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Hi,
Just as the title says, I am a very long time (since 2002) WM user. My current phone is also a WM device. I will keep it for another year, and I want to be prepared once my phone is due for an upgrade.
I use the phone both for personal stuff and for work - mainly scheduling, working with project related info, task lists, excel spreadsheets etc. Ability to share PIM data and files across multiple computers at work and at home is essential, as well as syncing to online calendar (I use Google).
Most of my work and some personal info was in ListPro database files and Excel spreadsheets. However, ListPro doesn't really work well when one has to joggle info between different computers all running different OS, plus AFAIK there's no Androind app yet. Anyway, to make life simple, and to be able to bring my data with me on a USB stick to any computer, I recently migrated most of it out of ListPro files into DOC files (can be easily converted to RTF) and Excel spreadsheets. So far, I had no problems using it on any Windows or Linux system. I also sync much of this data to my phone where I can quickly access it via Pocket Office. I prefer to use formatted text as it makes it easy to work with information, and applying formatting in Pocket Word is fast.
Finally the next big thing is information backup, especially PIM data. Don't know if this problem is specific to ActiveSync on WM, but every now and then the calendar gets completely out of whack and needs to be restored from backup which I run daily on the phone.
Anyway, sorry for the long winged intro. Here are some questions:
How easy is it to sync files on an Android phone to a computer via a direct connection (USB / BT / WiFi, i.e. not via cloud) ?
I was looking online for a good free Android editor capable of working with either RTF or Word Doc files, and couldn't find any - all I found was some paid soft. It has to be one of these formats so that I could send files to other people. Can you recommend an app ?
Can you work with PIM data on Android phone offline ? (I assume yes). Does it have to be connected to the internet at all time ? (I assume not)
Is there a free Excel compatible application other than Google Docs ? I.e. an app that can work with native Excel files and would output a file that Excel users can open on the computer.
How does backup work on Android - is there a way to automatically backup Google Calendar, Contacts, ToDos ? (I know I can download ICS files manually).
Any other things I may have overlooked ?
Thanks !
1. It is quite easy to sync files between an android phone and pc. It depends on your phone brand.e.g. - If you have an HTC Android phone, you could simply download and install HTC Sync on your pc and easily sync anything.
2. For document editing and excel format dealings, you could download and install quickoffice pro to easily deal with word, excel, powerpoint, and pdf documents.
3. Accounts and syncs (online) can easily be set to run in the background and you can download backup applications.
Good luck.
Your PIM data is backed up to Google contacts and calendar automatically. Any change made on your phone or PC syncs to the other next time you connect. As far as backups go, you can use things like Titanium Backup to back up individual/all system apps, installed apps, and their data to either the local SD card, online to DropBox, or both. And, if you root, you can take backup snapshots of your entire system and restore your entire OS and all the configuration of installed apps and widgets in just a couple of minutes. I do the full app backup nightly and the full OS backup about once a week.
Syncing is easy as your computer mounts the SD card as a drive letter on your device. There are lots of sync options out there that can be used to automatically sync files or entire folders to removable drives when they are connected. You can use them to sync documents to and from as well as things like syncing your phone backups to the computer. Both HTC and Motorola have sync software as well that acts somewhat like iTunes or Windows Media Player in syncing things like music libraries to your device. Personally, I prefer the old file explorer method.
As far as your RTF and Excel files go, there are a couple of different apps out there that work with Google Docs. If you don't want to sync with Google Docs at all or use their editors, your best bet is one of the office suite packages. I know of three or four of them that are available. Some offer free readers, but you need to purchase the pro version to edit. There is an Excel editor that I saw that was only $2 though, so there ARE cheap options out there if you don't want to go the free Google Docs route. Personally, I just sync my docs folder on my laptop with Google Docs and do any small edits I need on the Android using Google Docs. If I want to do a lot of heavy editing, I use the big screen of the laptop anyway.
