Zotero, a free software for bibliography data collection and writing, is available in two form. The first form is web browser add-on (we've prepared the tutorial here), and the second is stand alone application. We will introduce how to install Zotero Stand Alone (GNU/Linux version) in Ubuntu. The benefit of using Stand Alone version is it doesn't depend to web browser anymore so you can focus into books/journals/another sources data collection.
System Summary
We use these set of software to write this tutorial:
- LibreOffice 4.2
- Ubuntu 14.04 32 bit
- Zotero 4.0.28 Stand Alone
Obtain Zotero Stand Alone for GNU/Linux
What we need to get is Zotero Stand Alone package. This package contains binary "portable" (don't need to be installed) and will ask you to install default-jre and libreoffice-java-common packages (around 40 MB) later. Download it from https://www.zotero.org/download/ in the Zotero Stand Alone section. At this time, the correct URL is https://download.zotero.org/standalone/4.0.28/Zotero-4.0.28_linux-i686.tar.bz2.
Install Zotero Stand Alone and Dependencies
First, extract Zotero package in a directory.
Second, enter extracted Zotero directory. Execute the zotero binary file (in Ubuntu, Nautilus shows the file as a purple diamond icon). See picture below.
Third, this will show you Zotero *LibreOffice Integration installation dialog. Go next and next until it ask you to install default-jre and libreoffice-java-common packages. Accept the installation and wait until they are finished completely. Completed installation results in Installation Successful information.
Fourth, restart LibreOffice. You must see Zotero Toolbar below in LibreOffice after installing the integration.
Fifth, just use Zotero Stand Alone as you wish. You can start adding bibliography data. Remember to keep Zotero Stand Alone running when you want to use Zotero Toolbar in LibreOffice.
Bonus
Because Zotero Stand Alone is a "portable" binary, you must manually add Zotero icon in Ubuntu Unity menu otherwise you must always double click on the file in its directory. To add Zotero to Unity menu, just use Alacarte.
Or, run Zotero once and right click Zotero icon in Launcher > Lock to Launcher. You will get a shortcut for Zotero on the right panel.