Intro to Zotero
Introduction
Zotero is an open source and free citation management system. The program resides within your browser and is designed using the 
one click function to store citation information. Zotero can be used to store information related to websites, sound records, pictures, and more (including pdf storage). It also formats in text citations and bibliographies in your written documents.
Quick Start Installation
Some useful information can be found here: http://www.zotero.org/support/quick_start_guide
Good introductory Zotero videos: https://www.zotero.org/support/screencast_tutorials
For adding in text citations you need to download the word_processor_plugin: http://www.zotero.org/support/word_processor_plugin_installation
Other links
While we fully support Zotero, feel free to check out these other useful guides to Zotero:
- Georgia State University: http://research.library.gsu.edu/content.php?pid=24410&sid=175894
- MIT : http://libguides.mit.edu/zotero
- and at Oregon State University: http://ica.library.oregonstate.edu/tutorials/626--Introduction-to-Zotero
- Create an annotated bibliography: http://guides.main.library.emory.edu/content.php?pid=10454&sid=3533296
Some Things to Consider
Pros
- It is easy to use and free
- Works with Firefox, Chrome and Safari browers.
- Works with Mac OSX, Windows, and Linux
- You can set up an account for online syncing
- It has an add-in for Microsoft Word and OpenOffice for in text citation
- Will store audio files, images, pdf's and more
Cons
- Does not work with Internet Explorer.
- Must pay for extra online storage space (300 mbs free).
- Zotero for Firefox and Zotero Stand Alone work best on your own computer (no way to log in/log out, so not redommended for public computers).
- Syncing is not the same as backing up your data. Zotero recommends that if you are working on a large document, you back up your library file manually
- Editing output styles is difficult.