Outlook Sync?

[GeekGuy]

For remote computer control, there is also logmein.  It cost a little more than phonemypc, but in my opinion is a better product.  You can use a free version on the desktop computer.   The version that will require payment for a subscription on the computer adds the function of printing and file transfer.  I use the free version, as I never need to print and if I want to do a file transfer I just email the file.   The subscription cost for logmein is much cheaper than gotomypc though.

[MagicRat]

Using Google Sync is less than desirable.  Outlook is used widely and there should be direct syncing between DroidX and Outlook without having to use the Gsync in the middle.  Way too clunky.  Much as I love my DroidX I may have to reconsider going back to Blackberry next time.

Outlook is the main repository for my emails and my contacts.  Calendar is less important for me.   The contacts piece is what bugs me the most. 

[curtterp]

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MagicRat wrote:

Using Google Sync is less than desirable.  Outlook is used widely and there should be direct syncing between DroidX and Outlook without having to use the Gsync in the middle.  Way too clunky.  Much as I love my DroidX I may have to reconsider going back to Blackberry next time.

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But it works, and it is free.

There are other sync options out there that can be purchased to do the job too. It's just a matter of how much you want to pay for the functionality.

Here is a chart to show most of the different programs/apps out there that will sync Outlook to Android, complete with prices, functionality and links to the software

SyncDroid

Yes, it would be nice to have it built into Android, but it can't do everything for everyone out of the box.

[Geeky1]

The Missing Sync for Android works great. You can find it here: http://www.markspace.com/products/missing-sync-family.html

[SMMAssociates]

Thanks for all the assistance so far....

Looks like that Android Sync program mentioned most recently will do the job.  Been too busy to play for a couple days....

PhoneMyPC doesn't seem to be worth the effort - if I read 'em right, it'll let me control a remote PC, but not SEE it....

LogMeIn doesn't support Win98, and I have a client running it....

I haven't tried those other browsers yet - seems like there should be a Java clone for the Android's browser(s) somewhere - not that I'm a great Java-lover, but a lot of sites use it, and since we have an otherwise excellent browser available out of the box....

(My old Samsung Omnia came with Opera - didn't care for it.  Ended up with MicroSoft's Internet Explorer.  I can do without it, too, but it's a Windows Mobile box and....  Both worked with GoToMyPC, though if memory serves. IE certainly did.

I'm still playing....

(Still like the Droid X, too.  I picked up an IGO charger so I could use the USB cable in my office.  Damned expensive, but....  'Course it also means a spare charger....)

Regards,

Stu.

[SMMAssociates]

Following up....

"Missing Sync" looks like it'll do the sync job for me, but it doesn't like Outlook 2002....

I've got Outlook 2010 ordered as a "downloadable" - day or two, I guess.  That should do it.

Now to find a browser or Java add-in....

I do like the phone, at least.  Sure wish they'd gone with a pressure-sensitive screen in addition to (or in place of) the capacitive setup.  I like a stylus....

But, to be honest, I do most of my on-screen "editing" - i.e., new phone numbers, etc., from the PC anyway, other than appointments or contacts added on-the-fly, like at the Doctor's office.  My fingers are just a little chubby....

Also, unlike my old Omnia, it looks like the designers actually used the thing.  The Omnia has some odd contradictions - things that work differently depending on what you did to get there, etc.

Again, thanks to all, so far!

Regards,

Stu.

[SMMAssociates]

Following up yet again....

Success....

I ended up upgrading to Outlook 2010 (about $40), and it still wouldn't work with Missing Sync....

However, I managed to get both an Android and Missing Sync update earlier this evening, and things worked!  The files need some massaging - probably because they started life on a Palm Pilot - but I can handle that....

Now only one zinger left.  Outlook 2010 sometimes refuses to shut down....  The result is that clicking on the desktop Icon (on the PC) does nothing but start another copy of OUTLOOK.EXE....  Killing it in the task mangler usually either results in the older copy waking up, or the ability to start it.

(I'm going to find some time - it's been insanely busy here - to ask on Microsoft's boards, but if anybody else has seen this....)

Anyway, thanks to everybody who participated.  Missing Sync needed at least Outlook 2003 (I was running 2002)....

The phone is still a little flaky, IMHO, but as an old Windows (and Windows Mobile ) user....

Regards,

Stu.

[unitedjoe]

I was surprised that the Android software did not have an appt or function to work with Outlook except on an Exchange basis.  After a little research and reading a bunch of forums and websites decided to try CompanionLink Software.  They have a 14 day free trial, but after setting it up on my laptop am quite happy with how it works and its ease of setup.  Go to: http://www.companionlink.com/ to review.  Went with the wireless version of the product.  You can see a nice video on how easy it is to setup at the bottom of the page.  http://www.companionlink.com/products/clg-googlesync/companionlinkforgoogle-android-outlook.html?pim...

[SMMAssociates]

unitedjoe:

Thanks for the input.

I'm already committed (i.e., paid ) Missing Sync, but Companionlink looks pretty good, too.  What surprised me was that I apparently needed the latest Android update and an update to their software before the fool thing would work.

But that's the nature of the beast, usually, anyway.

About the only downside I can see with companionlink is that the wireless form doesn't sync notes.  I use 'em....

'Course, the USB sync would be fine with me - I've been doing that since forever.  My old Samsung Omnia only supported that, and I had an iPaq that was supposed to support wireless sync, but only got it to work once, after a full reset of the system.  (As in wipe-out....)

(The Omnia didn't support Backup Assistant, either....)

I think the Omnia's camera was set up for easier use, btw, but not so you'd really care - mostly 'cause my "philosophy" likes to click things rather than swipe 'em, etc.  The Omnia also comes with a teensy little stylus, which was convenient for me - I'm still fighting the capactive screen a bit.

Regards,

Stu.