Zotfile Reader - Zotero plugin to work with tablet (iPad, Android tablets etc)
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See here, here and here for how to find the Dropbox path on Windows systems.
As you suggested earlier, I actually thought about saving the location of the files on the reader with a wildcard for the base folder ({basefolder}/project/file.pdf). The advantage of that solution would be that it is more general and useful for dropbox and other syncing methods. Any advantages of a dropbox variable?
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/zotfile-reader/versions/
New Features in 0.5
- Extraction of annotations and highlights from PDFs (currently only on Mac)
- Compatible with Zotero Standalone
(for instructions see here and remember to first install zotfile 1.6.4)
- user-defined sub-folder configuration is now in a separate window
- empty folders are deleted after changing user-defined subfolders
- BUG: pop-up menu now works in second FF window
Changes compared to last beta
- remove hyphens from highlighted text in zotero note
- BUG resolved: note was created even when the PDF did not contain any annotations
In a previous version I tried, the "Scan Reader" option recognized highlights I had made to files on my reader (in a dropbox folder) but this one doesn't, so that the one in Zotero is out of date. It does get updated, but only after I remove the copy from the reader. Is is possible to get back that Scan Reader functionality?
I'm very impressed. Going to donate now... :) Thank you!!! -js
The update mechanism for the extraction tool still needs some work though and it will take some time until I get to do that. The new version is already on the server though so that you can update manually. In order to do that, you first have to go to your Zotero library directory and delete the folder 'ExtractPDFAnnotations'. When you now restart Zotero, you should be able to reinstall the extraction tool through the zotfile preference window. (I haven't tried the updated version at a different Mac. So let me know if it does not work)
www.columbia.edu/~jpl2136/zotreader_06b1.xpi
New Features in 0.6
- background mode: option to save copy of annotated file with suffix (hidden options: storeCopyOfFile, storeCopyOfFile_suffix)
- background mode: option to use relative reader paths in zotero, which makes it possible to use different base folders on different computers (hidden option: dest_dir_relativePath)
- deleting a subfolder prompts user to remove files from reader, move files to base folder, or cancel
- tagging: option to tag parent item when file is moved and removed from reader, which might be very useful when colored tags get implemented in zotero (hidden option: tagParentPush,tagParentPush_tag,tagParentPull,tagParentPull_tag)
- right click menu in 'Configuration of Subfolders' window with option to open folder
- option to add html tag to extracted highlights and notes. By default, notes from pdfs are now formatted in italic (hidden options: pdfExtractionNoteRemoveHtmlNote, pdfExtractionNoteRemoveHtmlHighlight)
- BUG fix: remove hyphens made extraction fail if note annotation was present
- BUG fix: annotations are now only extracted if the file on the reader was modified
Extraction of Annotations
- new version of annotation extraction tool with major bug fixes
- update mechanism: zotreader checks for updates when you open the zotfile preference window, and enables the update button if a newer version is available
I just installed Zotero 2.x not the beta) /Zotfile (latest) and ZotfileReader (last file beta mentioned here in above post) on my Linux Tablet. Looked like a great Idea to test along with testing different software for their annotation and pdf manipulation qualities.
The Plugin does move the PDF from my collection to the folder specified, does pull it back, asking to replace the old pdf in zotero, etc. but does do nothing like importing. I did highlight a line of text and add a comment textbox to the PDF in different applications and saved back to PDF.
Guess linux import is still not implemented? Or did I miss some step?
If you are still willing to try, I suggest that you start with the poppler library (http://poppler.freedesktop.org/) . If you manage to compile one of the utility functions (preferably, pdftotext in the utils folder), it should be relatively easy to compile my little script.
In any case, I will integrate this for other platforms as soon as someone manages to compile it.
https://build.opensuse.org/
This version also fixes some bugs from the last 0.6 beta.
http://www.columbia.edu/~jpl2136/zotfile_200b2.xpi
ps: Updated to run with FF 3.6. Automatic transfer of zotreader preferences still does not work for 3.6 (zofile reader has to be uninstalled manually)!
ps: Your ZotFile Reader preferences are mostly copied over but it requires a second restart to uninstall zotfile reader. You don't have to do that manually. Just go ahead and install this version as usually.
http://www.columbia.edu/~jpl2136/zotfile_200b3.xpi
This should be much better! A saved search is also now created automatically (and can be done manually from the pref window).
