Upgrade StorageConfused about data/file storage and syncing between two laptops
I recently got a new laptop and wanted to set up a system where I can access my Zotero files on both computers (say A for old and B for new). Here are the steps I took to get a sync going:
Setup.
1. Created a OneDrive folder (say, `c:\onedrive\zotero`).
2. Disabled "sync attachment files in My Library using Zotero" (on both computers)
3. In Advanced, set base directory to `c:\onedrive\zotero` (on both computers)
Now, to move files that are on laptop A which are all currently under default folder in `/storage` to the OneDrive folder:
4. Add the new plugin Zotmoov on laptop A and select all my entries in "My Library" and hit "Move Selected to Directory". This moved all my files to nicely structured folders in Onedrive. Note, I did not install this on the new laptop B (don't see why I need to).
5. On laptop B, I am now able to double click an entry and the pdf popups (and infact, if I click 'show file', it pops up the correct folder).
Here is my problem: Adding new entries on the new laptop B (e.g., through the browser connector), adds it to the default `/storage` on the local drive. Why is that?
Is it because the `Data Directory` on laptop B is still set to "C:\Users\affan\Zotero"? Do I need to change this to OneDrive as well? That would mean moving the sqlite database + other config files as well, no?
Or is it because I need to also install ZotMoov on B (I don't see why I need to do that, I only installed it on A for the initial move to OneDrive).
Setup.
1. Created a OneDrive folder (say, `c:\onedrive\zotero`).
2. Disabled "sync attachment files in My Library using Zotero" (on both computers)
3. In Advanced, set base directory to `c:\onedrive\zotero` (on both computers)
Now, to move files that are on laptop A which are all currently under default folder in `/storage` to the OneDrive folder:
4. Add the new plugin Zotmoov on laptop A and select all my entries in "My Library" and hit "Move Selected to Directory". This moved all my files to nicely structured folders in Onedrive. Note, I did not install this on the new laptop B (don't see why I need to).
5. On laptop B, I am now able to double click an entry and the pdf popups (and infact, if I click 'show file', it pops up the correct folder).
Here is my problem: Adding new entries on the new laptop B (e.g., through the browser connector), adds it to the default `/storage` on the local drive. Why is that?
Is it because the `Data Directory` on laptop B is still set to "C:\Users\affan\Zotero"? Do I need to change this to OneDrive as well? That would mean moving the sqlite database + other config files as well, no?
Or is it because I need to also install ZotMoov on B (I don't see why I need to do that, I only installed it on A for the initial move to OneDrive).
This may relate to confusion as to what Zotero's Linked Attachment Base Directory setting does. It only affects where Zotero *looks* for linked files, when you try to open one. It has no effect on where they get stored.
And re #3, since your Onedrive path is the same on both computers (c:\onedrive\zotero), you didn't actually need a Linked Attachment Base Directory setting. That's only required if the paths are different on each computer. But now you have it, there are no real drawbacks (except that you'll need to remember to set it on any more computers you add, whether the path to linked files there is different or not).
Finally, re your question about your Zotero data directory, it should most definitely *not* be on Onedrive.
https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/data_directory_in_cloud_storage_folder