Query: Symlink in Zotero 5?

HettyMerton

I'm currently still using Zotero 4, and I use a symbolic link (symlink) for my data directory, so that the directory is stored in a Dropbox folder. This means that (a) my directory is backed up via Dropbox (along with all my attached PDFs, etc), and (b) I'm able to access it on multiple computers. I set it up following these instructions: https://remembereverything.org/syncing-zotero-with-dropbox-and-several-computers/

I'm currently holding off upgrading to Zotero 5, as I can see in the changelog that changes have been made to the data directory system. Will my current symlink setup still work if I upgrade? Will I need to set up a new symlink? Any advice would be appreciated - I'm not very tech-savvy! Thanks.

DWL-SDCA

Keeping your Zotero database file on Dropbox (or iCloud, etc.) is strongly discouraged. Keeping your attachments there is Okay. To keep Zotero coordinated on all your machines you should use Zotero's sync system (free for your data).

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

HettyMerton

Cheers for the tip, but I've been using the symlink/Dropbox method for three years now without any problems - I know there are other options available (and have previously tried what you suggest), but this is what works best for me and my needs.

I'm just looking to find out if my current setup will still work in Zotero 5, or if I will need to change the symlink to a different location. The support documentation hasn't been fully updated for 5 yet, which is why I wanted to ask here before updating.

DWL-SDCA

"...three years now without any problems..."

Please see:
https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/comment/279208#Comment_279208

https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/comment/275150#Comment_275150

There are many other comments in this forum from people who, like you, have used a service 'forever' without a problem then lost everything.

HettyMerton

Thanks again. I realise that I perhaps haven't been explaining my situation properly - the only file in my data directory is that is symlinked is the "storage" folder (as described in the first thread you link to). It's not the entire data directory, just the storage folder within the directory.

adamsmith

Sorry, DWL, you're misunderstanding the issue. What Hetty is doing is perfectly fine and has always been one of the recommended ways of using Dropbox for syncing files.

In answer to your question, Hetty, I don't think this has been tested, but there's absolutely nothing in 5.0 that should cause this to stop working, so I'd say the likelihood that it doesn't is under 5%. I'd go ahead and update.

edit -- Zotero Standalone does under some circumstances move the data directory, in which case you'd have to re-create the symlinks