Mac Operating System

dawn

I have been using Zotero on Mac 10.6.8 for many years, but now I have to upgrade my operating system because the software it uses is losing support. My computer is an older model (because I work for a non-profit and the machines are donated to us) so I want to upgrade with care, not all the way to the newest OS. I know that various versions of the Mac Operating System sync better or worse with Zotero, and this is a HUGE issue to me. If I can't access my Zotero files, I'm dead in the water. That being the case, can anyone tell me what is or are the best Mac OS versions, from 10.7 on up, to use with Zotero, so I know what to upgrade to? Yes, it's true: Zotero compatability is going to determine what OS I use. It's that big a deal to me. I use the integrated system with Firefox browser if that's important to know. Whoever can help me: THANK YOU!

adamsmith

I'm not aware of any differences between Mac OS X versions and how they work with Zotero. I don't think you'll have issues with any OS from 10.6.8 upwards, so I'd just pick a pretty new one so you'll have a nice support span.

The only caveat is that LibreOffice integration is a bit more finicky on (I think) el capitan, so if that's a concern, it might be worth taking a closer look. That does not apply to Word. Getting Word 2016 to work might require a slight tweak, but that's regardless of the OS.

dawn

Thank you so much for this information! I really appreciate it.

canozp

Just in case you're not aware: Firefox is dropping support for OS X 10.6, 10.7, and 10.8 in August 2016, although the ESR version will be supported with security/stability updates until mid-2017. So going with 10.9 or higher seems like a good idea for the longer term (unless Zotero has moved away from the XUL/Firefox codebase by mid-2017?)

https://blog.mozilla.org/futurereleases/2016/04/29/update-on-firefox-support-for-os-x/

dawn

Holy cow! That's VERY important information I didn't have. Thank you for the link, in particular! (I even posted about this on the Apple forum and no one mentioned the drop of Firefox support for all the way through 10.8.). MANY thanks for thinking to post this!

adamsmith

unless Zotero has moved away from the XUL/Firefox codebase by mid-2017

(Possible, I think, but certainly nothing I'd rely on)

canozp

No problem dawn. I have an old 2006 iMac that I upgraded to OS X 10.10 using some hacks from the MacRumors forums. Depending on your model you might be able to do the same, if getting a new computer is not an option.

http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/os-x-yosemite-on-unsupported-macs-guide.1761432/

dawn

I have to admit that while I'm not certain what that phrase means -- "unless Zotero has moved away from the XUL/Firefox codebase by mid-2017"-- I would be personally distressed if Zotero ever stopped having a version that's integrated with Firefox. I started using it before there was standalone or even (to my recollection) an online repository you could sync. Being able to simply capture resources I am looking at in Zotero is one of the things I love most about it.

dawn

Canozp: Thank you for this information AND the link! This forum has been way more helpful, even with just the Mac OS issue, than the Mac forum has been. In fact, this forum is yet another reason Zotero is the most important part of my computer life. What a great community!

adamsmith

There would always be browser integration, so "being able to simply capture resources I am looking at in Zotero" will definitely still be possible, but yes, you'll likely need to have some Standalone version in the medium-term future. Firefox is ending support for a number of the key features on which Zotero relies, so it'll very likely just not be possible to run the full software as a Firefox add-on anymore.

dawn

Oh man. Well, I guess all good things come to an end. I hate hearing this, adam, but it's better to find out about it now than later. I just hope when "transition time" comes there will be lots of instructional support for those of us who have to figure out how to switch to standalone. :-) (As an aside, I don't suppose there's any way we can lobby Firefox with letters, to get them not to discontinue those critical features Zotero uses?)

DWL-SDCA

Dawn: Do not worry about this. Zotero Standalone works fine and has for a long time. Several of my project's volunteers use the standalone version with Chrome on a Mac a few use it with Safari. They have the same ability to click on an icon to import metadata from journal publishers and databases. They have little problem using Zotero Standalone with Word or LibreOffice.

Concerning your computer upgrade, email me directly. My address is available by clicking on my user name.

dawn

This information is REALLY reassuring!! Thank you for taking the time to clarify the situation to me. I fear I "run scared" because of past problems when I updated Firefox and (I think) Zotero itself -- back when Zotero was pretty new -- and had trouble accessing my files after. It all worked out eventually, though at one point I had to beg mercy from a reference librarian with Zotero expertise at a local college where I had no official connections. But I guess I'm of a generation that panics when my technology goes somewhere without me. So this kind of reassuring information REALLY helps when I'm already feeling stressed about trying to find a way to keep doing a lot with only a little resource. THANK YOU.