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Zotero 6.0 - dev81

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SanPe'
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Zotero 6.0 - dev81

This app has been released: https://portableapps.com/apps/office/zotero-portable

Application: Zotero 6
Category: Office
Description: Zotero [zoh-TAIR-oh] is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share your research sources. An essential tool for researchers, students and librarians.

Download Zotero Portable 6.0.4 Development Test 81 [53.6MB download / 151MB installed]

Source:
GitHub

Release Notes:

  • 2022-03-28. Version 6.0.4 - Development Test 81: Update to Zotero 6.0.4.
  • 2022-03-25. Version 6.0.3 - Development Test 80: Updated to Zotero 6.0.3, fixed ZoteroPortable.ini to take into account absolute paths in prefs.js and extensions.json, + files left in %HOMEPATH%\Zotero folder in rare situations.
  • 2022-03-23. Version 6.0.2 - Development Test 79: Update to Zotero 6.0.2.
  • 2022-03-21. Version 6.0.1 - Development Test 78: Update to Zotero 6.0.1.
  • 2022-03-18. Version 6.0 - Development Test 77: Update to Zotero 6.0 + fix for 2 empty folders.
  • 2021-08-22. Version 5.0.96.3 - Development Test 76: Update to Zotero 5.0.96.3.
  • 2021-04-18. Version 5.0.96.2 - Development Test 75: Update to Zotero 5.0.96.2.
  • 2021-03-01. Version 5.0.96 - Development Test 74: Update to Zotero 5.0.96.
  • 2021-01-21. Version 5.0.95.1 - Development Test 73: Update to Zotero 5.0.95.1.
  • 2021-01-13. Version 5.0.95 - Development Test 72: Update to Zotero 5.0.95.
  • 2020-12-30. Version 5.0.94 - Development Test 71: Update to Zotero 5.0.94.
  • 2020-11-23. Version 5.0.93 - Development Test 70: Update to Zotero 5.0.93. - version not published.
  • 2020-10-19. Version 5.0.92 - Development Test 69: Update to Zotero 5.0.92.
  • 2020-10-12. Version 5.0.91 - Development Test 68: Update to Zotero 5.0.91.
  • 2020-07-24. Version 5.0.89 - Development Test 67: Update to Zotero 5.0.89.
  • 2020-06-21. Version 5.0.88 - Development Test 66: Update to Zotero 5.0.88.
  • 2020-05-13. Version 5.0.87 - Development Test 65: Update to Zotero 5.0.87.
  • 2020-05-11. Version 5.0.86 - Development Test 64: Update to Zotero 5.0.86.
  • 2020-03-25. Version 5.0.85 - Development Test 63: Update to Zotero 5.0.85.
  • 2020-02-28. Version 5.0.84 - Development Test 62: Update to Zotero 5.0.84.
  • 2020-02-24. Version 5.0.83 - Development Test 61: Update to Zotero 5.0.83. Update of Custom.nsh script to "portabilize" Microsoft Office plugin. Thanks @AndhikaWB.
  • 2020-01-22. Version 5.0.82 - Development Test 60: Update to Zotero 5.0.82.
  • 2020-01-11. Version 5.0.81 - Development Test 59: Update to Zotero 5.0.81.
  • 2019-12-04. Version 5.0.80 - Development Test 58: Update to Zotero 5.0.80.
  • 2019-12-03. Version 5.0.79 - Development Test 57: Update to Zotero 5.0.79, version 5.0.78 has been skipped.
  • 2019-11-24. Version 5.0.77 - Development Test 56: Update of the portable configuration thanks to @AndhikaWB
  • 2019-11-02. Version 5.0.77 - Development Test 55: Update to Zotero 5.0.77.
  • 2019-10-15. Version 5.0.76 - Development Test 54: Update to Zotero 5.0.76.
  • 2019-10-09. Version 5.0.75 - Development Test 53: Update to Zotero 5.0.75.
  • 2019-08-26. Version 5.0.74 - Development Test 52: Update to Zotero 5.0.74.
  • 2019-08-06. Version 5.0.73 - Development Test 51: Update to Zotero 5.0.73.
  • 2019-07-24. Version 5.0.72 - Development Test 50: Update to Zotero 5.0.72.
  • 2019-07-19. Version 5.0.71 - Development Test 49: Update to Zotero 5.0.71.
  • 2019-07-14. Version 5.0.70 - Development Test 48: Update to Zotero 5.0.70.
  • 2019-06-26. Version 5.0.69 - Development Test 47: Update to Zotero 5.0.69.
  • 2019-06-23. Version 5.0.68 - Development Test 46: Update to Zotero 5.0.68.
  • 2019-06-16. Version 5.0.67 - Development Test 45: Update to Zotero 5.0.67.
  • 2019-04-12. Version 5.0.66 - Development Test 44: Update to Zotero 5.0.66.
