outlook 2003 notes not syncing with iphone

I have been taking "notes" on the sync behaviour between iTunes and Outlook 2003. The biggest challenge is being unable to detect any sort of pattern to the issues.

Notes now sync up, both directions. I didn't do anything to the system nor OS nor changed anything (configurations, parameters, etc).
Calendar now syncs up, both directions, again, didn't do anything.
Interestingly, while Notes and Calendar were able to sync, photos were not. However, after the 3rd sync, the photos appeared in their respective albums.

I am at a loss as to why these rather random inabilities materialize, then after some time, it seems to work.

coop42. your comment is utterly useless. I/we know its supported. The question is, how well is it supported? There's too many inconsistencies with the sync.

Personally, having iTunes to sync Outlook is like an after-thought bolted on to iTunes. iTunes cannot do everything and be everything. It's a cluge. I would recommend to Apple to strip the sync component out, and write one that is robust enough to handle syncing with Outlook, Evolution and other desktop PIMS. Leave iTunes to handle multi-media stuff.

I wish I can offer some further useful info, but cannot. I find the iTunes interface to Outlook with respect to its sync behaviour random at best. Notes is being sync'd across both ways, as is contacts, however, adjusting birthdays in contacts does not necessarily mean, it'll show up on the iPhone. Some contacts did, while others did not.

I had added 8 new photos to my personal photo library, and they never materialized on the iPhone. New photos did last week, but this week, either Outlook (Windows) or iTunes decided "nah, I don't feel like syncing photos now".

It's very difficult to identify patterns in these issues, as they appear completely random, and therefore, difficult to nail down what exactly are the problems!

I have upgraded the OS to 4.0.1. Did the notes sync after the upgrade to 4.0.1? No, I don't believe so. Do the new photos not syncing with the iPhone started after 4.0.1? I don't think so. Didn't pay attention to that detail.

coop4, thanks for the clarification. Apologies.

I am presently using iTunes v9.2.1.4.

I am still trying to wrap my head around iTunes sync. As I said, it's a kluge, and should've been developed as a separate utility. iTunes is all about multi-media & entertainment. Hardly what calendars, contacts, tasks and memos/notes are about. I guess this stuff is too boring for Apple to consider writing a bullet-proof sync application for the iPhone to a calendar app like Outlook. My preference is, of course, Evolution on Ubuntu. I'm a linux guy, and can't stand using Windows. In my little LAN, I have a windows box purely for running Outlook so that I can sync to the iPhone! I'd love to dump the windows box completely.

However, things as they are, the sync between Outlook and iPhone using iTunes is a combination akin to some black-magic. It may work, it may not. There's absolutely no consistency. And what's with the libraries in iTunes? If you forget or decide not to sync a particular folder and deselect it, why does it insist on deleting it?

Apologies for the rant. I've been in IT for many years, and despite the iPhone being very cool, the freakin' sync is a royal pain in the arse. I shudder every time I do the sync, like if I add a new video, or make changes to contacts, wondering, will this sync across? Will it do something other than I expected?

You are right, of course. There are so many threads on this subject, too many to count, and they go no where definitive. This is a symptom of a problem that is being experienced by iPhone users who use Windows & Outlook.

I am NOT a Windows user, and have been using various species of Linux for years, and am currently using Ubuntu on my desktop and notebook. I have been using Evolution, which is a linux version of Outlook. I now have setup a separate box to run XP and Outlook. I have tried using VMware running a virtual Windows XP on my Ubuntu box, which I have been using off and on for years with success. But, installing iTunes on the virtual Windows, and trying to sync causes the virtual Windows to hang - most unusual. Never got it figured out, hence, the Windows box.

Like I said before, iTunes is a cluge. And to it, they added the sync which ***** at best. Apple should re-think their strategy, and focused on iTunes as being a ****** good multi-media application, which will sync with Mac/Windows/Linux. Then, they should have another application, something called "iSync" or "iFiles" which specializes in syncing up anything other than multi-media, such as contacts, calendars, notes/memos, tasks. This would be a nice tight piece of code, allowing to sync with Mac/Windows/Linux.

Wish I could've been more help.

PS. For whatever reason, notes are being sync'd across to the iPhone. I noticed this a "few" syncs ago. I don't know why it decided to sync notes, whereby, it didn't a week or more ago. It's at the point now, where I don't expect anything consistent when the sync happens. If it goes across, fine, if it doesn't maybe in a few days. Not the best approach if you are relying on this device for a profession/business!