How to: Sync BB if you use Linux / Unix - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community

LunkHead · 04:16 PM

Excellent walk through courtesy of Rivviepop

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivviepop

(decloaking)

Don't forget you can also use SyncML and a free online service. It'll cost your $30 USD for the SyncML plug-in for your BB (*sigh* thanks, RIM) from Nexthaus

Nexthaus client
Nexthaus Corporation

To get this all working without spending one penny, do this:

1) On the PC/Mac, go to http://www.mobical.net/ and create yourself a login account. This is a free online SyncML service (based in Sweden) that has an *awesome* webUI for managing your contacts, calendar and tasks. You can also import/export data freely with their UI, it's very well done. They get an A+ in my book.

PS: don't send any settings to your device during setup, just make some random choices to get your account created. We'll do the actual setup from the Nexthause client.

2) Install the trial/demo Nexthaus client via OTA, you get 15 days to play with it before deciding if you want to purchase it. The company even called me when I had a problem and got me sorted out (had to do with purchasing online and Firefox support) right away.

3) Start the Nexthaus client ("SyncJe Client" on your BB menu). Pull up the menu and choose Settings. Put in http : // www . mobical . net/sync/server as the Server, and your login/pass from #1 above. (this forum keeps parsing that URL as a link, adding spaces to try and get it showing up here)

Here's where it gets slick and why I love this client -- click the menu button again, and choose "Get Folders" -- it should query Mobical and then fill in all the blanks with the rest of the settings (SyncBerry can't do this). In case this fails for you, here's the settings:

Contacts: con
Calendar: cal
ToDo: task

Click menu -> Save then to get back to the main screen.

4) Click menu -> Start Sync, and sit back! The first time you do this is takes forever and a day, it's reconciling and in your case uploading all your contacts/calendar to the server.

The rest is common sense, you can set it to autosync, whatever -- push the buttons and play around. Log back into Mobical webUI and you'll see all your info to work with; you can download vCards, upload iCals, whatever!

Here's one thing I did with it:
the SJ Sharks hockey schedule on your phone « rivviepop phantom

Alas, the SyncBerry client has no demo -- it's setup is basically the same, but more confusing (imho) than the Nexthaus. I also don't like the fact you can't Quit the SyncBerry client, it's always running in memory; the Nexthaus client allows a full quit, which is what I want -- I only sync once a week or so and on-demand.

rivviepop · 02-20-2007, 02:00 AM

wooo! go go gadget syncml.

Chinasaur · 02-20-2007, 08:25 AM

Nexthaus™ is teh win!

Followed the instructions and Voila! Perfect sync.

Goodbye PocketMac™

Thanks to rivvie for directions and LH for reposting

jddphd · 02-20-2007, 10:36 AM

So wait a second - let me get this straight.

If I buy the Nexthaus plug-in for Outlook and set up mobical, I can wirelessly (and automagically!) sync to mobical, which I can then sync wirelessly (and automagically again!) to my BB using the BB plugin, right?

I'm asking because we're not a BES shop, and this would be a great thing as I have a couple of calendars that I'd like to manage.

cheers rivviepop.

rivviepop · 02-20-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jddphd

If I buy the Nexthaus plug-in for Outlook and set up mobical, I can wirelessly (and automagically!) sync to mobical, which I can then sync wirelessly (and automagically again!) to my BB using the BB plugin, right?

While I cannot vouch for the Outlook plugin, I have confidence that if Nexthaus says it'll work - it'll work.

But in general what you're saying is entirely correct; my only concern would be using Mobical for a company -- as a free provider they might disappear any day. I use it on a personal level, so it's acceptable to me if they suddenly fall off the grid -- there are other options open to me. (*)

You may wish to investigate running your *own* SyncML server in the office to have completel control of your business environment. Just start by searching Google for "SyncML Server" and you get ... 912,000 hits.

(*) I'm not saying they will, I like Mobical a lot and in email exchanges they've always been great. But, one must always be prepared for the worst.

rivviepop · 03:46 PM

(deleted double post, BBF was having issues for a moment it seems.)

LunkHead · 02-20-2007, 06:01 PM

Yes Mobical rocks! I had a password issue and for it being a free service, they responded faster than other places that I pay to use...... They ROCK!

Chinasaur · 02-20-2007, 08:28 PM

Rivvie or LH,

Either of you know how to comletely ERASE the contents of the default calendar on Mobical? I've got some weird dupes and odd behaviour going on, and I can't find anything on Mobical's site covering Nuke 'n Pave operations on the Calendar.

