libraries: syncing and nonsyncing

Alrich

I want to reduce the data weight of my online syncing library, so I wondered if I could create a non-syncing library to hold the stuff I can afford to lose? Not that I will, but the zotero server saved my butt this year, after my computer crashed. So, I just want to divide my library and wonder if I can have an online and an offline library?

phoenixqaqlee

I want this too.

Alrich

I read in another discussion about using a new group to create a distinct library. I did this but A) it didn't offer to be non-syncing B) It didn't offer the option of importing a collection from my main library.

Plainly, non-snycing needs to be an option next to syncing. I am going to look at the difference between "private" and "public" libraries.

warguelles

It is very easy... You can sync only one specific Library:

Go the the Library icon you want to sync -> right mouse button -> sync

The same is valid for any other group Library.

adamsmith

I don't think that's a realistic solution, though, to handle this manually (and you really shouldn't turn off auto sync for stuff that you don't want to lose).

I think the "Choose Libraries" option in the sync tab of the preferences should work for this -- unchecked libraries (e.g. a group you use for your "unimportant" stuff) will sync neither up or down, I believe (do test that before relying on it -- I don't use this and it's not documented fully anywhere I could find)

dstillman

Note that this won't continue to work as an option, and it isn't a use case we currently have plans to support.

"Choose Libraries…" doesn't really work in a sensible way now — right now, it's an awkward, confusing feature where it only affects whether a library is included in auto-sync, and if a sync happened to already complete before you uncheck a library, you can't actually remove that local data. In a future version, if you uncheck a library, it will simply remove the local copy of that library from your computer (after making sure all data has been uploaded), which is what most people expect it to do.

The point of syncing is to make all data and files available everywhere. We provide options (and will provide additional options) to avoiding download data and files to certain devices, but if you're using syncing, everything is always meant to exist online.

Alrich

I already have 6GB for syncing, at $60 per year. I don't want to increase my bill to $120. I really appreciate and like Zotero, and want them to get SOME money from me, but I have to watch my budget. So I need a way to sync my core library, and put everything else into a local library.
I am working on purging duplicates and other study projects, but I haven't been able to reduce the weight of my library enough to make a difference. If anything my library is getting fatter because I'm still actively collecting literature!
I would pay $20 for an extra 2 gig, if I had that choice.

Alrich

I suppose if I could have a non-syncing local library, Zotero would have to provide a way for me to delete PORTIONS of my library. I assumed that if I deleted it from my syncing local library, it would also disappear from my syncing server library.

adamsmith

You could turn a subset of your attachments into links using ZotMoov or Attanger.

Alrich

Adamsmith: Thank you for the thought. I'll look up Zotmoov and Attanger.

Alrich

The solution is to use a second profile. This creates an actual library which I can sync or not. So unless I encounter an unexpected snag later, this will let me have one syncing library and one non-syncing library. Since Zotero is engineered to have multiple users in a given instance, this should work. I'll let you know.