If you have any other questions, I'll be following this thread and will respond with whatever I know. I know the stress of deciding to move to another platform. I've been on Palm, Blackberry, WM, iOS, and now Android. And, I have to tell you, I like the Android best of all and can't think of a single thing that I used to do on those other devices that I cannot do on this one.
Thanks, guys !
The reason I don't like using Google Docs is twofold. First, and foremost, the access to GD service via our corporate internet is blocked. I work for a major corporation, and as far as I know, at least two of our biggest competiors block GD as well. (We at least can access gmail and calendar). They see it as a potential security issue. Actually for me it's a security issue as well - if anyone ever got hold of my Google password, I definitely don't want them browsing through some of my personal spreadsheets, or any of my work-related stuff. It may be ok for them to see the list of invites to my kids' party, but definitely not my 401K rebalancing sheet . I do use Docs as dropbox, but I upload excel files saved inside AES encrypted zip archive.
Second, I need Doc and Excel since many of my work docs get shared with other people, and I like to be able to email them right away in a useful format.
Thanks ! I will keep reading up on the subject. My wife does have an Android phone but I don't have time to play with it at home.
Added: another thing that bugs me about Android, is that whomever steals your phone has full access to all of your Google services. The way it works on WM, they would only be able to see a few days' worth of emails (I do not save passwords to sensitive sites in browser cookies). The way Android phone is fully integrated into online Google, however, makes it a perfect key to all your Google data. I password protected her phone but I don't put too much trust into a 4-digit PIN.
I have been testing the sync feature to google docs/drive of all my notes. What I noticed is after I sync the first time I try adding another word to note and sync again, it deletes what I just wrote. Please advise if you guys are experiencing this issue or advise if Im doing it wrong.
Here is what I do:
1. Create note and write something
2. Save note
3. Go back to S-Note screen where all notes are and select Sync
4. Choose the new note and click sync
So far so good. I see it in Google drive.
5. Open note back up and write a word or something
6. Repeated steps 3-4
This time, my new change has been deleted and now shows what I initially committed. ??
Hey guys, quick update. Guess Sync only works one way on S-Note which is why I had issue.
I ended up creating a dropbox account and download app called dropsync. Dropsync allows me to do 2 way sync and does so automatically. Now when I add notes, create new ones, or delete one, dropsync will ensure to sync with drop box.
Pretty legit I must say.
I use an app called Folder SYnc and it will do two way sync. Use with several Cloud accounts. There is a free version and it is a great app.
What file format are you saving them in? Just curius if you are using thr .snb format and if you are able to view those files on a pc.
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AndroidAble said:
What file format are you saving them in? Just curius if you are using thr .snb format and if you are able to view those files on a pc.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using XDA Premium HD app
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Same question here, I am asking me if it is possible to edit .snb file on Google Doc or with a Windows app. Otherwise, the sync is only a backup solution, but no more...
Im syncing them as .snb so you can just consider it a backup. At the moment, I dont think there is a PC application that will allow you to modify the files. Im hoping Samsung will make their kies software have access to open .snb files from PC.
cheznutts said:
Im syncing them as .snb so you can just consider it a backup. At the moment, I dont think there is a PC application that will allow you to modify the files. Im hoping Samsung will make their kies software have access to open .snb files from PC.
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I sync SNote using GDrive between Note N7000 and Note 10.1 without any issues.
mdalacu said:
I sync SNote using GDrive between Note N7000 and Note 10.1 without any issues.
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Click to collapse
I tried the same and it works
However I noticed one issue,
If I edit a note that has been createdin the other device the whole thing goes wrong
the page and everything is still there but I loose the part of the note created in the original device.
so it looks like viewing is fine but you can not edit the same note across different devices
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cheznutts said:
Hey guys, quick update. Guess Sync only works one way on S-Note which is why I had issue.
