backing up the storage folder on dropbox. recommended?

kiraniam

I know the zotero data directory shouldn't point to a dropbox folder (https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/data_directory_in_cloud_storage_folder), but it sounds fine to me to keep a backup copy of the Zotero storage folder (just the pdfs) using the dropbox backup feature. Dropbox will basically keep a replica of the storage folder, which I won't be editing directly. (https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/sync-uploads/computer-backup).

The dropbox backup feature seems like an easy option to backup my files, unless I am missing something. Do you see any issues with this approach?

Thanks!

dstillman

No, that's fine. But I would strongly recommend just using a tool that does an automated, incremental backup of your entire computer (e.g., Time Machine on a Mac) and not waste time thinking about backing up individual programs' files.

https://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data#backing_up_your_zotero_data

kiraniam

Thanks dstillman.

I don't have enough data on my local machine to justify using Time machine (I mostly work on a server or backup some files with iCloud/dropbox), so I think I will just go with making a copy of the entire Zotero folder using dropbox backup. It will maintain a separate copy of the Zotero data folder in dropbox without having to change Zotero's data directory location.

Btw thanks for your work on Zotero, its great! I especially like how it magically detects which of my folders a paper should go in when I use the 'Save to Zotero' browser plugin. As well as pulling up metadata/pdfs from journals when I import citations.

dstillman

I will just go with making a copy of the entire Zotero folder using dropbox backup

Do you mean the 'storage' folder? Because if you add the Zotero data directory to Dropbox backup, that's no different from storing it in Dropbox:

Any changes or deletions you make to those folders from your computer, or in Dropbox, will be reflected in both places.

And you very much don't want that.

And backing up just your 'storage' folder doesn't back up your actual Zotero data (though if you use Zotero syncing you're less likely to lose your data if something happens to your computer — there's just no version history if you make a mistake and then sync it).

kiraniam

I initially thought about backing up just the storage folder but it seems safe to backup the entire data directory -

1. I will not be making any edits to the data directory replica on dropbox, avoiding any changes dropbox makes to the original zotero directory in my computer. (my goal is a one way copy of the data directory to my dropbox)

2. My understanding is that the 'storage' folder has all my pds/attachments, not the citations. I know zotero servers have a copy of my citations (unlimited). I am just trying to make a backup of the pdfs. I don't need a version history

dstillman

I mean, it's your choice — just be aware that you are very much choosing to sync your database with Dropbox. If you think you're following the last paragraph there — about the one possible exception to the rule — and will never accidentally do something different, then OK, but don't say you weren't warned.

I don't need a version history

It's not really about "needing" version history. The point is that a sync system isn't a true replacement for a backup without a version history. If you make a change by mistake and sync, you can't recover from it (though in Zotero's case you can technically restore from one of the local automatic backups, if you notice in time).

kiraniam

ok I understand. maybe I'll just backup the 'storage' folder in dropbox. that should be safer?

I won't ever be directly using (on another machine) or editing the replica on dropbox, so there's no chance of a sync modifying the original zotero 'storage' folder in my computer.

dstillman

The 'storage' folder is fine either way. It's the zotero.sqlite database that would get corrupted if something went wrong.

But if you're using Zotero syncing with auto-sync enabled, and you're positive you'll only ever do a one-way sync to Dropbox on a single machine, there's not a ton of danger.

kiraniam

I'll keep it safe and just backup the storage folder. thanks again