  • 2019-03-27. Version 5.0.65 - Development Test 43: Update to Zotero 5.0.65.
  • 2019-03-19. Version 5.0.64 - Development Test 42: Update to Zotero 5.0.64.
  • 2019-03-17. Version 5.0.63 - Development Test 41: Update to Zotero 5.0.63.
  • 2019-03-15. Version 5.0.62 - Development Test 40: Update to Zotero 5.0.62.
  • 2019-03-11. Version 5.0.61 - Development Test 39: Update to Zotero 5.0.61.
  • 2019-01-10. Version 5.0.60 - Development Test 38: Update to Zotero 5.0.60.
  • 2018-12-19. Version 5.0.59 - Development Test 37: Update to Zotero 5.0.59.
  • 2018-11-12. Version 5.0.58 - Development Test 36: Update to Zotero 5.0.58.
  • 2018-10-24. Version 5.0.57 - Development Test 35: Update to Zotero 5.0.57.
  • 2018-10-10. Version 5.0.56 - Development Test 34: Update to Zotero 5.0.56.
  • 2018-08-16. Version 5.0.55 - Development Test 33: Update to Zotero 5.0.55. Small update of Readme.md.
  • 2018-07-15. Version 5.0.54 - Development Test 32: Update to Zotero 5.0.54.
  • 2018-07-09. Version 5.0.53 - Development Test 31: Update to Zotero 5.0.53.
  • 2018-06-21. Version 5.0.52 - Development Test 30: Update to Zotero 5.0.52. Updated ZoteroPortable.ini to delete leftovers in case of manual update.
  • 2018-06-17. Version 5.0.51 - Development Test 29: Update to Zotero 5.0.51.
  • 2018-06-15. Version 5.0.50 - Development Test 28: Update to Zotero 5.0.50.
  • 2018-06-10. Version 5.0.48 - Development Test 27: Update to Zotero 5.0.48.
  • 2018-05-03. Version 5.0.47 - Development Test 26: Update to Zotero 5.0.47.
  • 2018-05-01. Version 5.0.46 - Development Test 25: Update to Zotero 5.0.46.
  • 2018-04-17. Version 5.0.45 - Development Test 24: Update to Zotero 5.0.45.
  • 2018-04-06. Version 5.0.44 - Development Test 23: Update to Zotero 5.0.44.
  • 2018-04-03. Version 5.0.43 - Development Test 22: Update to Zotero 5.0.43.
  • 2018-04-01. Version 5.0.42 - Development Test 21: Update to Zotero 5.0.42.
  • 2018-03-28. Version 5.0.41 - Development Test 20: Update to Zotero 5.0.41.
  • 2018-03-22. Version 5.0.38 - Development Test 19: Update to Zotero 5.0.38.
  • 2018-03-12. Version 5.0.37 - Development Test 18: Update to Zotero 5.0.37.
  • 2018-03-10. Version 5.0.36 - Development Test 17: Update to Zotero 5.0.36.
  • 2018-02-12. Version 5.0.35.1 - Development Test 16: Update to Zotero 5.0.35.1.
  • 2018-02-12. Version 5.0.35 - Development Test 15: Update to Zotero 5.0.35.
  • 2018-02-05. Version 5.0.34.5 - Development Test 14: Update to Zotero 5.0.34.5. - Removed oaDOI since they deprecated the service.
  • 2018-01-12. Version 5.0.34 - Development Test 13: Update to Zotero 5.0.34.
  • 2017-12-20. Version 5.0.33 - Development Test 12: Update to Zotero 5.0.33.
  • 2017-12-18. Version 5.0.32 - Development Test 11: Update to Zotero 5.0.32.
  • 2017-12-15. Version 5.0.31 - Development Test 10: Update to Zotero 5.0.31.
  • 2017-12-04. Version 5.0.30 - Development Test 9: Update to Zotero 5.0.30.
  • 2017-11-28. Version 5.0.29 - Development Test 8: Update to Zotero 5.0.29.
  • 2017-11-22. Version 5.0.28 - Development Test 7: Update to Zotero 5.0.28 ; Update engines.json to change oaDOI Lookup icon to base64-encoded favicon ; Update readme.txt and ZoteroPortable.ini according to issue #1 (see GitHub)
  • 2017-11-18. Version 5.0.27 - Development Test 6: Update to Zotero 5.0.27.
  • 2017-11-15. Version 5.0.25 - Development Test 5: Update to Zotero 5.0.25 ; SupportsUNC switched from "yes" to "warn" (to warn user that Zotero might not work when launched from a UNC path).
  • 2017-10-31. Version 5.0.24 - Development Test 4: Update to Zotero 5.0.24.
  • 2017-10-30. Version 5.0.23 - Development Test 3: %appdata% folder and %localappdata% are NOW handled correctly: the empty folders are deleted upon exit.
  • 2017-10-26. Version 5.0.23 - Development Test 2: %appdata% folder is now handled correctly: no traces are left behind. Traces of template are now deleted in installer.
  • 2017-10-23. Version 5.0.23 - Development Test 1: Initial release