I ended up creating a dropbox account and download app called dropsync. Dropsync allows me to do 2 way sync and does so automatically. Now when I add notes, create new ones, or delete one, dropsync will ensure to sync with drop box.
Pretty legit I must say.
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Click to collapse
This is the BEST solution. Works very well. The syncing which comes with S-Notes should be avoided at all costs. Evernote and Google Docs are very incomplete and difficult to use. Dropbox rules.
A similar solution for your PC.
The only problem in using Dropbox with your PC is that the files you want synced must be in your Dropbox folder.
Well, actually no. You can create "symbolic links" from any folder on your PC to your Dropbox Folder so that Dropbox will sync them. This can be VERY convenient if you have large document or database files you wish to keep synced but don't wish the originals to live in your Dropbox Folder.
This is VERY easy to achieve with something called "Link Shell Extension" found here:
http://schinagl.priv.at/nt/hardlinkshellext/hardlinkshellext.html#contact
Just follow the directions. It talks about doing "hard links" but I have found doing "symbolic links" works just fine. Once installed, you simply right click the folder you wish to link to drop box and select it as your link folder. Then you right click your Dropbox Folder and select that as the destination. Then if you open your Dropbox Folder it will appear that the folder you have just linked is there, but it's not, it is in its original location but now Dropbox will sync it.
Cool, right?
P.S., make sure you get your free 50 GB of space from Dropbox first
mitchellvii said:
This is the BEST solution. Works very well. The syncing which comes with S-Notes should be avoided at all costs. Evernote and Google Docs are very incomplete and difficult to use. Dropbox rules.
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Do not be so critical, for a simple backup, it is far easier to use the sync included in S-Notes than the Dropbox solution...
IF we could use the .snb with a software on a PC, perhaps it could be interesting to use Dropbox, but really, without any possibility to edit, don't complicate your life, use simply the backup solution included in S-Notes :angel:
Azurstorm said:
Do not be so critical, for a simple backup, it is far easier to use the sync included in S-Notes than the Dropbox solution...
IF we could use the .snb with a software on a PC, perhaps it could be interesting to use Dropbox, but really, without any possibility to edit, don't complicate your life, use simply the backup solution included in S-Notes :angel:
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Click to collapse
With all due respect you are wrong.
The built in syncing does not properly account for upstream and downstream updating.
For instance, if you use the built in sync feature you can literally never delete any notes locally as the sync action will simply restore the ones you have deleted. Try deleting a note that has been previosly synced using the stock feature then run a sync again. I reappears.
Drop Sync works properly. If you have deleted a file locally it will not replace that file when you do your sync and the deleted file will be removed from your Dropbox account as well.
As such your Dropbox becomes a mirror image of your device. This is how syncing as opposed to just backing up is supposed to work. You can also control this behavior even further in options if you like. In addition you can command Drop Sync to sync automatically in the background at regular intervals.
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No Solution: Syncing / Editing and then Syncing S-Note to Google Drive?
Well, I described my issue here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2203479
Background: My company is a Google Apps for Business enterprise user and I need handrwritten to text notes for a lot of meetings. The ideal solution is using Google Keep, or S-Notes with S-Pen and then sync to Google Drive.
Situation: 1) When I use Google Keep everything works fine until I open the document in the Drive and it is a Polaris, or Kings Office file format, not Google Docs - and not editable; 2) When I use S-Note, everything works until I open, edit and try to re-save the file within Google Drive. I get an error message: "failed to save document" and then I get "Saved /data/data/com.google.android.apps.docs/cache2/......"
The Solution: I can write directly into a Googls Doc using the S-Pen but prefer using Google Keep, or S-Notes.
From reading this thread it appears no one is successfully using Google Keep with S-Pen, or S-Note to save / sync documents to Google Drive; edit those documents; and then re-save, or re-sync to Google Drive?
Thank you!
