Yes, there's automatic renaming of attachments, but only attachments that are grabbed when saving a page via a translator.

There's a hidden pref (accessible by typing about:config in the address bar) to control the format, extensions.zotero.attachmentRenameFormatString, with a default setting of "{%c - }{%y - }{%t{50}}".

Translation:

• %c is creator


• %y is year


• %t is the title


• The curly braces around each part mean "only include this part if the field specified inside is non-empty"


• {50} means truncate at 50 characters

Creator, year and title are the only three fields currently supported, but more could be added easily.

There's no way currently to rename existing attachments using this method, though that could be added.

OK, I found an old post solving my problem:
the file is renamed, but not it's reference in zotero.
Why this? Is there a reason or is it something that will be implemented in the future?

Yes, you're right.
I think this is the reason.

I think an argument could be made either way

Since the argument can be made either way, would it make sense to provide for an option to always have the reference to a PDF mirror its filename?

I for one would be using that option, and the confusion about the renaming (witnessed in many threads around here) stems at least in part from the fact that many users in fact expect this to be the default behaviour (no doubt reinforced by the suggestive icon, which people normally see in connection with a filename in their OS).

It is not, as of currently, but I agree that it would be a nice feature. As soon as you drop a PDF on a record, Zotero would have enough information to autorename it. I figure it could be relatively trivial to extend the current autorename feature to the case of drag/drop from the file system. After all, the same machinery of docking the PDF to the record and copying it to a record subfolder is involved. Could a developer comment on this?

I agree with jodler but would also love to see the ability to only link pdfs with drag and drop not copy the file. I think a lot of people want to keep their pdfs in an seperate folder somewhere on their computer and not in the zotero folder. Accordingly, the option to drag and drop pdfs on a zotero item and thereby rename the file in its original location and create a link to the renamed file would be great!! Of course, only as an option (maybe when holding a key during the drag and drop process)!

I need pdf attachments to have clear and readable naming as so many others have suggested. Screen scrapers don't seem to have any impact on the name of the file being downloaded, but we're already asking a lot of them. I've looked at this about:config business and haven't noticed any impact (Science Direct, JSTOR, Springerlink)

Another problem is sending a pdf to another researcher. They need to see the article information in the file name before they open it. Would you like to receive @#$dfndfss3.pdf in your inbox?

The other issue is portability. I carry a duplicate copy of my pdf library on an external drive and my laptop for viewing anywhere in adobe reader and I am preparing my pdf library for use on an e-paper reader when an 8.5x11 format comes out. I am tired of stacks of papers, and I want to carry my research everywhere I go. Folders of cryptically named pdfs are unacceptable.

Zotero as a pdf manager on an e-reader would be phenomenal, especially with the upcoming remote library storage possibility (I expect my library to be gigabytes in size).

How about just a script that renames every pdf in the library by a customizeable string. I use:
"FirstAuthor_YEAR_Full title minus any disallowed characters.pdf"
I really don't care for the source of the file to be in the name. It's automatically known by the bibliographic data.

The linking point is interesting, I'd also like for all of my pdfs to be in one folder, this goes to the portability issue above and raises the question:
"Should I only use Zotero to access my pdf collection or should I use a file explorer?"

I guess one of the main differences between me and Dan's point above ["argument either way"] is that I have very little need of the snapshot feature. My goal is to efficiently catalog, search, and view scholarly articles. It's hard to believe how much better Zotero is for this purpose than Endnote already. I'm ditching Endnote ASAP.

Catherine,

no developments on this, as far as I know.

PDFs (e.g. from JSTOR) can only be downloaded if you or your institution actually has a subscription to the journal you are looking at.

I would also like to vote in favor of both of these propositions. It would make a HUGE improvement of usability.

automatic renaming of attachments, but only attachments that are grabbed when saving a page via a translator ..? Please explain better

Regards
<a href="http://theoutsourcebot.com">http://theoutsourcebot.com</a>

Well, I would appreciate a compiled version of that script (I'm on Windows XP).
My naming convention for PDFs is Author YYYY Title.pdf
Thanks for your time!