    SanPe'
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    No interest in my app?

    No interest in my app? Sad

    Ken Herbert
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    Your download link just links

    Your download link just links straight back to this thread, so nobody can download the installer.

    andrewwhite1964
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    Very interested but whats the

    Very interested but whats the link to download? Is it this?
    https://github.com/pedrom34/ZoteroPortable/blob/master/ZoteroPortable.exe
    That doesn't Work

    Bart.S
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    Releases
    Nyfiken
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    I'm very happy with your app

    Hi SanPe'!

    I just want so say that I use and appreciate Zotero in the PortableApps format. Thank you very much! I hope you will continue updating it with new updates to Zotero.

    Best,
    Tomas

    SanPe'
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    Thanks!

    Thanks for this kind comment. Yes, I'm still updating the app, even thought it still doesn't have official support from PortableApps.com Sad

    Poke @John T. Haller Biggrin

    SanPe'
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    sorry

    Sorry, didn't see that the link wasn't there. It's fixed now.

    Thanks @Bart.S for providing the right link to @andrewwhite1964

    Infodude
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    This is fantastic, thank you!

    I had set up Zotero to use as a portable app with LibreOffice and the firefox connector so that I had a working desktop for research and writing on a thumb drive.

    Then all was shot to hell with the new version of FF

    You have saved my bacon, thank you!

    I'll report issues if and when they happen, please keep up your fantastic work.

    ID

    Infodude

    SanPe'
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    thx

    Thanks a lot for this comment Smile I recognize myself in your words. My problem was similar and with quantum & zotero 5, everything was thrown away. I made this version for me, so why not share it and learn stuff when doing it?

    SanPe'
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    When update is available,

    When update is available, Zotero will ask user to reboot to apply update. If the user clicks 'yes', Zotero will show an error saying that profile cannot be loaded. And it will create folders in %appdata% and in %localappdata%.

    This is expected, as when re-starting, Zotero won't use the launcher... But, is there a workaround that I can use in the launcher.ini options? Blocking the update, or force the launcher to be used when re-starting?

    Gord Caswell
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    Block update

    As you're providing updates yourself, I recommend blocking the update as described here: https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/36581/disable-check-for-updates

    SanPe'
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    Your opinion?

    Thanks. I modified those lines in App\Zotero\defaults\preferences\prefs.js as follows:
    user_pref("app.update.auto", false);
    user_pref("app.update.enabled", false);

    It's working, but can I have a feedback here? Is it the best way to do it? Wouldn't it better to add a user.js or modify the prefs.js in the profile rather than in the program itself? If yes, I don't really know how to do it as such file in DefaultData folder won't work...

    bpmcrae
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    Working, but need fix for multiple profiles

    Thanks for this, seems to work fine.
    I'm working on an install with multiple profiles (start with -P flag).
    Only issue is that I needed to comment out the command line argument for datadir and turn back on the option to allow it to be user set in the profile.
    This seems to revert back to the behaviour of creating a folder in the Windows user directory (I saw your post in the Zotero forum re this).
    Not critical for me at this time, but figured I'd say thanks, and mention this minor issue (I doubt many people are running multiple profiles).

    SanPe'
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    Hi !

    Hi !

    Thanks for your feedback. I'm personally using two profiles for Zotero, and I'm not experiencing your issue, since I'm using two Portable Zoteros!
    That's the most convenient way I found (for me) not to leave traces on the computer running the program...
    The only problem is that it uses twice the 100+MB that the program needs Beee But I personally don't care.

