File organization in a post-zotero world

OSwelle2
In the event that zotero is unaccessible at some point in the future but I have the library with hundreds or thousands of documents how would I take that folder structure and export and organize into a file manager? The files would need to be organized into a new heirachracel structure of some type. I see the export collection option which is a step in the right direction however still lacks any usefulness for what I am asking about. If exporting a useable format is not possible what are users doing on the front end to protect themselves on the back end; maybe saving a copy of a document in file manager every time they save one in zotero? That seems unrealistic but it is the only workaround that comes to mind.
  • Zorozero
    Good question aka requirement. If you have a replacement soft, what format would they offer for import? The large amount of export formats in Zotero seem to confuse what you're asking, a full dump to file or container, which could be re-imported (even in Zotero)..
  • dstillman
    edited July 5, 2022
    You certainly don't need to make a copy every time you save — that would be absurd. Zotero has been around for over 15 years and isn't going anywhere, and since it's open-source, you'd always be able to get your data out with ample warning. Ensuring data portability is a founding principle of the project.

    As @Zorozero suggests, I think you'll need to be clearer on what your actual goal is. Zotero supports countless standard export formats and has an open database and API, so it's trivial to move your data to other tools.

    If your sole concern is files on disk, there's a custom translator from the developer of the Better BibTeX plugin that can export attachments to a filesystem folder matching your collection hierarchy:

    https://github.com/retorquere/zotero-file-hierarchy

    (As noted there, any files that exist in multiple collections will be duplicated, which is why this doesn't make a ton of sense.)

    If you don't care about the hierarchy, you can obviously also just do a search for all PDF files within your Zotero data directory and get a flat list of all files, named using parent item metadata, that can be copied elsewhere.

    But basically, I just wouldn't worry about this now, other than knowing that it's something you'd always be able to do if you needed to.
  • OSwelle2
    I will make questions clear more so; The reason for my loss of zotero access is non specific; it could be something as simple as me tuning over my collected data so someone who does not have need or want zotero but needs to maintain it in an archived file manager. Me: "The files would need to be organized into a new heirachracel structure of some type." - Meaning the unsorted single folder layout of the zotero data directory needs to be made into a heirachracel structure resembling the zotero library / collection; the question was how do I take the zotero library and clone that into a file manager to make it resemble the zotero GUI library collection / sub collection layout.

    I did just try the retorquere / zotero-file-hierarchy but it did not seem to work; added the .js file to the translators folder and it did not add an option to the right-click menu to Export Libary or Exoprt Files just the pre-existing option to Export Collection which brings up the usual dialog box with the drop down menu and in there there is no new option to Exoprt Files as far as I can tell. Maybe it does not work on v6? Or maybe it does not work on Linux for some reason? Either way it does not seem to work.
  • dstillman
    It’s a translator, not a menu option. Reread the instructions. The Export Library and Export Collection options are built-in — you’re just selecting a different export translator after installing this file and restarting Zotero. Obviously Export Library doesn’t appear if you right-click on a collection.
  • OSwelle2
    I overlooked the “Export Files” box. There still is no “File Hierarchy” in my drop-down.
  • dstillman
    Then you didn't install it in the correct place and restart Zotero.
  • dstillman
    Again, though, you really don't need to worry about this now. This translator absolutely works — I just tested it. Unless you're actually stopping using Zotero now, it's really not worth the time worrying about this. We can help you if you're still having trouble at a later date.
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