Thunderbird calendars (Lightning) and Android - General Questions and Answers

Since I got my new ATRIX, I tried to get my calenders from Thunderbird (Ubuntu) working on my Android smartphone.
- Up to now I could not find any working solution for me. Even applications for Windows (running in a virtual machine) I tried. -
Please Help !
What I want to do ? Sounds very easy and probably the solution is the same for Linux, Windoz and Macintoy.
-> I have several calenders (private, office, visitors, ...) local (!) on my computer saved as ics files.
An example : file:///media/daten/.../Email/lightning/calendar/Privat.ics
These calendars I want to copy on my smartphone and to use them (import ?) in an calendar application. I do not want to use any cloud, google calender construction. Just copy (may be convert) and use. Even synchronisation is not necessary, because the changes mainly I do on my notebook. As I said sounds easy, but it seemed not to be easy.
I have no idea how the other Thunderbird users manage to use their local calendars on the smartphone. Or am I the last "not-cloud" user ;-)

I use the plugin "Zindus" to sync my adress book from thunderbird.
To sync the calendars, i have them setup on google and connect to them from thunderbird.
So you could import your calender .ics files into google kalendar, which will be synced to your device and to which you can connect TB also.

I use this...
http://www.fjsoft.at/en/

Related

Offline synchronisation.

Sync-ing is fine. How can I live without it? Well I often have to, and I don't like it! I work for weeks or months at a time for clients on their sites and am expected to use their e-mail and calendar systems. However (and quite correctly) many of them won't allow connection to their systems of devices that they have not supplied and configured, so no syncing of my calendar on my PDA (Orange SPV M2000). I know it is possible in MS Outlook to export and import calendar data to and from files, and the files themselves can be sent by e-mail. Does anyone know of complementary software for Pocket PC that can do the same thing, i.e. take outlook calendar data in a file and use it to sync the Pocket-PC calendar (and vice-versa). Yes, I know it is messy, but it isn't half as messy as having to manually keep the two calendars in line!
outlook let you export and import things like that
as you see fit
you can just choose to export the calender to a pst file
and then import it to a nother pc with outlook which the xda can sync with
or maybe one could send an emial from the outlook you cant synch
with invisting you to all the appointments of the calender you require to
have on your device

Alternative to outlook.

Hello.
Is there an alternative around for outlook? both desktop and/or pda? that allows sync? (calendar, contacts and email, notes, etc...) i really hate outllook. its slow and lags alot....
if anyone have any ideas?
all the best
OliveiraJMR.
If you only want to sync your desktop, take a look at, say, IntelliSync or, to a lesser degree, mNotes.
If with an Exchange server, you can do it too.
But is there any way to use for instance thunderbird?
FinchSync allows you to syncronize Pocket Outlook with Thunderbird. It is said to syncronize contacts, appointments and tasks between Windows Mobile and Thunderbird/Sunbird.
I haven't tested it yet.
http://www.finchsync.com/
Jörg
Forgot to mention:
http://synchingthunder.sourceforge.net/
It allows one to synchronize Thunderbird installation between different computers. Not exactly what you are looking for, but it may have its uses.
(I failed to get it to work on my system though)
Jörg
Thank you.
Hi there!
First, thank you all for all your kick awnsers!!
I found another program, payware, that lets you sync pocket pc and thunderbird. its called birdie sync http://www.birdiesync.com/home.html shame it doesnt let you, for now they say, sync email...
talking about e-mail... this is exactly what i cant find!! some sort of way to sync pocket pc and thunderbird email.....any ideas?
Another idiea would be putting thunderbird to sych with an outlook.pst file and the user regular active sync...
All the best,
Joao Oliveira.
.
I'm not sure if there already are applications that synchronize the emails (haven't came across any), but it will probabely come...
I also haven't found software to synchronize an Outlook (on the PC) with a ThunderBird.
Jörg
I would love to sync my contacts and appointments with GMail, is there anyway possible. I found Goosync for appointments, but nothing for the contacts file (which is what i REALLY want).
Any ideas?
Birdiesync.
Hello All!
Looks like birdiesync is now supporting e-mail sync.
So you can now actually sync windows mobile 5 with Thunderbird. It supports besides mail, calendar (using sunbird/lightning beta) calendar and tasks.
I'm still testing it.. they have a fully functional trial version that works for 30 days. if you like it you can buy it for 24,95dolars.
all the best,
Joao.

