ActiveSync 4.0...What Should it Be? [Archive]

bbell98

01-25-2003, 05:23 PM

<venting>
Make it more like TrueSync which I used with my old Rex device....<sigh>.. I hate stepping back in time, but don't have many choices w/ ActiveSync!
</venting>

I would like the ability to sync my PPC Contacts to a folder other than the "Contacts" folder in Outlook. At my house, the whole family uses the same Outlook profile and therefore we have multiple contact folders.. it is fine that I use the main contacts folder, but now that my sis has a PPC I don't know where to sync her contacts to..?! The old TrueSync for the Rex device handled this w/ no probs..

It did the same w/ calendars in that you could have multiple calendars in Outlook and choose which one got sync'd onto the Rex. You didn't have to choose the main "Calendar" folder in Outlook.

Also.. the ability to click "disconnect" from within ActiveSync on the desktop would be nice...!

-Bob

alandashby

01-25-2003, 05:24 PM

I would like to see speed changes, USB 2.0 support, maybe even firewire.

I would like to see a better looking interface, give it the XP look.

I would like the option to sync folders to other places then just My Documents, like onto a storage card.

About droping older devices I would say yes. As long as they still kept 3.6 around. I would love to see something new, new features, even if it means it would not work with some of the older handhelds.

Peter Foot

01-25-2003, 05:25 PM

Improve the windows shell integration. Currently this adds a "mobile device" icon in My Computer, however its there whether the device is connected or not. Also add full support for drag and drop, and the ability to download files directly to a folder on the pocket pc.

BugDude10

01-25-2003, 05:26 PM

I would like it not to disconnect my e740 every 3 minutes... :x

R K

01-25-2003, 05:31 PM

For one thing, increasing the speed would be good.
Even though it's a little off topic, it would be cool if there would be a way to set the Pocket PC as a mass storage device so that it wouldn't need ActiveSync whenever you wanted to copy files to/from a computer.
Anyway--back on topic, I'd say more network options would be good.

Integrating something similar to RemoteDSP where I can control the handheld from my desktop would be great as well. That way, you wouldn't need to manuall start RemoteDSP every time you wanted to do that. Instead, ActiveSync would start everything up for you.

Right now, ActiveSync has the ability to bridge the Pocket PC to the Internet, which is good. It would be even better if it would bridge the Pocket PC to the network so that it could use network printers and copy files from the network as well.

This feature would be a little more difficult to implement, but with the amount of Pocket PC Phones and Smartphone 2002s coming out, it would be nice if ActiveSync could utilize the Pocket PC as a modem for the desktop computer.

If it could do all this while keeping the good aspects of the current ActiveSync build, it would be great.

johncj

01-25-2003, 05:39 PM

ActiveSync needs to be totally refactored. The original design goal was clearly to allow you to sync your device with Outlook on your desktop. Implicit in that statement is that you have one device, one desktop, and one app for collaboration (because that's what Outlook is, a way to collaborate with others through email, appointments, tasks, etc.). Microsoft has layered all sorts of capabilities onto ActiveSync to expand that vision, but ActiveSync has just become more and more broken by the features that don't map to the original design goal. ActiveSync needs to salvage what was good out of Hailstorm (.NET MyServices, anybody remember that?).

To be effective, ActiveSync needs to be based, not on a relationship between a device and a PC, but on a relationship between the identity of the user and the user's collaborations with others. Today, this means Passport because it's the only identity mechanism that is functional across the broad range of scenarios that must be supported. There are certainly issues that need to be worked out, but infrastructure is there to support synchronization of the important categories (messages, appointments, tasks, content, etc.).

Today ActiveSync ties connecting and synchronization too tightly. They need to be split apart with a more flexible rules-based interface. For example, if I connected on my cell phone, the synchronization happens differently than when I'm connected from my PocketPC via WiFi, which is different from my PC's permanent high-speed connection.

Synchronization also has to move to more open standards to allow third parties to tie into the system more effectively. Even something as simple as RSS as a format could be useful.

Finally, we need to move beyond the concept of a single repository of data to allowing different types of content to each have different "repository of record". I want my email stored on my PC at home, my appointments stored on the server at the office, my task list on my PocketPC, and my contacts stored on my Smartphone. When I sync up, I want to know that those data stores are always considered the master store for their data types. You probably want some other configuration.

I have some other ideas, but they'll have to wait til later.

bcre8v2

01-25-2003, 05:41 PM

I hope I'm not being too demanding: :idea:
1) I want to be able to sychronize with many systems, not just with 1 or 2 partnerships. Let me define what gets synchronized/copied.
2) Cross platform support - this is getting there, but with 3rd party tools or multiple steps (save as, export this, rename that, import from here.. blah). I want the flexibilty to synch a device with a Mac/Linux wkst/etc.
This would almost guarantee Corporate acceptance sooner!
3) I agree with Kati42 - Let's see a better "remote control" app built in.
4) Battery management support. (e.g. You could deep discharge/recharge from the cradle)
5) Better configuration support. This way I can configure many PPC's from one system w/o Mobile Information Server or 3rd party tools.

-Steve

mclaughlinc

01-25-2003, 05:47 PM

I would like to see more options for syncing. I know I not the only one how has hard reset my device. I would like to see options like, device overrights Outlook and so on. The third party products like Companionlink have many options for syncing.

Gator5000e

01-25-2003, 05:51 PM

I would like to see the requirement of having to rename your PPC whenever you have to do a hard reset. Why can't you rename your PPC to a name you previously used.

igreen

01-25-2003, 06:01 PM

I'd like the ability to creat unique sync profiles per PC. I.E. I'd like the abilty to sync to different INBOXes. One for work......with its unique work address and database...and one for home.....with my personal messages and such. I want one PPC...but multiple identities.

heov

01-25-2003, 06:05 PM

main thing: i would like it to sync when I put it in the cradle :)

second main thing: i would like it to be integrated and included w/ all windows OS from now on so that I can sync (mainly use it as a CF reader) w/ any computer w/ windows on it- then we can use are ppc's as potable hard drives and such.

currently i have to enable active sync, select get connected, turn on the ppc, it will then sync.

if i want to dissconnect my ppc, i must go into the options and disable USB syncing so that it disconnects- only then can i turn off/remove my ppc. If i disconnect via my ppc or i pull it out of the cradle w/o disconnecting as, the computer will lock up. I would like an option where i can just insert and remove my ppc ;) it just started out of the blue when my computer accidently froze for no reason and i had to restart- after that all went crazy :x

i would also like better integration of the explore feature. I can't save a word document directly to my ppc. i must copy it over- i want it to show up as a letter drive like a CF reader or something.

i too would like the remote display thing (like pocket controller) to be integrated w/ as and i want to be able to take screen shots w/ a button in as.

in addition, when the ppc actually shows up as a usable hard drive where i can save directly to it (not copying to it, save as to ppc), i would like the my computer hard drives and other storage media to be displayed on my ppc. for example, i would like to see my hard drive as a storage card and my dvd, zip, floppy, etc, in the file explorer as storage cards so i can access them. this would be a killer feature. i think a program like this already exists... maybe ms can just buy them out ;)

Sven Johannsen

01-25-2003, 06:06 PM

How about consistant and reliable.
Sync with more than two systems (and get a similar function that can sync a laptop with a desktop PIM at least)
How about consistant and reliable.
Let the explore windo on the desktop have the same capabilities as file explorer, properties, directory content summations, attribute actions, participate in search
How about consistant and reliable.
Allow initial sync setup over other media, BT, WiFi (could require AS password on desktop to be preset for security)
How about consistant and reliable.
Easier option for not doing conversion on file types.
How about consistant and reliable.
Oh yea, How about consistant and reliable.

