Shared PC

johnpsmyth
I use Zotero on a U3 with portable Firefox, no problems, works well. However I use shared machines and a colleague noticed that after I had used one machine my Zotero was visible and accessible for any user. Any suggestions as to what I am missing for this not to happen!
Thanks
  • anders_royce
    What exactly do you mean when you say your Zotero was visible. Do you mean they were able to find you Zotero data directory, or that Zotero was installed on the local copy of Firefox? Also, what sort of a shared computer is it? Do you have your own user account, or do you sign on as a guest, etc.? Finally, is Firefox installed on the shared computer, and does it have Zotero? Sorry for all the questions. I have a few thoughts, but their pertinence depends on the above.
  • johnpsmyth
    Hi ,
    Ok I will try and answer your questions!
    By visible I mean that when the Zotero icon at the bottom of the page was clicked, my Library etc was accessible.
    I use Firefox Portable on a U3, but Firefox is also installed on the machine.
    It is a shared workspace machine, several members of staff use it, no separate logins.
    I have not installed Zotero on the shared computer, will check and see if a colleague has, but I very much doubt it.
    Hope this answers your questions.
  • anders_royce
    edited March 31, 2010
    Wait, but if there is a Zotero icon at the bottom of the page when someone else is using the computer, that means Zotero has to be installed on it, or do I misunderstand you. If Firefox is installed on the computer, and opening the Zotero pane shows your library, then you must have logged in at some point. Unless the U3 version has gone crazy, there is no way using Firefox portable, which has its profile saved n the USB drive could cause your login information to be saved in the local copy of Firefox, and it also shouldn't save your data/files on the local computer since Zotero, by default, saves your library to the Firefox profile. I recently discovered that opening FF portable when the local copy is running will just open another instance of the local FF. Is it possible you logged in and synchronized without knowing it was the local Firefox?
  • noksagt
    Alternatively: it may be that you do not exit firefox portable completely & that when someone launches local FF, it brings up another instance of your firefox portable profile.

    Confirm firefox and firefox portable are terminated completely in the task manager.
  • johnpsmyth
    OK. Seems after some questioning that a colleague installed Zotero on the host machine. She uses it but not often. What is the best way of two people using Zotero on the same machine? I intend to use mine mainly on my U3 to avoid problems, but sometimes time I have to use host machine without U3 installed.
    Thanks again for your input.
  • anders_royce
    The best way would be to have separate user accounts on the computer. If that is not possible, then you will at least need separate Firefox profiles. http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Managing+profiles
  • johnpsmyth
    Anders, thanks for your suggestions. Unfortunately separate user accounts is not feasible, however the Profile Manager option works superbly, many thanks indeed!
    Most of my colleagues use IE so it is not a major issue, however three of us use Firefox, so it is very easily managed.
    Excellent advice and support as usual from the forum.
    Regards
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