Backup Data Directory on Google Drive
Hi,
I am using Zotero and would like to make sure that I keep a backup of everything in case my computer crashes. I have set up syncing for the citation data, but do not want to sync the attached files as well given the storage limitations. I have read elsewhere that it is dangerous to store your data directory on Google Drive. However, is it safe to store the data directory at its default location, and then sync the directory to Google Drive? With Google Drive for desktop it's possible to sync a local folder to Google Drive, but I am not sure if this is safe to do or not. I just want to make sure I do not lose the PDFs and their annotations if anything goes wrong.
I am using Zotero and would like to make sure that I keep a backup of everything in case my computer crashes. I have set up syncing for the citation data, but do not want to sync the attached files as well given the storage limitations. I have read elsewhere that it is dangerous to store your data directory on Google Drive. However, is it safe to store the data directory at its default location, and then sync the directory to Google Drive? With Google Drive for desktop it's possible to sync a local folder to Google Drive, but I am not sure if this is safe to do or not. I just want to make sure I do not lose the PDFs and their annotations if anything goes wrong.
Is it possible to have the backup of the files include their annotations as well? It would be nice to be able to view the PDFs with their associated annotations on other devices too.
https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/annotations_in_database
https://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data#backing_up_your_zotero_data
I made the sin of storing directory in google drive & am now afraid of moving them again, so just decided to consolidate there & back up often.
As I have a small thumb drive I am wondering if it would be sufficient to backup the .bib file & storage only.
currently installed extensions I have are:
- Better BibTex for Zotero
- DOI Manager
- scite Plugin for Zotero
- Zotero Citation Counts Manager
- ZoteroPreview
- ZotFile
- Zutilo Utility for Zotero
(if anyone notices redundancies I'd be glad to hear it!)
You should move your data directory out of cloud storage.
& also learning that the zotero.sqlite file is the one I want to save along with backups!
to clarify: I have the Data Directory on my computer default location, & the Base Directory of pdfs in GoogleDrive. The 'storage' folder within my Data Directory is a symbolic link from the Base Directory. I had followed [this tutorial](https://en.dlyang.me/zotero-configuration/)
I am now uncertain since I've seen it advised not to touch base directory. My current setup seems to work for now & I just have to be careful as last time google cloud updated they changed the path name (MacOS), so Zotero couldn't find it.
https://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data :
"Warning: You shouldn't use export (e.g., to Zotero RDF, BibTeX, or RIS) as a backup method. Exporting and re-importing a library doesn't produce an exact copy — it will reset Date Added/Modified times and break links to existing citations in word processor documents, along with other potential changes."
Thanks for helping me pay attention to the details!
The 'storage' folder is managed by Zotero and should contain only folders with 8-character names. Nothing else should be in there.