    I think your can workaround something with a batch file modifying the ZoteroPortable.ini at each run... I did this for a while before Zotero 5.

    lampuiho
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    Instead of moving all the

    Instead of moving all the files, maybe use symbolic link instead?

    SanPe'
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    Admin rights?

    Would love to. But doesn't it require admin rights?

    John T. Haller
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    It Does

    Symbolic links require admin rights. As such, they can't be used for apps which don't themselves require admin rights due to their nature (system tools, etc).

    Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

    SanPe'
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    Thx John

    Thanks John. That's what I read when packaging my first Zotero portable.

    lampuiho
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    Yes, I have forgotten about

    Yes, I have forgotten about that. One can only hope there is an argument option to specify profile directory like chromium in the future.

    SanPe'
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    Workaround

    Well, it is possible to specify a profile directory in Zotero with the -datadir flag. Actually, I'm using this flag in this portable version.
    If you go to App\AppInfo\Launcher\ZoteroPortable.ini you'll find : '-datadir "%PAL:DataDir%\profile"'

    You can change it to something else... Like a hard-coded path instead.

    BTW, Zotero 5 is based on Firefox, and as Firefox, you can install it without admin rights on a computer. If you don't use Zotero from an usb key or if you don't care about leftovers on the computer, you can actually use the official installation package. Zotero will install in AppData and your profile won't move each time you launch it.

    wanz
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    to SanPe': multiple profiles with portable zotero

    Is it possible to make it to open for multiple profiles? it would be useful.

    Thanks
    wanz

    SanPe'
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    Sorry

    Hi,

    Sorry, I don't really know how to do that properly. But you definitely can install multiples instances of ZoteroPortable. It just have to be in different folders. For example, you can install to F:\PortableApps\Zotero and F:\PortableApps\Zotero 2nd Profile. You'll have to exit the first instance before launching the 2nd one.

    That's how I'm doing it currently.

    Maskl1n
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    Thank you for the update.

    Very much appreciated!

    "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish
    by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its
    whole life believing that it is stupid."

    Hartmut_Haefele
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    Thank you!

    I really missed a portable Zotero-App.
    Thank you so much for your efforts!

    Cheers!!!

    SanPe'
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    Thanks!

    Thanks for this kind comment Smile

    Wax Wood
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    Thank you for creating this

    Thank you for creating this portable version. Its very useful to those of us who lack admin rights to install software. Using a portable version of Zotero allows me greatly improved productivity at work.
    Your dedication to open source software and Zotero is surely helping many thousands of people.

    SanPe'
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    Thanks!

    Thanks a lot for this kind comment Smile

    I'll keep this software updated as long as I use it. So I guess it will be there for a moment Biggrin

    nscerveira
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    Virus in ZoteroPortable_5.0_Development_Test_60.paf.exe

    Thank you for excellent work! However, when i checked the downloaded ZoteroPortable_5.0_Development_Test_60.paf.exe in Virus Total I get two positive hits: HW32.Packed.Qihoo-360 and HEUR/QVM20.1.0379.Malware.Gen.

    SanPe'
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    wtf

    I don't know what is this.
    I'll have to check further. I'll update this topic.

    SanPe'
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    false positive?

    I think it's a false positive due to the adding of a nsis file to handle better portabilization. But I'll try to figure it out.

    edit: yes, looks like false positive to me. Official Zotero package has the same report from virustotal. I'll ask them.

    nscerveira
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    OK, thanks. Yes, that's what

    OK, thanks. Yes, that's what I tought, probably a false postitive.

    heraclito2077
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    I can not download the pdf files

    I can not download the pdf files from pubmed central (of course, free articles)
    thanks in advance

    SanPe'
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    sorry for late reply

    Hey,

    I have no issue with that. I don't think it's related to my package or to Zotero. It's probably a configuration issue. What browser do you use? Do you have the latest version of the Zotero connector installed?

    pmishra0102
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    Just downloaded

    Just got your portable program from GitHub. Thanks for creating it. I've got an older laptop as my primary computer now (unfortunately), so I'm trying to keep most apps portable. This is a big help, thanks!

    testplayer
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    I'm using Firefox Portable.

    I'm using Firefox Portable. When I right click an item in Zotero and select "View online" or "View PDF" or "View Snapshot", how can I force the webpage link/snapshot or PDF to be opened within Firefox Portable?