Peter Foot

01-25-2003, 06:08 PM

I would like to see the requirement of having to rename your PPC whenever you have to do a hard reset. Why can't you rename your PPC to a name you previously used.

Yes this has always seemed stupid. And since Pocket PC 2002 every device has a built in unique ID so this should be used to uniquely identify the device even if hard reset, it would then be recognised and sync as normal

pro_worm

01-25-2003, 06:08 PM

You guys have it ALL wrong. Give a rest to all this HHT-C23 HTTP FTP wi-fi silliness - to take out Palm once and for all, Activesync needs to be turned into a program with REAL uses for REAL People.

1) What is more logical than controlling your pocket pc from your Comp once it is synced? Nothing. So the posts about Pocket Controllers funcitonality are correct.

2) Skins and color changing - people like to make this their own. Activesync should at least have a variable palette like Windows Media Player, where clicking a button changes the color scheme.

3) Change the name - activesync brings back bad memories. And seriously, there is nothing ACTIVE about it. It just copies over contacts and tasks from one computer to another. Give the thing a more fancy, user-friendly name.

4) Create visualizations that are dependent on transfers between your computer and PPC. So if you are copying a file between your PPC and Comp, the visualzation would move around (like in Windows Media Player, or Sonique, or Winamp) depending on transfer speed. This would make Activesync cool in general.

5) Allow the computer to be used as a storage drive, so you can install Age of Empires on your "computer" as though it were a storage card and then play the game while the Pocket PC is docked, using your PC as an additional memory card (never mind AOE's landscape mode :)

6) Allow for user friendly, integrated "identity swapping." It would essentially be like backing up your pocket PC, only you would have multiple backups that you would restore (one-click) to your Pocket PC depending on the situation. FOR example, on Friday Night, your computer might realize that the weekend is coming, and it would replace all your Pocket Informants and Databse Apps with games and MP3s. Sunday night, it would switch back. Of course, you could also swap Identities manually, with the click of a button (the identities would be stored on your Pocket PC as images [sans contacts and appointments and the like, which remain on the PPC no matter what] and would be copied over when the ID switches.)

7) A Memory Partition Chart needs to be included. It would show you your PPC's 64 (or 32) megs and how it is divided among different apps in a pie chart or simply a line divided into segments, which is segement belonging to an installed APP or a large file. You could simply click on a segment and click delete to remove a file or a program. This would make managing the PPC's memory much easier.

8) When you are connected to your PC, there is no reason you shouldn't be able to switch your PC's mouse to work on your PPC. This would be cool, and it would make it easier to use your PPC when it is docked - mouse instead of stylus.

That's it for now. Just keep in mind that it is user friendly things like this, NOT technical PPC-addict nit picks, that will make activeync appeal to people.

shawnc

01-25-2003, 06:11 PM

Sync with Outlook Express.

cludwig

01-25-2003, 06:16 PM

I'd like it if conduits could insert error messages into the "resolve items" stream.

For example, right now, when Vindigo can't sync for some reason (often not enough memory to run itself on my un-enhanced T-Moble PPCPE) right now the best it can do is _BRIEFLY_ flash a message on its status line in the details part of the main window. This then quickly changes to "1 unresolved item" and there's no way to get that error message back. If that message could be added to a list of "display me" items that could be seen along with the other "unresolved items" from Pocket Outlook, then at least I'd have some idea of what I could do to fix the problem.

Maybe this is just a Vindigo problem? What does the conduit for AvantGo do when it can't connect to the Internet to download content? I would want something that doesn't just pop up a modal dialog, since that would interrupt the sync process for everything else.

Also, I get the impression that there are still plenty of folks out there that don't use Outlook. I would classify the bulk of these folks as "newbies" who might be put off by Outlook's seeming complexity. If these folks had a very-simple "Palm Desktop"-like application (something that just let them input, view, and edit Pocket Outlook items without having to run Outlook), then that might help with the PPC's "not simple" image. Just conditionally installing (always ask the user, of course) "PocketPC Desktop" (as it might be called) if the installer notices that Outlook isn't available on the machine would be pretty cool. Of course there are others that don't use Outlook for philosophical or workplace-imposed reasons, but there seem to be plenty of third-party apps/conduits to deal with those folks. This might also allow MS to un-bundle Outlook from the standard PocketPC distribution, which might represent a cost savings for everybody. People who like (or at least need) Outlook already have it on their machines, and people who don't know Outlook might perceive it as complex and might be better served by a more rudimentary application.

DaleReeck

01-25-2003, 06:19 PM

Like Palm's Hotsync, when it makes changes to stuff like your Calendar or Address Book, have it tell you what its going to change. I've been burned too many times by AS 3.6's current "trust me" approach. If it worked right, it would be so bad, but it doesn't all the time. If you aren't careful, you can delete an entire database if it thinks its doing the right thing and isn't. I want to see exactly what it's going to do before it does it.

jmarkevich

01-25-2003, 06:19 PM

Am I the only one that prefers Palm's HotSync? HotSync allowed true synchronization, and as a default, copied the db FILE over. If you wanted to intercept and integrate, you could develop a conduit to munge the data as you required. I never had a problem with several computers and HotSync.

I hate the reliance on Outlook.

Why can't a small chunk of ROM on the newer devices contain a stub of the sync software - plug it in to a new computer, copy or install the file from it as a USB storage device and then enable more sophisitcated syncing through that app.

Make the protocol XML over HTTP. Then you can network with a card and sync from anywhere on the planet! 8)

ECOslin

01-25-2003, 06:34 PM

Can we have it stream audio?

Edward

foghead

01-25-2003, 06:40 PM

The biggest thing for me would be to be able to connect more than one device at a time.

