How Often Do You Sync Your Pocket PC?

[Ed Hansberry]

With the release of Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2, which allowed me to synchronize my tasks over the air, I find myself syncing with my desktop less often. I am a <b>huge</b> Task user and have been waiting for this for years. I'd rather forgo appointment and contact sync as those are relatively static while my tasks are updated/completed/added dozens of times a day. I noticed yesterday it had been 2 days since I had docked my K-Jam and I wasn't really itching to do so, I just took the opportunity to charge rather than using the wall wart next to my bed that I usually use. My files do change, but syncing is largely to back up the files. The only files I really share between the PC and PPC are ListPro and HanDBase files. Other files just don't change often enough or are rarely if ever opened on my PC. I gave up Notes long ago because, to use a technical term, it sucks. Favorites never change much either. If it weren't for ListPro, I could probably go days or even weeks without syncing to my desktop, letting everything important sync automatically with my Exchange server.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2005/20051228-activesync.gif" /><br /><br />For those of you working on your own or not tied to a corporate solution, if you don't have Exchange 2003 SP2 available to you and would like to see what it can really do, give <a href="http://www.4smartphone.net/affiliates.aspx?go=referal&amp;ref=JD10726/">4Smartphone</a> a try. It is an Exchange hosting company and for $3.99 a month, you can store 500MB of data on the server, syncing recent emails with your PDA and use Outlook Web Access, or for $6.99 a month, use Outlook 2003 and desktop synchronization. If I didn't have Exchange, I'd do this in a heartbeat. <i>(And yeah, I know, if WiFi sync still worked in ActiveSync 4.x, many of you would sync more often, but let's move past that. Let it go. 2006 is a new year and it won't work then either. Ohmmmmmmmmm... feel the bad energy float out of your body... ohmmmmmmmmmmmmm)</i>

[OSUKid7]

I used to leave my Pocket PC cradled when I was at home/not using it, but now that I have a Smartphone as well as a Pocket PC, I really only sync before I leave for a long time. I really wish Microsoft would fix that issue and allow me to sync multiple devices at the same time. Oh and how about getting rid of ActiveSync while you're at it. Vista anyone? ;) Hopefully...

[cybrwulf]

I am also a 4smartphone user and I sync my Samsung i730 througout the day. I see that you say tasks can be synced now... Is that a WM5 feature? Or am I missing something?

[Phillip Dyson]

While I'm at work I sync my PDA atleast once with my work computer via Intellisync. I sync with 4smartphone several times during the day to check for email.

The WM2003SE version of push email is sometimey (mostly not working) with my Smartphone.

I still sync my PDA with my home desktop for PhatNotes, SPB Finance (Quicken), tasks, and files (Soti).

I'm sure those things wont go away even when I upgrade one of my devices to WM5.0

All the desktop syncing is with my PDA. My smartphone never touches a desktop these days unless I find some rare software program that I want to install, but even that hasn't happened in several months.

[Ed Hansberry]

I see that you say tasks can be synced now... Is that a WM5 feature? Or am I missing something?
Task sync requires both WM5 and Exchange 2003 Sp2. This is one feature of SP2 that doesn't also require the yet-to-be-seen MSFP. Actually, the MSFP will be cool, but for me, not near as cool as task sync has been.

[cybrwulf]

Thanks for the reply Ed. Now this only makes me want that WM5 upgrade for my i730 even more. Hopefully Verizon and Samsung can do better releasing that in February than they handled the i700 debacle.

[Janak Parekh]

The WM2003SE version of push email is sometimey (mostly not working) with my Smartphone.
Do you mean Exchange SMS push? It's super-reliable for me, either on my WM5 Pocket PC or WM2003 (First Edition) Smartphone.

--janak

[Phillip Dyson]

The WM2003SE version of push email is sometimey (mostly not working) with my Smartphone.
Do you mean Exchange SMS push? It's super-reliable for me, either on my WM5 Pocket PC or WM2003 (First Edition) Smartphone.

--janak

It may not be exchange. I often check AS on my smartphone and see there was a connectivity error. Though I've been in coverage. If I do a manual sync then it works fine.

[kellybelly]

I'm a Mac user ... I have used PocketMac in the past to sync, but it slowed down my machine quite a bit besides causing some messes with appointments. It was too much of a hassle to sync since I'd spend a lot of time fixing what PM screwed up. I use my PPC as my main appointment/calendar/contact manager, and just send things over to my Mac via bluetooth if I think I need it on both machines.

