Keep Data in Line, Most of the Time

Sometimes, the best utilities are the most fascinating. They do what they do, they do it well. Microsofts ActiveSync 3.8, the latest version of its data synchronization software pocketpcs and smartphones for the Bills. It seamlessly synchronized growth files, such as e-mail, contacts and calendar items between mobile devices and personal computers. It is usually quite efficient, according to Microsoft to satisfy the reader. "This has been seamless connectivity and customer premises equipment is very easy configuration, and said:" vinit held a total of MIS in sibcy and Cline, residential real estate development company in Cincinnati, Ohio. "Microsoft has been doing a good job, so that it is easy to proceed simultaneously. Even when people first learn how to use the software, we hardly spent more than 15 minutes, the coincident with these devices. " However, as mobile devices using ActiveSync more detailed and more capable sports advanced technology and equipment advanced Secure Digital (SD) cards and telephone services - the ActiveSync has been slow to keep pace with. Therefore, in the synchronization process in a group sometimes compared. "It can be a bit of the car, especially when the other sides telephone service," held a admits. For example, whether or not he held a synchronous, primarily through a wireless connection. ActiveSync synchronization he used his e-mail, contacts, and schedules, the sprint he Audiovox 6600, PocketPC phone and data, his companys Exchange Server.

"Even when people first learn how to use the software, we hardly spent more than 15 minutes, the coincident with these devices." vinit at 1, of the MIS system, the company sibcy Klein "I have a lot of problems with the Sprint mobile services inconsistent with active sync, "he said. If the phone services will be unveiled, ActiveSync is running, the entire device freeze, he threw the lock out. "Only in this way, the equipment can be restored, running, the battery out and re-boot the system, its crazy." Suffering must love company, because the holding of one is not alone in the face of this problem. "I was in a seminar, Microsoft last month with five other PocketPC users, with service from different carriers, Cingular, Sprint and others," he said. "They have expressed the same thing, if the mobile phone service will be in, ActiveSync freeze action, and the locking device." This problem is most likely reason is that ActiveSync 3.8 How the inability to broker between services and its less than robust error handling capabilities. In fact, when Microsoft launched Windows Mobile 5.0 software in May of this year, the company also announced that it will ActiveSync 4.0, it was called a "more robust error-handling capabilities." Until the new version is widely available in, but customers will continue to have problems. Wesley than SuchomlinskiLi, network administrator for the United States Board of Trustees of the Academy of Medicine in Evanston, Illinois, use it to synchronize data between a variety of handheld and desktop equipment. He synchronization his e-mail, contacts and calendars, HP 4150 and HP 6315 and the Outlook on his personal computer at work and the family. Sometimes, he said, he ActiveSync synchronization of all the files in two minutes. Other times, it takes up to 15 minutes and hung. Few, if any, he can specify a different reason.

"Is a lot of Guaipi annoying. Just yesterday, this is the favorite and two synchronous files, it will just freeze them, "than SuchomlinskiLi said. "It does not tell me which file is a problem, so I had to remove all the files, synchronization, the file back, and then sync again, I should be able to just pop it in and forget it, but I can not, but need some care, I hope that we can get more reliable. " Microsofts ActiveSync 3.8 free Microsoft 800-426-9400 www.microsoft.com started me ActiveSync can not be tolerant of mistakes is to deal with the most complex unable to PocketPC and Smartphone equipment to do a soft restart. ", There is no way to end the task or stop the process," said one held. "Basically, you just have a hard restart, and pull out the battery [means]." Kurt Hudson President hudlogic, Flagstaff, Arizona, the consultants believe, the problem is more to do with equipment and handheld operating system. "When you sell one of these devices, they tell you that it is like a small laptop computer. The biggest difference is that it can do error handling, basically, every time you get an error, you have to start again. " Hudson said that he could start again pushed his T T to restart button on his PocketPC, but it is certainly not foolproof. "You must be careful," he says. "Rapid strike will restart, and if you held it for two seconds, it set the memory and everything, so that you lose contact, and all because it is not very elegant." However, Hudson is generally happy to use ActiveSync. But also save a lot of time, synchronous Flash application between his PocketPC and desktop systems. "This is in fact easier, and transmission of documents mobile than I go back to a memory stick," he said.