    I guess it maybe easier and more possible to implement this in Zotero Connector to achieve a two-way communication, i.e., not only can Zotero connector send a webpage/PDF from Firefox Portable to Zetero portable to save it, but also it can capture all viewing requests from Zotero portable and send them back to the Firefox portable where the Zotero Connector is installed. This can allow viewing all Zotero items right within the portable browser.

    I understand that this request may be somehow out of scope, but if forcing the webpage/PDF saved in Zotero to be opened within Firefox Portable, it will still be really great and convenient.

    Thanks!

    SanPe'
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    I'm sorry

    I'm sorry, but it cannot be done...
    You cannot force the system to use a portableapp. Or at least I don't know how...

    pasuperdude
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    Thank you

    Hey, thank you so much for creating this.
    Will it be included in the proper PortableApps database in the future?

    SanPe'
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    Thanks

    Well, I hope so. But I don't know how to apply. That's a question you should ask @John T. Haller

    pasuperdude
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    I hope

    I hope John sees this thread.

    John T. Haller
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    Artifacts and Analysis

    %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Word (empty)
    %APPDATA%\Mozilla\SystemExtensionsDev (empty)

    Any way to turn off the two websites opened on first launch? Or are they necessary? Anything else that might get in the way of release? The defiined Base Directory in Options - Advanced, does that need to be portablized in some way? Anything in the sqlite database we'll need to portablize (relevant custom code is in Firefox and other apps that do this)? If this uses Mozilla style extensions, does that need portablizing like Firefox's does?

    Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

    SanPe'
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    Thanks John

    Hey!

    Thanks for the feedback John.
    I just addressed the two empty folders. I'll publish the fix.

    For the rest of your comments:
    - Two websites? Only https://www.zotero.org/start is opened on first launch for me. It's not per se necessary, but Zotero is a bit useless if you don't install the browser extension. I could stop this by creating a default profile. Do you want me to do it?
    - The base directory is handled by the ZoteroPortable.ini file, on line 3 : https://github.com/pedrom34/ZoteroPortable/blob/9a5864f0086e122e307e8d3c...
    - For the sqlite database, I am sorry, but I don't really understand. Can you please link me the custom code you're referring to?
    - It does use Mozilla extensions. For the portablizing part of thoses extensions, I do not know how to do it... Can you point me a link?

    John T. Haller
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    Single Site, Extensions, SQLite

    Ah ok. Yeah, I see what you mean by a single site. The other was due to the VM I was running in.

    For basic SQLite with a PA.c Launcher, check out Isotoxin Portable. The custom.nsh within AppInfo\Launcher shows the basics.

    For Mozilla extensions, check out Firefox Portable's launcher. It's custom code but similar to the above. It's in Other\Source. Line 536 of FirefoxPortable.nsi.

    If you need some help with it, reply and let me know. I'll hopefully have time next week as the unwanted bathroom reno should end tomorrow and our cat's last weekly appt is Friday for oral chemo starting monthly. And I should have the platform update out tonight or tomorrow.

    Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

    SanPe'
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    SQLite

    I took a look at sqlite. I ran some tests, added some documents, references... None contained hardcoded path like Isotoxin does. Every resource I added has a relative path:
    https://i.imgur.com/JtW3FiP.png

    I'll take a look tomorrow on the plugins, but I don't know all of them... So I don't really know if it will need to be handled like in Firefox... (list of plugins: https://www.zotero.org/support/plugins)

    I'll let you know if I run into issues.

    I really hope your cat is going to be ok!

    Have a nice evening/day Smile

    SanPe'
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    SQLite custom code

    Hey John!
    Hope your cat is doing fine.
    Regarding your questions, I couldn't find any extensions using hardcoded storage that will need me to add the custom code.
    Do you still want me to implement it?

    Thanks for your answer Smile

    SanPe'
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    John?

    John, could you tell me what to do to make Zotero official on portableapps?

    testplayer
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    Zotero 6 is released today!

    Zotero 6 is released today! https://www.zotero.org/blog/zotero-6/
    It's simply awesome to integrate its own PDF reader, finally.
    Any plan to update the portable version (and hopefully make it official here at PortableApps.com)?

    SanPe'
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    Version 6

    Hey!
    I need to run some tests, but yes, there's plan to update the portable version. I'll try to publish it this weekend.
    For the official part, I do not know!

    testplayer
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    Thanks! And for this new

    Thanks! And for this new version, could you please make Zotero "Data Directory Location" configurable in the Preferences GUI (instead of specifying via command line)? This will be more convenient when using with multiple Zotero profiles/data directories. Thanks again.