Thanks in advance either way.

jddphd · 02-20-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivviepop

While I cannot vouch for the Outlook plugin, I have confidence that if Nexthaus says it'll work - it'll work.

But in general what you're saying is entirely correct; my only concern would be using Mobical for a company -- as a free provider they might disappear any day. I use it on a personal level, so it's acceptable to me if they suddenly fall off the grid -- there are other options open to me. (*)

You may wish to investigate running your *own* SyncML server in the office to have completel control of your business environment. Just start by searching Google for "SyncML Server" and you get ... 912,000 hits.

(*) I'm not saying they will, I like Mobical a lot and in email exchanges they've always been great. But, one must always be prepared for the worst.

It wouldn't be for business, and I had the same thought when I read about them (the "wonder how long they'll be around" thought), and then I started wondering about my own server too -- but then I realized I actually might need to do something at work today so I had to put it down.

Thanks rivviepop.

LunkHead · 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chinasaur

Rivvie or LH,

Either of you know how to comletely ERASE the contents of the default calendar on Mobical? I've got some weird dupes and odd behaviour going on, and I can't find anything on Mobical's site covering Nuke 'n Pave operations on the Calendar.

Thanks in advance either way.

What duplication errors are you getting??? Complete calender??? Or just certain entries???

rivviepop · 02-20-2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chinasaur

Either of you know how to comletely ERASE the contents of the default calendar on Mobical? I've got some weird dupes and odd behaviour going on, and I can't find anything on Mobical's site covering Nuke 'n Pave operations on the Calendar.

I went to Support, Forums and typed in "delete all calendar items" and it found the thread.

== snip ==

Martin Källström
Europe/Minsk Re: Reset Calendar
go to calendar view and click to you view them in a long list. then click the select all button and then delete.

== snip ==

I just looked, and what he means is "My Appointments" on the right hand side where you normally have it on day/week/month. I never knew that was there myself.

rivviepop · 02-20-2007, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jddphd

It wouldn't be for business, and I had the same thought when I read about them (the "wonder how long they'll be around" thought)

The cool thing about Mobical is that you can do a full export in a variety of formats that can easily be imported to something else (I exported my calendar and imported to Google Cal, for instance). So, you're not locked into their website or any proprietary junk! Score +1 Swedish coder nerds.

Chinasaur · 08:27 AM

Their search is odd. I used "erase entire calendar" and "erase calendar" and received nothing.

Anyway, Mark also replied with this..same thing you found. Amazing support for a free service!

==========

From Martin at Mobical.....

Go to calendar view, to the right you can choose select view.

Mark my appointments, and in the grey field above Show per page, select all.

Then click on the select all button just above the first appointments check box.

After that just select delete selected.

When a database on mobical.net is empty a slowsync will happen. that means everything on phone will get back to the web. If you don't want that to happen delete every appointment but one.

Regards
Martin
==========

As for dupes and missing entries..it's weirdly random. One recurring daily item during the week only occurred on tuesday. And I lost my Thursday morning Meeting. And my Bi=weekly tuesday meeting also duped on the 2nd Wednesday... :head scratch:

Later- I deleted all and slow synced and it's all good now. Looks like a few of my long running Tuesday events had end dates in 2008 on a Wednesday. All my fault..Mobical just couldn't digest it

I'm pretty sure these guys are getting my money. The contact sync alone is worth the money for me as a mobile Mac/BIS user

jddphd · 02-21-2007, 05:48 PM

So I did some looking around and found funambol too. They have something called Sync4j, while Nexthaus has Sync4je. Nexthaus costs money. Funambol is free.

Anyone tried both?

rivviepop · 02-21-2007, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jddphd

So I did some looking around and found funambol too. They have something called Sync4j, while Nexthaus has Sync4je. Nexthaus costs money. Funambol is free.

Anyone tried both?

Yes. Funambol has not adhered to the SyncML spec, and their client doesn't work with standard (Mobical, e.g.) servers. It will work, of course, with the Sync4j server that they also produce. I have read that Sync4j also works with Scheduleword (a service like Mobical) but I have not tried that setup myself.

There is also SyncBerry (see the first post) that costs the same amount as SyncJe ($30 USD); I've tried both and like the Nexthaus client better, which I outlined above. You may like the SyncBerry client though, it's a personal preference. ;)

Percept · 02-23-2007, 04:00 PM

Can I (with reasonable effort) set up my own SyncML server, to avoid trusting external services with my PIM data?

rivviepop · 02-23-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Percept

Can I (with reasonable effort) set up my own SyncML server, to avoid trusting external services with my PIM data?

