Conflict resolution for PDF attachments [ADDED TO GITHUB]

bjohas
edited March 10, 2019
If two members of a group simultaneously edit a PDF and save it back to Zotero, followed by sync, what happens?

We just experimented with this a little, and it seems that the newer file overwrites the slightly older one.

Does anybody have experience with this?
  • dstillman
    If the files actually change on both sides between syncs, you should get a conflict resolution window (though, really, it's pretty unhelpful, and we should probably just create conflicted copies like Dropbox does).

    But depending on what OS this is and maybe what specific program you're using, it's also possible that someone has a file open, a file change is coming in via auto-sync and swapping out the underlying file, and then the second person is saving their copy over the changed version. So in that case it's not actually a conflict as far as Zotero is concerned — because when the first download comes in the local file hasn't yet changed — and it's arguably a job for the PDF program you're using to alert you that the file changed.

    Windows tends to lock files more when they're open, so that's probably less likely there.
  • bjohas
    @dstillman - thanks for this. Yes, conflicted copies would be great - any chance that could be added to the development timeline?

    I would also love a 'duplicate' on attachments, that adds "- 's comments" to the end. Maybe that could be one for ZotFile...
  • dstillman
    Yes, conflicted copies would be great - any chance that could be added to the development timeline?
    Issue created.
  • bjohas
    Thanks!

    Btw. How does simultaneous note or metadata editing get resolved? Also via a conflict window? Is that true for notes also?

    I think the option to retain both items in those cases would be good, to allow a detailed manual merge?
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