I'm somewhat new to Blackberry, but I really would like someone find a way to make the 7100 able to sync with Mozilla Thunderbird. I have searched around the net and the people at mozilla discussed it but none of them had any experience with BB development. I know a good amount of Java and would be more than willing to do some coding if someone with more experience on the matter could point me in the right direction.

I assume that you are talking about syncing the contacts. While it might not be the cleanest solution, have you looked at using the "ASCII Importer/Exporter" PIM on the Blackberry Desktop and the Text File import export feature of Thunderbird?

Like I said... not very clean, but it may work as a temporary solution.

Otherwise, have you checked RIM's website at the developer section? There is documentation there about creating applications, example applications and conduit code (if I remember correctly).

Yes, I am talking about contacts. I played around with the ASCII Importer/Exporter, but I am looking for a 'cleaner' solution. How many people here actually use Thunderbird? Is this something that other people would like to see done? I saw the documentation about creating apps, could you possibly post a link to any tutorial or samples of conduit code. I know Java, but haven't had ANY experience with J2ME.

Try this one for the Desktop Manager API:

http://www.blackberry.com/knowledgec...36551&vernum=0

Wow, this is very helpful EGottlieb...but unfortunately among the many languages I know, C++ is not one of them. Are there any C/C++ developers here that could do this? Otherwise I'll do my best to learn C++ but it'll take awhile to learn it then actually get the program written.

I'm not a java developer, but there must be some way to write a COM object in Java. The MiniExcel program comes with a synchronization add-in that's written in Java. Not sure how they do it, but maybe they use something like this:

http://danadler.com/jacob/

I know an excellent C++ developer. He's cheap and fast. Would people be willing to pay a little if I could talk him into creating something? I would love to start using Thunderbird and would pay $20 for a decent solution.
-roccitman

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7100/4.0.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

I use thunderbird and have some experience java. I've just recently downloaded the RIM jde. If anyone is interested in some collaborative work I'd be up for keeping it all open source and free.

Wow, miiek! Love the spirit. I'm afraid my geek skills are not up to par here but I'm sure there are other folks that could put something together. I am a product manager so if org skills would help I would be willing to facilitate.
-roccit

I only can encourage you since I know no languages. If you need this thing promoted or sold I am your man though....I basically just run web sales lol. Anyway, I use Thunderbird and would love a conduit!

Any progress on this front? I've written some basic BB Java code, and I would love to help out if I can. Now that thunderbird has the calendar extension, I'm dying to leave outlook altogether.

I use Thunderbird because its the best thing besides Mail app for mac that is out there. Screw some microsoft. Id probably be willing to help throw in a few bucks to a programmer to make some kinda of interface between the 2!

I found this on Blackberry's site, check out page 10: http://www.blackberry.com/developers...urnal-0202.pdf

I'm a little lost as to how to do an extension that will sync the Blackberry phonebook with Thunderbird. I have Java experience, although not specifically with J2ME or any of the Blackberry Java APIs. I think that this "Desktop add-in" in the pdf is what we actually need to do, but I have absolutely no experience with VisualBasic. I realize this thread probably belongs in the developers area, so I'm going to try bouncing this idea around there to see if anyone could do it. But I was wondering what you guys thought about the pdf.

I am also very interested in this. If there is a solution, I am willing to pay.

Work Around--

Here's what I ended up doing to solve this disaster...
WANTED TO:
~Not use Outlook
~Use Thunderbird for email
~Use Sunbird for calendar

ENDED UP:
~Using Oulook for calendar (Sunbird is still frustrating)
~Using Thunderbird for email (very cool)
~Using Plaxo to sync

PROCESS:
~Get a Plaxo account (www.plaxo.com)
~Download Plaxo for Outlook AND for Thunderbird
~Sync all contacts (many ways to do this)
~7100 is synched with Outlook via Desktop software (no need to even open it)
~Outlooks gets synched with Plaxo (1-3 times a week, or whatever)
~Plaxo syncs Thunderbird

A little messy, but I don't have to export anything from anywhere. Feel free to send me a personal message or just post questions about the process.
-rocco

Im willing to pass out some dough for a new desktop manager for the BB's. I think that the one that is provided is very very basic, but gives us a platform to startwith. I have no java, c++, or any other programing knowledge. But I can try and help money wise.

Is this still a viable idea?

I too would love to be able to sync Thunderbird with my 7130e. Right now I only use Outlook for my contacts and even at that I use it too much.

I'll admin I haven't checked this thread in a while, but I am still very interested in this idea. EGottlieb, that JACOB Project looks very interesting and I'll have to check it out when I have some time. Maybe I'll head over to the developers forum to see if anyone there has knowledge in this area.

anything new on the thunderbird sync fronts??

I am also curious if anyone has begun anything. I have some fairly decent experience in VB, c++ and java/j2me, as well as the Blackberry API. If someone has already begun something, I'd love to collaborate. Otherwise, I'm going to try and build a Desktop Manager add-in with visual basic. I will let you know how it goes. Wish me luck!

Sounds like an abundance of people willing to throw in a few bucks and people able to program. Put me in the funding category...

I'm also interested in syncing with Mozilla software instead of that MS crap! I'll be happy to pay some money for development.

On the other hand remains the fact that I myself am a fairly decent C++ developer but with not that much time available. Damn shame.

:D

I've just left MS Outlook - and glad for it! Thunderbird is fantastic and all I would like to be able to do is sync my contacts to the BB. Hope someone is working on this presently