    SanPe'
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    No, sorry.

    I can't do that, because it would defeat the purpose of portability.

    testplayer
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    Then how can I specify the

    Then how can I specify the "Data Directory Location" via command line? In particular, after copying ZoteroPortable.ini from X:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable\Other\Source\ to X:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable\ - alongside with ZoteroPortable.exe, what commands should I add to this .ini file?

    SanPe'
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    You shouldn't do that.

    You shouldn't do that, as the profile will stays on the hard coded path you specify. But, if you really know what you are doing:

    - Copy ZoteroPortable.ini from Other\Source, modify it like this: AdditionalParameters=CommandLineArguments=-profile C:\Users\SanPe\Desktop\Profile -datadir C:\Users\SanPe\Desktop\profile
    - Open ZoteroPortable\App\AppInfo\Launcher\ZoteroPortable.ini and remove the line reading CommandLineArguments='-profile "%PAL:DataDir%\Mozilla\Profile" -datadir "%PAL:DataDir%\profile"'

    Or more simply, do not copy the ZoteroPortable.ini from Other\Source, and modify the line as you wish in ZoteroPortable\App\AppInfo\Launcher\ZoteroPortable.ini

    If you want to use different Zotero profiles, you can just install 2 Zotero portable on two different folders.

    testplayer
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    Thanks!

    Thanks a lot for your detailed reply, which is very helpful.

    Now I'm ready to load another datadir. But this could be tricky: the datadir I would like to load (by Zotero 6 portable) belongs to an older version of Zotero. In fact, that datadir was generated with Zotero 4 within Firefox portable U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile\zotero, and I have been using this datadir within Firefox portable for almost 10 years. Now I would like to switch to the newer version of Zotero 6 portable and hopefully get rid of the dependency on a very old version of Firefox portable, but without losing the ability to load the old datadir by Zotero 4 within the old Firefox portable. This is because, in this older version of Firefox portable, I have many browser sessions containing hundreds of tabs which are opening too many PDF attachments stored in this old datadir of Zotero 4 within Firefox portable (some of them are using zotero://xx/ as URL, while the others contains absolute paths such as U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile\zotero\storage\ABCDEXYZ\filename.pdf). So I can't move the datadir U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile\zotero to other folder. Also, this datadir is too huge to make a full backup or move: it's almost 10GB containing ~300K files in ~4K folders.

    So what I want to achieve is to use Zotero 6 portable to load U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile\zotero as a datadir specified in \ZoteroPortable\App\AppInfo\Launcher\ZoteroPortable.ini (thanks again for your reply), and use it normally (editing & adding new Zotero items/entries). But occasionally, I still want to load the same datadir in Zotero 4 within the old Firefox portable (after closing Zotero 6 portable so that there is no conflict), at least in read-only manner, without editing any entry/item or adding anything new. After all, it would be extremely painful to migrate all browser sessions/tabs pointing to Zotero 4's PDF attachments to another browser, so I might have to keep the paths and file structure of this old datadir unchanged.

    From my understanding, once I load the old datadir by Zotero 6 portable, the SQL database U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile\zotero\zotero.sqlite will be updated to a newer format/version. Then, when I load the same datadir and the updated zotero.sqlite database using Zotero 4 within the old Firefox portable, will there be any corruption in Zotero's database file zotero.sqlite? I can backup the old zotero.sqlite before loading it using Zotero 6 portable, but when editing and adding new entries, the zotero.sqlite will be updated to a newer version/format as I remember, so I wouldn't be able to load the updated zotero.sqlite (containing new entries added by Zotero 6 portable) using Zotero 4 within Firefox portable if the updated zotero.sqlite is incompatible or if this results in corruptions. So what could be the best practice/solution for my situation?

    Many thanks again!

    SanPe'
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    WOW.

    Wow... I'm sorry, but wow. This situation is really unbelievable.

    I don't think there's a good way out.
    Personally, I would switch to Zotero 6 and never go back to Zotero 4, no matter how long it takes to switch.

    But, two comments:
    - Zotero, like Firefox, is not really designed for such use. You are in a situation related to a side effect of your non-standard use,
    - I think this forum is not really the right place to ask that kind of question.