Wireless more or less version of ActiveSync 3.8 does not provide what the are different from the previous version, than SuchomlinskiLi can tell, but now he has more trouble with wireless synchronization. "I can get it to wirelessly synchronized action at once, but now I tend to adhere to it in the cradle and do so," he said. "Its easier and at least it also charges the battery." This may be due to new security function, Microsoft increased version 3.8. As a precautionary measure, its ability to turn off synchronization via Wi - Fi or Blue default. Users can check the activation function of a menu item, but the change is not very intuitive for the user habits and the old way of work. Synchronization. Even in the ratio SuchomlinskiLi made sure he had the appropriate configuration settings, but he still could not get it work, using wireless connectivity, he said. "This is hit or miss." Other people that, for the big part of the difference between version 3.71 and 3.8 seem negligible. "I upgraded when 3.8 came out," Hudson said that he has been in use ActiveSync with his PocketPC, for the past six months. "Under normal circumstances, I need to upgrade, because I want to have some restoration, but the fact is not the case, here, I do not see much difference between the two versions." Hudson with the PocketPC wireless networking and unlimited Internet service from T - Mobile. It does not usually hang up the phone in the synchronization process. ", It does not even consider five minutes, although I sync directly connected from my cradle of the PocketPC is not wireless, so that may be why I do not have any problems." Hudson Where there is a problem , have all - his Bluetooth connectivity, global positioning system software and A ctiveSync - work together. "I do not think the problem lies with ActiveSync there," he says. "Once the software involved in, it seems to work, its time, I tried to communicate by telephone and other mechanisms, I am of the Global Positioning System. Sometimes works, sometimes not, I can not say why " than SuchomlinskiLi also have the same problem. "I use the ActiveSync with my Bluetooth headset and global positioning system synchronization. I spent a lot of time to study how to make them all work together, "he said. "The trick is, you have to start them in a specific order, otherwise it is not feasible, you must first let headphones, and then be in the Bluetooth Manager, and then the GPS units, and immediately click to connect Otherwise, it will automatically connect itself, it will not work, the whole process of it. " ActiveSyncs wish list In most cases, users are satisfied with the characteristics of ActiveSync 3.8 and functions of the provisions. If they have to, but here is what they want to see in the next version of Microsofts mobile synchronization software: 1. Support more applications. Ability to simultaneously e-mail, contacts and calendars in Outlook and exchange is very simple and seamless, but most users would like to see extended to the Excel, Word and other applications. "This should not have to chase you," and one said.

2. Support multiple devices. "This will be very good if there is a way to ensure that the synchronization, said:" than SuchomlinskiLi. At present, the pattern of it is too small, difficult to use ActiveSync synchronization data, two of his PDA and two PC. "If you want to add things, the calendar synchronization with the Internet, such as Yahoo or [similar], you look at the outside of luck, I hope to see it with a variety of equipment." 3. SD card simultaneously. Although ActiveSync users can synchronize documents, bring them in a particular folder synchronization, as it currently does not rise, the entire SD card. "This will be a nice feature, and said:" at 1.

4. Better error handling. ActiveSync time, and has encountered an error, and from telephone service, or interference with, whether - it should provide a less invasive way to stop and restart the meeting. "Removal of battery is not a good solution," and one explained.

5. Remote information extinction. In the event of a lost or stolen mobile devices, Windows Mobile 5.0, can be remotely wipe data from the device in the coming time, it is connected to the network. "This will be a nice feature in ActiveSync for good," than SuchomlinskiLi said.

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other file type most Users said that they are pleased the ability to govern the use of ActiveSync synchronization with Outlook and exchange. Because they use their own equipment for different purposes and the more items SD cards, they would like to sync other types of documents, such as Excel, Word and even photos.

"Once we began to use more CRM applications more, I think, ActiveSync is becoming more critical, "and one said. "At this point, I would like to see more support synchronous Word and Excel documents. Now, I have 512 MB SD card, so I have plenty of space to my Word document. Thats great if it can synchronize all on the SD card, if not the whole document, then, at least in the just change. " ActiveSync allows users to the actual synchronization, Word and Excel files, Hudson said. "You just have to document the special folder created ActiveSync synchronization, some of the equipment does not support this feature, so it is more restricted than the equipment ActiveSync one." He said, ActiveSync can sync Excel, PowerPoint, in a pocket inkwriter, Pocket Excel and Word, notes, slides, and pocket Word and record.

If you do not support other equipment file synchronization, ActiveSync, and also lets you drag and drop files between the SD card and the desktop. This will help you transfer files, but it will not be truly synchronized.

Held one would also like to see support Sync photos. "I have a camera on this device," he said. "This is not great, but its good when you really in dire straits." He said he did not use it to help clarify the matter, in the server room. His picture of things, it is open to question, so he could discuss it with someone. Ensure that they have the same point of reference. "So synchronous photos is my wish list." Another problem is that ActiveSync software Perception can not participate in more than one synchronized inbox. "I divide my inbox to a couple of chapters or folder, I can see, is not an option, a synchronous multiple Write box," Hudson said. "I really hope that it do so." Later, he discovered that the ActiveSync over whether or not to provide synchronization Write box, but the information buried in the help files.

"Synchronization of folders only support the Windows platform Pocket PC machine, and later in 2002 and Windows Powered smart phones, in 2002 and beyond, but this does not support this function, "Hudson said. "It seems to me that a lot of things people have been expecting exists, but is not necessarily enabled by default." He therefore advised any person to take full document with the help of ActiveSync, and then concluded that it lacked support for some of the features. It is possible that more and more, this is more than you imagine.