Synchronizing the calendar + tasks

Hello!
I've been struggling in order to get some effective way of synchronizing my calendar and tasks between palmtop, laptop and computer. I don't use outlook at all so Microsoft Exchange was rejected at the very beginning.
Later on I thought about Google Calendar but it does not include tasks.
Finally I decided to create an account on server which would host my calendar. It is in the iCalendar format -> *.ics. I can easily synchronize with it on my laptop and PC as the calendar is modified directly online from Mozilla Sunbird (both computers have always access to the Internet). I like this idea.
Now the time came to get my palmtop (HTC Touch Cruise) synchronize with this server. The problem is that I will not be able to keep it online all the time so I would like to have some really intelligent option enabling me to synchronize my calendar and tasks. Any suggestions highly appreciated.
Best regards,
Theriel

[Q] Sync Outlook with Android

Hi,
Apologies if Im posting in the wrong section or asking something that's been answered before.
I'm new to the Android scene with an Orange San Francisco (ZTE Blade) and I want to sync contacts, calenders and notes stored in Outlook 2003 by connecting to my PC via USB. What tools are there out there that works like Active Sync?
Thanks.
Sync Outlook with Android
yes i was looking for that to...someone?
Thks
i think the best you can hope for is to export your contacts from outlook, and import them into your gmail account.
you can use google calender sync (search google) this will sync your outlook calender and gmail calender.
I'm not familiar with that phone, but it comes with 2.1 right? You can use the 'email' app to sync up with your exchange server. I don't think it will sync notes, but it can sync up contacts, email, and appointments.
You could also try touchdown from the market. http://www.appbrain.com/app/exchange-for-android-2-x/com.nitrodesk.droid20.nitroid
It costs $20 after the trial, but works really well and will sync up everything you're looking for.
Thanks for the replies so far.
I don't want to sync with gmail, as sometimes I work offline, therefore need sync directly with Outlook. Also don't use Exchange, this is standard alone Outlook.
I've read HTC have a similar tool (HTC Sync ?) for Active Sync. Will this work on a San Francisco, which runs Android 2.1?
You need to downoal the program MyPhoneExplorer and connect your phone to USB, then follow the instuctions. To my mind this is the best free soft avaliable out there.

