linux needs better syncing support


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i am running ubuntu and i use it all the time. the only reason i have to use my vista is to sync my windows mobile pocket pc. i would totally get rid of windows if it weren't for this problem. i hope that linux is working on being able to sync our windows mobile and apple pda's. i don't want to have to buy a pda with linux to be able to sync, besides i doubt there are many phones available with linux mobile anyways. does anybody know if we are close to being able to sync up our phones with linux ?

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It's more the fact that the manufacturers are not releasing specs, drivers etc so everything has to be reversed engineered by people in their spare time.

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i am running ubuntu and i use it all the time. the only reason i have to use my vista is to sync my windows mobile pocket pc. i would totally get rid of windows if it weren't for this problem. i hope that linux is working on being able to sync our windows mobile and apple pda's.

...

Try checking with Microsoft to see when they will release ActiveSync for Linux. :whistle:

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THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE LACK OF SYNC SUPPORT. I totally agree with this thread. If linux wants to be taken seriously as a windows/mac alternative... it NEEDS to support the devices that most people have. And im not talking about "hacky" support. It should be just as seamless as it is on windows or a mac.

Saying that it isn't Linux's fault is no excuse, tell that to a novice users who's iphone doesn't sync properly. They will blame it on linux and simply sync back. I understand that Microsoft not realising active sync or apple sync features inst Linux's fault... but users DONT CARE.

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THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE LACK OF SYNC SUPPORT. I totally agree with this thread. If linux wants to be taken seriously as a windows/mac alternative... it NEEDS to support the devices that most people have. And im not talking about "hacky" support. It should be just as seamless as it is on windows or a mac.

Saying that it isn't Linux's fault is no excuse, tell that to a novice users who's iphone doesn't sync properly. They will blame it on linux and simply sync back. I understand that Microsoft not realising active sync or apple sync features inst Linux's fault... but users DONT CARE.

Ok... Try calming down, and look at facts here, ok?

In Jan 2007, a Linux kernel developer announced free driver development. They even have a official organization for this, with the lead guy being a Novell employee.

Would it be nice if the support was there? Certainly.

But to say that "there is no excuse" is more than irrational. It is absurd, because the reason is perfectly explainable.

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Sorry. I've read too many threads and Linux based sites saying that Linux is not responsible for lack of *new* hardware sync capabilities and its the "Evil corporations"'s fault. Users that Ubuntu (and the likes) are trying to attract now a days are more than likely going to have iPhones/Pocket PC's etc. It is a shame that Linux gets a bad name because the devices are not going to work... But the fact of the matter is, users will blame Linux for it. Regardless.

I love Linux. And I use it on a daily basis are Uni. But I still have to return to windows to sync my iPod touch. For that reason, I will never "just" use Ubuntu. See my point?

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Oh, I agree. Some missing abilities may drive an individuals OS decision. For example, I use AutoCAD at work. I cannot use these files on my Linux PC, so if I were to want to work on AutoCAD at home, I would have to choose a platform that supports AutoCAD, and Linux would not be the proper solution.

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can windows mobile user sync their pda's with osx ? i know you can sync you iphone in windows using itunes. i guess the point im making is i love linux but it does have some issue to iron out before it really can compete with windows or apple. honestly i will continue to use ubuntu as my primary os and vista to play games and sync my pocket pc , i do look forward to the day when i can just use linux.

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Keywords. How can you expect to sync to a device running it's own OS that is completely different?

It is something that must be done, though. Even though it may be Microsoft to blame, it is Linux that suffers (and I am sure Microsoft enjoys the incompatibilities). In addition to things like syncing, it would be nice if Photoshop was supported, AutoCAD was supported, new Windows-only games were supported, etc.

A "wish list" isn't a bad thing. It gives goals to strive toward.

Saying it is the fault of "Linux" or "Open Source devs" is incorrect. But these are things that users tend to expect, regardless.

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Have you heard of a thing called the iPhone? Last time I checked it synced with Windows.

Well that is the case with Apple since they develop the drivers and the support. If Windows Mobile is to ever work with Linux, it would mean Microsoft needs to get to work.

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Seems like everyone is avoiding the fact that linux doens't have proper device support. Regardless of the device manufacturer not releasing drivers or whatever.. the point of the matter is, there is NOT PROPER SUPPORT. Stop defending linux. Linux is great, its device support isnt which is something that must be addressed.

