Sorry to bump and old thread, but I can't find any others. Long time user, very happy to see ZS come out. I have also installed on USB with the intent of using on work computers (which block Firefox from running). I note when Zotero is first opened it installs its settings and profile into c:\Documents and Settings\**user**\Application Data\Zotero\

I understand this is likely due to there being no Firefox profile to default into. Is there a way to make ZS default into or have an option to place these folders in the installed directory? This would make ZS portable as well. If an existing Firefox profile were detected, maybe an initial set up option could be presented?

Thanks

I forgot, alternatively you can install Portable Firefox with the Zotero extension on your USB, and that works seamlessly as a normal installation does. I used this setup for a long time with no problems. That is probably the best solution in general, except where Firefox can't be used. Like for me.

Lugusto,

Try USBDLM V4.7.0.0 - USB Drive Letter Manager for Windows - I make my portables P:, but if you plug another one in first, it takes that one, and the next is Q.

http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbdlm_e.html

hold "standalone zotero" and "profile" contents in different folders;

create a batch file in parent folder :

@echo off
cls
for /f %%i in ("%0") do set batchpath=%%~dpi 
echo Starting Zotero 
echo batchpath=%batchpath%
Zotero\zotero.exe -profile "Profile"
echo Exit 0

use this batch file to start "standalone zotero".

Hello, thanks for the portable .paf version. Just starting to use it and it looks ok. First bug (may be), I tried to get back in my library something from the bin and it doesn't work. I clicked "restored" but nothing happen.

All my apologizes if you don't understand what I said, I have the french version so I translate by myself...
H

I just expierenced one problem. Zotero for Firefox cannot communicate with Zotero Standalone Portable. It does not recognise the Portable version running and does not switch to connector mode.

Any ideas why?

No, I am starting it with zotero.exe -profile "%PAL:DataDir%\profile".

The task manager shows me two processes, one called "ZoteroStandalonePortable.exe" and one called "zotero.exe".

Does the connector look for a specific process name or how does it identify the Standalone being active?

> I'm not entirely sure. Simon can probably give you the details once ? he reads this. I think that in order to detect that Standalone is running, the Firefox add-on must share the same data director with Standalone. So my next question would be whether you set that up correctly.

I hope they are not connected with each other. Having the portable version requires the data directory to be different from the installed Firefox.

> Once it detects that Standalone is running, Firefox add-on switches to connector mode and communicates over an open TCP port that Standalone had created. So also make sure nothing is blocking that.

This should be fine since Chrome + connector recognises the running standalone.

It would be pretty confusing if Zotero for Firefox saved to one library when Zotero Standalone is closed and a different library when Zotero Standalone is open.

Why can't you point Zotero for Firefox toward the portable version's data directory?

Dears,

Please, do you confirm that, in order to register a reference on Standalone, from a web page, I need the pluggin installed on Firefox (so you click on the purple "stuff" which appeared in the "research" bar) ?

In fact, I use three different computers, and I would like to have only the Standalone on my USB key. Is their a solution ?

What ever the answer, many thanks for all your work.
Ah, by the way, I wrote before a problem with the "restored" option (see HenriJ's comment). I do not have the problem anymore.

Cheers, Henri

@ adamsmith (first, thank for your fast quick flashgordon answer): "There are a number of different solutions to this:"

1) "portable Firefox with Zotero installed is one (portable Standalone likely won't work".
=> Yes, it doesn't work.

2) "plugins for Firefox (or Chrome or Safari)"
=> In fact, I synchronise Firefox as I use 3 computers and I don't want to synchronise Zotero, so it doesn't work either.

3 "as is the Zotero bookmarklet which will connect either to Standalone or to your Zotero library online http://www.zotero.org/downloadbookmarklet"
=> Yes, it does work.
In fact, I need to first log in Zotero server (just after I click on the bookmark, a pop-up opens from Zotero server and ask for my name and keyword), to then synchronise standalone, to then go in the "non classified" document, and to drag it where I want in my collection.

Would a bookmark that connected directely to Standalone work ? (so the connexion with the serve will happen after the registration of the document in Standalone, with the synchronize option of Standalone)

I guess you already talk about registering in Standalone, with "aurimas", "orschiro", "simon", above, but I am not sure I understand (I am not english).
Henri

I wan to sync, but I don't install Firefox portable because it is too slow (specially when you work on many different pages).

I use a "normal" Firefox with Standalone. So I mix something fixed (Firefox) with something moveable (Standalone).

To resume, I use Firefox on 3 different computers, and they are sync, but I want to keep Zotero apart (because he is my favourite ;)

Get sync running with standalone portable and use the bookmarklet in whatever browser you want:
http://www.zotero.org/downloadbookmarklet
or am I misunderstanding you?

Hello.
I have a rather dumb question.
As far as I could see all the comments and problems above refer to Zotero 3.X.
However, I would like to ask if the standalone 4.0 of Zotero is portable by default or if it is still mobile.
Thank you very much.

Just adding to this that you can download from here [1] and use the internal update function to update it to the latest version 4.x

Then you will have the latest *portable* version of Zotero.

[1] http://portableapps.com/node/36565