ActiveSync Downside? or User Ignorance?

RobertJSherman · 11-30-04, 05:23 PM

Okay, so I think active sync is pretty cool, but I want to sync files that are say in other folders on the PC, and I want to save main memory space on the Axim, so I wanna sync to say my SD card.

Well, okay.. simple enough I tell myself. I open up active sync, hit the "file" sync options.... and what? I can only sync to files/folders in the main memory location... am I missing something?

I guess this means that ActiveSync only allows me to sync file in the one folder, and not sync them anywhere else...

Is there something that's available, that'll let me sync (and convert [if necessary]) files from other desktop folders to a chosen [my choice] location on the hand held device?

brush · 11-30-04, 08:46 PM

Know how you feel, this seems such an obvious thing to do. I started years ago with a Compaq C120 HPC (CE 1.0 upgraded to CE 2.0), and was always frustrated with ActiveSync - it was SO dumb.

Switched to Palm M100, Handspring Visor, and Sony Clie SL10, and with Palm Hotsync and Docs-to-Go could leave all my documents in the original folders that made sense to me, and the way I worked, not the way Bill Gates does.

I honestly thought that after all these years ActiveSync would be smarter, but it seems that the only things that change are the version numbers.

When there is a file that is not in Sync, WHY can't I see which one it is, AND be allowed to make a decision on the fly as to what to do?

Even the tacked-on Puma Intellisynch I use to Sync my Lotus Organizer 6.0 gives me more control than native MS-ActiveSync.

Go Figure.........................

(Do like my X30H tho').

RobertJSherman · 12-01-04, 03:59 PM

I agree, it would be handy if it let you see what "file(s)" where having issues with sync - shoot I had to delete 2 outlook notes and re-create them to get them to sync the other day?

I also carry around an IOSync disc (Iomega Zip250) - even their sync software lets me point my sync folder where-ever I want, and add other folders into the sync set --

I just need to locate a better sync tool, I don't want to sync everything to the main memory... I'd like to be able to sync to like the SD card, or even the built-in memory location.

mfphoto1 · 12-01-04, 07:42 PM

i found this..it seems to work pretty well.. http://www.handango.com/PlatformProd...SectionId=1420

RobertJSherman · 12-02-04, 02:50 PM

I don't know about his one, but I also located this program:

CwSync by Cassioware
Cassioware.com CwSync

Of course, they also have a product that claims to give me the LDAP address book I've been looking for...

I guess I'll have to check em' both out... MultiSync is far cheaper and indicates a support similar to CwSync --

------------------------------------------------------------
So many programs so little memory.

RobertJSherman · 12-02-04, 05:41 PM

Just a follow-up to my previous post on CwSync -- Installed, tried it.. ouch! Okay, so it integrates rather nicely into ActiveSync, a plus.

But you apparently have to create XML documents to set your desired sync paths... it didn't have a very "user friendly" way of doing things.

On one hand, to be able to code a file specifying the desired sync's is nice, but in terms of quickly adding/removing files.. it could get very tedious.

Oh, and be warned, if you install it... removing is no cake walk - had to go cruise the PC registry to strip out the left over junk, and then manually remove about a dozen DLL's and other files it left in the System32 folder...

THen, had to physically remove it from the Handheld.. oh, it said it uninstalled - which is why it was still on the device and PC.

--

I gave MigthySync a shot, had some issue there - all-of-a-sudden I had two SD card folders, the "abort" doesn't abort (just aborts the current file).. Uses the primary sync folder (i.e. My Documents) as a "temp" location for files it's converting for sync - then didn't remove them...

At least when instructed to uninstall, it seemed to have really cleaned itself up - and it doesn't eat any space on the hand-held.

I'm really just surprised to see such a lack of alternative sync'ing tools out there...

mfphoto1 · 12-02-04, 11:49 PM

I tried Mightysync also after i posted it above. and it is working great for me. I had this one file that I had to constantly go delete then go back out anf get to keep it updated. Now with mightysync the program opens when i sync and goes out and gets it. it's been working perfectly for my 2nd day of a 15 day trial. I think I am buy for sure, for me. True though the instructions on exactly how to set it up seem a little vague but i figured it out

RobertJSherman · 12-11-04, 12:55 AM

Well, I gave MightySync a second chance.. seems it's like the only one that is reasonably simple to operate - but it can be quite a problem, don't try to abort a sync - ouch!

Also, don't make the mistake of sync a folder where you have a passworded document, rather than provide any warning or error - Mighty just stalls in a "mighty" way -

pdahound · 12-11-04, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by RobertJSherman

Well, I gave MightySync a second chance.. seems it's like the only one that is reasonably simple to operate - but it can be quite a problem, don't try to abort a sync - ouch!

Also, don't make the mistake of sync a folder where you have a passworded document, rather than provide any warning or error - Mighty just stalls in a "mighty" way -

Why did you have to abort the sync and what happened when you did? I was just wondering because I have had to abort sync's with activesync, but it didn't seem to harm anything. Just a pain when it hangs up.

RobertJSherman · 12-13-04, 10:32 PM

Well, I aborted the mightysync simply because I had misselected a folder for sync - this while not harming any data, seriously impaired the useability of my machine for a bit, i.e. it locked er' up tighter than a ... (you fill in the blank) ...

ActiveSync hasn't really given me that problem, but when AS doesn't want to sync something... geesh! I've found it does that frequently. Outlook notes, etc.. about the only way I've been able to resolve the issues, is to delete the files that are in Outlook (or) on the Axim, either one tends to resolve those hangs.

wkessel1 · 12-21-04, 01:50 PM

I used mighty sync for a while, but unless you are carefull, don't expect it back things up. It only goes one way at a time. If the sync is set up to go from the PDA to the computer, if your PDA folder is blank, everything on the computer gets erased. It merely copies files it doesn't actually sync. them.