[markspace-announce] Mark/Space News #44 - Missing Sync 5.1 for
Palm OS, Windows Mobile 2.5 Alpha Preview,
Troubleshooting Syncing in Tiger and more
Mark/Space Newsletter
newsletter at markspace.com
Fri May 5 17:08:06 PDT 2006
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Included in this announcement from Mark/Space:
1. NEWS: Universal Missing Sync for Palm OS, v5.1
2. COMING SOON: Windows Mobile 5 Support in v2.5 Alpha Pre-release
3. SUPPORT: Troubleshooting Synchronization in Tiger
4. TIPS & TRICKS: Installing Mac-Unfriendly Windows Mobile Apps
5. NEW STUFF: Ultrasoft BrainForest Deluxe for Palm and Mac
6. COOL STUFF: Wine Enthusiast Guide 2006 for Palm and Pocket PC
7. HELPFUL INFO: How to Unsubscribe, Get Support, etc.
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1. NEWS: Universal Missing Sync for Palm OS, v5.1
<http://www.markspace.com/palmos/>
In case you missed it, The Missing Sync for Palm OS is now at version
5.1, a free update for 5.0 owners. If you weren't aware that v5.1 is
shipping, here's what you need to know...
Version 5.1 is a Universal application and runs natively on both
Intel and PowerPC Macs. So whether you're running a G4 PowerBook or a
new MacBook Pro, you'll get the best performance possible. (Be sure
to ask your favorite conduit developers to visit our website for info
on how they can easily make their conduits run faster on Intel Macs.)
This release also improves syncing with Address Book and iCal data in
Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger", so even if you don't have an Intel Mac, you
really want this update.
If you're still running v4.0 of The Missing Sync for Palm OS and/or
Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther", then you're still using the old iSync Palm
Conduit to sync with Address Book and iCal. Upgrade to v5.1 and Tiger
so you can sync Address Book's work address, birthday, IM addresses
and calendar categories. It's very cool and much better than iSync.
(Note: You need a newer-model Palm/palmOne device, like a Treo 650
LifeDrive or Tungsten T3/5/X to support these new capabilities.)
Version 5.1 is a free update for owners of version 5.0, or a $24.95
upgrade from version 4.0 or other Missing Sync products. For
additional information, please visit <http://www.markspace.com/palmos/>.
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2. COMING SOON: Preview Windows Mobile 5 Support in v2.5 Alpha Release
<http://www.markspace.com/testing/>
If you own a Pocket PC or smartphone running Windows Mobile 5 (WM5),
or an Intel Mac, then chances are you're eagerly awaiting a new
version of The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile. What you might not
know is that owners of The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile v2.0 can
now preview the upcoming 2.5 release.
Version 2.5 will support devices running WM5, and it will also be a
Universal application, allowing it to run natively on both Intel and
PowerPC Macs. When it ships, v2.5 will be a free upgrade for all v2.0
owners.
In the meantime, if you enjoy life on the bleeding edge, and you make
frequent backups of your address book and calendar data, then take a
look at a pre-release alpha build of The Missing Sync for Windows
Mobile, v2.5. It's not bug-free, not is it feature-complete, but it
does support Bluetooth connections and syncing with WM5 devices. To
install this pre-release build, you must already own v2.0, be running
Tiger and have built-in Bluetooth on both your Mac and Windows Mobile
5 device.
To learn more, visit <http://www.markspace.com/testing/>.
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3. SUPPORT: Troubleshooting Synchronization in Tiger
<http://www.markspace.com/support/>
Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" introduces a cool new technology called Sync
Services. Sync Services provides a centralized database with which
applications like Address Book, iCal and Safari sync. All three
editions of The Missing Sync (Palm OS, Windows Mobile, hiptop/
Sidekick) sync data from mobile devices with the Sync Services
database. To learn more about Sync Services, read our Knowledgebase
article: <http://www.markspace.com/support/sync_services>.
While the promise of sharing data between applications, devices and
other Macs via Sync Services is exciting, it is also very complex. If
you run into any of the common problems we see, like duplicate
records appearing, contact or calendar data not syncing or other
strange behavior, keep these troubleshooting steps in mind.
Remove/Clean Up Duplicates
Removing duplicates by hand can be a long and tedious process. We've
found some great AppleScripts that automate the process for Address
Book and iCal. You can find links to these tools in our Knowledgebase
article: <http://support.markspace.com/?kb=2595>. Simply grab the
script or scripts that you need (for Address Book and/or iCal), and
double-click to run them.
Once you've cleaned up your data, back it up! If you aren't sure how,
check out: <http://www.markspace.com/support/backup>.
