saving files

I'm new to zotero having recently migrated from Endnote. I used the search engine, but didn't find exactly what I was looking for, so apologies if this is covered elsewhere.

I have several GBs of files. I'm in the process of uploading these files from my home computer into zotero. I purchased additional GB to cover my needs. Does the zotero server save my files? Am I able to delete these files from my computer and still access them from any computer?

I'd really like the ability to permanently store all of my files on the servers and eliminate the need to store them on my computer.

Thanks for the assistance!
  • no, files are stored locally and mirrored on the server.
    Currently there is no alternative to that.
  • Thank you for the prompt response.

    Is there a quick method of transferring all of the files? So, for example, I upload my entire library into zotero. I then sync across computers. Do I have to manually save each file to the new computer if I want those files on that hard drive, or is there a quicker way?
  • if you have enough storage space and have file syncing activated (Zotero preferences--> sync) the files will automatically download to any computer that is synced. Several GB will probably take significant time both to upload and to download, though.
  • So are the individual files accessible separate from zotero or must I use the application?
  • you can access all of them through the file system, though they're stored in the Zotero data folder which is not super easy to navigate.
    If that's something that's important for you the recommendation is to use a saved search/virtual folder/collections (name varies by OS) - that will allow you to have all pdfs (for example) in one single folder.
    For Linux there is a tool called "Gnotero" which also allows easy access outside of Zotero - I don't know of any comparable tools for other OS'.
  • AFAIK, Gnotero (http://www.cogsci.nl/software/gnotero) is available on Windows too (but it does not yet provide all the functionality of the Linux version ).

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