Differences

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

--- sync [2018/05/03 10:38] – [Alternative Syncing Solutions] bwiernik
+++ sync [2019/01/17 17:22] – [Alternative Syncing Solutions] dstillman
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 ===== Alternative Syncing Solutions =====
-**Cloud Storage Folders (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.), Network Drives, and rsync**
+If, for whatever reason, you are unable to use Zotero's syncing features, you can transfer your Zotero data using another method, such as by using a cloud storage service (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.), a network folder, or a tool such as rsync, but there are significant risks and limitations to this approach.
-If, for whatever reason, you are unable to use Zotero's syncing features, you can opt for an alternative syncing solution, such as syncing [[Zotero data]] using a cloud storage service (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.), a network folder, or a tool such as rsync. Note that none of these solutions are recommended or supported. While using a third-party tool to sync the 'storage' subdirectory of the Zotero data directory is generally safe, syncing the entire Zotero data directory, including the main SQLite database, with an automated tool is **extremely likely to corrupt it**. When using any of these options, make sure to [[zotero_data|back up]] your Zotero data frequently.
+**Storing the Zotero data directory directly in a cloud storage folder is extremely likely to corrupt your Zotero database and should not be done.** (The same is true of most database-backed programs.)
+You can, however, store just the ''storage'' subdirectory of the Zotero data directory, as explained below. You can also manually copy your entire data directory to a synced folder after closing Zotero on one computer and then restore it — again with Zotero closed — on another computer, as if you were performing a [[zotero_data#backing_up_your_zotero_library|backup and restore]] of your data.
+If you want to use an external file-sync service to sync just your Zotero attachment files, you have several options:
-If you want to use an external file-sync service to store your Zotero attachment files, you have several options:
   - The easiest method is to use [[attaching_files#File_Copies_and_Links|linked files]], rather than stored copies of files, and to store your attachment files in the synced folder. The [[plugins#attachment_file_management|ZotFile plugin]] can make this simple by automatically moving attachment files to a designated folder as you import them. You should also set up Zotero's [[:preferences/advanced#linked_attachment_base_directory|Linked Attachment Base Directory]] feature so that Zotero can find your files on each computer, even if the path to the cloud storage folder differs.
-  - You can also use a [[http://zotpad.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/103395-what-is-a-symbolic-link-and-why-should-i-use-one-w|symbolic link]] to sync only the ''storage'' directory from your Zotero data directory using the external sync service. This will sync your attachment files without touching your main Zotero SQLite database.
+  - You can also use a [[http://zotpad.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/103395-what-is-a-symbolic-link-and-why-should-i-use-one-w|symbolic link]] to sync only the ''storage'' directory from your Zotero data directory using the external sync service. This will sync your attachment files without touching the main Zotero SQLite database.
-  - Finally, you can set the entire data directory inside Dropbox (or similar) and then use [[https://www.dropbox.com/help/175/en|selective sync options]] to disable syncing for the data directory and then enable syncing of the storage directory. If you set up this option incorrectly, you run great risk of losing data. The forums contain [[forum/discussion/13359/|many]] [[/forum/discussion/27900/synching-to-dropbox/|threads]] [[forum/discussion/6128/dropbox-and-zotero-15-case-conflicts/|about]] [[forum/discussion/24593/backing-up-a-large-database-without-corrupting-it/|the problems]] that users have faced with Dropbox- or Google Drive–based setups.
+  - Finally, you can set the entire data directory inside Dropbox (or similar) and then use [[https://www.dropbox.com/help/175/en|selective sync options]] to disable syncing for the data directory and then enable syncing of the 'storage' subdirectory. If you set up this option incorrectly, you run great risk of losing data. The forums contain [[/forum/discussion/13359/|many]] [[/forum/discussion/27900/synching-to-dropbox/|threads]] [[/forum/discussion/6128/dropbox-and-zotero-15-case-conflicts/|about]] [[/forum/discussion/24593/backing-up-a-large-database-without-corrupting-it/|the problems]] that users have faced with Dropbox- or Google Drive–based setups.