[jeffmd]

I choose the 6th option and wasnt kidding. I havnt synched in year. ^^ I install all my apps through cab files and copy all files over through compact flash cards.

[BUMP THAT]

I choose the 6th option and wasnt kidding. I havnt synched in year. ^^ I install all my apps through cab files and copy all files over through compact flash cards.

I do exactly the same thing. AS is just too slow and too troublesome for me. My card reader and CF card are way faster.

And I backup PIM data with WebIS Toolbox to my SD card.

[Gerard]

I chose option 6 as well, because there wasn't a 'once or less per year' option. I synched my Casio E-115 back in June of 2000.. then hadn't been able to make any version of Activestink work properly on any of my PPCs since... until this fall, when one synch worked for my Dell X5. Then it didn't work next time I tried, and none of the troubleshooting tips I could find (and there are a LOT more these days!) helped. So, after a couple of months' off-and-on attempts to again make it work (just for Contacts, nothing fancy) I gave up and completely un-installed Outlook from my PC.

I enter all PIM data on the PPC. Always have. I backup with Sprite and Phatware dbExplorer, have for years. Works great. Dumping my Contacts (700+), Categories, and Appointments databases to my latest PPC, a new Toshiba e800/WM2003SE, took less than 40 seconds. Even if Outlook/Activestink worked it'd take a lot longer than that, so I'm happy.

[Jon Westfall]

We desperately need File Sync abilities through an exchange server. My K-JAM and JasJar both get a sync'ing at least 1 time per week via AS and multiple times daily through GPRS (Depending on what device I'm using that day). To TRY to get file syncing to be somewhat reliable, I've used <A HREF=http://www.foldershare.com>Foldershare</A> to publish the My Documents folder to my file server at home and my 2 workstations. Now my phone, no matter which workstation I sync it at, has the most current files. Also takes care of having to manually do a eWallet backup every few months to store on the computer that wasn't the primary sync partner.

Anyone, Anywhere know of a service that will load on a PPC and sync FILES??? Yea... I didn't think so ;)

[Zidane]

We desperately need File Sync abilities through an exchange server. My K-JAM and JasJar both get a sync'ing at least 1 time per week via AS and multiple times daily through GPRS (Depending on what device I'm using that day). To TRY to get file syncing to be somewhat reliable, I've used <A HREF=http://www.foldershare.com>Foldershare</A> to publish the My Documents folder to my file server at home and my 2 workstations. Now my phone, no matter which workstation I sync it at, has the most current files. Also takes care of having to manually do a eWallet backup every few months to store on the computer that wasn't the primary sync partner.

Anyone, Anywhere know of a service that will load on a PPC and sync FILES??? Yea... I didn't think so ;)
You know, I was just thinking of building something like that because I need something along the lines of Visual SourceSafe, but running on my Axim. This could be an interesting project!

[martin_ayton]

My PDA and PC are in constant communication... but only because the cradle sits right next to the laptop on my desk and it's a convenient place to put the PDA. I use Innobec SideWindow to make the PDA screen real estate a bit more useful - usually have my Windows Messenger window sat on it.

I'm itching for our IT guys to get Exchange AS up and running, but they have other priorities right now (really, they aren't just being awkward) because my IMAP4 link to my work email is not working.

I never managed to use Wi-Fi sync, so I don't miss it - my laptop is connected to the network wirelessly and the thought of trying to get two wireless connections running simultaneously always put me off. Don't know if that's even possible. I would like to get sync over bluetooth working though - I have never had any success with it.

[k1darkknight]

What do YOU sync?
(sorry...bad pun...but I just HAD to...)

Anyway, I picked the last option, even if it IS a bit of an exaggeration. I probably connect to my PC about an average of once a week, although I'd barely call it 'Syncing' since I don't actually synchronize anything. The only times I hook up are when I want to install a new app (which I don't always trust the cab files for, plus installing via sync typically means less potential issues with uninstalls of mediocre-quality programs), or when I need a file that pocket excel or word won't understand without its sync-ed translation. For music and images, though, I'm all for using a card reader to transfer THOSE, any time.

I might actually use the PPC messaging/e-mail sync feature, IF I didn't use web-based (Yahoo) e-mail. Honestly though, if they came out with a PPC with 1-2 GB of in-device memory, and made Excel and Word be able to understand the desktop file formats, all I'd need to add would be a 4GB microdrive, and I'd NEVER need to sync again! (well, except for those pesky program installs...)

