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sync [2018/05/03 10:39] – [Alternative Syncing Solutions] bwierniksync [2019/12/05 15:45] – [Alternative Syncing Solutions] dstillman
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 ==== Linked File Attachments ==== ==== Linked File Attachments ====
  
-You can also use sync Zotero files across computers using [[attaching_files#File_Copies_and_Links|linked files]]. Rather than attaching stored copies of files to Zotero items, you can attach links to files stored in a cloud-sync folder, such as Dropbox or Google Drive. When using linked attachments, you should 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-sync folder differs. The [[plugins#attachment_file_management|Zotfile plugin]] can make managing linked attachments easier by automatically moving attachment files to a designated folder as you import them.+In your personal library, you can also sync Zotero files across computers using [[attaching_files#File_Copies_and_Links|linked files]]. Rather than attaching stored copies of files to Zotero items, you can attach links to files stored in a cloud-sync folder, such as Dropbox or Google Drive. When using linked attachments, you should 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-sync folder differs. The [[plugins#attachment_file_management|ZotFile plugin]] can make managing linked attachments easier by automatically moving attachment files to a designated folder as you import them.
  
 See [[#alternative_syncing_solutions|Alternative Syncing Solutions]] for more details. See [[#alternative_syncing_solutions|Alternative Syncing Solutions]] for more details.
 +
 +Linked files cannot currently be used in group libraries.
 ===== Syncing In Practice ===== ===== Syncing In Practice =====
  
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 ===== Alternative Syncing Solutions ===== ===== Alternative Syncing Solutions =====
  
-**Cloud Storage Folders (DropboxGoogle Drive, OneDrive, etc.)Network Drives, and rsync**+If, for whatever reason, you are unable to use Zotero's syncing features, there are some alternative ways to sync your data, though there are significant risk and limitations depending on the approach that you choose. 
 + 
 +**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.) 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. 
 + 
 +If you want to avoid syncing any data to Zotero servers: 
 + 
 +  * You can close Zoteromanually copy your entire [[zotero_data|Zotero data directory]] to a synced folder 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, for whatever reason, you are unable to use Zotero'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 safesyncing 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.+If you want to use Zotero data syncing but use an external service to sync just your Zotero attachment filesyou 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 externally 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 to point to the same folder so that Zotero can find your files on each computer, even if the path to the cloud storage folder differs. 
-  - 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 symlink 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. This is an advanced technique, and if you don't fully understand how to create symlinks and how they interact with your cloud storage service you should not use it
-  - 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. +  - 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.
-  - 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.+
sync.txt · Last modified: 2023/07/18 21:07 by dstillman