Ibetter to let Zotero copy my files into Zotero, or just link to files on my computer?

jtravis
I just started playing with Zotero tonight. I think I like it, and I managed to import my Endnote library. I am trying to decide whether to put the pdfs of my articles into Zotero (it copies them into a special place, right?) or just leave them in the folder of my computer and put links to them in Zotero. It seems like making a copy would just unnecessarily take up space, and files within files make me nervous. But that would certainly be convenient.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of each method? Is there one way that would facilitate easier backup? Thanks!!
  • adamsmith
    advantages of storing in Zotero:
    - easier to back-up
    - only way that works with file-sync
    - much easier to transport to another computer w/o file sync
    - faster workflow, bc. article pdfs that are downloaded automatically by Zotero are stored "in" Zotero anyway.
    - faster to get old pdfs into Zotero using drag&drop (which should, but doesn't work for linking)

    disadvantages of storing in Zotero
    - each file is in a separate folder with a random name (though you can use a saved search/virtual folder to get all pdfs in one folder - search the forum on that).
    - you may double some files on your HD (but really HD space seems a pretty minor concern today).

    And "in Zotero" doesn't mean that your pdfs will become "files within files" - they're on your hard-disk and accessible outside of Zotero like all other files.
  • jtravis
    Thank you! Why is it easier to back up if I keep them in Zotero? With Endnote, I could just drag my Endnote library, and the folder with all my article pdfs, onto my flash drive or external hard drive. Can I do that with Zotero as well? Ease of backup is one of my concerns--I'm still not sure I understand how to back up with Zotero?

    Also, I thought the sync process was only for the reference lists, not the articles themselves? I need to read up on the syncing--I don't understand that at all.

    Thanks for your help!
  • Gracile
    You should read this on backup and that on sync. That might help you.
  • fcheslack
    edited July 4, 2010
    http://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data tells you what the data looks like on your local machine.

    http://www.zotero.org/support/sync
    http://www.zotero.org/support/file_sync

    edit: I love it when other people beat my responses :)
  • alandsloane
    My understanding is that PDF's "imported into" Zotero are indexed and searchable in Zotero, whereas linked PDF's are not. That's another useful advantage if so, IMHO.
  • adamsmith
    linked pdfs are indexed, too.
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