Sidebar in Chrome

ZoeAlford

Hi, I'm using Zotero in Firefox 21.0 and having trouble with the disappearance of items in the Zotero left hand sidebar - My Library, Group Libraries, and all the file names I have disappear and reappear when I run the cursor over them. Also the little buttons across the top (the cog wheel, the add an item button, the button to enter DOIs etc) disappear from time to time. I use Zotero so much I remember where they are, but it's still a nuisance. Does anyone have an idea of why this happens and what I can do to fix it?
btw, I'm using a MacBook Air, latest model and none of my add ins are on the known list of problem-makers.
Many thanks, Zoe

dstillman

You should try disabling all your other extensions. The list isn't exhaustive. Also, if you're using a non-default theme, switch back to the default.

If that doesn't help, are you able to take a screenshot of the problem? If so, upload it somewhere (Dropbox, imageshack.us) and post a link here.

dstillman

(Also, you meant to write "Sidebar in Firefox", right?)

ZoeAlford

Thanks Dan. No, I meant the sidebar in Zotero - sorry, I don't know if this is the right word for it. I've posted a screenshot here: http://imageshack.us/a/img442/6382/screenshot20130613at723.png
I disabled all the add ons and returned to the default theme on Firefox, restarted, and still no change. Thanks for your help.

dstillman

Well, the sidebar in Zotero for Firefox, that is. There's no way to have a Zotero interface in Chrome.

What version of OS X are you running?

ZoeAlford

10.8.4

dstillman

That's unlikely to be a problem with Zotero itself—it looks more like a Firefox/graphics card issue. But you could try downloading Zotero Standalone, which will share your Zotero for Firefox data directory by default, and see if it happens in that as well.

ZoeAlford

And yes, the sidebar in Zotero for Firefox.

ZoeAlford

Thanks for the suggestion. Just done that and there are no problems with the standalone version. It works with Word just like the Firefox version. How does the standalone sync? Does it just grab the broadband connection?

dstillman

Yes. Any program can use your computer's network connection. There's nothing special about a web browser such as Firefox in that regard.

So my advice would be to see if this goes away in the next version of Firefox or Mountain Lion and use Zotero Standalone in the meantime. Zotero for Firefox will automatically switch into "connector mode" when Zotero Standalone is open, letting you save from web pages into Standalone using the address bar icon. If you quit Standalone, Zotero for Firefox will go back into full mode.

ZoeAlford

Thank you so much for your help and time Dan. I really appreciate it. I can't tell you how important Zotero has been, and continues to be, for my research. Next week I'll be presenting at doctoral week to colleagues and peers and I will be singing Zotero's praises. Keep up the great work!

DWL-SDCA

This is a Mac issueand has been described before.

See my post near the end of:
https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/25242/black-lines-missing-citations-toggle-mode/

I provide a video of an extreme example. This continues, even after my upgrade to OS 10.8.4, doubled RAM, and a new more powerful video card.

I've worked with AppleCare and at the "Genius Bar". The probelm persists and exists on my MacPro as well as my MacBook Pro. This is not a Zotero problem.

It can occur when I view long lists of references on PubMed and Web of Science. Apple says that they acknowledge that the problem is real but that they cannot determine the cause. Same situation with Mozilla folks. This is clearly a FireFox issue.

The solution, for me, is to wait a few moments scroll above the point where the missing part of the image appeared and slowly scroll back.

ZoeAlford

Thanks for this comment DWL-SDCA, and for taking the time to post the solution here. All the same, I think I'll stick with the standalone version so I don't have to grapple with it - it's annoying. Interesting that you've discovered it's a FireFox issue.