I think you can -- I started to research it, but it seems 99% of the ones available (free and commercial) are java based; I have no interest in running a Java server engine on my hardware. Purely a personal decision on my part, I won't go into it.

I think the more direct answer to your question would be... how much do you want to pay for a commercial working system that you just install and it works versus how much time do you want to spend working with an open source system that will require more effort.

SyncML is a spec that runs on top of the standard protocols, so really it's about finding the middleware 'meat' to do the job.

LunkHead · 02-23-2007, 06:32 PM

This might need a! sticky....

Mods????? Thanks

rivviepop · 02-28-2007, 08:14 PM

A new SyncJe 2.10 has been released; unfortunately they renamed an internal module, so if you try a direct upgrade you'll get a strage popup warning; you should uninstall 2.09 first, let the device reboot and install 2.10 if you want everything to be clean. All my settings (including reg info, logs, etc.) were retained during the process -- a test sync after the upgrade took 3 seconds and was in the clear.

I asked Support today about adding Memo sync (as Mobical and other phones support this), and they indicated they tried to get it in 2.10 but it didn't happen; it should be in the next release! (and there was much rejoicing)

LunkHead · 02-28-2007, 09:45 PM

Ya same here rivviepop..... They ROCK!

HuwSy · 03-02-2007, 06:10 AM

Anyone know of a sync method that works without a bb data connection? Or any interpriter script that can translate the output of something like:

btool -d 'Memos' -d 'Tasks' -d 'Address Book' -d 'Calendar' -d 'Phone Call Logs' -d 'SMS Messages'

into a form that evolution or thunderbird and lightning supports?

LinuxGeek · **Not really a solution. -** 03-05-2007, 10:16 PM

Sorry, but I had to pay good money for the Pearl and now I have to pay for a service to sync the stupid device??? All this because the folks at RIM are too lazy to get off their butts and do-the-right-thing? Yuck.

rivviepop · 03-05-2007, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinuxGeek

Sorry, but I had to pay good money for the Pearl and now I have to pay for a service to sync the stupid device??? All this because the folks at RIM are too lazy to get off their butts and do-the-right-thing? Yuck.

Yeah I thought long and hard about this one, long and hard. Basically it mattered enough to me to have good SyncML support that I went ahead and bought the client, there's no other real choice to maintain SyncML compliance. Because I tend to switch phones a lot I don't put a lot of money into any single one, knowing it might be a short-loved device in my arsenal. I really like this Pearl a lot though, it's impressed me - so I bit the bullet.

Treo and Windows Mobile devices don't have a builtin client either, you have to go buy it as well; only Nokia and Motorolas seem to come with proper SyncML right in the firmware. Samsung supposedly does too, but I can't confirm that. Like everything else in Big Business, each entity wants you to use their proprietary solution (ActiveSync, IntelliSync, BES, etc.) - props to Nokia for going the open standards route.

archer6 · 03-06-2007, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinuxGeek

Sorry, but I had to pay good money for the Pearl and now I have to pay for a service to sync the stupid device??? All this because the folks at RIM are too lazy to get off their butts and do-the-right-thing? Yuck.

I have owned Treo's, Moto-Q & Blackjack before I switched to BlackBerrys. The BB is by far the best. None of these come with every conceivable sync conduit for every conceivable kind of calendar / device / os combination.

Since you say the device is "stupid" & " RIM are too lazy to get off their butts and do-the-right-thing? Yuck"

Perhaps you would be better off with a basic phone which would not cause you so much grief.

Cheers

HuwSy · 03-07-2007, 07:44 AM

I chose both linux and blackberry for the same reason, there gadgets with lots of options and different ways of being setup, some of which dont play to well with other things but anyway. Hopefully someone with imessurably more programming ability than myself can get the opensync plugin working, as its too near to the end of my contract to be worth adding a data service to it. Once I get my 8100 (or 8800 still undecided) then sync ml will be an option.

BlackBlueberryBrew · 03-08-2007, 11:45 AM

Man this is so ridiculous. We all have RIM to thank for this.... (LOL) ... I guess a halfway decent solution is better than nothing, but on the other hand, do we reaaaaally want to send our personal data to some server in Sweden? If I can sync up to a server in Sweden, why can't I sync up to my PC that's sitting right in front of my grape... ??? (LOL) =^) Is this asking too much??? =^) But again, I'm glad that there is something out there for those of us who have left the Matrix.

