Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- zotero_over_a_network [2008/02/18 09:29] – fix links connie
+++ zotero_over_a_network [2012/02/13 15:36] (current) – removed dstillman
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-Want access to your Zotero library, but without having to schlep your computer around?  If you've got space on a shared network, it's easy to do.  \\
-N.B.: But be careful!!! (see notes below)
-  * [[zotero_over_a_network#Creating a new Zotero Library on a Network Server]]
-  * [[zotero_over_a_network#Sharing an existing Zotero Library on a Network Server]]
-  * [[zotero_over_a_network#Running Zotero through portable Firefox on a Network Server]]
-  * [[zotero_over_a_network#Things to Note]]
-====Creating a new Zotero Library on a Network Server====
-  - Mount the network server, or make sure you have access to it.  Macintosh users should be able to see the network drive in the //Finder//, and Windows users can see it under //My Computer.//  For example, George Mason University has a Local Area Network for students, staff, and faculty called MESA.  Users logged onto the MESA LAN can see an M: drive on their computers. {{  start:m-drive-screen-shot.jpg?nolink  }} \\ Note: you need to have write permissions to the desired directory.
-  - Open the Preferences Menu in Zotero.  You can access Preferences either by selecting on the {{start:gearicon2.jpg?nolink}} pull down menu in the Zotero pane, or in Firefox select Tools menu --> Add-ons, and then click the  //Preferences// button in the //Zotero// section.
-  - Click on "Advanced" in the Preferences Menu \\ {{  start:zotero-advanced4.jpg?nolink }}
-  - Click on "Custom" under Storage Locations and select the directory for your Zotero library.  A "Select a Zotero Data Directory" pop-up will appear.  Once you select the directory, Zotero will restart Firefox.  You're now ready to go!
-All your Zotero data will be saved to the network space, and as long as you are on a computer with access to the network, you can build off of the same library.
-====Sharing an existing Zotero Library on a Network Server====
-Follow the directions for [[start:draft#Creating a new Zotero Library on a Network Server]] above, but when you get to
-  * Step 4, select the network directory that houses your Zotero library.
-Note: **If you already have a Zotero library** that you want to migrate to the network, copy the [[frequently_asked_questions#how_do_i_back_up_my_zotero_library| Zotero directory]] into the desired network server folder, and then switch the Storage Location in Zotero to point to it.
-====Running Zotero through portable Firefox on a Network Server====
-There are two advantages to running Zotero through Portable Firefox off of a Network Server.  First, if your computer doesn't allow you to install new applications, you can still use Firefox and Zotero, and second, you don't have to specify the Zotero library directory everytime you connect from a new computer.  But the speed of running Portable Firefox depends on your server, your network connection, and the stability of the Portable Firefox version (e.g. [[http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable | Win]] or [[http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/20395 | Mac]]) you choose.
-Follow the directions to install Portable Firefox in the desired directory of your network server drive, and then follow the directions above, but make sure to launch Portable Firefox off of your network server drive, and not a local instance of Firefox.
-====Things to Note====
-  * **Warning!!!** Zotero is still intended for use by a single user/single access point at a time.  We will not support multiple users/multiple access points until server-based Zotero (2.0).  There is no database locking mechanism, and multiple reads/writes can corrupt the Zotero library database.  **You should close Firefox** when using the same Zotero library across multiple computers.  We encourage people to [[frequently_asked_questions#how_do_i_back_up_my_zotero_library| backup their libraries]] frequently.
-  * Server connections.  You can use Zotero to connect to networks in a variety of ways -- through Mac Network, SSH with [[http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users/08/mgorbach/MacFusionWeb/|MacFusion]], ethernet LAN on Windows XP, Portable Firefox on Windows... -- but please note that local issues such as speed and data security across networks are outside Zotero's scope.  Check with your system administrator to help find the solution that works best for you.
-  * (Re)setting the preferences on a public computer.  If you do use a computer that is public, make sure that you do not inadvertently expose your library to multiple use (see the //Warning!!!// above).  As long as the computer you use has system-level handling of network share mounting and permissions, there’s no need to reset the preferences.  In a good setup, logging into the system with your username will provide access to your folder on the network drive in a consistent fashion, so all you need to do is log off.  If this is not the case -- if you mount servers manually -- make sure to change the Zotero Storage Location before departing the computer.
-  * Something cool if you haven't noticed already: you can use the //Preferences//-->Advanced Settings to go back and forth between your local Zotero library (on your computer) and a network Zotero library.