If it's any easier than using Time Machine, you could export your library to RDF. That would be reverse compatible to 1.0.x. You could also try using OpenOffice and the associated plugin, if you can't upgrade to Word 2008. There is some talk of developing a Word 2004 plugin that's compatible, but nothing definite.

Using Time Machine to downgrade would be preferable, since with RDF you'd lose the links to citations in existing documents (and possibly run into some other issues). You can (back up and) replace the entire 'zotero' directory in your Firefox profile with the latest version from Time Machine. See http://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data for an overview.

We're still hoping to provide a Word 2004–compatible plugin that works with 1.5, but there's no ETA.

without the menu-bar I find the word 2008 integration cumbersome

You probably know this, but you can use keyboard shortcuts (w/Control-Option) to run the menu commands.

We plan to support it, but it's not a high priority issue for two related reasons:

1) We prioritize development to support current and upcoming software. Word 2004 is 5 years old. I'm not wild about Word 2008 either, and I don't see it as a clear improvement over Word 2004. But then again, I was perfectly happy with Word 5.1.

2) There is significant overhead associated with supporting Microsoft Office's various flavors and platforms. Dropping VBA in Office 2008 was a knuckleheaded move that made life extremely difficult for third-party developers. The steps we took to work around this change ultimately have made for a much speedier and more efficient plugin, but the downside is the loss of Word 2004 compatibility.

I'd also like the plug-in. I would just assume stick with 04 because I don't like the look and feel (or poor design) of 08.

most awesome simon! thx so much!

We're testing it now, but it should be available very soon. It's compatible with OS X 10.4 and higher.

And please note that the above-linked Word plugin is for use only with Zotero 1.5 and above.

Hi,

Please please please keep working on that Mac 2004 integration. I downloaded the experimental version, but I am trying to finish my dissertation in the next couple of months and need this to work right.

I must say that the warnings for the installation of Zotero 1.5 need to be way way way way way way way way way more pronounced. The fact that you cannot revert back to the older version may have nothing to do with you, but I never in a million years would have installed it had I seen the warnings that you cannot revert. That should be on the front page in huge red font right under the download the veta version link. I didn't have OS X 10.5 and I was using Office 2004. I bought the new operating system and now I'm going to have to buy the new office software just to make this work again.

I'm thinking of just switching to something else, but I really liked using Zotero until this not-sufficient-warning thing happened. I think that the product is really cool, but I am really really frustrated.

yes. I had 10.4. I don't think all that many people always read all of the documentation for updates of software that they are using. Maybe that's just me, but I read the features and the first part of the page and called it good. Your warnings aren't until the middle of the page and are still not excessively prominent like they should be. You should put the warnings on the main page right under the link to download the new version.

I still can't get 1.5 to work because I don't have Office 2008 and I can't get the experimental Word 2004 plugin to work yet. I got Zotero to work again in Firefox once I updated to 10.5, but it won't integrate with Word still. I'm still working on it, though.

Maybe the warning could be on the mainpage something like this:

Link (Download 1.5 beta)
Warning: Must have Office 2008 and OS X 10.5

Zotero works fine in OS X 10.4. I'm using it right now. I also have not experienced any problems with the Word 2004 plugin.

It works with Word 2008 and OS X 10.5 only right now.

This is a false statement.

I should have been more clear: Zotero 1.5 works fine in OS X 10.4. I'm using it right now.

If you are having problems with the Word 2004 plugin, please let us know what they are so that we can help you.

I have a PPC powerbook. 1.67 GHz processor and 1.5 GB RAM. I am no longer using OS X 10.4. I updated to 10.5, but I still have Office 2004. I finally worked out getting the Zotero plugin to work (sort of) for Word 2004. It doesn't seem to be working correctly though. When I insert a citation, it works fine, but then when I go to insert a second citation it asks me if I want to "Replace this Zotero field?" (even if the previous citation is not highlighted) and I can only replace the previous citation. This also happens when I try to insert a bibliography.

In an effort to not just be a complainer, I will say that the whole process so far seems to be working much faster than it used to with the older version. I'm pretty hopeful about getting it to work. I like the software.

I have a similar problem to cabarnet17. I use 10.4 (PPC), Zotero 1.5 beta but cannot get the word 2004 plugin to work. I have tried the 1.0b3 plugin but it is incompatible with 1.5 beta. Then I have tried to upgrade by downloading the beta plugin (from Simon's post above). When I then open word I cannot find the zotero toolbar. I sort of fixed this by locating the zotero.dot file through the templates and add-ins menu in word (I located it in office/startup/word). This brings up the zotero toolbar, but then I get exactly the same problem as cabarnet17. Second time I try to insert a citation it gives me the option of either "replace this zotero field" or cancel.

Which styles did you try?

Sorry, not Simon -, I mean Sean. I looked at the wrong post.