The Zotero library no longer appears as a split window under my browser page. How can I get it back?
I am a professor and I work with Zotero all the time. Zotero library appeared under the Firefox page which could be opened by clicking on the Z icon on the top right part of the screen. However, I just renewed my desktop computer and after I downloaded Firefox and the Zotero connector, the Zotero icon no longer appears and I cannot open my Zotero library as embedded under my browser page. I checked with Zotero forums and it says there that Firefox no longer provides this function. I cannot continue to work without this function, so can you please let me know how I can get Zotero back. I wanted to downgrade my Firefox to get it back but I would much prefer if there is a safer way.
All Replies (7)
Due to upcoming changes in Firefox 57, Zotero changed its design to be similar across major browsers, as described in this blog article from back in July: https://www.zotero.org/blog/a-unified-zotero-experience/
The connector now facilitates communications with the Zotero application. Did you install the main Zotero 5.0 package? https://www.zotero.org/download/
Thank you for the response. I understand that the change was introduced by Zotero to have a standard design. I installed the Zotero package and already have Zotero standalone. But this is not helpful because I have many collections and subcollections as well as group libraries in Zotero so I need to see which collection I am in to be able to save a particular page. When I could see Zotero in a different pane under the browser page, it took me only one click to save the page or document under the collection it needs to go under. Now I have to minimize Firefox, go to Zotero standalone, select the collection I need, go back to Firefox and then click to save to Zotero. Very frustrating but I guess I should write this to Zotero and not to you.
I wrote on the Zotero forum and they say: "The change was because Mozilla no longer allows the extension framework that Zotero uses in Firefox" So it is Firefox's doing after all. And so I repeat my question: Can anyone please let me know how I can get the Zotero pane back. Will downgrading Firefox help? And anyway I would much prefer if there is a safer way.
This is the new design of Zotero 5. I think you would need to remove the new connector and use the earlier version of Zotero if you can get your hands on it from a trustworthy source.
If the earlier version does not work on Firefox 56, you can use the Extended Support Release of Firefox 52, which will receive security updates through next Spring.
ESR was originally designed for businesses that wanted a more stable Firefox that changes features much less frequently. It now is used by many individuals who have specific requirements for backwards compatibility such as the Java/Silverlight plugin, or to run on Windows XP/Vista.
Thanks for this, I'll try. But on the Zotero forum they also said:
"The Zotero extension for Firefox will very shortly no longer work at all (disabled by Mozilla), so there isn't really a point in trying to downgrade."
They probably mean that Firefox 56 is going to be replaced by Firefox 57 in about three weeks. They may not be accounting for the Firefox 52 ESR option. If it works for you, you can let them know that's one short-term option (until June 2018) for people who find the new design unproductive.
Yes they mention the Firefox 52 ESR option but they also mention that this will stop working after June 2018. This doesn't help me because I have created a database on Zotero that I plan to use and continue to build for the next 10 years or so! I hope Firefox and Zotero can work together to find a solution for users like me.