It does appear that NoteSync is the best approach to have notes SYNC with Google Drive
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Out of all the services I like SugarSync the best. I can sync my S-Note folder and it will automatically sync new notes and keep them up to date if I make revisons so it is a set and forget back up solution. If you want to try it use the referral link below and we can both get an extra 500mb.
https://www.sugarsync.com/referral?...=web&utm_campaign=referral&shareEvent=5167215
Sent from my GT-N8013
Sugar Sync vs. Dropbox/DropSync solution
PurpleSh4rk said:
Out of all the services I like SugarSync the best. I can sync my S-Note folder and it will automatically sync new notes and keep them up to date if I make revisons so it is a set and forget back up solution. If you want to try it use the referral link below and we can both get an extra 500mb.
https://www.sugarsync.com/referral?...=web&utm_campaign=referral&shareEvent=5167215
Sent from my GT-N8013
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I am going to try this vs. the Dropbox/DropSync solution ... Thanks!
cheznutts said:
Hey guys, quick update. Guess Sync only works one way on S-Note which is why I had issue.
I ended up creating a dropbox account and download app called dropsync. Dropsync allows me to do 2 way sync and does so automatically. Now when I add notes, create new ones, or delete one, dropsync will ensure to sync with drop box.
Pretty legit I must say.
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Click to collapse
Where is the "local folder" for snote?
to sync s-note
I have tried and tried many apps and methods to sync s-note across devices. ONLY THING i have found to work.
I use a app called DS Cloud for my Synology server.
I Created a folder on the server called snote
I created a folder in my snote directory on my note 10.1 and note 2 phone.
Reason for this is IS if you sync from the default location you will sync templets There are different template Version of S- NOTE ON Each device.
So once i did the above i Told ds cloud on the desk station to share that folder .
on each device i have to sync the folder i called my notes inside the s- note folder. That way is does NOT Sync the templets and app information.
To get them to google drive. From my Disk station i sync the snote foilder with my google drive account.. This is just for a Just incase my home internet is down.
The issue your having with notes being over written between devices i think is because different s note versions..
Hope this help anyone. its only way i can get it to work properly for me.
OHH I LOVE Synology disk station.
It would be the killer app for me if it exists... that is the app that has all three components here:
1) Handwritten notes w/ notebooks and/or page tagging
2) Support for S-Pen and ability to use an S-Pen only input mode.
3) Sync to PC (or use dropbox/Evernote to sync) and be able to view notes on the PC. I want to not have to export my notes but just keep notebooks in sync so that when I'm done writing on the tablet the notes on the PC are updated and get updated everytime I make changes instead of having to export to PDF or another format.
I'm not sure if any of you have used Livescribe paper/pens/software but if they could reproduce that kind of functionality with OTA syncing that would be incredible! Still occasionally use my Livescribe pen but would rather than be fully using my Note 10.1 for everything.
Anyone know of something that does it all? I've used Quill, LectureNotes, S-Notes and others but still haven't found something that can do all three. Any ideas or suggestions?
jeggen said:
It would be the killer app for me if it exists... that is the app that has all three components here:
1) Handwritten notes w/ notebooks and/or page tagging
2) Support for S-Pen and ability to use an S-Pen only input mode.
3) Sync to PC (or use dropbox/Evernote to sync) and be able to view notes on the PC. I want to not have to export my notes but just keep notebooks in sync so that when I'm done writing on the tablet the notes on the PC are updated and get updated everytime I make changes instead of having to export to PDF or another format.
I'm not sure if any of you have used Livescribe paper/pens/software but if they could reproduce that kind of functionality with OTA syncing that would be incredible! Still occasionally use my Livescribe pen but would rather than be fully using my Note 10.1 for everything.
Anyone know of something that does it all? I've used Quill, LectureNotes, S-Notes and others but still haven't found something that can do all three. Any ideas or suggestions?
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I use Quill and it syncs with Evernote.
tarheels55 said:
I use Quill and it syncs with Evernote.
