Zotero

If you're regularly using more than one computer in your research, Zotero's sync feature can keep your library up to date on all of them. Zotero stores a copy of your library on the Zotero.org server and checks it for updates whenever you open your library on a different computer.

First, set up a free Zotero.org user account. Then:

• Click Edit and select preferences
• Select the Sync tab. 
• Enter your Zotero user name and password. 
• Check the "sync automatically" box.
• Check both boxes under File Syncing and choose Zotero storage for My Library. This will sync your PDF attachments as well as citations (more info).
• Click the green circular arrow button at the top right corner of the Zotero window.
• Zotero will upload your library to the server.

Repeat this configuration on each of your computers. Any updates you make on one of your computers will be reflected on the others. This even works to synchronize your library among Windows, Mac and Linux computers.

For more details and help troubleshooting sync problems, check the Zotero site.

If you're working on a library computer, there's another easy option for taking your Zotero library with you.

On your computer, click the Zotero gear menu, choose Export Library, and save the file to your USB drive. On the library's computer, click the gear menu, choose Import, and find your Zotero file to import it.

When you're done, make sure to export any changes and import the new file onto your computer. The library's computers will erase your data when you log off.