[PR.]

Since not using my iPaq for anything anymore I notice I haven't synced since the 11th of November

[Marc Zimmermann]

For those of you working on your own or not tied to a corporate solution, if you don't have Exchange 2003 SP2 available to you and would like to see what it can really do, give 4Smartphone (http://www.4smartphone.net/affiliates.aspx?go=referal&amp;ref=JD10726/) a try. It is an Exchange hosting company and for $3.99 a month [...]

I definitely wouldn't want my personal data hosted on a third-party server. That's why I also don't upload my Outlook data to web-based address books and despise services such as Plaxo (ignoring requests to update my information there).

Ever wondered why those services are free and what their privacy statement is worth once they've been acquired by some other company?

[ale_ers]

My problem is my work uses Lotus Notes, so I am forced to use Outlook Connector for Domino. It is very buggy and I would love to use something like 4 smartphone, but I have yet to find out how something like that could work with Lotus. Currently I use T-Mobile's push e mail, which works pretty reliably with Lotus' web based email portal...but I will have to drop that to switch to Cingular.

If anyone has a suggestion for over the air syncing with Lotus let me know. For example, Does anyone use Cingulars' Xpress mail with Lotus?

[robclif4d]

I don’t sync at all. Between Sprite’s daily backups and the Sprite PIM Mirror function, I’m covered. I also bring cab files over via card reader. I haven’t sync’d my ipaq so far this year....too unreliable.

Rob

[Gen-M]

I only sync once a quarter or two. I'm lucky if I can find the sync cable(s) - I have and use 3 PPC devices. The only reason I sync is to keep contact lists consistent.

[stevelam]

I definitely wouldn't want my personal data hosted on a third-party server. That's why I also don't upload my Outlook data to web-based address books and despise services such as Plaxo (ignoring requests to update my information there).

Ever wondered why those services are free and what their privacy statement is worth once they've been acquired by some other company?

Quick pull out the tin foil hats :D

[KTamas]

Well, serveral times a day...usually. Sometimes I'm just too lazy to sync it for days and I just charge it...but i hate AS (as mostly everyone here i guess...), maybe i should give up on syncing and just backup PIM data regulary.

[Clarkster]

I only use AS because I'm not an expert in where certain files sit on my PC, and AS finds them for me.

For example, I have a card reader and a large SD card, but which files should I grab on my desktop to bring Outlook PIM data across to my 4705? My other main use of AS is for AvantGo - could anyone let me know which files to grab from my desktop, and where to put them on the PPC?

As with most posters on this topic, I don't much like AS and have daily problems with it...my difference is that I don't know any other way of keeping PIM and AvantGo content updated on the PPC. Has anyone written an easy tutorial on these things? Is there a better alternative to AS that I've missed?

[Gerard]

Pumatech's Intellisync has received high praise in some quarters. Never tried it myself.

I doubt that one could just copy over 'files' to synch Outlook data. Outlook on the PC stores such information rather differently from how it is stored on a Pocket PC. Avantgo... I have no idea. Never had a use for it, as a modem of one kind or another and Pocket IE/Netfront suit me fine.

[Phillip Dyson]

Pumatech's Intellisync has received high praise in some quarters. Never tried it myself.


Well, certainly not the quarter I'm in. I use Intellisync at work to keep my personal info off the work exchange server. It certainly fills a gap by providing 2-way calendar filtering which AS doesn't. My experience with it is that its clunky and temperamental.

Pumatech did release a new version about a week ago. I've been off a week so I only spent a couple of days with it. It seemed to be better. Prior to this release Mobile Active Sync seemed to have problems sync appointments that originated from my work computer with 4smartphone. But I think I saw that problem go away. I'll know more once I get back to work next week.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[freitasm]

I do it all the time, but using Exchange ActiveSync most of the times. Not unusual for one of the devices to go days without connecting to the desktop, only charging from the wall outlet and synchronising via Exchange ActiveSync.

Things are much easier now that all the devices use mini USB cable. Whatever one I have in the hand goes to the cable - the other devices just sit around.

I only really plug them when I need to install some software or to use Pocket Controller to grab some screenshots or easy data entry (for configuration testing for example).