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Seems like everyone is avoiding the fact that linux doens't have proper device support. Regardless of the device manufacturer not releasing drivers or whatever.. the point of the matter is, there is NOT PROPER SUPPORT. Stop defending linux. Linux is great, its device support isnt which is something that must be addressed.

Well the devs are working on it. If you whine so much, lets see you code up drivers.

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Ok. #1 You should really post all relevant information whe you post in a support forum. that would indeed include what version of Wm you are talking about.

#2 Most people that are willing to try out linux and give it a real punt, know that they may have to do a bit of work to have everything going right. Linux really isn't 'trying' to compete with OSX or Windows. How often do you see Linux TV ads? You don't, and thats for a number of reasons. There is no mystical, magical, all inclusive "Linux". You have hundreds of distros, and most are aimed at specific sets of people, whether by interest or skill set. Very lfew distros are are out there that are actively pushed to people.

#3 How hard did you look to find a solution yourself? http://www.synce.org

Seems like everyone is avoiding the fact that linux doens't have proper device support. Regardless of the device manufacturer not releasing drivers or whatever.. the point of the matter is, there is NOT PROPER SUPPORT. Stop defending linux. Linux is great, its device support isnt which is something that must be addressed.

Because hardware manufacturers many times will not release the info needed for people to code drivers for the hardware. Much of the drivers out there for Linux, is reverse engineered. The point of the matter is, hardware makers don't want to risk ****ing off M$, and so many of them don't release the needed specs. That's why mostly smaller things don't have drivers.

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Seems like everyone is avoiding the fact that linux doens't have proper device support...

Are my posts friggin invisible???

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Because hardware manufacturers many times will not release the info needed for people to code drivers for the hardware. Much of the drivers out there for Linux, is reverse engineered. The point of the matter is, hardware makers don't want to risk ****ing off M$, and so many of them don't release the needed specs. That's why mostly smaller things don't have drivers.

You nailed it right there

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It is something that must be done, though. Even though it may be Microsoft to blame, it is Linux that suffers (and I am sure Microsoft enjoys the incompatibilities). In addition to things like syncing, it would be nice if Photoshop was supported, AutoCAD was supported, new Windows-only games were supported, etc.
Oh I totally agree we need more compatibility for those who use it it just seemed a bit questionable to me.
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I don't see people pushing Linux for its own virtues a lot, but I definitely see people saying how Windows is crap compared to it. Well, Windows runs all my software and hardware with very little (usually none) fussing around, which can't be said of all OSes. And that's probably most people's #1 feature for a good OS.

I've yet to see what Linux is so "better at" than Windows.

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...

I've yet to see what Linux is so "better at" than Windows.

Better at keeping a system maintained. Better at customizing to wholly remove and/or replace components. Better at being set up for specific roles (mobile, desktop, server, supercomputing cluster). Better at letting "bad" users who habitually get malware browse safely.

Windows is better at running MS Office, Photoshop, AutoCAD. It is better at being sold in stores pre-installed on PCs. It is better at getting vendors to provide drivers (to a point, as older hardware is typically dropped from support on newer versions of Windows, while the same hardware can still work fine on Linux - I had a Canon IX-4015 scanner that worked in Linux until the hardware died, yet was not supported in XP, only 9x)

I am sure that people can add more to each side of this "better at" list, but there you go. A "better at" list for Linux. Now you can't say you have never seen one. :p

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I've yet to see what Linux is so "better at" than Windows.

Depends on what you do with your computer, what you expect of your operating system and how you like to get your stuff done.

I find Linux easier to manage, easier to set up to my preferences and easier to keep running for years as fast and snappy as the first day. My desktop has been running the same install of gentoo for 5+ years, even surviving a mobo/cpu upgrade.

The CLI along with the wide range of console apps are also a plus when it comes to getting work done fast.

While driver support might be lacking in some areas I've had zero problems so far, everything working out of the box on my two laptops (desktop being a different beast, as there's no such thing as an "out of the box gentoo"), and also on my laptop at work.

The last device I bought was a new router to replace the old one which had no wifi. Both of my laptops detected and got authenticated on the wpa2-psk/aes connection without any tweaking (while other two Windows XP laptops failed miserabily, even with the wpa2 hotfix applied).

Regarding apps, everything I've needed so far is available on linux. The only windows program I'm using sometimes at work is Office2003, and I run that on wine.

Considering that my current job is for the most part unix related, it wouldn't make much sense to use Windows anyway.

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