    Maybe try the official Zotero forums where there are more researchers and students who may have faced a similar situation.

    testplayer
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    Thanks for your suggestion. I

    Thanks for your suggestion. I'll probably install another Zotero 6 portable and copy all the contents from U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile\zotero\ to U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable_Copy_2\Data\profile\, and then upgrade that datadir (and the zotero.sqlite) using Zotero 6 portable (hopefully there won't be any issue, or should I first upgrade using Zotero 5 portable and then upgrade again using version 6?), while gradually and painfully changing all the old U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\'s sessions/tabs' URLs from something like U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile\zotero\storage\ABCDEXYZ\filename.pdf to U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable_Copy_2\Data\profile\storage\ABCDEXYZ\filename.pdf, and maybe also migrating these very old browser tabs to another browser or to Zotero 6 portable's PDF reader tabs.

    So now my question is, once you and John make Zotero portable official, when I update Zotero using PortableApps.com Platform's updater in future, will both U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable\ and U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable_Copy_2\ get updated (just like Firefox portable's "_Copy_2" or "_Copy_N")? And for now, before it goes official, after I manually download the .paf.exe from GitHub, and choose "Install a New App (paf.exe)" from the PortableApps.com Platform's "Apps" menu and locate the downloaded .paf.exe to update Zotero portable, will it update both the U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable\ and U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable_Copy_2\?

    Thanks again!

    SanPe'
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    Updates

    Well, if you update ZoteroPortable, it won't update a copy of ZoteroPortable.
    I guess we could workaround a solution about a second profile just like Firefox2ndProfile does. But I really don't understand how to adapt this to Zotero...

    testplayer
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    No problem. According to

    No problem. According to this and this, it seems that the installer is already able to update both U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable\ and U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable_Copy_2\.

    I also got confirmation from the developer that upgrading Zotero 4 for Firefox to Zotero standalone 6 should be fine https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/95892/. Meanwhile, I also need to migrate the preferences and profile (not just the data directory and zotero.sqlite) of Zotero 4 for Firefox to the relevant folder of Zotero 6 portable (from U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile to U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable\Data\Mozilla\Profile), so I'm wondering how to easily do it without manually setting Zotero's preferences one-by-one in the UI window (when eyeballing two preferences UI windows of Zotero 4 and 6, and copying the checkboxes & text fields from one preferences UI window to the other).

    I noticed that some preferences of Zotero 4 for Firefox are stored in U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile\prefs.js, which also contains quite a lot of other settings for Firefox portable and other extensions. However, preferences of Zotero 5 & 6 are stored in U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable\Data\Mozilla\Profile\prefs.js, which doesn't contain too many stuffs other than those related to Zotero.

    So how can I migrate the preferences of Zotero 4 for Firefox to another location for use with Zotero 6 (without setting them one-by-one manually by eyeballing 2 UI windows)? When you originally develop the first several test versions of Zotero 5 standalone portable, how did you migrate all the preferences of Zotero 4 for Firefox (portable) to Zotero 5 standalone portable? And if I open U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable\App\AppInfo\Launcher\ZoteroPortable.ini and modify the CommandLineArguments line to CommandLineArguments='-profile "U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile\" -datadir "%PAL:DataDir%\profile"' (after copying all contents from U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile\zotero\ to %PAL:DataDir%\profile which is U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable\Data\profile), will that work?

    I have this concern because for Zotero Better Bibtex, its preferences UI window & tabs contain too many options to manually set one-by-one, and I have too many automatic export in Better Bibtex, which is impractical to manually set one-by-one. It seems that Better Bibtex has a better-bibtex folder and several betterbibtex.sqlite.bak-like files under my Zotero data directory U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile\zotero. If the automatic exports are stored in these files & folder, then probably it's OK to simply copy all the contents from the old Zotero data directory to the new one for Zotero 6 (but please correct me if it's not the case). But if the automatic exports are stored in somewhere else, it would be a nightmare, and I've no idea about how to migrate them...

    SanPe'
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    Sorry for the delay...

    Sorry for the delay, I was very busy.

    | No problem. According to this and this

    No. This sources are for Firefox and Thunderbird Portable, I don't know how to do this with Zotero, and at the moment you cannot install a second profile this way.

    | So how can I migrate the preferences of Zotero 4 for Firefox to another location for use with Zotero 6 (without setting them one-by-one manually by eyeballing 2 UI windows)?

    Well, there's not a lot of preferences for Zotero... So I would incline for setting them manually, since I don't know if there's a real compatibility between Zotero 4 and 6 on all preferences...

    | When you originally develop the first several test versions of Zotero 5 standalone portable, how did you migrate all the preferences of Zotero 4 for Firefox (portable) to Zotero 5 standalone portable?

