How to backup a group library with subcollections?

heitger

Hello,

I was wondering what would be an adequate way to backup a group library.
- Copying the Firefox-Data-Directory seems not to work, am I right?
- Copying the collection-tree to "My Library" neither, right?

So what should I do?

Thanks for any hint in advance,
best regards,
David

ajlyon

Copying the Firefox data directory will capture the metadata and attachments in a group library. There is not yet a good way of restoring data from a backup made in such a way, but it could likely be reconstructed in case of a catastrophe that affected the data on the Zotero servers.

heitger

Thanks for your quick reply. Could you say something about the process to reconstruct the data in case of loss (accidental deletion is not out of probability)?

Thanks again,
best regards,
David

ajlyon

I think you should be able to revert to the old backup of the data directory, disconnect from the network, and open Firefox. Then you can copy to your personal library those items that have been corrupted or deleted from the server. You can then copy them back to the group library when you are back online and sync.

That said, this is not a very good solution and it would be good to see something more robust. In the meantime, make sure that your Firefox data directory is being backed up regularly and hope you never need to restore from those backups!

eamoone

I had a further question about this comment made above:
"Copying the Firefox data directory will capture the metadata and attachments in a group library."

Is this true for all group libraries you may belong to, or simply for the group libraries you own?
Thanks.

ajlyon

I believe that should be true for all group libraries you are a member of.