Sharing Zotero database on local network directory

hx2A
I like the Zotero application but because of compliance/legal limitations at my employer we are unable to upload pdfs or data to the Zotero web storage for syncing. The only way for us to use Zotero is to do some kind of syncing to a local server.

Are there any options available to us? I searched through the forum and website and I found some dire warnings about the alternative syncing solutions, such as this page:

https://www.zotero.org/support/sync

and

https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/32374/custom-data-directory-on-network-location-not-supported-under-ubuntu/

It is confusing to me if it is possible to this, and if so which files must be linked or not linked.

What if we set up a local webDAV server? Is that feasible and rational? How likely is it to be successful and stress-free?

Thanks you!
  • adamsmith
    if you can't upload _data_ to the zotero server, then a webDAV won't help and there is no good solution that's stress free (it is possible to set up the entire Zotero server locally, but while possible—and a handful of working groups around the world are doing that—it's decidedly not stress free).

    If the concern is just files, than webDAV will do great and be pretty easy, though unfortunately it doesn't work for groups.

    Also, apart from sharing the database across computers, Zotero is fully functional without any sync, so depending on what you're after that may be an option.
  • hx2A
    We do need something that does work for a group of people. Are there no options?

    Sharing the database across computers does have high risk of corruption, right? Want to make sure I understand that correctly.

    Thank you for the quick reply.
  • dstillman
    I'm afraid if this applies to data as well as files, adamsmith gave you the options. There's no way to do it without running your own copy of the dataserver, which isn't for the faint of heart.

    Sharing the local database across computers won't work, and will absolutely corrupt it.

    Just as a data point, I'm curious if end-to-end encryption in Zotero would make a difference given your employer's policies, or whether there's a general ban on uploading even locally encrypted data to remote servers.
  • hx2A
    > Sharing the local database across computers won't work, and will absolutely corrupt it.

    Thank you for the warning.

    In theory end-to-end encryption might satisfy the reason for the company policies but in reality that solution would need special approval which we would be unlikely to get.
  • dstillman
    OK, thanks.
  • Gurdas_Sandhu
    Instead of sharing database, can the attachments be located on a network drive?

    Any issues with this scenario:
    All employees sign-on with the same user login, and thus, have a copy of the data directory on their computer. As they work, the data directory on everyone's computer is maintained up-to-date via sync. The attachments are stored on a network drive and are added to items using "Attach link to file" feature. Thus, while each user has their own data directory, they are all pointing to the same PDF.

    1. Can files on a network drive be added to items as links?
    2. Will these files me covered by the build index function?
    3. Any concerns?

    A somewhat related discussion is at:
    https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/50369/attach-link-to-file-in-group-library/
  • bwiernik
    Yes and yes (but note that individuals will need to manage items in their personal libraries--group libraries don't support links). You might want to explore the relative paths feature in Zotero and the sub folder management features in the Zotfile plugin.
  • dstillman
    Just to add to that, group libraries will support linked files once attachment-base-directory (a.k.a. relative path) support is added for group libraries. But for now linked files are only available in personal libraries.
  • Gurdas_Sandhu
    @bwiernik, Since everyone is logging with the same login id, they would be working in their personal library, though personal here does not really mean "one person". I was thinking relative paths but did not make it clear. Have not used Zotfile's subfolder feature and will check it out!

    @Dan, relative paths coming to groups would be great. I've been waiting for it. Think it might happen within 2016?
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