Sven Johannsen

01-25-2003, 06:42 PM

Curious about something. A couple of posts seem to believe that Active Sync is neither Active nor Sync. For PIM information it is synchronizing in every normal DB sense. It compares by record and adjusts to the most recent by record. Try adding a phone number to one contact on the desktop, and to another on the PPC and then syncing. They will cross replicate, not just copy the whole DB that has the latest entry. It is Active. Change something while cradled, and, assuming you have it set to (default), the wheel will spin and it will be sync'd right then. No need to hit the sync button and wait when you are already late for that meeting.

This of course doesn't work with general files, The latest is duped over the oldest. It is not reasonable to expect the software to search a word document and combine a new paragraph on the desktop, with a corrected spelling on the PPC when syncing.

cliss

01-25-2003, 06:44 PM

Perhaps it's just user error, but I'd kill to be able to successfully sync over a VPN connection. None of this connecting as a "Guest" business anymore.

I'd also like to see less reliance on cradles. I wish I could do a fresh install and then do a WiFi sync without having to do a normal one cradled first.

Better support for favorites. Again, maybe it's just me, but it seems that sync'ing favorites is sloppy at best.

-Casey

Sven Johannsen

01-25-2003, 06:45 PM

The biggest thing for me would be to be able to connect more than one device at a time.

That would be kinda neat. Then I could drag files from my Axim AS windo to my Jornada AS window. Could possibly just run a second instance of AS if another device is cradled.

Skoobouy

01-25-2003, 06:55 PM

First of all, if ALL of the above requests were put in, ActiveSync would be an absolute mess. It must be kept simple, first and foremost.

That said, I will echo the following requests:

1. PLEASE get rid of the 2-computer limit. I've got a rector who wants to use his Toshiba e310 to share his calendar with different workstations. Easier than setting up Microsoft Exchange.

2. Allow multiple simultaneous PPC connections.

3. Reliability.

4. Speed of data transfers.

I disagree with others about the "mass storage/removeable storage" option. A better solution is to buy a USB card reader for the storage card of your Pocket PC. Then you can run programs from that card, and share its contents with any WinMX computer with a USB port without installing any drivers.

Twain

01-25-2003, 07:06 PM

The single feature I want is the ability to synch data (contacts, appointments, tasks) from at least two or three separate repositories (work computer, home computer and internet) and combine them into a single view on the Pocket PC while keeping the source data "pure".

In other words after synchronizing with a work computer, none of the home computer data would end up on the work computer or the internet. Similarly, none of the work computer data would end up on the home computer or the internet and so on.

This feature reflects the reality for many folks in that not ALL of their data is kept in one repository, you shouldn't have to re-key in PIM data and people want to maintain separation of information. Who wants personal information migrating to corporate databases?

guinness

01-25-2003, 07:15 PM

Make it faster is my #1 want, AS is sooo slow; about 2 hours to do a full backup or restore, I know that USB 1.1 isn't that bad. USB helps a bit, but AS still must be using an older serial transfer that hasn't been optimized.

WiFi or Bluethooth would be ok, as long as the installer gives you the option of installing the components if ypu want them, I don't use wireless right now, so I wouldn't need them, but I may in the future.

Make AS modular, gives users the option of installing what they need; wireless, USB 2, Firewire, a option to sync with Outlook, Eudora or Lotus, without having to install everything.

Support skins, lets the user customize it to his/her tastes; in XP, I use Style XP to customize the way XP looks so that it will match WMP 9 skins,etc.

kcmedic

01-25-2003, 07:17 PM

The ability to delete email from my PPC without deleting it from my PC. I get emails with audio or video attachments and may not want them taking up space on my iPAQ. I know I can change the attachment size that it will sync, but sometimes I want the large files. Sometimes I just want to "clean up" my inbox on my PPC, but still need to save a copy on the PC. Point is, if I delete an email from my PPC, activestink assumes I must not want that email at all!

Oh yea, and more speed.

fmcpherson

01-25-2003, 07:22 PM

Make it rock solid. The goal should be to eliminate all posts in microsoft.public.pocketpc from people having problems with synchronization. While it would be nice to have all sorts of additional functionality, that functionality is useless if it doesn't consistent perform the basic function of data synchronization for which it was designed.

Green Dragon

01-25-2003, 07:25 PM

Let me sync e-mail with 2 pcs :evil:. I could do this with the Palm, it's a massive step backwatds not to be able to. I have to choose to either sync my home email, or my work email.

Surely it's not that uncommon to have two accounts, one at work and one at home?

blade_of_narsil

01-25-2003, 07:30 PM

The first thing I would do is support USB 2.0.

The next thing I would do is to support Universal Plug and Play natively.

And then I would spend some more time on USB 2

Steven Cedrone

01-25-2003, 07:49 PM

Make it stable...
Make it faster...

Give me choices for conflicts:

Sync
Do nothing
Handheld overwrites desktop
Desktop overwrites handheld

Steve

adamz

01-25-2003, 07:59 PM

2) Skins and color changing - people like to make this their own. Activesync should at least have a variable palette like Windows Media Player, where clicking a button changes the color scheme.

It's just a little green icon in the system tray! That doesn't need color changing skins.

3) Change the name - activesync brings back bad memories. And seriously, there is nothing ACTIVE about it. It just copies over contacts and tasks from one computer to another. Give the thing a more fancy, user-friendly name.

Haha! How 'bout "Windows CE Services"?

4) Create visualizations that are dependent on transfers between your computer and PPC. So if you are copying a file between your PPC and Comp, the visualzation would move around (like in Windows Media Player, or Sonique, or Winamp) depending on transfer speed. This would make Activesync cool in general.

How would that be useful?
What would be better is the ability to display the titles of the actual data being syncronized instead of just "1 of 23".

Personally, I'd like to see the ability to manage email messages selectively instead of blind "syncronizations" that often don't even work properly. Also the ability to syncronize specific files in their specified locations both on the desktop and PPC WITHOUT having to copy them to a syncronized FOLDER. The Files sync option currently only syncronizes a folder.

dazz

01-25-2003, 08:07 PM

I would NOT make it backward compatible. Most likely this would cause too many problems and goodness knows we don't need any more of THAT!! :roll:

Also, there has to be reasons to want the latest PocketPC. It is only a good thing for the industry to have as many current PocketPC users upgrade to the latest. Means continuing stream of income for manufactures which in turns means more reasons to bring out bright, shiny models. Also means older units become available to users who may not have been able or wanted to buy a new PPC.

Bring on the new stuff and leave the legacy behind!! :D (just not the legacy stuff that I have) <sheepich grin>

QYV

01-25-2003, 08:12 PM

Sync
Do nothing
Handheld overwrites desktop
Desktop overwrites handheld

YES!