I just wrote in the 8800 review thread that I love my BB, but I LOVE MY LINUX MORE!!! =^) As soon as someone develops a device that will play nice with my "x" boxes, I'M GONE!!! RIM makes a great device... no question about it, but like rivviepop, said, phones come, and phones go. I've been keeping an eye on the openmoko project. Check it out, if you haven't already, I think you will find it quite interesting.

rivviepop · 03-08-2007, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBlueberryBrew

Man this is so ridiculous. We all have RIM to thank for this....

Thank RIM for what? I don't understand your statement; just because you use linux, it is not some god-given right your BB must be linux friendly. Open your eyes - this is big business, RIM is a publically traded company who does business with large players in the space (MS, Oracle, etc.). Money is as money does.

Quote:

I guess a halfway decent solution is better than nothing, but on the other hand, do we reaaaaally want to send our personal data to some server in Sweden?

Halfway decent? I consider it fully decent (and I don't mind Sweden -- their privacy laws are better than the USA, but I'm sure you already know that because you did extensive research before posting the above statement). SyncML is a *standard*, you are now complaining about *gasp* having to use an *open standard* for something.... on linux? What a tool. I guess you hate Samba. And Apache - you know, those other "halfway decent" networked apps using open standards. Oh the horror!

Quote:

If I can sync up to a server in Sweden, why can't I sync up to my PC that's sitting right in front of my grape... ??? (LOL) =^) Is this asking too much??? =^)

Man do you sound like a 13yo kid. Get off your a** and join the Barry project, write some code and get the barry-opensync plugin working. This is how linux works, but then again you already know all this.

Please quit tooling up a sticky thread with your inane drivel - you're increasing the noise-to-signal ratio.

BlackBlueberryBrew · 03-08-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Thank RIM for what? I don't understand your statement; just because you use linux, it is not some god-given right your BB must be linux friendly. Open your eyes - this is big business, RIM is a publically traded company who does business with large players in the space (MS, Oracle, etc.). Money is as money does.

True. I don't have a G-d given right to have my BB Linux friendly, but don't you think that it would be nice just to be able to sync to your Linux box just like a Windows machine? I mean, how hard would it be to write a piece of code to do that? I guess there is just not enough noise being made for them to do that. Yes, it sucks.

Quote:

Halfway decent? I consider it fully decent (and I don't mind Sweden -- their privacy laws are better than the USA, but I'm sure you already know that because you did extensive research before posting the above statement). SyncML is a *standard*, you are now complaining about *gasp* having to use an *open standard* for something.... on linux? What a tool. I guess you hate Samba. And Apache - you know, those other "halfway decent" networked apps using open standards. Oh the horror!

You don't mind Sweden? They are as corrupt as the Day is long, Just like ALL OTHER governments on this blue ball we call earth!!! But hey, send away.... Heck, pack up and move there... By the way, I was not complaining about the SyncML standard. My point was the SERVER IN SWEDEN, NOT THE *STANDARD*.... or ANY SERVER for that matter!!!! HELLOOOOOOOOO???? How about actually reading my post before you fire off bonehead responses. When I said halfway decent, I was actually referring to other opensource apps/scripts/workarounds that I've seen for syncing data DIRECTLY TO "X" VIA USB. But I'll let you off the hook for that one because things have a tendency to get lost when posting/emailing etc...

Quote:

Man do you sound like a 13yo kid. Get off your a** and join the Barry project, write some code and get the barry-opensync plugin working. This is how linux works, but then again you already know all this.

Please quit tooling up a sticky thread with your inane drivel - you're increasing the noise-to-signal ratio.

You don't get off the hook on this one.... hee hee hee

1. Stop cursing. I'm sure your vocabulary is a little more extensive than that, but then again, I could be wrong.

2. I don't write code. I AM A USER, NOT A DEVELOPER!!! THANK G-D FOR OSS DEVELOPERS, CODE WRITERS, ETC..!!! I LOVE THEM, BUT I'M NOT ONE OF THEM!!! I USE THEIR WORK AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO HELP THEM MAKE IT BETTER!!!

3. Take a shower and cool off, and don't forget to wash your mouth out with some soap.

HuwSy · 03-08-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

noise-to-signal ratio.

I like that.

As for the rest said in the last few posts by th both of you. "Calm down dear, its only a comercial" Regardless the day will come for bb sync under *nix variants. Until then if syncing is really that important then stick to the likes of palm, windows mobile or syncml based nokia and sony erricson who woula all manage a linux sync at no extra cost. But lack the niceties of a bb.

LinuxGeek · **It aint rocket science -** 03-12-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archer6

I have owned Treo's, Moto-Q & Blackjack before I switched to BlackBerrys. The BB is by far the best. None of these come with every conceivable sync conduit for every conceivable kind of calendar / device / os combination.

