iSync and Palm OS 5

These issues can be identified and resolved, but—and I am trying to say this diplomatically—you can only do so by carefully identifying and correcting each issue, one at a time. Removing and reinstalling software is not the appropriate process to follow.

Let's begin with your current configuration. Do you presently have the following operating system and applications installed, regardless of whether or not you are presently using them?

• Mac OS X 10.4.5
• iSync 2.1.1
• Palm Desktop version 4.2.1 revision D

Have you successfully synchronized your LifeDrive to the Palm Desktop? Are you currently synchronizing contacts, calendaring data, memos and tasks?

If you would prefer to synchronize to the Address Book and iCal using iSync and you have version 2.1.1 installed, the next step is to launch it and select the Enable Palm OS Syncing… option under its Devices menu. One of three things are likely to happen as a result:

• the iSync Palm Conduit will be installed and configured and synchronization wil be enabled, or
• you will receive and error message when you try to synchronize to the effect that the HotSync Manager is not installed or has never been launched, or
• a synchronization event will start but your logs will be filled with messages concerning conduit conflicts

Strange. Did you pick Merge or Replace on your initial synchronization using iSync?

Do you have any idea how many contact, calendar and task records are involved? How are your contact and calendar options configured in the drop-down pane?

While it is not unusual, particularly during an initial synchronization, for the truth database and iSync to exhange data for a few moments, anything more than that is not normal.

You mentioned much the same experience on your second Missing Sync for Palm OS synchronization, and the issues are likely related.

If you have already synchronized using the Palm Desktop and your records there are complete and contemporary, then you can do this:

• back up your contact records using the Back Up Address Book… option under the File menu
• back up your calendars and tasks using the Back Up Database… option under the File menu
• delete your existing Address Book contacts and iCal calendars in each application
• export your contacts from the Palm Desktop as a vCard file
• export your calendars and tasks from the Palm Desktop as a vCal file
• import each file into the Address Book and iCal by double-clicking it
• launch iSync and choose Reset Sync History… from the Preferences… dialog
• perform a first-time synchronization, choosing to Replace the data on your handheld with the data from your computer

Do not choose to Merge your data, as that will not correct the issue. The step of resetting your synchronization history reinitializes the truth database and provides the option to replace the data on your handheld using iSync.

With the information panel open on the right side of iCal, you can change the calendar assignment of any event by highlighting the event on the calendar page, then selecting a calendar assignment from the scollable list in the information panel.

It's tedious if you have many independent events, but for repeating events, one change will change all occurances.

Right now that is the job of The Missing Sync for Palm OS
http://store.markspace.com/product.php?id=109

It actually works the way that you would expect a program built by Apple to work. It integrates everything in the Address Book and iCal into the Palm apps. I bet some future version of OS X will do this.

Missing sync has been working really well for me - I've got an E2 sync'ing over USB and Bluetooth and a Z22 sync'ing over USB. So far no slow sync's. I can get internet over bluetooth with the E2 also. I have never used Palm Desktop to sync on this mac. (and if you want a sync nightmare try to sync in windows xp - I get to reinstall the palm desktop software quite often)

I'm not sure what you mean when you say it was your "… understanding that iSync in OS 10.4.5 resolved many issues that Missing Sync did before." I cannot thing of a single such resolved issue.

While the release of iSync [and the embedded iSync Palm Conduit] with Mac OS X 10.4 shifted it from essentially a stand-alone application to a component which uses the SyncServices framework, it resolved NOTHING with regard to its long-standing issues, and introduced several more.

• it does not recognize group and category labels
• it synchronizes address only if they are labeled home
• it has no provision to synchronize memos
• it often creates an Unfiled calendar in iCal [a new issue with iSync 2]
• it does not properly synchronize Address Book-generated birthdays which appear in iCal [also new with iSync 2]
• except for an initial synchronization event, 'synchronize' is the only available option
• you can no longer immediately reverse the effects of a synchronization event [again, this is new with iSync 2]

These are just a few of the issues carried forward to—or introduced with—and still present in iSync 2. It is less stable, predictable or reliable than earlier releases. I am on record as an intensive user of Apple technology for more than two decades as having said that the current release of iSync, taken in total, is probably the worst technology release I have ever seen from Apple. And, I sincerely mean that.

The SyncServices framework is a great leap forward, but iSync 2 is an abysmal application, made far worse by the antiquated iSync Palm Conduit.

It is worth pointing out that the installation and use of the Missing Sync for Palm OS under Mac OS X 10.4 or later does not add to your collection of software, it actually reduces it by replacing the HotSync Manager and iSync.