Accessing Files Offline using File Syncing from Multiple Computers

Callum-Brindley

What happens if the file syncing option is selected when data syncing is already setup on multiple computers? Are files that are added on different devices also synced?

I have a home computer, tablet and work computer on which I mainly use Zotero to keep articles and take reading notes. File syncing with my Zotero profile works well across the three devices. However, I've noticed that articles are only stored on the device where they are added (i.e. under different Firefox profiles on each device).

I would like to use my tablet to work without an internet connection during my daily commute and access files I have added at home or at work. If I select file syncing on the tablet (and the other devices) and sync the tablet before commuting, will the files be stored somewhere on the tablet's hardrive that I can access without an internet connection?

Apologies for the possibly confusing post. Essentially, I'd like to figure out whether file syncing (and even paying for storage) will allow me to access files offline from multiple sync devices.

Regards

Callum Brindley

adamsmith

What happens if the file syncing option is selected when data syncing is already setup on multiple computers? Are files that are added on different devices also synced?

Generally the answer is yes, but to be sure we give you the right answer to your particular situation--what operating system does your tablet run and how are you using Zotero on it (i.e. which Zotero version/app)?

Callum-Brindley

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm using Windows 7 on my home and work computers. My tablet has Windows 8. I access Zotero on all of these devices through the add-on in Firefox. All of my devices have Firefox 26.0 installed. If I need to install a different version of Firefox that shouldn't be a problem.

An additional related question, is it possible to selectively file sync certain folders? For example, a "follow-up reading" folder. If this is possible, I could move items with their attachments in and out of this folder so that my entire library with attachments doesn't need to be saved on each device. Only my "follow-up reading" folder would need to be saved and accessible offline on my tablet.

Appreciate any advice you can offer on this

Kind regards

Callum Brindley

adamsmith

Just as a matter of general internet security, you shouldn't be running outdated versions of Firefox--update to version 31 (the current version) and make sure your settings are set to auto-update. That likely won't have an effect on this issue, though.

Just enabling file syncing will do what you need and make files available on all three computers.
If you want to use Zotero storage, you'll likely have to buy additional storage (Upgrade Storage at the top right here). Alternatively you could find&use a WebDAV service, which would mostly do the same (though your files would only be available on synced devices, not on zotero.org).

An additional related question, is it possible to selectively file sync certain folders?

No. There is a setting that will only download files as you're trying to access them (in the sync preferences), but obviously that's no good for offline access.

aurimas

But you can sort of achieve selective sync of attachments by using ZotFile's (Zotero add-on) "send to tablet" functionality and a third party sync provider. On the tablet you would get a folder of PDFs that could be titled using metadata.