Upgrade StorageHow does sync work?
I just started using Zotero for a medical research project. I work on three computers (work, home and laptop) and the sync function is very important for managing data with across three platforms. To help manage my data effectively, I want to understand how the Zotero sync function works.
This is my understanding of how sync should work.
1. The master data set is kept on the Zotero server.
2. At the beginning of a session, computer A first accesses the Zotero server and the local database is updated (I am using the auto sync function). During the session any changes to the local database are used to update the master data set.
3. A the beginning of the next session, computer B will access the Zotero server and updates the local database. During the session any changes to the local database are used to update the master data set.
4. Goto Step #2 and repeat.
The above work flow might seem obvious (correct me if I am wrong!) but it does not always seems to work as I expect it should. What I have found is this:
1. The local database in Step 3 does not always reflect the changes made in Step 2. I am not confident that the changes made during a work session using computer A are reflected during a subsequent work session using computer B.
2. Typically after the initial sync from master database to the local database, I get numerous duplicates files (even when I have only added the reference a single time) and even duplicate folders. The duplicate files (which most commonly occur in the main library not specific folder) do not have any of attached notes and other source material. I generally delete the duplicate files and but in the case of duplicate folders, I use the reset function to repopulate the local database. The reset function works well.
3. I have gotten around my lack of confidence in syncing by updating the master database and the local database by using the reset function. Since I am just starting the project, the work around has been doable. As the project develops I have got to be confident that syncing will work as intended.
Thanks
Roy Jensen
This is my understanding of how sync should work.
1. The master data set is kept on the Zotero server.
2. At the beginning of a session, computer A first accesses the Zotero server and the local database is updated (I am using the auto sync function). During the session any changes to the local database are used to update the master data set.
3. A the beginning of the next session, computer B will access the Zotero server and updates the local database. During the session any changes to the local database are used to update the master data set.
4. Goto Step #2 and repeat.
The above work flow might seem obvious (correct me if I am wrong!) but it does not always seems to work as I expect it should. What I have found is this:
1. The local database in Step 3 does not always reflect the changes made in Step 2. I am not confident that the changes made during a work session using computer A are reflected during a subsequent work session using computer B.
2. Typically after the initial sync from master database to the local database, I get numerous duplicates files (even when I have only added the reference a single time) and even duplicate folders. The duplicate files (which most commonly occur in the main library not specific folder) do not have any of attached notes and other source material. I generally delete the duplicate files and but in the case of duplicate folders, I use the reset function to repopulate the local database. The reset function works well.
3. I have gotten around my lack of confidence in syncing by updating the master database and the local database by using the reset function. Since I am just starting the project, the work around has been doable. As the project develops I have got to be confident that syncing will work as intended.
Thanks
Roy Jensen