[missing-sync-palmos-talk] Can't install pdf files

[Scott Gruby]

On Jan 31, 2005, at 5:04 PM, Lorne Walton wrote:

> At 12:35 pm -0800 31/1/05, Ken Freeman wrote:
>> Are you using Adobe's Palm software on the handheld to read the .PDF 
>> files
>> or something else?
>
> I have just installed Adobe Reader v3.05, but I recently told Docs To 
> Go that I would use it as my pdf reader.
>
>> It's been a while since I have used the Adobe Palm software, but it 
>> seems
>> they have a Mac desktop utility that creates a Palm ready file that 
>> can then
>> be installed to the handheld. You don't just install and read regular 
>> .pdf
>> files. Correct me if I'm wrong.
>
> Someone please correct Ken if he's wrong. I haven't a clue! I used to 
> be able to load pdf's my dragging them into the (Palm Dsktop's) 
> HotSync Manager's window, but I can't load them now that I've 
> installed TMS.
>

Last time I checked, PDFs couldn't be read directly on the handheld, so 
Ken is correct. If there is an application that natively reads PDF 
files, please let us know.

>> Or, you could be using some other PDF reader that can read a raw PDF. 
>> If so,
>> that reader needs to register with the Exchange Manager in the Palm 
>> OS to
>> let it know that it can handle PDF files. If an application tells the
>> Exchange Manager that it can support a PDF then the Missing Sync will 
>> let
>> you install that application, but if no apps are registering for that 
>> file
>> type the Missing Sync will not let you synchronize that file (we 
>> don't let
>> you sync a file that the handheld can't read).
>
> Sorry, I don't understand "Exchange Manager". Is that an app that's 
> supposed to be in my Palm?
>

To clarify, each handheld applications registers itself to be able to 
handle certain file types. For instance, Docs To Go registers to handle 
.doc, .xls, etc. So Missing Sync reads this information off the 
handheld and then allows you to drop those types of files onto the 
install window because Missing Sync knows that a handheld application 
can handle it. If a handheld application doesn't properly register, 
there is no point in us allowing random files to be installed on the 
handheld as you won't be able to use those files.

>> However, another approach would be to use Desktop Mounting and simply 
>> copy
>> the PDF file to your SD card. You may want to give that a try.
>
> Yes... so I use MissingSync (the Palm app) to load the virtual disk 
> onto my desktop, and copy my 3 pdf's to the folder where the other 3 
> pdf's reside? I did that, but neither Adobe Reader nor Docs To Go can 
> find them.
>

This is because neither Adobe Reader nor Documents To Go can natively 
read PDFs; both programs require the PDFs to be converted to a special 
format and their respective desktop applications do this. So Missing 
Sync was doing you a favor by not allowing you to drag PDFs to the 
install window since you can't do anything with them on your handheld; 
we saved you the trouble.

--
Scott Gruby
Lead Engineer, Missing Sync for Palm OS
Mark/Space, Inc.
<http://www.markspace.com/>

Please contact support at markspace.com for assistance with Mark/Space 
products.