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kb:sharing_data_directory [2014/03/22 19:23] – once through adamsmithkb:sharing_data_directory [2017/11/22 13:47] (current) – bwiernik
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 +**This article applies to the deprecated Zotero for Firefox (pre-Zotero 5.0) plugin. It no longer applies to the current versions of Zotero.**
 +
 ====== Sharing data directory between Zotero Standalone and Zotero for Firefox ====== ====== Sharing data directory between Zotero Standalone and Zotero for Firefox ======
  
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 2. In addition to "instant sync", sharing the data directory ensures that your data is not needlessly duplicated on your computer. When directories are shared, both metadata and file attachments are stored in one central location. Without sharing the data directory, both Zotero for Firefox and Zotero Standalone keep individual copies of each. Depending on the size of your library, this could result in gigabytes of duplicated data. 2. In addition to "instant sync", sharing the data directory ensures that your data is not needlessly duplicated on your computer. When directories are shared, both metadata and file attachments are stored in one central location. Without sharing the data directory, both Zotero for Firefox and Zotero Standalone keep individual copies of each. Depending on the size of your library, this could result in gigabytes of duplicated data.
  
-3. Under rare circumstances, because the data is not instantaneously synced and you are able to edit your library in both Zotero for Firefox and Zotero Standalone, _not_ sharing the data directory could result in sync conflicts. Sharing the data directory eliminates this possibility.+3. Under rare circumstances, because the data is not instantaneously synced and you are able to edit your library in both Zotero for Firefox and Zotero Standalone, //not// sharing the data directory could result in sync conflicts. Sharing the data directory eliminates this possibility.
  
-==== How do I share the data directory ====+==== Sharing the data directory manually====
  
-Normally this requires no more than a click. When you install both Zotero for Firefox and Zotero Standalone, whichever you open up second asks if you want Zotero to share the data directory. Click "Yes" (the default) and everything is configured automatically. +Normally sharing the data directory happens automatically. When you install both Zotero for Firefox and Zotero Standalone, whichever you open up second asks if you want Zotero to share the data directory. Click "Yes" (the default) and everything is configured automatically. 
  
-If the prompt never appears or the data directories end up separate for some other reason, you can follow these steps to share the data directory between Zotero Standalone and Zotero for Firefox.+However, if the prompt never appears or the data directories end up separate for some other reason, you can follow these steps to share the data directory between Zotero Standalone and Zotero for Firefox.
  
-1. Determine which database you want to designate as the main database. Usually you can just pick either Zotero Standalone or Zotero for Firefox at random. If, however, the two databases are not the same (e.g. you did not have sync set up and you added a bunch of metadata to Zotero for Firefox, but it did not show up in Zotero Standalone), you should pick the more complete database.+1. Determine which data directory you want to use. Usually you can just pick either Zotero Standalone or Zotero for Firefox at random. If, however, the two databases are not the same (e.g. you did not have sync set up and you added a bunch of metadata to Zotero for Firefox, but it did not show up in Zotero Standalone), you should pick the more complete database.
  
-If neither database is complete, first merge the two databases by [[preferences:sync|syncing]] both applications (make sure that the sync completes without errors or you may end up losing some data!). Once the databases are in sync, you can pick either one of them to be the main database.+If neither database is complete, first merge them by [[preferences:sync|syncing]] both applications (make sure that the sync completes without errors or you may end up losing some data!). Once the databases are in sync, you can pick either one of them to be the main database.
  
-2. Open up Preferences for the application that you chose to be the main database. Under Advanced -> Files and Folders, click Show Data Directory. Note the path of the directory that is displayed.+2. Open up Preferences for the application that you chose to keep the data directory. Under Advanced -> Files and Folders, click Show Data Directory. Note the path of the directory that is displayed.
  
 3. Open the other application (either Zotero for Firefox or Zotero Standalone) and navigate to Preferences -> Advanced -> Files and Folders. In the "Data Directory Location" section, select Custom and choose the directory that you noted in step 2 (this should contain a zotero.sqlite file). The application will tell you that it needs to be restarted. Do so. 3. Open the other application (either Zotero for Firefox or Zotero Standalone) and navigate to Preferences -> Advanced -> Files and Folders. In the "Data Directory Location" section, select Custom and choose the directory that you noted in step 2 (this should contain a zotero.sqlite file). The application will tell you that it needs to be restarted. Do so.
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 ==== How do I know if my data directories are shared? ==== ==== How do I know if my data directories are shared? ====
  
-The simplest way to confirm this is by opening both Zotero Stadalone and Firefox and then clicking the Zotero icon at the bottom right. If the data directories are shared, this should bring Zotero Standalone window into focus. Otherwise, Zotero will open up inside Firefox.+The simplest way to confirm this is by opening both Zotero Stadalone and Firefox and then clicking the Zotero icon in Firefox. If the data directories are shared, this should bring Zotero Standalone window into focus. Otherwise, Zotero will open up inside Firefox. 
 + 
 +==== Why *not* share the data directory? ====
  
-==== Why //note// share the data directory? ==== 
 You may want to opt against sharing the data directory if you require two entirely separate Zotero libraries. One way to accomplish this is to have separate data directories for Zotero Standalone and Zotero for Firefox. You can then use them as separate libraries with completely different sets of items. (An alternative to such an approach is using [[https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles|Firefox/Zotero Standalone profiles]]). You may want to opt against sharing the data directory if you require two entirely separate Zotero libraries. One way to accomplish this is to have separate data directories for Zotero Standalone and Zotero for Firefox. You can then use them as separate libraries with completely different sets of items. (An alternative to such an approach is using [[https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles|Firefox/Zotero Standalone profiles]]).
  
 ====Preferences are not shared==== ====Preferences are not shared====
  
-While all your data is stored inside the data directory, your preferences are stored inside your profile directory. Sharing your data directory does //not// share your profile directory, so preferences are not shared between Zotero for Firefox and Zotero Standalone. This means that if sometimes you use Zotero Standalone and sometimes you're using Zotero for Firefox on its own, you need to set up preferences (most importantly sync) for both of them separately (Preferences -> Sync). +While all your data is stored inside the data directory, your preferences are stored inside your profile directory. Sharing your data directory does //not// share your profile directory, so preferences are not shared between Zotero for Firefox and Zotero Standalone. This means that if sometimes you use Zotero Standalone and sometimes you're using Zotero for Firefox on its own, you need to set up preferences (most importantly, sync under Preferences -> Sync) for both of them separately.
  
-{{tag>kb basics}}+{{tag>kb-obsolete zotero_for_firefox}}
kb/sharing_data_directory.1395530588.txt.gz · Last modified: 2014/03/22 19:23 by adamsmith