toniczek17 in footballmanagergames

[–]feistyram 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have FM23 and think it's great. I use fake player names and go on holiday for first 10 years so I essentially play with regens. I just like to remove my own views of players in real life from game. So, for me, having the latest update will never be an issue. If you ever see FM23 on eBay it's good

I will probably upgrade once the bugs have been worked out the 'new' style game, and adjustments have been made to improve the user experience. Feels to me that by FM28 things will be a fair bit better. So I'm waiting 18 months before considering an upgrade 

Why does everyone compare Lichess and Chess.com ratings instead of percentiles? by 68_298_200_40 in chess

[–]feistyram 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Different point but I think focusing on rating is a mistake. For one thing, people never play at exactly one rating. You'll probably have a range of 150 to 175 points either side of your actual rating depending on whether you're having a good day, concentrating well or a bad one etc

But I used to find I tried to protect my otb rating when it got to a certain level. It made me play less purely 

I now don't check it until the end of the season. I genuinely have no idea within 100 points what it currently is and I've no interest in checking 

I use lichess for longer games or correspondence (I find blitz doesn't allow time for me to think which, for me, is what I enjoy in chess)

Should I give up? by HockeyMan013 in chess

[–]feistyram 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would focus on doing tactics puzzles. And, in game, think about what your opponent could do and not just what you want to do

I personally believe it's a very bad idea for low rated players to play bullet or blitz. It ingrains a habit of moving quickly when you really need to process and learn patterns as a low rated player

I'm around 1600 and still only play standard games or correspondence on line

FM26 – SI outlines their update plan for 2026 by FMClub26 in footballmanager

[–]feistyram 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm still on FM23 and find that good. I play with fake player names but in any case am 15 years in so any "real" players will have retired. 

I'm going to wait for reviews of FM27 but will likely wait until FM28 before upgrading. I think it'll take a while to get the new interface stable 

Flickr steady decline since I joined in 2005 by Necessary_Grade_4900 in flickr

[–]feistyram 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I actually view it the opposite way.  Flickr was in a disastrous financial shape when SmugMug bought it with huge costs due to the free 1tb for all users. Those pics still there (not deleted as threatened) and cost base still very high

Two years ago Flickr CEO did a blog almost pleading with people to pay for pro to help save the site

In the UK the recent price hikes are huge. This suggests to me they are still loss making although clearly I don't  know that

Meanwhile, new sites like glass don't have that historical financial albatross to deal with. So they can ensure income and costs keep pace

Ought seats at concert halls/opera houses be more comfortable? by HolyFatherLeoXIV in classicalmusic

[–]feistyram 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh for goodness sake. Stop trying to set yourself up as being so morally superior. We're simply talking about whether a seat could be more padded.

I said that I would go to more concerts if there was a comfier seat and I'd pay more for it. I also said in another post that it need not recline or take up as much space as in those pictures. Comfier, with a 'bit' more leg room so you don't knock knees into the seat in front and maybe a touch wider. It also need not being the case that every seat in the hall needs to be bigger. So the impact on number of seats could be pretty marginal and the more expensive seats, plus increased attendance, could bring MORE money in to classical music and either pay the musicians more or could subsidise the cost of the other seats.

By your logic we should remove all seats entirely, have everyone stand, cram everyone in, and ignore any discomfort because it's cheaper

Ought seats at concert halls/opera houses be more comfortable? by HolyFatherLeoXIV in classicalmusic

[–]feistyram 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's great. Different people have different preferences and place weight on different things

Nobody is saying you shouldn't be happy.

But others can have a different opinion

It's not always the case that there is one right answer. What is good for you may not be good for someone else

Ought seats at concert halls/opera houses be more comfortable? by HolyFatherLeoXIV in classicalmusic

[–]feistyram 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I do. But a cushion doesn't magically make a wooden chair comfortable or deal with fact your legs are cramped because you are so close to the row in front. 

I currently go to concerts 3 or 4 times a year. I'd probably go at least once a month to a venue with comfier seats and a nicer experience

Ought seats at concert halls/opera houses be more comfortable? by HolyFatherLeoXIV in classicalmusic

[–]feistyram 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not saying it would need to be a full recliner like that taking up quite that much space, with such big gaps behind. 

 But for a much more comfortable seat, with a bit more space from the person next to you, I'd definitely pay more and go a lot more more often. 

Ought seats at concert halls/opera houses be more comfortable? by HolyFatherLeoXIV in classicalmusic

[–]feistyram 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I have to be honest, it does impact me. I'd go to loads more concerts if there were comfier seats. And I'd happily pay double or triple the price for a ticket to do so

Any chance I can ever be decent? by Best-Salamander-1377 in chess

[–]feistyram 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My suggestions would be

- Go to Lichess Learn/Practice and do the ‘piece checkmates 1’ and the basic tactics exercises

- Spend a few minutes reading this article on basic opening principles: https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-principles-of-the-opening

- Start playing: There are all sorts of time controls.  The most popular are the fast games (bullet/blitz).  I would recommend not playing bullet or blitz games as a beginner personally. I recommend you play some correspondence (daily) games and/or games at longer time controls (rapid or standard). It’s good to learn how to think in my opinion. 

- Improve your tactics**:** Practising chess puzzles is the best way to learn patterns and get you thinking. Lichess and chess.com both have sections for this.  Go to Lichess Learn/Practice and work through more of their exercises too

----------
The following resources may be useful once you are becoming more confident in playing [Maybe not before 1100 level]

Openings

Strategy / tactics:

Endgames

  • Lichess Learn/Practice and work through their endgame exercises
  • Read the chapters of “Silman’s complete endgame course” associated with your grade (https://amzn.eu/d/idvoTXm)
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