Importing contacts

X50v-Rez · 01-13-07, 05:26 PM

Second query for this Axim newbie!:hide:

I'd like to import my contacts list into the PDA... but everything I read suggests I have to do activesync with Outlook, which I don't use.

I've managed to export the contacts list as a .csv file. Is there anyway to get the data in without having to go to the aggro of installing Outlook?

TIA!

Rez

Jogga · 01-13-07, 06:40 PM

Why would you not want to install Outlook? Sync all your contacts, calendar, email and tasks in one place.

X50v-Rez · 01-13-07, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Jogga

Why would you not want to install Outlook? Sync all your contacts, calendar, email and tasks in one place.

Thanks again for the help Jogga!

I use Outlook Express for my e-mail & newsreader needs and have bought the Axim to help me organise my life... I don't plan to keep a calendar on any of my pcs, just on the Axim.

Sounds like the only way is to install Outlook, import the contacts and then sync with the Axim... what a pain in the arse!

Rez

AKAJohnDoe · 01-13-07, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by X50v-Rez

Thanks again for the help Jogga!

I use Outlook Express for my e-mail & newsreader needs and have bought the Axim to help me organise my life... I don't plan to keep a calendar on any of my pcs, just on the Axim.

Sounds like the only way is to install Outlook, import the contacts and then sync with the Axim... what a pain in the arse!

Rez

You might want to reconsider.

While I do not use Outlook nor Outlook Express at all, I still allow my PPC to ActiveSync with Outlook for Contacts, Tasks and Calendar; however, I do not ActiveSync eMail with Outlook.

This provides a readily accessible backup of this information with no real effort on my part.

mtgeorge · 01-13-07, 09:14 PM

AKAJohnDoe hit it on the head...Outlook provides a great backup just in case....

AKAJohnDoe · 01-13-07, 09:30 PM

There is a link on my website that elaborates on my thoughts on backups and there is also a link to one of the threads that I did not write that is another item of interest which delves into great detail regarding the available backup options for the PPC platform.

Jogga · 01-14-07, 03:42 AM

AKAJohnDoe and mtgeorge are both right when they say that Outlook is a great way to sync contacts etc even if they don't use the program on their desktop. However, as you use Outlook Express, I would suggest that Outlook is a more accomplished mail client and well worth exploring

to see if it meets your needs more completely.

I don't know of a way of importing a .csv file directly to the Axim. There may be a third party application that does it. Although, a quick Google found Pocket PC Contacts Synchronizer, I have never used it but the site claims:

Quote:

"Desktop Overwrite/Append Pocket PC" profile will allow you to transfer desktop contents to Pocket PC Contacts, whereas "Pocket PC Overwrite/Append Desktop" profile will transfer Pocket PC Contacts contents in to desktop database.

It may be worth a look if you are determined to stick with OE.

X50v-Rez · 01-14-07, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by Jogga

AKAJohnDoe and mtgeorge are both right when they say that Outlook is a great way to sync contacts etc even if they don't use the program on their desktop. However, as you use Outlook Express, I would suggest that Outlook is a more accomplished mail client and well worth exploring

to see if it meets your needs more completely.

I don't know of a way of importing a .csv file directly to the Axim. There may be a third party application that does it. Although, a quick Google found Pocket PC Contacts Synchronizer, I have never used it but the site claims:

It may be worth a look if you are determined to stick with OE.

Thanks for all the great responses folks... I shall probably install outlook... though it doesn't do newsgroups does it?

Rez

Jogga · 01-14-07, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by X50v-Rez

Thanks for all the great responses folks... I shall probably install outlook... though it doesn't do newsgroups does it?

Rez

It can handle Newsgroups via Outlook Express. The first time that you want to use news you will have to add the option to the Go command on the standard toolbar (add/remove buttons - Commands - News & drag over the Go command). Clicking the News button in the Go Drop Down will open OE Newsgroups.

Quote:

Use newsreaders to gain access to various types of newsgroups (newsgroup: A collection of messages posted by individuals to a news server, a computer maintained by a company, group, or individual. Some newsgroups are monitored, but most are not, and messages can be posted and read by anyone with access to the group.), to download and read news messages, and to post replies to them. Newsgroups are a valuable source of information where you can find what your peers think and get information from people who use the same products and technologies you use. You can find newsgroups on practically any subject, and a newsgroup can be an Internet Usenet group or an internal company newsgroup.

If you have not previously set up a newsreader, Microsoft Outlook automatically sets up the Outlook Express Newsreader. This newsreader is a Network News Transport Protocol (NNTP) newsreader, which you can use to download newsgroup content and then work with it when you are not connected to the Internet. You can also browse most newsgroups using your Web browser.

You can send someone the URL of a newsgroup in an e-mail message, and when they double-click the link, their default newsreader will start.

Hope this helps

tiger_splash · 01-14-07, 09:39 AM

The other option would be to use an exchange server such as www.mail2web.com (totally free). You could set up your contacts, task, calendar, and e-mail if you wish. Your PDA could sync using any internet connection without ever installing Outlook on your machine. In fact, using web access, you could use any computer that has an internet connection to access your information for easy editing. This works especially well if you have a data plan on your cell phone that allows you to tether you PDA (basically use your cell phone as a wireless modem and you update wherever and whenever). Otherwise, using WiFi as it's available works beautifully. That would be the only way I know of to avoid using Outlook.

For the record though, I do agree that it may be best to just go ahead and install your free copy of Outlook. It's capabilities and power make it's cousing Express look weak and decrepit.

X50v-Rez · 01-15-07, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by tiger_splash

The other option would be to use an exchange server such as www.mail2web.com (totally free). You could set up your contacts, task, calendar, and e-mail if you wish. Your PDA could sync using any internet connection without ever installing Outlook on your machine. In fact, using web access, you could use any computer that has an internet connection to access your information for easy editing. This works especially well if you have a data plan on your cell phone that allows you to tether you PDA (basically use your cell phone as a wireless modem and you update wherever and whenever). Otherwise, using WiFi as it's available works beautifully. That would be the only way I know of to avoid using Outlook.

For the record though, I do agree that it may be best to just go ahead and install your free copy of Outlook. It's capabilities and power make it's cousing Express look weak and decrepit.

Once again superb responses from all... thank you!

I hope you don't mind if I pursue this subject a little further even though I think it's straying from the original topic.

My current pc setup at home features a desktop, a laptop & now the Axim PDA.

The desktop runs OE. My BT openworld & Hotmail are polled on this machine.

On the laptop the e-mails are accessed via webmail but quite often I miss stuff that has been polled already by OE and have to go upstairs to the desktop to read them... and now there there's the Axim.

In my ideal world, there'd be a way to have the desktop be the main recipient of e-mail with the laptop & the Axim able to synchronise over the home wireless network. Is this possible without significant expenditure?

Thanks!
Rez

Hardwarejunkie · 01-15-07, 06:48 AM

I personally prefer to go through the Outlook route. However, if you're still wondering if there is a solution out there that allows you to sync with Outlook Express then perhaps you might want to look at SyncExpress. Here's the information regarding the app:

http://www.pocketgear.com/software_d...associateid=17

Kenster · 01-15-07, 07:10 PM

Is it possible to configure your e-mail provider to use IMAP instead of POP3? If you can, then the e-mail remains on the server and different clients (desktop, axim) access it. I use the freeware QMAIL client for my Axim over wireless.

Another way is to configure Outlook express to leave the messages on the POP3 server, but then you'd have to manually delete them from time to time.