Palm has done this for more than two years that I know of (that's when I got my first PDA, an m100) and it is critical for situations where you sync with two PCs and hard reset. In such a situation, you want to sync with one PC and use Desktop overwrites Device to get everything on the Pocket PC up to date. Then go home (or to work) and select Device overwrites Desktop and presto! Everything's synced correctly.

Right now, in this scenario, I have to manually delete ALL OUTLOOK ITEMS in Desktop Outlook and then choose "Combine items" when I sync. Otherwise I get duplicates every time. This is an appalling workaround that no one should have to figure out, much less actually apply.

lmtuxinc

01-25-2003, 08:26 PM

1. They should make the file transfer like the CD Burning that is in windows xp. When you open up the "mobile device" folder when your ppc is not connected it should show "files ready to be transferred to the pocket pc"
and then list the folders and files like xp does when you open the CDRW drive when there is no CD in the drive.

2. You should be able to rename mobile devce to whatever you want without going into the registry and doing it from the CLSID.

3. There should be a icon for each mobile device (pocket pc, smartphone...) that you could view and change the settings for that device by using the right click menu.

4. Multiple Contact folders !!!

5. Subfolders for PPC IE favorites

Inventor

01-25-2003, 08:40 PM

My Top 10:

1) Check the internet for a new ROM EEU update image for my Jornada. If there is a new ROM update then ask me and automaticaly download/install it.

2) Verify my serial number with MS servers. If someone steals my PocketPC and tries to use ActiveSync on it then it alerts the local police.

3) Show me a list of new PocketPC software that is on the internet. Also display a centralized XML server with ALL PocketPC software. If I click on 'install program' then it automatically installs the package.

4) A button for AvantgoSync, if I want to update my offline pages then click on the button to sync. No checking and re-checking in the options dialog.

5) Disable backing up the Avango Folder. If I do a restore Im not concerned with tempoary pages, also the temp folder doesnt need to be backed up.

6) Compression to and from the PC. This would speed up the time it takes me to backup/restore my PocketPC.

7) Work with power line and phone line networks. This way I can sync while not at the PC. Also use the internet socket. Also other devices like Stereo, TV, Frog tank sync also for thier respective purposes.

8) Sync my banking accounts securely via the internet to MS money.

9) a 'IRC' sytle type of support socket. If im having any problems with my PocketPC and I have support integrate it with AS so they can also remotely fix the problem and chat with me live (via VIOP)

10) Check the internet to tell me if there is a ActiveSync 5.0 ready for download and automatically download/install it.

Gator5000e

01-25-2003, 09:07 PM

Almost forgot the most important feature AS needs - for me anyway: SYNC WITH PUBLIC FOLDERS!!!!!!

Kati Compton

01-25-2003, 09:13 PM

Oh yeah - I'd like to be able to sync any folder on my PPC, not just My Documents.

jeff

01-25-2003, 09:26 PM

A few suggestions.

- I totally agree with the addition of a handheld/pc/sync option for conflicts.

- Tell me what item isn't synchronized. "1 Item Not Synchronized" isn't remotely useful when I have 300 possible items going over.

- Do an incremental backup of the device's entire RAM so you can get right back to where you were if a hard reset ever happens. This is the main reason why I can't recommend a Pocket PC to any of my non-technical users at work. If they let the battery die on their PDA and all the data is wiped out, their Palm will spring back to life at next sync, their Pocket PC will complain about partnerships.

- Rearrange sync order. Some stuff is slower than others and not always necessary. I'd like to put the unnecessary stuff at the end so I can yank it in mid-sync if I have to.

- Allow synching with all Outlook subfolders, especially Contacts.

- Integrate Hotmail synching in addition to the Outlook Inbox.

- Two partnerships and one mailbox limits must go.

Knowing Microsoft, the only suggestions they'll incorporate from this whole thread will be the stupid skinning and visualizations ones.

Jeff

[Cruzer]

01-25-2003, 09:30 PM

Items I want changed:

- able to overwrite outlook, say my PC crashed and had to rebuild it and I don't want to use the combine method.. That sucks.

-be able to sync data that is also on storage devices.

-able to sync folders other than folders located in PPC MyDocuments on my computer. Sync folders that may be on file server.

pschultz

01-25-2003, 09:53 PM

Faster AS backup. Backups right now take forever!!

dlauri

01-25-2003, 09:56 PM

WiFi or Bluethooth would be ok, as long as the installer gives you the option of installing the components if ypu want them, I don't use wireless right now, so I wouldn't need them, but I may in the future.

Syncing over WiFi is indeed faster than USB. In the connection settings on your PocketPC for your WiFi card set the WINS to the IP address of the computer to which you want to sync. Then you start ActiveSync on the PocketPC, click "sync" and it will find the computer on the network, connect and sync.

Bandito

01-25-2003, 09:57 PM

I can't believe no one's said this yet, but how about making ActiveSync less CPU intensive. When I have my PPC cradled, ActiveSync is always using 7-8% CPU. This is pretty ridiculous. I literally have to disconnect my PPC if I want to play a game, do file encoding, or any other CPU intensive activity. This can become very frustrating, especially when you forget to plug it in afterwards :oops:.

Janak Parekh

01-25-2003, 10:45 PM

I like everyone's suggestions here so far. I have a lower-level suggestion: make ActiveSync comply with the new SyncML standards. Eventually I'd like to have one sync solution that works with my Pocket PC, my cell phone, my smartphone, and any other device I have. This, to me, is a fundamental reengineering. This is something that MS should integrate either into the OS or Outlook. If done correctly, they could actually increase dominance of the handheld market (imagine the transition between a SyncML-compliant Palm and a SyncML-compliant Pocket PC).

While they're at it, improve the speed, remove the 2-machine limit, and allow Exchange sync from more than 1 PC without MIS, are my other main requests. I can live with everything else.

--janak

EvilOne

01-25-2003, 11:55 PM

It should be more reliable over all (like it forgetting that I have ever synced with a computer and try to shove everything on my device and winding up with dups and always knowing my device, sometimes it just connects as guest)

Get rid of the 2 computer partnership.

Allow more control over disputes between my computer and PDA.

And of course, just keep it simple.

Peter Foot

01-26-2003, 12:02 AM

I like everyone's suggestions here so far. I have a lower-level suggestion: make ActiveSync comply with the new SyncML standards. Eventually I'd like to have one sync solution that works with my Pocket PC, my cell phone, my smartphone, and any other device I have. This, to me, is a fundamental reengineering. This is something that MS should integrate either into the OS or Outlook. If done correctly, they could actually increase dominance of the handheld market (imagine the transition between a SyncML-compliant Palm and a SyncML-compliant Pocket PC).