[PetiteFlower]

I used to sync every day, but since it takes so stinkin long now (Pocket Quicken now takes like 15 minutes to sync since "upgrading" to AS 4.1) I don't bother nearly as often. I mostly just switch out batteries instead.

[cdavis]

Okay, maybe im missing something. With 4smartphone.net can I sync my contacts,tasks, calendar and email wirelessly to their servers where I can add things on my PC with outlook web access and then sync it to my PPC later?

[Nurhisham Hussein]

For example, I have a card reader and a large SD card, but which files should I grab on my desktop to bring Outlook PIM data across to my 4705?

Windows Mobile keeps outlook PIM data in special databases - these aren't user accessible files at all, unless you're willing to do some hacking.

My other main use of AS is for AvantGo - could anyone let me know which files to grab from my desktop, and where to put them on the PPC?

Avantgo data is direct to device and on demand, none of the actual channel contents are kept on the desktop.

In any case, neither outlook PIM nor Avantgo cache are located on external cards (without some hacking for the latter) - the former sits in the root directory IIRC (in its own folder) and the latter by default is in the Windows folder.

[Clarkster]

...so what I'm hearing is that there isn't any way round using AS, if I want to keep my PIM data sync'd between PC and PPC, and if I want to have AvantGo content on the PPC...is that really right?? :cry:

[Nurhisham Hussein]

No and no. There are alternatives to Activesync for Outlook like Intellisync and Laplink - both however are commercial programs but will do what you want.

For Avantgo, because its direct to device and over the air, you can sync directly from your PDA without a desktop PC at all. Two examples - I have a wireless network at home that runs through a router/ADSL modem as a gateway for direct connection to the internet, and I can get online and sync Avantgo data without an activesync connection to my PC. I also have a data plan through my celullar carrier, through which I can connect to the internet through my bluetooth phone. I can just dial up my phone from my PDA, and sync through that as well (this also means I can sync any time of the day and anywhere I can get a phone signal).

The sync applet can be accessed on your PDA under Start Menu->Settings->Connections tab->Avantgo IIRC (this is for the integrated client). I'm not sure where the connection settings are for the new stand alone client, but they're probably there somewhere.

[jeffmd]

I stoped synching not because of speed or problems.. but because of how many months inbetween windows reinstallations on my main computers. Heck if I wanted a reliable backup for my data.. my pocket pc would be it. It hasnt been reset in over a year now. Generaly I do like to keep my contacts backed up, but its a dell and so it has that section of the flash rom available for perminant file keeping.

[onesix18]

I sync to two desktop computers--home and work--and have done so since about 1998 (currently have a Siemens SX66.) GoodLink keeps my work email/contacts/calendar up to date OTA, but the reason I still sync is that I have a ton of files in my PPC that get updated both at home and at work.

My only real gripe about using GoodLink (and still syncing) is that I get double-reminders for everything on my PPC. But this is a very minor annoyance.

[kiwi]

hmm.. my 2410 last night decided to STOP syncing with ActiveSync 3.8 !

spend a few hard hours of trying then finally got it to work over WiFi !! ?!!

Still would *PREFER* the USB cradle &lt;sigh?

[chefz]

Wow! I'm surprised how infrequently people sync here! Once I realized I couldn't sync large folders or files easily with ActiveSync (using v3.8 ), and used a SD card reader for those files, I haven't had any problems in a loooong time. I sync at least once a day, maybe more as I'm playing or sending over cab files. In the past I've even synced with both home and work computers with no problems. Guess I must be in the minority here ;)

[Steve Jordan]

I sync at home at least daily. I also plug my PPC in at work, but generally I've kept my home and work records separate (I don't want my personal address book on the office Outlook), so I only plug-in at work to keep the unit charged, and to manually transfer files when needed.

I should backup more, though. My PPC seems to have issues regarding backups: I have to have it plugged in and charging, but off, for at least an hour or so, before trying to backup. If I don't do that, it will spontaneously disconnect in the middle of the backup. Same issue reloading after a hard crash, which can require hours of pre-charging first. Still, I backup at least 1-2 times a week.

After the 3 hard crashes my PPC has had since I've owned it, I won't allow myself to slip more than that.

[Gerard]

That sounds like far too much work! Sprite Backup makes my compressed, EXE-format backups of everything in RAM in less than 3 minutes, without fail.

[pocketpcadmirer]

I sync atleast 2 times a day. First when I go to the college and second toime when I return from the college

Sunny