New Features in Zotfile 2.0
- Zotfile and Zotfile reader are now integrated into one plugin
(in FF 4+, the reader preferences are automatically transfered and zotfile reader uninstalled)
- cleaned and improved preference window
- saved search for tablet item is also now created automatically
- option to save copy of annotated file with suffix (background mode only)
- option to save copy of annotated file with suffix (background mode only)
- zotfile uses relative paths for files on the tablet, which makes it possible to use different base folders on different computers
- changing the base folder creates a warning if there are files in the old location
- deleting a subfolder prompts user to remove files from reader, move files to base folder, or cancel
- tagging: option to tag parent item when file is moved and removed from reader, which might be very useful when colored tags get implemented in zotero (hidden option: tagParentPush,tagParentPush_tag,tagParentPull,tagParentPull_tag)
- right click menu in 'Configuration of Subfolders' window with option to open folder
- option to add html tag to extracted highlights and notes. By default, notes from pdfs are now formatted in italic (hidden options: pdfExtractionNoteRemoveHtmlNote, pdfExtractionNoteRemoveHtmlHighlight)
- lots of bug fixes
Extraction of Annotations
- new version of annotation extraction tool with major bug fixes
- update mechanism: zotreader checks for updates when you open the zotfile preference window, and enables the update button if a newer version is available
Help would be much appreciated. I'm really excited about this add-on, since I prefer annotating my PDFs on my iPad and then writing major papers on my laptop. I really want this to work.
I just installed zotfile 1.6.5 and zotfile reader 0.5 and basically got it to sync with dropbox. It should really be a great app to help me with my ipad.
Problem is when I delete a previously added subfolder such that it is not shown in dropbox anymore, I'm unable to reload any of the pdf's in this subfolder, even when I try to reload them out of the main library. A question pops up asking if already existing files on the reader should be replaced, which I agreed to, of course.
May be I'm overlooking something in the settings?
Thanks in advance
Uli
1) Move pdf to sub-folder on dropbox using zotfile reader
2) delete folder with files on dropbox
3) Try to move the same pdf to a different folder, which doesn't work
Is that correct? If it is, i think I know what the problem is and I can fix it. But in general, I would recommend that you delete at least user-defined sub-folders from zotfile reader and not from dropbox directly. At least the most recent version (I am not sure about 0.5) will ask you what to do with the files in that folder.
I really like this plugin because it helps me to read my literature on my iPad. But unfortunately it does not rename the files when I choose "Manage reader files -> Move to reader"?!? It just copies the files with the original name. I want my original zotero library unchanged. Only the copied file should be renamed according to the ZotFile renaming settings.
TIA for help!
Tom
http://www.columbia.edu/~jpl2136/zotfile_200b3.xpi
Someone else reported that files did not get renamed but I think I solved that problem. I am not sure right now what happens with the file in zotero though. Can you check out the zotfile 2.0 beta and tell me whether that solves your problem?
However I've setup using Zotfile 2.0b3 exporting to a folder in dropbox and checked "Create subfolders using zotero collections" but the attachments all endup in the base folder. Also the folder path is not shown in the textbox.
I'm using Firefox 7.0.1 on Windows 7 and Zotero 2.1.10 and all my attachments are stored copies on Zotero.
It's a small nuance in a otherwise stable beta.
/jonas
http://www.columbia.edu/~jpl2136/zotfile_files/subfolder.png
(with the stuff below 'Move to Subfolder' reflecting the subfolder your zotero item is in. Note that this list is currently only based on the first selected item)
The files are only moved to subfolders when you click on one of the menu items below 'Move to Subfolder'. Do you see this list for items that are in sub collections and can you confirm that clicking on one of them does not move the file to the appropriate folder?
this is a great solution. Many thanks.
Using v2.0b3 downloaded from here, I have these problems on Win7, FF7.0.1:
1. when scanning the folder, a changed pdf is found, but clicking the option to move it back to zotero is without effect.
2. I cannot find the option for the background mode anymore. Currently, all exported files appear as links in zotero, and when moving them back, are attached, but I'd like to get a second file with (in addition to the file without) annotations. This seems like the foreground mode (or what the name was) behavior...