Catastrophy, my entire library is gone

patqwerty

Hi,

I use both standalone (most recent version) and firefox + MS word plugin. First of all, I must say I regret not syncing my library because I'm now in trouble.

I couldn't save anything from pubmed, so instead of coming here to learn that sometimes their server is down, I uninstalled my firefox plugins and reinstalled. Obviously, that still didn't work. So, I went ahead and uninstalled firefox completely, and reinstalled it, along with the plugins. Only then I realised that the problem was with pubmed itself, after coming here and reading a few forums.

However, when I clicked on my standalone shortcut, there was some sort of error (think it said something like I'm using standalone for the first time, or can't find shortcut). Anyway, I managed to open standalone directly from the folder location, and realised that my entire library was gone.

Thankfully, the references in my word documents are intact, and I'm still able to add bibliography even when I haven't previously.

My question is this: Is there any way of copying my references from word documents into the library? Or is there any other way of retrieving my lost library? Otherwise I'd have to manually go through all of my word documents, insert bibliographies and copy/paste them painstakingly into pubmed to add it into my library.

I really do hope someone would be able to help me with this, comments much appreciated.

Pat

adamsmith

You can look at this: http://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data#where_did_my_items_go
there's a good chance you still have a good chance that your old data folder - including your library - is still on your harddisk (when you un-install Firefox, it typically leaves your old profile in place, unless you select specifically to delete everything).

Also, if you have a back-up of your harddisk, that'd fix things.

As for your question specifically - no, you can't re-import items from Word.

dstillman

it typically leaves your old profile in place, unless you select specifically to delete everything

Specifically there's an option along the lines of "Remove my Firefox personal data and customizations", which defaults to unchecked. If you did select that, it may indeed have deleted your entire Firefox profile, which would include the Zotero data directory if you hadn't moved it.

Are your Firefox bookmarks, cookies, and history also gone?

patqwerty

Hi Adam and Dan,

Thanks for getting back to me.

I'm afraid I've deleted all data from Firefox with a ridiculous assumption that performing a clean reinstallation would've sorted my issue, which clearly wasn't a problem with neither Zotero not Firefox. Firefox isn't my primary browser, I only use it for Zotero and pubmed (which was saved and that's gone too, since I deleted everything). Are there any other options?

What if I carried on using Zotero normally by just adding references going forward while finishing my thesis, will that cause any problems to previously referenced data? If it doesn't, it'll save me having to manually add each and every references I've added to my documents.

First thing I'm doing though is syncing everything!

DWL-SDCA

.

dstillman

DWL: Your second paragraph is completely inappropriate. If people are interested in your job coaching, they can contact you privately. Let's stick to Zotero.

adamsmith

@patqwerty - I fear unless you have a back-up along the lines of what DWL describes, that's it, sorry.

What if I carried on using Zotero normally by just adding references going forward while finishing my thesis, will that cause any problems to previously referenced data? If it doesn't, it'll save me having to manually add each and every references I've added to my documents.

This will work, but if you re-import a citation into Zotero that's already cited in a document this requires extra care. Zotero views those two as separate citations, so you have to make sure to _always_ use the one listed under "Cited Items". Otherwise it'll show up twice in the bibliography.

patqwerty

@ DWL: Thanks for the condescending comment, luckily I'm not required to answer trivial questions regarding computer use to assess my reliability, carelessness, attention to detail, and risk-taking. Rather, my relationship with my patients and how I care for them, along with my clinical knowledge and technical ability as an eye surgeon are what's taken into account during an interview.

Dan and Adam, thanks for the prompt support. I'll probably carry on using Zotero like normal and proof read bibliographies at the end which can be done easily enough. Lessons learnt though, and I hope it never happens again!

Thank you and all the best,
Pat

DWL-SDCA

@Pat @Dan @Everyone

I sincerely apologize that the tone of my post led to offense. I never intended to be inappropriate or condescending. I deleted it. I guess that I was tone-deaf. I am horrified at the idea that something I wrote could be thought snarky trollish.

Indeed, I thought that I was offering _support_ and _advice_ not only to Pat but to the many other readers of the thread. @Pat I honestly meant no hint of insult to you.

I tried to point out that with modern operating systems, backing up is easy, automatic, and built-in. The only effort required is to purchase a back up drive. Long ago, I too learned the hard way about backing up regularly. Since my own error I have been a "belt and suspenders" guy for computer files, a back-up evangelist. Clearly, I got carried away.

I particularly got into trouble with my report of an experience with one of my former interns who applied for a job and was asked questions about his home computer. I wrote of that interview experience as an indicator that ideas of the importance of computer housekeeping have spilled beyond tech support and into society at large. (During his graduate internship I frequently harped on my belief that backing up is important and that computers should probably be sold with an extra backup drive built-in.) When I mentioned this over lunch to a friend who works in HR she provided the information about the rationale for the interview question. I thought that the anecdote would be an interesting way to add emphasis.

Instead, it was received as inappropriate and as an insult.

For that, I repeat my apology and I hope that this post explains but does not compound my error.

mavis pearl

Please my zotero is not showing when I'm in firefox at the bottom right corner. My add-ins are active in my word document and I could still do my referencing. Pls what do I do since I need to add more articles.
Mavis Pearl.
Thank you.

adamsmith

http://www.zotero.org/support/kb/no_status_bar_icon