Backing up Group Libraries with Read Permissions

mcl_10
I would like to inquire about the backup of group libraries.
I have read the following entry:
https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/89540/backing-up-groups

I am specifically interested in group libraries with only read permissions.
If I were to backup and restore a Zotero folder, what would happen when synchronization runs?
Could someone please provide me with this information?
  • dstillman
    edited January 23, 2024
    It would be no different from syncing any computer that hadn't been synced in a while — Zotero would pull down more recent changes from the online library.

    Someone with read-only access to the group wouldn't be able to use Replace Online Library to overwrite the online library unless their permissions were changed.
  • mcl_10
    Thank you dstillman.

    If a group library is read-only and cannot be restored, do I get any messages?
  • dstillman
    edited January 23, 2024
    I'm not sure what you're asking.

    If you restore from a backup, you swap in the database file and see whatever data was in that backup.

    If you're talking about overwriting the online library from a restored backup, "Replace Online Library" wouldn't be an option for someone with read-only access to the library.
  • mcl_10
    I simply wanted to know what would happen when performing such an operation.

    For example, if I were to share a group library with other users and someone were to back up, restore their local Zotero folder, and sync with the cloud, I would need to inform them what would happens.
  • dstillman
    I answered this above.
  • dstillman
    Think about it this way: if someone is in a group library, they turn their computer off, and they go away for a month, when they come back and turn their computer on, they would see all their data from a month earlier. If they then sync, Zotero would pull down all the remote changes during that month. Whether they have read-only access to a given library is totally irrelevant.

    That's all a backup is: an older version of the database.
  • mcl_10
    Thank you dstillman.

    I create a daily backup of the group library (a copy of the local Zotero folder) using a read-only user. If the group library breaks and needs to be restored, can I restore it with my user if write permissions are given?
  • dstillman
    Yes.
  • mcl_10
    Is there a way to forcibly overwrite the online group library with the local backup folder?
  • dstillman
    edited January 24, 2024
    Yes, Replace Online Library, which I've mentioned multiple times in this thread already and which is explained on the page I linked to.
  • mcl_10
    Thanks alot!
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