    I didn't migrate any preferences. I did it by hand.

    | And if I open U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable\App\AppInfo\Launcher\ZoteroPortable.ini and modify the CommandLineArguments line to CommandLineArguments='-profile "U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile\" -datadir "%PAL:DataDir%\profile"' (after copying all contents from U:\PortableApps\FirefoxPortableESR\Data\profile\zotero\ to %PAL:DataDir%\profile which is U:\PortableApps\ZoteroPortable\Data\profile), will that work?

    I do not know.

    | I have this concern because for Zotero Better Bibtex, its preferences UI window & tabs contain too many options to manually set one-by-one, and I have too many automatic export in Better Bibtex, which is impractical to manually set one-by-one.

    Well, here you're not talking about Zotero preferences but about a plugin preferences... You should see with the Better Bibtex dev, I don't use this plugin myself.

    miranz
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    here just to say thank you.

    It took me a while to understand the regular Zotero. But the portable version is much friendlier.
    Very good job

    John T. Haller
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    Testing, Go official?

    I gave this a go in Win7 in a clean VM and don't see anything left behind other than the usual Windows tracing bits, so we're good there. I think we should portablize additional paths within prefs.js. And it looks like extensions.json isn't being portablized. I can add these for release easily, so not a big deal. Otherwise, would you be comfortable with this going official?

    Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

    SanPe'
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    Additional paths?

    Hey John,
    Oh gosh, yes... I see hardcoded paths in extensions.json and in prefs.js But I don't really know how to modify this? I guess it should be done by an nsi script?
    If you're willing to do it, I'm all for it, since I don't really understand nsi...

    Of course I'm okay with making it official! How should we proceed? Will I still be involved in updating?

    John T. Haller
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    INI

    It's handled in the launcher ini. For example, this handles relative paths all the way to the drive letter in prefs.js:

    [FileWrite2]
    Type=Replace
    File=%PAL:DataDir%\Mozilla\Profile\prefs.js
    Find=%PAL:LastDrive%%PAL:LastPackagePartialDir:DoubleBackslash%\\
    Replace=%PAL:Drive%%PAL:PackagePartialDir:DoubleBackslash%\\
    
    [FileWrite3]
    Type=Replace
    File=%PAL:DataDir%\Mozilla\Profile\prefs.js
    Find=%PAL:LastDrive%%PAL:LastPortableAppsBaseDir:DoubleBackslash%\\
    Replace=%PAL:Drive%%PAL:PortableAppsBaseDir:DoubleBackslash%\\
    
    [FileWrite4]
    Type=Replace
    File=%PAL:DataDir%\Mozilla\Profile\prefs.js
    Find=%PAL:LastDrive%\\
    Replace=%PAL:Drive%\\

    Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

    SanPe'
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    That I can do

    Ok, for the prefs.js. I'll modify it and make another release.

    But for the extensions.json?

    Edit: wait, the prefs.js is already handled correctly:
    https://github.com/pedrom34/ZoteroPortable/blob/ca7a17b94ac2ec2952de8b14...

    John T. Haller
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    Just One Path

    The current entry only handles a single path. If something else drops a different path in there that's not the Data\profile path, it won't be adjusted.

    Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

    SanPe'
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    Got it.

    Ok, sorry, I was a bit confuse. Now I got it.

    I'll do this for extensions.json as well.

    I'm on it.

    SanPe'
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    Done

    I pushed the fix!

    pasuperdude
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    Congratulations!

    Congratulations on the official release! Have been longing for this.
    Thank you SanPe and John!

    mahmutelmas06
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    portable zotero

    Hi

    First of all thank you for converting zotero to portable.
    I am using Zotfile extension and i have pdf located at D:\Documents\ZoteroPortable\PDFfiles

    This path is not valid if i move to another pc.
    So is there any way to make this path relative ? such as %zoteroportablemainfolder%\PDFfiles

    SanPe'
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    Zotfile

    Hey ya,

    Well... I Zotfile stores the path for its folder in ZoteroPortable\Data\Mozilla\Profile\prefs.js (eg. " user_pref("extensions.zotfile.source_dir", "D:\\Documents\\ZoteroPortable\\PDFfiles"); " ).
    So I guess I can portabilize that path.
    But, I do not know what to set.
    I mean: you are using a certain path; but I don't know if every user of zotfile would want this folder to be relative...

    I'll like to know John thoughts on that one. And especially how PortableApps.com manage this issue with firefox portable.

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