Thats a good idea, there are several sync related functions in various MS products, e.g. Synchronise in Windows (offline folders etc), Active Sync, Plus Sync and Go, Windows Media Player copy to device, scheduled receive of email / newsgroups. They should all share common features and use standards to sync the data - to reduce bloat, provide a consistant ui and wide device support.

Also, a managed .NET programming model around it of course...

KISSONLINEMobile

01-26-2003, 12:34 AM

I would like to be able to sync my Pocket PC from any PC on our network via a USB port. Rather than storing my unit's profile on my local drive, if I could store it to the network, then in theory all I would have to do is plug in my unit via a USB cable and it would sync to my profile. This would require ActiveSync being part of the OS, as was mentioned earlier. Would work great with Exchange.

bdegroodt

01-26-2003, 12:52 AM

XML based and on an open standard! Sycn via an XML service instead of by an actual client on the PC.

Jonathan1

01-26-2003, 03:11 AM

Requirements for Activestink 4.0
In priority:
1. Versions for OS X and Linux.
2. Stability and reliability in syncing with all USB chipsets. Screw if it’s syncing through a USB hub or not. It should just WORK!
3. Support for syncing across USB 1, USB 2, Firewire 1, Firewire 2, 802.11x, BlueTooth
4. File transfer higher then the 150KB/s range that current 3.x supports. There should be at least 2MB/s
5. Being able to transfer large files.
6. The PPC is set on the file system as a mounted device so if I download something off of the net I can save it directly to the PDA vs save to C: and then transfer it. If I make a word documents I can save it directly to the PDA. Etc.
7. A REAL cut and paste option. In the current version of ActiveStink you cut and paste from C: to Mobile Device and it only does a copy and paste.

Jonathan1

01-26-2003, 03:19 AM

My Top 10:

2) Verify my serial number with MS servers. If someone steals my PocketPC and tries to use ActiveSync on it then it alerts the local police.

Umm better yet lets NOT do this. There is third party software that can do this on PC's right now. Lets leave it in the hands of 3rd party software. Who would stand to go under if they abuse their customers. Why is it that people automatically trust MS when they have been known to abuse customers rights via EULAs..

guinness

01-26-2003, 03:52 AM

XML based and on an open standard! Sycn via an XML service instead of by an actual client on the PC.

That'll never happen, fourtunately/unfourtunately; it's MS, they almost never use an open standard, open standards are what gives Linux and Mac users fuel against MS in the OS wars, an XML standard would make it too easy for someone to sync up their with an OS other than Windows.

OT: with Apple's success with the iPod and iMac, does anyone think that they would come out with another Newton model, I thought that it was a bit ahead of its time and was pretty powerful, using an ARM chip and all.

bdegroodt

01-26-2003, 04:01 AM

XML based and on an open standard! Sycn via an XML service instead of by an actual client on the PC.

That'll never happen, fourtunately/unfourtunately..

Hey! I'm the program manager! :P

Jonathan1

01-26-2003, 04:44 AM

OT: with Apple's success with the iPod and iMac, does anyone think that they would come out with another Newton model, I thought that it was a bit ahead of its time and was pretty powerful, using an ARM chip and all.

No chance. Jobs hates the N word. He had a vendetta way back when to kill it and would rather eat a bullet then admit that he was wrong. Look at the mouse. Macs support 2 button mice yet does ANY Mac ship with one?
I think the only chance of Apple releasing a PDA is if:
1. Jobs dies and someone else takes over (Which could kill Apple as a company.)
2. Jobs quits and someone else takes over.
3. Jobs gets a lobotomy.

ctmagnus

01-26-2003, 05:36 AM

Support for Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB, USB 2.0, USB2Go (USB On the Go?), FireWire, Serial, iRDa, Bluetooth, GSM, GPRS... out of the box. In other words, the medium doesn't matter.

Mount as a drive (at least use native file system support, if not actually using drive letters.) Include everything that is currently available in Explorer.

All data types in Outlook are currently supported in PPC, so an option to sync the default data folders in Outlook (which it already does) or pick and choose the folders/subfolders you want to sync. Also, if you choose to sync a subfolder, it should have the option to not sync parents if the user so desires.

Sync with multiple computers without necessarily setting up a profile on each one and not using the Guest profile.

An option to use pass-through without setting up a profile or even registering as Guest.

An option for no more Guest profile.

Ability to connect to a given PC when syncing to another PC on the network via the given PC. In other words, the ability to recognize that the default PC is reachable from the PC you are at and will not attempt to sync with the PC you are at in any capacity.

Speed.

Sync any file from anywhere on the bigger box to anywhere on the PPC. Drag and drop is good for this.

Option to upgrade the ActiveSync in ROM on the PPC end when upgrading ActiveSync on the bigger box end.

An option to delete

C:\Documents and Settings\[User Name]\Application Data\Microsoft\ActiveSync\Profiles\[Pocket PC Name]

after a hard-reset and before syncing.

More control over options on the PPC end. An option to use either desktop or PPC as the 'master template' for syncing.

ctmagnus

01-26-2003, 05:37 AM

Something with XML :)

guinness

01-26-2003, 05:50 AM

Kati Compton

01-26-2003, 06:35 AM

Yeah, but they could call it iNewton and come out with all sorts of crazy colors! Although it would make the PDA market a real mess with a PPC OS, Palm OS, Linux, and Newton based devices.

10 bucks says that if Apple has an organizer/PDA/tablet that they call it the iPad.

Len Egan

01-26-2003, 02:17 PM

I'd make it work Every time!

Chris Hendriks

01-26-2003, 03:40 PM

1. ActiveSync needs to become an integral part of the Operating System.

2. The definition needs to be expanded to include syncing with any mobile device that I as a consumer choose to sync (PDA, Smart Phone, MP3 player, digital camera, work laptop w/ a server, etc). When I sync each of these devices (wired or not) the appropriate interface for the device should be exposed.

3. Handle syncing of more than one device, more than one person, more than one profile, more than one computer, etc

4. reliability, reliability, reliability

William Yeung

01-26-2003, 03:41 PM

SassKwatch

01-26-2003, 07:55 PM

Ekkie Tepsupornchai

01-26-2003, 07:55 PM

The 2 computer partnership is too far from saying working good.

Duplicate items, wrong version between 2 computers (the earlier one overwrite the later one)... too many glitches

Inbox sync on more than 1 computer!

100% agreed. As a constant traveler, the ability to ActiveSync PIM data on multiple machines (mainly my home machine when home and my laptop when on the road) is vital. This is the one thing I REALLY miss about my old Palm.

Better stability and the option to fully exit ActiveSync would be great as well.

Jonathan1

01-26-2003, 09:37 PM

Jonathan1

01-26-2003, 09:43 PM

Thought of a few other items to add:

-Smaller memory footprint. Its bad when people are creating apps designed to close ActiveStink when not in use due to the amount of memory it takes up.

