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diff --git a/doc/en/sync.docbook b/doc/en/sync.docbook new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4df681a --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/en/sync.docbook @@ -0,0 +1,450 @@ +<chapter id="synchronization"> +<title>Syncing your &handheld; with a PC</title> + +<para> +This chapter describes the synchronization process +that &kpilot; uses, focusing on the &kpilot; daemon functionality. +You may sync your &handheld; using the <link linkend="builtin">internal +viewers</link> and / or <link linkend="conduits">conduits</link>, depending +on your personal preferences. Conduits allow external applications to interface +with the data on your &handheld;. +</para> + +<para> +It is a good idea to make a <link linkend="backup">backup</link> +of your &handheld; regularly. Other than making backups, it should rarely be +necessary to do anything other than drop your &handheld; on the cradle and press +the &HotSync; button. The &kpilot; daemon icon in the system tray will flash +indicating that a sync is under way. +</para> + + +<screenshot> +<screeninfo>&kpilot; Daemon Pop-Up Menu</screeninfo> +<mediaobject> +<imageobject><imagedata fileref="daemon-menu.png" format="PNG"/></imageobject> +<textobject><phrase>&kpilot; daemon popup menu</phrase></textobject> +<caption><para>&kpilot; daemon popup menu</para></caption> +</mediaobject> +</screenshot> + + +<para> +To which type of sync &kpilot; will perform next, you can use the main +application +<link linkend="menu-file"> +<menuchoice> +<guimenu>File</guimenu> +</menuchoice> +menu</link>, +or right click the &kpilot; daemon icon located in the system tray, +and select one of the menu items under the +<menuchoice> +<guisubmenu>Next Sync</guisubmenu> +</menuchoice> +sub menu. +<tip><para> +If you hover over the &kpilot; daemon icon, a tooltip will appear showing you +what the type of sync &kpilot; will perform next. +</para></tip> + +</para> + + + +<para> +In short, the sync types are: +</para> + +<itemizedlist> + +<listitem><para> +<guilabel>HotSync (once)</guilabel>: this option offers +a nice balance between speed and data safety. +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para> +<guilabel>FastSync (once)</guilabel>: only sync those +databases that have conduits. +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para> +<guilabel>FullSync (once)</guilabel>: the safest option, but +takes the longest time to complete. +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para> +<guilabel>Backup (once)</guilabel>: copy all the data from the &handheld; to the +<acronym>PC</acronym>. +</para></listitem> + +<listitem><para> +<guilabel>Restore from Backup (once)</guilabel>: copy the data from a previous backup from the PC to the +&handheld;, erasing the data previously held there. + +<warning><para> +Use the restore functionality with care, as you can lose all the new +data entered on the &handheld; since the last backup. +</para></warning> +</para> +</listitem> + +<listitem> +<para> +<guilabel>Copy Handheld to PC (once)</guilabel>: run all conduits and +sync all databases, but instead of merging the information from both sources, +just copy the handheld data to the PC. +<warning><para>Use with care, as this option erases the changes +you made in your PC since the last sync.</para></warning> +</para> +</listitem> + +<listitem> +<para> +<guilabel>Copy PC to Handheld (once)</guilabel>: run all conduits and +sync all databases, but instead of merging the information from both sources, +just copy the PC data to the handheld. +<warning><para>Use with care, as this option erases the changes +you made in your handheld since the last sync.</para></warning> +</para> +</listitem> + +</itemizedlist> + + +<para> +Alternatively, you can change the default syncing behavior of &kpilot; by +choosing the most suitable option in the <link linkend="page-hotsync">&HotSync; +configure dialog</link>. + +<note><para> +To configure the conduits or the sync process, you do not need to open the main +&kpilot; application, as the +<menuchoice> +<guimenuitem>Configure KPilot...</guimenuitem> +</menuchoice> +menu item is available on the &kpilot; daemon popup menu as well. +</para></note> + +</para> + +<sect1 id="backup"> +<title>Backing up your &handheld; data</title> + +<para> +On every backup, &kpilot; stores a copy of all your &handheld; data under the +<filename class="directory">$TDEHOME/share/apps/kpilot/DBBackup/User Name/</filename> +folder, allowing you to restore that copy later, if needed. The +<filename class="directory">$TDEHOME</filename> environment variable +(typically <filename class="directory">/home/Login Name/.trinity/</filename>) +points to the folder that contains your configuration and data for the &kde; +applications.