Selective File Syncing

jwalshaw
I've just started using Zotero for a new research project, and I'm going to have a lot of PDF attachments of research items, including large photos taken in archives and libraries.

I don't necessarily need to (or want to) pay for extra storage to sync all of these files to the Zotero server - for the most part, I'm happy to have them on my standalone. But is it possible to selectively sync some files, ie., the really central ones that I MIGHT want to consult from another computer? That is, I've unclicked 'file syncing' but the attachments that were ALREADY synced are still in the web version. Can I change those out for different ones?

thanks for any thoughts on this!
  • dstillman
    No, that's not possible.

    On-demand download, which won't require downloading all your files to every synced computer, is coming in the next major version, but there are currently no plans for selective upload (which would require a more complicated interface and be more awkward to use).
  • jwalshaw
    Ok - thanks so much for your helpful explanation!
  • xMarc
    edited September 20, 2012
    Actually, there is a workaround, but it involves duplicating the data and files you want to access on the server. In your local Zotero:
    1. create a group by selecting the "New Group..." button (top left of Zotero tool bar). This will bring you to your account on zotero.org where you set group name, group type, etc.
    2. back on local Zotero, optionally create a collection for the files you want on the server
    3. copy the items (w/ attachments) you want synced from My Library to the new group/collection
    4. go into Preferences | Sync | Settings and in "File Syncing" uncheck the first option (which syncs all files) and check the second option (which syncs only Group library files)
    5. sync!

    Your files are now in the Group Library on the server.
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