-Also treat AS as a service.

-Create Group Policies that are integrated into the system profiles to allow system moderators to define certain times in the day you can sync certain info. Example. Lets say from a security standpoint I wouldn't want someone transferring potentially confidential files to his/her PDA over the weekend when no one is in the office. So I could say From 5PM on Friday to 8AM on Monday no file transfers but they can sync their PIM info.
Also limit the file types that can be transferred. Lets say I don't want users transferring MP3 files onto their business owned PDA I could specify any MP3 file not be allowed.

Jonathan1

01-26-2003, 10:02 PM

OK So I'm going overboard on the posts on this topic but I had another thought:
why shouldn't Microsoft release the source code for ActiveSync?

Seriously.

Think about it a second.
1. This isn't MS windows source its more of an addon app. Thus its not as critical to keep the source hidden from the world.
2. It’s already a free app on the net so its not like they are losing any money on it by giving the source to the world.
3. It would allow developers on OS X and Linux to built compatible versions thus expanding the potential for the Pocket PC.
4. It could _potentially_ decrease development costs for MS in the long run.
5. Since 90% of the time the average user installs AS right off of the CD it wouldn't mess with compatibilities. The average user would stick to Microsoft’s vanilla version of Activesync and the more advanced people would move to an open source version.
6. Most importantly new and innovative designs could come out of releasing the software.

-In addition to that they could specify they have to follow X minimum specs for ActiveSync to avoid version conflicts.
-They could also specify that at prior to install that a big *** flashing banner is present that indicates that this is not MS tested software and MS takes no responsibility in what it does to your system. That would cover their assets.
-Virus developers could closely tie their software into ActiveSync allowing on the fly scanning for Viruses. I’m guessing this could be done now but with the source to ActiveSync I have to imagine it could be done even closer to the metal.

Janak Parekh

01-26-2003, 10:18 PM

OK So I'm going overboard on the posts on this topic but I had another thought:
why shouldn't Microsoft release the source code for ActiveSync?
Won't happen - they're developing it as a proprietary sync standard. Eventually they might have licensees or somesuch. Not that I don't want it; I'd love to have comprehensive Pocket PC support on Macs/Linux/whatever other OS.

--janak

ExtremeSIMS

01-26-2003, 10:35 PM

Make a version for Mac OS X, or at least a conduit for iSync.

I agree - use SyncML so there is cross-platform functionality. Be more like Palm - allow syncing with ANY OS.

freitasm

01-26-2003, 11:06 PM

1. ActiveSync needs to become an integral part of the Operating System.

2. The definition needs to be expanded to include syncing with any mobile device that I as a consumer choose to sync (PDA, Smart Phone, MP3 player, digital camera, work laptop w/ a server, etc). When I sync each of these devices (wired or not) the appropriate interface for the device should be exposed.

1.Why? It would limit people using other platforms access to the Pocket PC world... This would make Mac and *ix users flock to Palm OS...

2.Agree. Something like iSync, and automatic!

oldan

01-26-2003, 11:28 PM

You know, the thing I've been looking for since my very first Palm Pilot was independence from my desktop PC. Today, I can put a Winxp system in the computer room and sync to it via the network connection. However, if I have to hard reset the device, I need to go into the dungeon and connect my A/S cable to the computer to set up the initial partnership. What about being able to control all features of the sync from the PocketPC rather than assuming that everyone does 90% of their work on the desktop/laptop and only 10% on the PocketPC?

And one another thing... how about making sure I can sync everything at more than one place? I have a laptop, a desktop, a home machine and a backend Exchange box. I woule like to use any one of them equally to sync.

For work, I want to use my Laptop when I travel, my Desktop when I'm in the office, and the Exchange server when I'm too much on the go to set up the laptop.

At home all I want to do is sync Microsoft Money.

And how about synchronization over the WEB (OWA) to my exchange server?

Just a few thoughts...

adrian

01-27-2003, 09:52 AM

Ekkie Tepsupornchai

01-27-2003, 11:57 AM

How about allowing devices that don't contain microsoft software to synchronise?
I have a Sony Ericsson T68i and it needs a lot of software and configuration work to get it to synchronise with my desktop PC.
I know this is more an issue with Sony than microsoft, but it is high on my wishlist.
MS would never provide that, especially considering their competition on an increasing number of fronts (smartphones, PDAs, game consoles). They simply would have nothing to gain. I would think the ActiveSync code would need to be made public for that to even be possible and as Janak pointed out, that'll never happen either.

bdegroodt

01-27-2003, 12:34 PM

MS would never provide that, especially considering their competition on an increasing number of fronts (smartphones, PDAs, game consoles). They simply would have nothing to gain. I would think the ActiveSync code would need to be made public for that to even be possible and as Janak pointed out, that'll never happen either.

Perhaps if MS made the first move to make an open source sync client, they'd actually help to put the end to a couple of companies (Namely, Palm and Handspring). If they trusted their PPC product enough, it would seem to be the fastest way to eliminate their only competitors in the market space.

Ekkie Tepsupornchai

01-27-2003, 01:36 PM

bdegroodt

01-27-2003, 02:02 PM

Perhaps if MS made the first move to make an open source sync client, they'd actually help to put the end to a couple of companies (Namely, Palm and Handspring). If they trusted their PPC product enough, it would seem to be the fastest way to eliminate their only competitors in the market space.
I don't follow. With opensource ActiveSync code, we could potentially have sync software for all OS platforms (Mac, Linux, Windows) and the sync software could potentially support multiple types of devices, but I don't see how that affects the average consumer's decision to buy Palm or PPC.

It only works if you truly have the superior supported device (In this case, and in my opinion, the PPC OS.). I believe many Mac/Linux users would find the PPC their device of choice if they could get it to sync properly with their desktop/laptop.

Sure Palm etc could embrace the sync client as well. But, if the device isn't any better than the PPC, buyers would continue to move towards PPC.

johncj

01-27-2003, 03:18 PM

This talk of Open Source is ridiculous. You don't need to provide source code to get interoperability. Microsoft's TCP/IP stack talks to everybody elses and it's not open source. It's about standards, not source code. Synchronization needs to standardized. I haven't looked at SyncML, but something like it needs to happen. There's no threat to Microsoft from interoperability. They'll be making their applications and OS even more useful to people. I would argue that other players have a lot more to fear from standardized synchronization.

bdegroodt

01-27-2003, 04:12 PM

...I would argue that other players have a lot more to fear from standardized synchronization.

My point exactly. :D

gorkon280

01-27-2003, 07:01 PM

Thought of a few other items to add:
-Also treat AS as a service.

Best idea yet. I would LOVE to be able to synch with my desktop in the morning over the WiFi but all I can do right now is AvantGo. Only way to sync with desktop is if I am logged in. In the morning my wife works and it's impossible to log in at the same time and do a quick sync.