Well, it's not the best for me. I'm funny that way, I want to have a PIM/phone that works with my operating system. Linux support, BTW, is not rocket science and it's not expensive. All RIM has to do is share interface information with the OSS community and we'll do the rest.

Quote:

Since you say the device is "stupid" & " RIM are too lazy to get off their butts and do-the-right-thing? Yuck"

Perhaps you would be better off with a basic phone which would not cause you so much grief.

The device *is* stupid, it won't talk to my Linux boxes. I think I said that pretty clearly in my original post.

And RIM *is* a pathetic company if it can't give the Linux/OSS community enough information so they can develop their own support. I mean, how hard is that?!?

HuwSy · 03-12-2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

All RIM has to do is share interface information with the OSS community and we'll do the rest....

...And RIM *is* a pathetic company if it can't give the Linux/OSS community enough information so they can develop their own support. I mean, how hard is that?!?

Then they wouldnt have such a secure device if they reveal how some of its communication protocols work surely.

Its getting there tho. I mean how many years after palm released devices was it before there was linux conduits made by reverse engineering, as palm never made them.

LinuxGeek · **Security by obscurity? -** 03-12-2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuwSy

Then they wouldn't have such a secure device if they reveal how some of its communication protocols work surely.

Do you really think they're relying on security-by-obscurity? I hope not, because that wouldn't say much for the quality of their code.

Quote:

Its getting there tho. I mean how many years after palm released devices was it before there was linux conduits made by reverse engineering, as palm never made them.

Sorry, I don't really care about RIM (as a company) or about what Palm has done. I just want the device - I payed for - to work with my Linux boxen. At present, the Pearl seems a victim of the "Vindows uber alles" mindset. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

LunkHead · 03-12-2007, 07:55 PM

Bashing RIM won't solve the issue.... The bottom line is that Linux /Unix users are stuck for the time being with what we have. You have Barry or SynceJe as options at this time. Except them or move along....

I hope RIM will get with the Linux movement, but to be honest, Linux is still a far way from being used by the masses. The majority of people who try Linux / Unix have wireless issues, sound issues, printer issues, ect.... Yes these are all easily solved with a little elbow grease but the majority of users do not want to learn linux and the majority do not want to have to set anything up! They want to plug the PC in, boot and work.....

Until the Linux / Unix issues are resolved and the masses accept it, RIM won't do anything about us 'odd ball' users.... My .02 on the matter...

LunkHead · 03-12-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivviepop

A new SyncJe 2.10 has been released

2.11 is out now... I just upgraded...

rivviepop · 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunkHead

2.11 is out now... I just upgraded...

Oh nice, thanks! *grabs phone*

EDIT: awww, no Memo sync yet. I got all excited for nothing...

LunkHead · 03-12-2007, 09:43 PM

LOL.... Sorry

LunkHead · 04-28-2007, 06:35 AM

2.22 is out! Working like a champ on my 8800....

No memo sync yet rivviepop.....

rivviepop · 04-28-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunkHead

2.22 is out! Working like a champ on my 8800....

No memo sync yet rivviepop.....

Yeah man, I am soooo anxiously awaiting it! I upgraded to 2.20 and noticed that even though a successful sync happened, it wasn't listed in the logfiles (e.g. I added new Sharks playoff games in Mobical, they sunc (synced?) to the BB, but log said '0'). I think they fixed this in 2.22, but I haven't had new data to verify yet.

I started using my memopad recently to store book authors and titles - I always seem to be in a book store and they have books 2 and 3 of a trilogy, but never 1! So keeping a list on my phone helps me to know which ones to buy in order so I don't read a series out of order and screw up the experience. I can't wait to get this sync'd up to Mobical so I don't lose my data... (right now I'm doing a select all & email to my gmail for safe keeping every once in awhile)

LunkHead · 04-28-2007, 04:02 PM

I am listing in logs so it might be fixed for you as well... Ya I use memo pad for a bunch of work stuff and it would be awesome to sync them....

rivviepop · 05-01-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunkHead

I am listing in logs so it might be fixed for you as well... Ya I use memo pad for a bunch of work stuff and it would be awesome to sync them....

I emailed Lars just inquiring as to when Memo would be out, and part of what he replied:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lars Dellblad

...the problem was bigger than expected because we need to maintain two different versions since the notes API is only supported in OS 4.2.

It makes sense this is what's holding up the deployment -- they probably have a large 4.1 customer base. I'm guessing they'll have to start releasing two builds once Memo support makes it in the code...