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| sync [2019/12/05 15:45] – [Alternative Syncing Solutions] dstillman | sync [2020/07/10 16:46] – [Data Syncing] dstillman |
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| ===== Data Syncing ===== | ===== Data Syncing ===== |
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| Data syncing merges library items, notes, links, tags, etc.---everything except attachment files---between your local computer and the Zotero servers, allowing you to work with your data from any computer with Zotero installed. It also allows you to view your library online on zotero.org. Data syncing is free, has no storage limit, and can be used without file syncing. | Data syncing merges library items, notes, links, tags, etc.---everything except attachment files---between your local computer and the Zotero servers, allowing you to work with your data from any computer with Zotero installed. It also allows you to view your library online on zotero.org. Data syncing is free and unlimited, and it can be used without file syncing. |
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| The first step to syncing your Zotero library is to [[/user/register/|create a Zotero account]] (which is also used for the Zotero Forums). Then, open Zotero's Sync [[preferences|preferences tab]] and enter your login information in the Zotero Sync Server section. By default, Zotero will sync your data with the server whenever changes are made. To disable automatic syncing, uncheck the "Sync automatically" checkbox in this section. | The first step to syncing your Zotero library is to [[/user/register/|create a Zotero account]] (which is also used for the Zotero Forums). Then, open the Sync pane of the [[preferences|Zotero preferences]] and enter your login information in the Data Syncing section. By default, Zotero will sync your data with the server whenever changes are made. To disable automatic syncing, uncheck the "Sync automatically" checkbox in this section. |
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| {{http://www.zotero.org/static/images/support/quick_start/small/sync.png?nolink&w=160 }} | {{http://www.zotero.org/static/images/support/quick_start/small/sync.png?nolink&w=160 }} |
| If you want to use Zotero data syncing but use an external service to sync just your Zotero attachment files, you have several options: | If you want to use Zotero data syncing but use an external service to sync just your Zotero attachment files, you have several options: |
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| - 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#stored_files_and_linked_files|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. |
| - 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 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. |
| - 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' subdirectory. If you set up this option incorrectly, you run great risk of losing data. |
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