Perform a "Mac Overwrites Device" Sync
Clean up your device's data by replacing it with fresh data from your
Mac. This will delete the data on your device, so be sure your Mac
has all the current data. To perform this kind of sync, double-click
each of the Mark/Space conduits or plugins (depending on which
edition of The Missing Sync you are using), and click the button
instructing The Missing Sync to replace the data on the device with
data from the Mac. The next sync that you perform will take this action.
Reset the Sync Services Sync History.
If the above "Mac Overwrites Device" step does not clear things up,
resetting the Sync History will force a "Slow Sync," where every
record, whether it has changed or not, will be compared again. It's
like starting all over again from scratch.
Here's where Sync Services can be complex. If you are syncing
multiple devices or applications with Sync Services, such as a cell
phone via iSync or Microsoft Entourage or Chronos Organizer with Sync
Services support turned on, they will ALL be affected by resetting
the Sync History. So be prepared to have your Mac overwrite the data
in each of those applications and on all devices.
To reset the Sync History, open the iSync application in your
Applications folder, then choose Preferences from the iSync menu. At
the bottom of the iSync preferences window, click the Reset Sync
History button, then confirm your choice in the dialog box that
appears. Once the process completes, indicated by the Reset Sync
History button becoming active once more, you should restart your Mac.
Now you're ready to sync. If the data on your Mac is current, we
strongly recommend that you choose to replace the data on your
devices with the data from your Mac. This will avoid creating any
duplicate items.
If you have tried the above troubleshooting steps but continue to
experience problems syncing, there may be a problem with the data
itself, or something else may be the cause. Take a look at the
support page for your specific Missing Sync product. If that doesn't
lead you to a solution, fill out a support form, and we'll help find
a solution.
Support Pages and Knowledgebase: <http://www.markspace.com/support/>
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4. TIPS & TRICKS: Installing Windows Mobile Apps from EXE Files
The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile can install .CAB files to Windows
Mobile devices, and we maintain a list of developers and publishers
who offer their software in the Mac-friendly .CAB format <http://
www.markspace.com/pocketpc_macfriendly.html>.
However, many Windows Mobile applications for PocketPC and Smartphone
devices typically come packaged in a Windows installer format (.EXE)
that isn't compatible with the Mac. When run on a Windows computer,
the installer places any cabinet files (.CAB) into a folder that
ActiveSync watches, so they can be downloaded to the Windows Mobile
device.
But what do you do when there's an application you really want, and
it's only offered in the .EXE installer format?
Well, there are two cool utilities for the Mac that you should know
about. These applications are designed to successfully extract .CAB
files from their .EXE installers, so you can then install them using
The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile.
Henrik Dalgaard of Echo One has created File Juicer, which can
extract various file types from a number of different application and
installer files, including .CAB files from .EXE installers. <http://
echoone.com/filejuicer/>
Stuart Caie and a handful of other developers have created
cabextract, an open source utility designed specifically for
extracting .CAB files from .EXE installers. <http://
www.kyz.uklinux.net/cabextract.php>
So if you've got your eye on a mobile application, and the developer
just won't provide a .CAB-formatted file for you to install with your
Mac and The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile, give one of the above
utilities a try.
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5. NEW STUFF: BrainForest Deluxe for Palm and Mac
<http://store.markspace.com/product.php?id=6033>
We've just added Ultrasoft's BrainForest Deluxe to the Mark/Space
Online Store. BrainForest is an outliner, checklist manager, idea
keeper and project planner for Palm OS device users. It isn't just a
better To Do List--it helps you sift, group and prioritize
information, track your progress and completion and make sense out of
the action items in your life.
BrainForest Deluxe includes applications for both your Mac and Palm-
Powered device, so you can view your information at your desk and
when you're out and about. At only $24.95, including both desktop and
handheld components, BrainForest Professional is truly a bargain.
Check it out today at the Mark/Space Online Store.
<http://store.markspace.com/product.php?id=6033>
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6. COOL STUFF: Wine Enthusiast Guide 2006 for Palm OS and Pocket PC
Palm OS: <http://store.markspace.com/product.php?id=3006>
Windows Mobile: <http://store.markspace.com/product.php?id=3000>
Whether you're a wine hobbyist or you'd just like some help in
picking that bottle for a special occasion, LandWare's Wine
Enthusiast Guide 2006 is a wonderful tool. The new version has tens
of thousands of wines in its database, and it provides everything
from wine reviews and vintage charts (which tell you how various
grapes were rated on a year-by-year basis) to cellar tracking and an
in-depth Wine 101 course.
At $19.95 for Palm OS or Windows Mobile/Pocket PC, the Wine
Enthusiast Guide 2006 costs barely more than the movie Sideways on
DVD, and you'll get much more use out of it. Check it out today in
the Mark/Space Online Store, either from the Shop tab in The Missing
Sync for Palm OS, or with your web browser at the links below.
Palm OS: <http://store.markspace.com/product.php?id=3006>
Pocket PC: <http://store.markspace.com/product.php?id=3000>
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