[missing-sync-palmos-talk] Will Missing Sync fix sync duplication problems?

[Mac Mike]

Hi Nico,

I am not able to address most of your issues, but below are my experiences
with a couple of them.


> I have recently purchased, but not installed, Missing Sync.
> 
> I have just upgraded to a Treo 650, and also upgraded from Palm Desktop 4.1 to
> 4.2.1 (as supplied with the device). This version installs the conduits:

I quickly opted not to use either version of Palm Desktop for Mac.  I liked
the version for Windows, but I just could not get comfortable with the Mac
version.  Unfortunately, the Mac apps (iCal & Address Book) didn't support
categories, but I still switched to those for a short time.  After a few
month, I finally migrated over to Entourage for better compatibility with
categories (this also allowed me to bypass iSync).

Basically, what I'm saying is that it wasn't worth it to me to get Palm
Desktop functioning.


> However, I am am now finding that when I sync, using HotSync Manager, changes
> made in Palm Desktop are simply added as new items in each of the four basic
> Palm applications. However, changes made in the the four basic Palm
> applications on the Treo 650 are updated appropriately in Palm Desktop. (I
> have also found that the sync takes a long time: 10 minutes for the four basic
> conduits even when there are few changes.)

I can only comment on the "time to sync" here.  I noticed a huge difference
when switching over to Missing Sync.  This is the reason I bought the
product.  Of course, the first sync is slow, but after that, my 10 minute
syncs turned in to 1 minute syncs.  The "backup" conduit was the biggest
improvement for me.  Missing Sync actually supplies this one if I am not
mistaken.

The backup conduit from Palm gave me a lot of problems besides speed issues.
It seemed to remember everything I had deleted.  If I reset my Palm device,
the old files would automatically be put back on my Palm at the next sync.
I'm glad the files were backed up, but I don't want my backup to be put
automatically on the Palm device unless I am really trying to do a restore.
In my limited experience with the Missing Sync backup conduit, I did not
have this issue.


> I have tried pushing the data onto an erased Treo 650 using 'Macintosh
> overwrites Handheld' and just using 'Synchronise' leads to the same problem.
> 
> In addition, I have deleted the old user, saving the User Data file and moving
> this into a new user of the same name.
> 
> My understanding of Missing Sync is that it uses the same conduits as those
> supplied by Palm and just manages them in a more sophisticated manner. In that
> case I would need to get to the bottom of the current problem before
> installing it. However, if Missing Sync might fix the problem of duplication
> and slow synching I would install it right away (and avail myself of the other
> benefits it offers).

Yes, Missing Sync will use the same conduits as HotSync has used except in a
few cases where Missing Sync has redesigned the conduit.  If you've already
purchased Missing Sync; I'd go ahead and install it.  The product is far
more updated for the Mac than the Palm HotSync software.  Plus, you'll get a
little better support from Mark/Space in my experience.  Finally, if the
sync does speed up a little bit for you, at least you will be able to debug
it faster :)

Regards,
Michael Tall
Visual Café Inc.