</para> + +<para> +It is a good idea to backup your data often. To perform a backup, you can click +the +<menuchoice> +<guisubmenu>Next Sync</guisubmenu> +<guimenuitem>Backup</guimenuitem> +</menuchoice> +on the &kpilot; daemon icon popup menu or the +<menuchoice> +<guimenu>File</guimenu> +<guimenuitem>Backup</guimenuitem> +</menuchoice> +menu item on the main &kpilot; application menu in order +to make the next sync a backup. Then, just press the &HotSync; button. +</para> + +</sect1> + +<sect1 id="restore"> +<title>Restoring Your &handheld; Data</title> + +<para> +The restore operation consist of transferring all the data previously saved on +the <acronym>PC</acronym> to the &handheld;, effectively erasing all the new +data held by the device by returning it to a previous state. +<warning><para> +Use the restore functionality with care, as you can lose all the new +data entered on the &handheld; since the last backup. +</para></warning> +</para> + +<para> +The data saved on the last backup is located on the <filename class="directory">$TDEHOME/share/apps/kpilot/DBBackup/User Name/</filename> +folder. The <filename class="directory">$TDEHOME</filename> environment variable +(typically <filename class="directory">/home/Login Name/.trinity/</filename>) +points to the folder that contains your configuration and data for the &kde; +applications.</para> + +<para> +The most common use for the restore functionality is to recover from a hardware +or software failure on the device. +The restore function can be accessed from the +main &kpilot; application, and from the &kpilot; daemon. be careful, as +restoring the data is not a common operation. In order +to restore the data at the next sync, click the +<menuchoice> +<guimenu>File</guimenu> +<guimenuitem>Restore</guimenuitem> +</menuchoice> +menu item, then press the &HotSync; button. +</para> + +</sect1> + + +<sect1 id="sync-s"> +<title>Selecting the Synchronization Type</title> + +<para> +There are three ways to sync your &handheld;, <guilabel>HotSync</guilabel>, +<guilabel>FastSync</guilabel> or <guilabel>FullSync</guilabel>. +</para> + +<para> +When you press the &HotSync; button on your &handheld;, &kpilot;'s will run the +default sync operation (usually a <guilabel>HotSync</guilabel>). You can select +the default sync operation in the <link linkend="page-hotsync">&HotSync; +configure dialog</link>. Alternatively, you can click one of the sync options on +the main &kpilot; application +<menuchoice> +<guimenu>File</guimenu> +</menuchoice> +menu or on the &kpilot; daemon popup +<menuchoice> +<guisubmenu>Next Sync</guisubmenu> +</menuchoice> +submenu. + +<important><para> +Using the <link linkend="page-hotsync">&HotSync; configure dialog</link> +is the only way to change the default sync operation. +The main &kpilot; application +<menuchoice> +<guimenu>File</guimenu> +</menuchoice> +menu items or the &kpilot; daemon popup +<menuchoice> +<guisubmenu>Next Sync</guisubmenu> +</menuchoice> +submenu items change only the type of sync that will be performed <emphasis>next</emphasis>. +</para></important> +</para> + +<screenshot> +<screeninfo>&kpilot; Daemon Pop-Up Menu</screeninfo> +<mediaobject> +<imageobject><imagedata fileref="daemon-menu.png" format="PNG"/></imageobject> +<textobject><phrase>&kpilot; daemon popup menu</phrase></textobject> +<caption><para>&kpilot; daemon popup menu</para></caption> +</mediaobject> +</screenshot> + + +<para> +For more information on the sync types, please refer to the descriptions +available in <xref linkend="page-hotsync" />. +</para> + + +</sect1> + +<sect1 id="conduits"> +<title>Syncing your &handheld; Data Using Conduits</title> + +<para> +Conduits are programs that interface your &handheld; data with +<acronym>PC</acronym> applications or sync your &handheld; data with files +that can be used by <acronym>PC</acronym> applications. +</para> + +<para> +Conduits can be set up by selecting +<menuchoice> +<guimenu>Settings</guimenu> +<guimenuitem>Configure KPilot...</guimenuitem> +</menuchoice>, or using the daemon pop up menu and clicking the +<guimenuitem>Configure KPilot...</guimenuitem> +menu item. +</para> + +<screenshot> +<screeninfo>&kpilot; Daemon Pop-Up Menu</screeninfo> +<mediaobject> +<imageobject><imagedata fileref="daemon-menu.png" format="PNG"/></imageobject> +<textobject><phrase>&kpilot; daemon popup menu</phrase></textobject> +<caption><para>&kpilot; daemon popup menu</para></caption> +</mediaobject> +</screenshot> + +<para> +The <guilabel>Conduits</guilabel> tree in the configuration dialog +collects all the installed conduits available. +The conduits can be enabled and disabled +by clicking on the check box to the left of the conduit's name. +Conduits can have an extensive configuration of +their own, and may be supplied by third parties. +Most of the conduits require some initial configuration, so it is strongly +recommended to check the +<link linkend="config-conduits">section detailing the default conduits +configuration</link> before using them. +</para> + + +<para> +The