Make the footprint smaller as well.

Sync with multiple computers folders...it's all good. I don't need remote control from the desktop (it'sonly 4 feet away why would I need that?). Also open it up like a harddrive. Let me share it over a network so I can use my laptop to copy stuff over when it's in the cradle, but my wife is on the system. I can kind of do this by doing it over the network. Oh and this is a alteration to PPC, not to active sync, but let me play files off of my desktop like I do on my laptop. On my laptop I can use my network shared drives like a local drive. How come we can't on PPC?

Use SyncML. PLEASE!

Make backup work! (it always fails on me because of one or two files and the only thing open on the PPC is activesync.). Also make backup FASTER!

Also do away with the 4-5 background binaries and try to do it all in one program (or at least let me close it or shut down the service temporarily).

Oh and NEVER drop connection with the PPC if it's powered on and in the cradle. Reliability PLEASE!

Chris Hendriks

01-27-2003, 07:26 PM

1. ActiveSync needs to become an integral part of the Operating System.

[SNIP]

4. reliability, reliability, reliability

*slams head into keyboard* :::Groans:: Why is it that everyone want everything and the kitchen sink integrated into the OS!?!?!? This is a fundamentally BADDDDDDD idea. It makes the OS more likely to be compromised by viruses from an outside source. Show me a method of hacking your system in WinAmp. But there are plenty of holes in Media Player. Also look at the slow release pace of IE for Windows. This is because there has been a fundamental shift from releasing it once a year to once an OS which slows development and allows the competition to release innovative ideas. (Tabbed browsers? Popup removers?) Then again at the rate MS is releasing updates for ActiveSTINK..... :roll:

And if you are looking for reliability integrating it into the OS makes that even less likely. Ever see IE take down the GUI? What if that was tied to AS and it took that down as well? Maybe I’m the only one here that believes this but AS should remain outside the OS however it should be treated as a service instead of an app so users can define inside of a hardware profile whether or not they want to start AS.

As a consumer, I really don't care if Activesync is a service or an application. However, I do care that I have to download and install another piece of software. I don't want to spend my time dooing that. I just want to easily sync any device without alot of continued configuration nightmares. I also disagrre that this would eliminate or slow competition. If I have two sync applications, then one should ask to be the primary. Finally, there was a comment in an earlier post that this would shut out Palm or Linux users. How? If they have the option of installing other sync software as primary then where are they shut out?

I believe that syncing and transfering data between servers, PCs, other even applications has become as important to me as MS Word or Outlook. I want my data anywhere, anytime, on any device I choose. Connectivity is now key. I want to be on a sailboat out in the middle of nowhere and have confidence that the new contacts data that I just entered into my Pocket PC can be transfered to a safer location. If I get my Pocket PC or cell phone wet or they fall overboard - oh well. It takes me more time recreating data than replacing hardware.

The days of syncing with just a work computer and a home computer are over.

Another post wanted an administrator to control your syncing. Unfortunately, the usage model for a Pocket PC is split between business and personal use. I don't think anone wants to have 2 Pocket PCs - one for business and one for personal use. I imagine that some very interesting issues will be raised as more and more PDAs find their way into the workplace.

Everyone has made valid points - so I can imagine the debate going on in the Activesync Team. LOL

warm regards to all.

bdegroodt

01-27-2003, 07:33 PM

...I believe that syncing and transfering data between servers, PCs, other even applications has become as important to me as MS Word or Outlook. I want my data anywhere, anytime, on any device I choose. Connectivity is now key. I want to be on a sailboat out in the middle of nowhere and have confidence that the new contacts data that I just entered into my Pocket PC can be transfered to a safer location. If I get my Pocket PC or cell phone wet or they fall overboard - oh well. It takes me more time recreating data than replacing hardware.

The days of syncing with just a work computer and a home computer are over. ...

How ironic. This point is the same example Steve Jobs used when introducing iSync and the SE T68i combo at Mac World 13 months ago. I think it's a pretty valid argument.

Evee Ev

01-27-2003, 07:47 PM

what i would like to see is some type of notice telling you what specific file is not syncing with your PPC. a lot of times i get error messages about 1 file that can't sync! but...what is the freakin' file! i don't know...

GO-TRIBE

01-27-2003, 08:12 PM

I sure hope MS has this just about finished, AS in it's current state is terrible! Try using it on XP when you have 2 or more users logged on at once all with PPCs. It just doesn't work. Even if I try to put my PPC on USB and others on serial or IR, AS just crashes. Every time I look in the sys tray, I have about 3 or 4 old AS icons from various crashes, and they go away as soon as I mouse-over them.

AS needs to be integrated heavily into Windows, so that it works with the user switching as well or better than the keyboard and mouse. It should allow you to have more than one USB cradle, or at least allow you to associate a certain PPC with your user profile. And finally (I'm not done yet and I hope MS is reading this), why can't you open the AS window when it is in the process of syncing?
:!:

01-27-2003, 08:15 PM

For me there are two important things:

- Sync not only files on the device but also on storage cards
- Sync with Windows and Mac

Jo

Sanjay Srikonda

01-27-2003, 08:24 PM

How about the ability, like the Palm, yes, the Palm dangit, to sync with more than one desktop machine and not quadruple the number of contacts/appointments etc?

I have to envy my wife's palm software for not doing this but every time I try to sync with my laptop at home and my desktop at work, I get quadrupled everything.

Nasty and annoying.

Ekkie Tepsupornchai

01-27-2003, 09:13 PM

I believe many Mac/Linux users would find the PPC their device of choice if they could get it to sync properly with their desktop/laptop.
I don't have any official numbers, but I believe that Mac / Linux users only combine to make up an extremely small percentage of our population.

Sure Palm etc could embrace the sync client as well. But, if the device isn't any better than the PPC, buyers would continue to move towards PPC.
I don't know that this argument even applies to Windows users. While PPC gained a lot of ground on Palm a couple of years ago, PPC actually lost some ground last year. Now this could change with the low-cost PPC devices introduced recently, but I don't see Palm being pushed out of business amongst Windows users.

Sonrisante

01-27-2003, 11:27 PM

It's been mentioned a few times already: Multiple Computer Support. More than just 2. But even with 2, currently there are problems that need to be resolved:

1. Allow task synchronization in a way that doesn't require all tasks to be synced from both computers. I have to archive my tasks from outlook in order to get them removed properly from my ipaq and the computers.

2. Allow me to keep task lists different if they are from different computers. I don't necessarily want my home tasks showing up on my work office.

3. Repeat (1) and (2) for appointments, contacts, and files.

4. Completing a recurring task on one computer messes up when syncing over to the other computer. Recurring tasks that are synchronized to two (or more) computers should be able to stay in sync on both computers will all occurrences.

