Alternative to syncing with synce in Linux

Shep FC3 · 09-17-04, 01:43 AM

Well, I gave it a try, but I was not able to get synce to work. It seems like there are very few that have had success with this app. I followed the instructions step by step from the synce site, plus found a helpful link on this forum. I got the new module installed successfully, but when I connect, I just get that it was started by root, then it says exit. I am running Debian Sarge with the 2.6.7 kernel, and I have a Axim X3. I have been able to synce all my previous PDAs with Linux, but this one does not want to. So it got me to thinking...Is syncing even neccessary with PPC? I don't really need to have my contacts, mail, etc on my PC, I only view that stuff on the PDA. So if I install a good backup and restore program, and write it to my SD card nightly, then mount that under Linux, would that be sufficient? If you have any other ideas, I would appreciate it. Whether they are on synce, or my question. Then I would only need to use my laptop to install stuff, or sometimes transfer files.

JakeRich · 09-17-04, 08:32 AM

I'm a Linux noob, and I've been looking for a linux replacement for Activesync. Has anyone gotten synce to work? I am currently booting Windoze just to sync the PPC as my backup, then leaving Windoze for Linux. PITA.

For Shep, I would suggest using Sprite Backup on the Axim to make a self executing backup, then copy that executable from the Ax to Linux as you have described. That way if the Ax fails, you just copy that .exe back to the SD card and then run it on the Ax and everything comes back. You can even automate the backup routine on the Ax with Sprite's software. What I do is to have it backup everything in volatile memory to the SD card, maintaining two generations of backups, but just leave them on the SD card. I then copy the most recent to BIS just in case the SD card fails. Using compression, it just fits in the BIS on my X5 Advanced (21 Meg).

Shep FC3 · 09-18-04, 01:18 AM

Well, my main question is, what will happen if I don't sync? If there are no adverse effects, I will just use sprite to backup and so forth. BTW, I have been using Linux for over 3 years, and will never go back. Stick with it, there are lots of support for any problems you may have. Well, I may play around a little more with synce, but it doesn't seem like there has been much success.

nuka_t · 09-18-04, 01:28 AM

i only sync to install programs, but only after searching for a cab on the internet. i only sync about once a week. i use linux, adn i havent even tried to get this working. i have bigger fish to fry, like 3d acceleration(damn ATI to hell).

ener · 09-22-04, 08:28 PM

With synce I gave up after many hours of trying.

Did anyone of you manage to set up samba to share a directory with a PPC?

At the moment I use bluetooth to transfer files between Axim and Linux. But it would be much more handy to use wlan.

trashguy · 09-28-04, 12:20 PM

Since im not a genious C programer has anyone checked out U-Boot? I use it on my gum stix board which has the same Xscale processor. The info is at http://sourceforge.net/projects/u-boot/ I run the latest kernel on my gumstix board which that info can be found here http://gumstix.com/spexboards.html maybe this can help you linux guys :)

gsteinb88 · 09-28-04, 03:14 PM

why dont you guys just use synce-kde? Grab it with apt-get...and read the man pages. It seems to work fine for most people (although i have not tried it myself). If you need help, ill install it myself and try to help you
-g

Shep FC3 · 10-06-04, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by gsteinb88

why dont you guys just use synce-kde? Grab it with apt-get...and read the man pages. It seems to work fine for most people (although i have not tried it myself). If you need help, ill install it myself and try to help you
-g

Yup, I tried that one. I don't use KDE, but I tried to use it with Fluxbox, and it didn't work either. I have no firewall blocking it, and I have USB working properly. I have been using Linux for about 4 years now, so I don't think its a user friendly app. I have only found a few people that got it working, and dozens that couldn't get it connected. I get no errors or anything. It just says waiting for the connection. I also used the newer Ipaq module with no luck. If you can give it a try and let me know if it works, I would greatly appreciate it!

ener · 10-07-04, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Shep FC3

Yup, I tried that one. I don't use KDE, but I tried to use it with Fluxbox, and it didn't work either. I have no firewall blocking it, and I have USB working properly. I have been using Linux for about 4 years now, so I don't think its a user friendly app. I have only found a few people that got it working, and dozens that couldn't get it connected. I get no errors or anything. It just says waiting for the connection. I also used the newer Ipaq module with no luck. If you can give it a try and let me know if it works, I would greatly appreciate it!

Same here, would appreciate a lot to read a good howto.

tdavis · 10-07-04, 04:15 PM

Hmm.. I got SynCE with the KDE stuff working a few days ago.

I have to do everything over Bluetooth, due to some bug in the linux 2.6 kernel USB.

It did work, following the instructions on the SynCE website. I am using Fedora Core 1 however, with KDE 3.3.

Shep FC3 · 10-07-04, 10:50 PM

Hmm, I run the 2.6.7 kernel and have all my other USB stuff working properly. I had my Sony Clie syncing with Evolution. Also have a USB card reader, and Digital Camera working. So I don't think its that. I load all the modules, run dccm, then start synce. It does nothing. Also when I try the commands they list, I just get command not found. Kinda strange, I installed everything with apt-get. Maybe I'll try out synce-kde with the latest Fluxbox version. If I ever do get this working, I'll be doing a good writeup.

gsteinb88 · 10-15-04, 05:26 PM

At least in KDE, it shows up in the menu bar at the bottom next to the time where there are a couple more icons...i dont use fluxbox but you could check there
-g

Shep FC3 · 11-01-04, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by gsteinb88

At least in KDE, it shows up in the menu bar at the bottom next to the time where there are a couple more icons...i dont use fluxbox but you could check there
-g

OK I just upgraded fluxbox to a newer version that is supposed to fix the system tray icon for apps like synce-kde. I will have to give it a try again.