default conduits are the following: +</para> + + +<variablelist> + +<varlistentry> +<term><guilabel>KNotes / Memos</guilabel></term> +<listitem><para> +Synchronizes the Memo Pad application with &knotes;. + +<important><para> +The conduit only synchronizes the Memo Pad data if &knotes; is running. If you +want to enable this functionality, please remember to start &knotes; first, or +check if it is already running (tip: look for the &knotes; icon in the system tray). +</para></important> + +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + + +<varlistentry> +<term><guilabel>Notepad</guilabel></term> +<listitem> +<para> +Exports the free hand notes of the &handheld;'s Notepad application as pictures +to the PC. +</para> +</listitem> +</varlistentry> + + +<varlistentry> +<term><guilabel>Time Synchronization</guilabel></term> +<listitem><para> +Sets the &handheld;'s time to that of the desktop machine. +Useful for keeping the clock of the &handheld; accurate. +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry> +<term><guilabel>Calendar (KOrganizer)</guilabel></term> +<listitem><para> +Synchronizes the Datebook application with &korganizer; or with a iCalendar file of +your choice. +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry> +<term><guilabel>Palm DOC</guilabel></term> +<listitem><para> +Automatically converts, installs and sync text files in the &PalmPilot; +DOC format, so you can read the text files with most DOC-capable +applications on the &handheld;. There are many free or open source Palm +DOC readers, and some Palm DOC editors for your handheld.</para> +<para> +Any plain text file can be easily converted. For instance, you can download and +convert the public domain books provided by the <ulink url="http://www.gutenberg.net"> +Gutenberg Project</ulink> and read them in your &handheld;. +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry> +<term><guilabel>Addressbook</guilabel></term> +<listitem><para> +Synchronizes the Address application with &kaddressbook; or with a vCard file of +your choice. +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry> +<term><guilabel>System Information</guilabel></term> +<listitem><para> +Writes information about your &handheld;, (such as OS version, +RAM available, and the list of databases) to a file. Useful mostly for +debugging purposes. +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry> +<term><guilabel>ToDo's (KOrganizer)</guilabel></term> +<listitem><para> +Synchronizes the Todo list application with &korganizer; or with a iCalendar file of +your choice. +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry> +<term><guilabel>MAL (AvantGo) Conduit</guilabel></term> +<listitem><para> +Synchronizes your &handheld; with the &AvantGo; server. The &AvantGo; server +offers general content (news, guides, stock quotes, &etc;) in a format that is +suitable for reading in a &handheld;. To use this conduit, you need to register, subscribe +the channels you select and install the &AvantGo; software on your &handheld;. +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + + +<varlistentry> +<term><guilabel>Mail</guilabel></term> +<listitem><para> +Sends mail written on the &handheld; through &kmail;. +There is no provision for receiving mail, however. +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry> +<term><guilabel>Perl</guilabel></term> +<term><guilabel>Python</guilabel></term> +<term><guilabel>NULL</guilabel></term> +<listitem><para> +These conduits are intended as a programming demonstration, +and serve no practical purpose during a &HotSync;. +They are not normally listed, but you may see them on some systems. +</para></listitem> +</varlistentry> + +</variablelist> + +<screenshot> +<screeninfo>The Conduit Setup Dialog</screeninfo> +<mediaobject> +<imageobject><imagedata fileref="setup-conduit.png" format="PNG"/></imageobject> +<textobject><phrase>The Conduit Setup Dialog</phrase></textobject> +<caption><para>The Conduit Setup Dialog</para></caption> +</mediaobject> +</screenshot> + + +</sect1> + +<sect1 id="conflicts"> +<title>Resolving Conflicts</title> + +<para> +Data records can be changed both on the &handheld; and +on the <acronym>PC</acronym>. If one record has incompatible changes +in both the &handheld; and the <acronym>PC</acronym>, (such as +changing a phone number in different ways on both sides), +the conflicting change needs to be resolved so +that both the &handheld; and the <acronym>PC</acronym> are in sync again. +</para> + +<para> +A popup dialog may appear, asking you how to resolve the +conflict, or you may have a general rule to automatically handle these +conflicts (depending on your <link linkend="page-hotsync">conflict resolution +choice</link>). Note that you can define different resolution choices +for different conduits in the <link linkend="config-conduits">conduits +configuration dialog</link>. +</para> + +</sect1> +</chapter> |