[Q] Syncing Outlook contacts and calendar to WP7

Hi, I'm new around here as a new WP7 user, I'm trying to get some advice. I have all of my contacts and calendar entries synced to Outlook. I have Zune software installed. I may just be missing something simple, but how do I get the phone to sync with Outlook and grab these contacts and calendar entries?
Many thanks
Michael.
Bad news. It does not sync with Outlook (only Exchange version) with a pst file.
11 page thread below re this.
What? Windows phone do not sync with outlook? Are they killing each other...
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Hi
It is possible - just get the Outlok connector to sync Outlook to Windows Live, and then Windows Live will sync to the WP7 (over the air).
Paul
I'm shocked that it can't just sync directly with Outlook
Anyway, I did put my Windows Live ID onto the phone, but that then synced all of my MSN contacts to the phone book, which I don't want. I couldn't find a way to stop it syncing my MSN contacts, and as you cannot delete the account once entered, I had to format the phone and start over.
So it looks like I'm going to need a whole new Windows Live account just to sync my Outlook contacts and calendar. Looking at the Outlook connector it seems to be saying that it'll transfer your Live contacts and calendar to Outlook, but what I'm wanting is the other way around, my Outlook calendar and contact to transfer to Live. How do you do this?
Many thanks
Michael.
Ok - firstly Windows Live isn't the only way to sync contacts/calendar on to your phone OTA. There is Exchange, gmail etc to do this. You might want to look at the other methods.
I for one didn't want to use Live at all and went for an hosted Exchange option till I can get my own server sorted (overkill I know). However, hosted Exchange costs about £4 pm.If you have your own domain, even sweeter.
So I still use Outlook (I'm lucky I have 2010 so can have 2 excahnge accounts on 1 profile) to keep all my work and home calendar and contacts in sync with my phone and this also translates to home desktops and laptops automatically too. This is as easy as drgging and dropping between accounts.
chubnut said:
Ok - firstly Windows Live isn't the only way to sync contacts/calendar on to your phone OTA. There is Exchange, gmail etc to do this. You might want to look at the other methods.
I for one didn't want to use Live at all and went for an hosted Exchange option till I can get my own server sorted (overkill I know). However, hosted Exchange costs about £4 pm.If you have your own domain, even sweeter.
So I still use Outlook (I'm lucky I have 2010 so can have 2 excahnge accounts on 1 profile) to keep all my work and home calendar and contacts in sync with my phone and this also translates to home desktops and laptops automatically too. This is as easy as drgging and dropping between accounts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I have to sync with Outlook OTA, what I really want is a solution that works the same as MobileMe, i.e., it automatically keeps all the data between the phone and Outlook in sync without the need to perform manual syncs. Is this possible?
the usual send/recieve in outlook will connect to your live account also and onto your phone why pay £4pm when this kinda thing should be included, I'm sure MS will get off their arse soon and do some updates and tweaking.
jedix said:
the usual send/recieve in outlook will connect to your live account also and onto your phone why pay £4pm when this kinda thing should be included, I'm sure MS will get off their arse soon and do some updates and tweaking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right MS need to sort this out but I doubt it's a priority. They consider the whole Outlook thing to be a business solution and by their very own words are a secondary concern for this OS at the moment. They want the simple masses not the business/power users. They want that massive chunk of iPhone and Android drones to come over to WP.
There is no way I want my business and personal contacts and calendar on Live. That **** gets hacked all the time. The hosted exchange solution was the safest and easiest solution for me at present. It's quick and easy to set up, secure as it's a business solution and employs security protocols way above those on Live. In addition the OTA synchronisation between the device and all other machines that use that exchange account (so those at home and my PC at work) is instantaneous, and yes a bit of a pain to do the drag and drop between the exchange accounts but it's EXACTLY the same as you will have to do if you use Live and the Outlook connector. £4pm is in my opinion not a high price to pay for to satisfy my concerns.
Hmmm, so what r the options ?
Desktop synching is critical to me.
I've got a small business, we don't run Exchange server but have invested serious time to standardise on Outlook/Office: contacts, tasks, notes, onenote, email client, word/excel.
Contacts and detailed contact info is our IP; Word/Excel data is client confidential. Placing this on someone else's drive in the cloud isn't an option.
From what I understand so far...
1. Phone 7: data on the cloud; doesn't sync (manual updates)
2. Android: data on the cloud; synchs email and contacts only (?)
3. Apple: data on the desktop, synchs email and contacts only
4. Symbian: ugh !
5. WM6.x: currently trying to get away from the endless problems and snail-like performance
Is this right ?
Does anyone have an alternative (other than implementing Exchange)?
(Waiting doesn’t seem an option either. I'm sceptical MS will introduce desktop synching anytime soon, or at all: social users won't care and Exchange synch takes care of corporates - hence 80% of potential market is catered for. Also, the prospect of selling cloud storage has put a light in way too many eyes. )
mrochester said:
If I have to sync with Outlook OTA, what I really want is a solution that works the same as MobileMe, i.e., it automatically keeps all the data between the phone and Outlook in sync without the need to perform manual syncs. Is this possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows Live uses Exchange ActiveSync. That is far superior to MobileMe. Do people still use MobileMe?
Anyways...
Exchange also uses ActiveSync.
Exchange is supported Natively in Outlook. Windows Live is supported via the Connector (Mail, Contacts, Calendar).
Everything stays in Sync.
jedix said:
