CUTTING THE TIES FROM PC TO PDA

(...continued)

Doing Without ActiveSync

Without ActiveSync you can do almost everything yourself except:

1. conduit support
2. install from PC executables (but cab file install works)
3. convert database formats for files or PIM data

Mac users can use a third part tool called Missing Sync that can do some of those things. Other sync replacement programs are available for a Mac as well.

UNIX users have some support for some things but not as much as Missing Sync.

ActiveSync web browsing is identical to regular Internet support so if we can use ActiveSync we can use other techniques as well. These include a modem, a cell phone, wireless network cards, and Bluetooth.

Backups should be done to a removable card and kept in a safe place.

The reason not to use ActiveSync is that it only runs on a PC and the latest version will no longer work on older pc's requiring everyone to buy a new unit or at least upgrade their OS.

There are other techniques that can be used to mitigate most of the ActiveSync advantages, such as just downloading a cab file and installing it on the unit itself. The unit already includes a remove program.

Files may be beamed between PDA's avoiding the need to transfer them to a PC first.

The Mobile Crossing Approach

Mobile Crossing provides a fully functional navigation solution straight out of the box. The WayPoint PPC comes preloaded with navigation software and home area maps. Extra maps are available preloaded on memory cards that can just be plugged in to use them.

Should a user wish to load additional programs Mobile Crossing will make some available in a cab file format. Cab files are the native install files for Pocket PC. In addition some files will be provided as native PPC executables that do not require installation. Both of these file types can be downloaded directly to the Pocket PC either from the web site for from the supplied CDROM. By default cab files only install in RAM memory but a Mobile Crossing supplied PPC executable can be used to install them anywhere.

Documentation is provided as Adobe Acrobat files. The documentation has been pre-tagged to provide reflow on the Pocket PC. The term reflow describes the ability to reformat the information to make it easier to read on the small screen of a PPC. They can also be downloaded directly to the PDA without the use of ActiveSync conduits.

The backup function will be provided on the unit itself to enable backups to be made to a memory card which can be kept by the user permitting a restore from any location, not just back at the PC.

In addition Mobile Crossing provides Outlook and ActiveSync for users who want to use this facility. The idea is that a user can be as independent or dependent as they want to be. A trip of several weeks or forever can be taken without worrying about a computer back home.

Revison:

Initial version 2004/7/26

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