5. Have the file conversion filters live on the device, not the computer. When it's installed on the computer, then I have to install the software on both computers for the sync to work right (example: Adobe PDF for Pocket PC).

6. Allow my device to sync to my computer over the network through another computer. For example, if I'm "connected" to a computer on my network in LA while on a business trip, and I've enabled ethernet sync on my computer in SF, and the computers can see each other because they are on the same LAN/WAN/Whatever, allow me to use the LA computer as a network proxy to sync to my actual computer in SF.

7. Collisions: change the UI from a drop-down list box for each item to radio buttons or something more easily changed en masse. If I have 50 collisions and I have to change them all, it takes a super-long time.

That's all for now! Thanks for asking.

mcsouth

01-27-2003, 11:27 PM

....and if someone has, you're a superhero!

Assuming that someone influential has made it this far, here is my wishlist for ActiveSync v4.0:

- USB2.0/Firewire support
- Allow user to sync to different computers, specifying what content to sync at each PC (.....confusing? Okay, here it is....I want my personal information on my home PC to sync to my PDA, and my work information to sync to the same PDA, but I don't want personal info on my work PC, or work info on my home PC. Now maybe this requires a lot more work than can be accomplished through ActiveSync, but I'm sure AS would need to be part of the ultimate solution)
- maybe sort of the same issue, but I would like to also like to sync my wife's schedule (which also includes the kid's schedules) onto my unit, but as "free-time" items - I mostly like to know her schedule so that I'm not calling her when she's in a meeting, or so that I know the kid's are at soccer, so no one is home, .....you get the idea. Yeah, you can sort of do it with categories, but that just isn't as convenient as it could be. I believe it would come down to how you handle identities - so maybe I'm asking to sync multiple identities, but with different rules for how the content is synced (status, category, etc.)
- would like to sync with multiple e-mail accounts, including internet-based accounts (Hotmail, etc). Maybe there are workarounds for this now, but I'm not familiar with them......

Okay, I'm sure I'm missing something, but that's a start, for me at least.......

ctmagnus

01-27-2003, 11:50 PM

6. Allow my device to sync to my computer over the network through another computer. For example, if I'm "connected" to a computer on my network in LA while on a business trip, and I've enabled ethernet sync on my computer in SF, and the computers can see each other because they are on the same LAN/WAN/Whatever, allow me to use the LA computer as a network proxy to sync to my actual computer in SF.

If it wasn't clear from my post, this is what I was referring to.

mrvjtod

01-28-2003, 01:33 AM

Terminal Service Server. That is what I want to see.
Huh? Like remote desktop for your IpeHack¿ What does this have to do with ActiveSync¿

ctmagnus

01-28-2003, 04:08 AM

Terminal Service Server. That is what I want to see.
Huh? Like remote desktop for your IpeHack¿ What does this have to do with ActiveSync¿

Right now, not much. But it sure would be useful even if you can only access it from something running ActiveSync client. Not to mention nifty.

axe

01-28-2003, 06:58 PM

Hi all

I would love to see AS sync my Outlook INBOX, similar to the way the pocket 2000 used to. I don't want to have my whole PST file on my Ipaq. If I use AS to sync my INBOX, as soon as I move the email out of my Inbox and to a folder using Outlook, AS knows where it went, but doesn't consider it moved unless I flag the sub-folder for syncing.
I would rather ONLY sync my Inbox and if I move the email from that folder into a new one, AS should consider it gone and remove it from Pocket Inbox. The only way to email disappear from Pocket Inbox now is to delete it from OL. Pocket Inbox then removes it.

To get around this problem now, I have my Ipaq syncing to our corp mail server using IMAP. Once I move the emails from there into folders within my PST in OL, the IMAP server considers them gone and so does Pocket Inbox. A good work-around, but not what I really want.

My thoughts...
AXE

jfreiman

01-28-2003, 11:36 PM

I would like it if ActivSync 4 could do the following TWO things:

1) Sync with my Nokia 8390 via Ir
2) Sync web data such as my "MyReplayTV.com" recording schedule!

Other than those two items and my PocketPC, of course, there isn't anything else I would like to sync - neither data nor device.

ctmagnus

01-29-2003, 06:07 AM

If this hasn't been covered, multiple (many?) pst's/ost's on/from the same machine/source.

Jason Dunn

01-29-2003, 05:58 PM

Whew! I just spent an hour or so compiling the best comments from this thread into a spreadsheet that will be going to the ActiveSync team at Microsoft. No promises as to what will happen, but as MVPs we're all trying our best to get ActiveSync improved, and your comments were a big help.

Kati Compton

01-29-2003, 06:51 PM

I don't suppose any sort of timeframe has been given for a new version of ActiveSync, has it?

Jonathan1

01-30-2003, 06:59 AM

I don't suppose any sort of timeframe has been given for a new version of ActiveSync, has it?

Rough guess.....Around the next version of Pocket PC is announced. But that's just a guess. *shrugs* Who knows.

Oh Jason. PLEASE ask them to keep any type of product activation or passport useage out of Activesync. MS has been quite gung-ho about pushing this and there are people, umm namely myself :p , that would rather avoid this.

Woo hoo 100th reply. Do I win a prize :wink:

Just goes to show ya how big a topic Activesync is. Personally I think it’s the one REALLY big sore spot on the Pocket PC format. (Other then the OS being updated but that’s a diff topic.)

eustts

01-30-2003, 09:11 PM

1) make the synch work just like the Palm devices;- catagories, subfolders etc.,

2) eliminate the 2 computer limitation.

3) allow us to choose what kind of connection we want.

:D

spenadel

02-04-2003, 05:22 PM

How about a version that consistently works. I'm tired of my 5455 getting randomly disconnected. Get it right for a change, guys.

RLBorg

02-11-2003, 06:34 PM

My Top 10:

2) Verify my serial number with MS servers. If someone steals my PocketPC and tries to use ActiveSync on it then it alerts the local police.

3) Show me a list of new PocketPC software that is on the internet. Also display a centralized XML server with ALL PocketPC software. If I click on 'install program' then it automatically installs the package.

4) A button for AvantgoSync, if I want to update my offline pages then click on the button to sync. No checking and re-checking in the options dialog.

2) That could be way too much like big brother. Could you imagine the screaming that that would cause? I certainly wouldn't want them to use it to track me.

3) There is SO much software now, & more getting created that would be a major headache for someone to try & keep up with it.

4) I think it is a goo idea, but I would modify it a little. Make it so that each item in the sync section has the option of being manually sync'ed. That way you have total control. Certain things could always sync & others only when you select them. Kind of like now when you have sync mode set as manual, but some would NOT sync with the sync button.