the usual send/recieve in outlook will connect to your live account also and onto your phone why pay £4pm when this kinda thing should be included, I'm sure MS will get off their arse soon and do some updates and tweaking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Outlook Connector and Hotmail ActiveSync is completely free.
Don't spread lies.
I'm not totally of-fay with Android or iPhone so can't really comment except I think that iPhones also do calendar from Outlook desktop via iTunes (and correct me if I'm wrong OTA with exchange).
Also with Android, some guys at work do use desktop sync to Outlook but I don't know what and how but they do use it.
I just came off the WinMo 6.5 bandwagon so I know what it was capable of not mater how bad.
WP7, my company won't open up the ports to allow Exchange to sync (they like SlackBerries) and with the absence desktop sync I had to implement my own methods for OTA syncing without using Live. None of this is ideal but it seems from other forums that a lot of people are complaining about this and M$ I believe are listening, though when it will be sorted is another matter.
Sorry
dfh said:
what I understand so far...
1. Phone 7: data on the cloud; doesn't sync (manual updates)
2. Android: data on the cloud; synchs email and contacts only (?)
3. Apple: data on the desktop, synchs email and contacts only
4. Symbian: ugh !
5. WM6.x: currently trying to get away from the endless problems and snail-like performance
Is this right ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't understand... No, it is not correct.
1. Data on the cloud. Synchs automatically:
Of course your email, calendar, and contact list shows up from Hotmail, powered by Exchange ActiveSync. And because the phone supports multiple ActiveSync connections, you can connect to your Exchange server at work and view all of your mail, both calendars, and your entire contact list on your phone. And similar to Hotmail on the web, it’s really easy to make quick edits to Office documents you receive as email attachments and reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reference: http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_...0/10/11/windows-live-and-windows-phone-7.aspx
2. Android Synchs Calendars from Google Servers. Google on Android has weaker (i.e. less tight) integration than Windows Live on Windows Phone 7, though.
3. MobileMe is inferior to both the WP7/Live and Android/Google integration. It supports ActiveSync, however.
4. Symbian supports ActiveSync. Symbian may not look that great but feature for feature it can match or rival most other smartphone OSes. The UI is what has held Symbian back, not the core platform - which is great.
5. WM6.x Supports ActiveSync and there is Windows Live for Windows Mobile to Sync Winodws Live Mail and Contacts to the phone. It can also merge Live Contacts with already-existing Phone contacts and show Presence information. There is Microsoft Office 2010 Mobile for Windows Mobile 6.5. The only WinMo phone I'd bother using is an HD2 these days, but that device has its own problems (if you get a "good one", then you're good to go, though).
On WinMo 6.5 You can sync your Hotmail Contacts/Mail via Windows Live for Windows Mobile, chat with Windows Live Messenger Mobile, and get your Google Mail, Contacts, and Calendar via ActiveSync by way of Google Sync.
Does anyone have an alternative (other than implementing Exchange)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can get a Blackberry and use BIS/BES.
(Waiting doesn’t seem an option either. I'm sceptical MS will introduce desktop synching anytime soon, or at all: social users won't care and Exchange synch takes care of corporates - hence 80% of potential market is catered for. Also, the prospect of selling cloud storage has put a light in way too many eyes. )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Desktop Syncing is a feature being fantastically overstated in these forums, just like stuff like a File manager. If you're a Lemming then just get an Android phone and use Google Services. If you can make your own decisions I think I've cleared up enough of your misconceptions in this reply (or at least given you the capabilities of each platform IRT what info syncs that may pretain to you specific use case).
EDIT: If you're running a business you can do yourself a favor and oursource your Exchange hosting. For example: http://www.apps4rent.com/ has 6-7GB mailboxes for something like $7.99/mo and you can get just 1 mailbox if you want, with no contract or anything. I used them for a couple of years, so I can vouch for them. You get Outlook for free with you Plan (or Entourage/Outlook for Mac) and ActiveSync is a free Add-On. You can access from web browsers using OWA, and use either a sub-domain or your own domain.
See this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=797472
I'm pretty sure anyone reading this thread has seen that trainwreck of a thread. You don't need to crosspost the link here. You're free to bump your thread.
Pretty sure
I'm very sure that you do not use Outlook on a stand alone PC with a pst file and sync every day with a Win Phone or you would understand what we are all talking about. No I qualify, sync every day with Calender, Tasks, & Contacts.[/I]
Just for those who have read this thread and are confused; I have an outlook calendar, contacts, and hotmail all synced up with my WP7 device.
Calendar - I chose to install Google Calendar Sync onto my Outlook PC. It automatically syncs my local outlook calendar with the cloud every 10 mins. Google calendar then pushes any changes to my phone instantly, no wires.
Contacts - I chose to install the hotmail connector for outlook, and dragged all my contacts out of their folder and into the hotmail account. this pushed them onto the phone automatically, no wires. Any changes to contacts are now made either on the phone directly, or in the new contacts folder created by the hotmail connector.
Hotmail - I used to use the POP3 account settings, but decided to change to using the outlook connector instead. Works a treat. Push Email is far superior to clunky old send/receive schedules.
The above may not suit everone, but it works for me and I`m very happy with the results.
@N8ter
No, desktop sync and file manager is not oversized.
It's basics which should be provided
Funny how people were moaning about WM6.5's lack of wireless sync with Outlook. Now that WP7 syncs wirelessly with Outlook, people are moaning that it doesn't sync over wired USB.
Some people will never be happy. *shrug*

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