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Click to collapse
So you can make edits in Quill, they are automatically updated to Evernote and you can view those files on your PC?
I see an export option in Quill but not a sync option but maybe I'm missing something.
When you find the trifecta, please let me know. My current system is using LectureNotes and syncing to Dropbox. I am also manually exporting to pdf and saving in OneNote to keep it up to date in case MS blows everything away with a fully functional android app.
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So I've been using LectureNotes which works in the following instance.
1) Install a sync program, I use Dropsync, to sync local folders on a schedule or automatically with Dropbox and setup a folder for sync with Dropbox.
2) Setup LectureNotes to use this folder (or just setup Dropsync to point to the LectureNotes folder)
3) Notebooks create folders in that folder. Each page for the notebook is a PNG file. If you use single layer notes then you can obviously view this file elsewhere. Notes with more than one layer use multiple files so obviously that can complicate things.
I like to use lecture notes to take a "scanned" image of a handout and put it on one layer and then write text on top on another layer so this doesn't work for that but it does work for simple notes. I can't view the PNG files on the tablet for some reason but have no problem opening them on my PC.
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Why hallo thare!
As you see in my signature I have a Gnote and a Asus Infinity and my home PC is a MSI GX740 with Windows 7. My idea is that I want to sync some folders so they look all the same on all three devices. The method would be when they all are connected to my home Wifi they shall sync a certain folder. Another neat thing is that everytime I get home and connect my phone or tablet to my Wifi it shall upload the DCIM/Camera dir to my PC so I dont have to mess with that
Is this possible?
Thanx in advance
hobs0n said:
Why hallo thare!
As you see in my signature I have a Gnote and a Asus Infinity and my home PC is a MSI GX740 with Windows 7. My idea is that I want to sync some folders so they look all the same on all three devices. The method would be when they all are connected to my home Wifi they shall sync a certain folder. Another neat thing is that everytime I get home and connect my phone or tablet to my Wifi it shall upload the DCIM/Camera dir to my PC so I dont have to mess with that
Is this possible?
Thanx in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For sure it's possible, but why not give a chance to e.g. a dropbox. It gives all functionality you ask for, with uploading camera pics directly to dropbox folder on my lap, all folders in dropbox synced in all my units
hobs0n said:
Why hallo thare!
As you see in my signature I have a Gnote and a Asus Infinity and my home PC is a MSI GX740 with Windows 7. My idea is that I want to sync some folders so they look all the same on all three devices. The method would be when they all are connected to my home Wifi they shall sync a certain folder. Another neat thing is that everytime I get home and connect my phone or tablet to my Wifi it shall upload the DCIM/Camera dir to my PC so I dont have to mess with that
Is this possible?
Thanx in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was looking for something similar and decide to use box.net as backup/sync tool.. Whenever I do something in one of the folders stored in box, it automatically syncs to the cloud. Then when I use the box app in my tablet, phone or desktop, all the files are synced.
I read somewhere about auto upload photos, but not sure if it was with box.net or dropbox.
hope this helps
feelpt said:
I was looking for something similar and decide to use box.net as backup/sync tool.. Whenever I do something in one of the folders stored in box, it automatically syncs to the cloud. Then when I use the box app in my tablet, phone or desktop, all the files are synced.
I read somewhere about auto upload photos, but not sure if it was with box.net or dropbox.
hope this helps
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Click to collapse
Photo sync (camera upload) from a phone works in dropbox, and you have to choose an option whether any data connection or wifi only.
Try Sugarsync.
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Faced with a similar need, I worked with a family member in another city to set up a private "Cloud" using FTP. I back my files up to his system, he backs his up to mine.
The PC apps are Filezilla server and client for the FTP functions. SyncBack is an automated backup/sync program. Those take care of PC to PC transfers and syncs.
The android app I chose is FolderSync.
Try GammaSync
For PC-to-Android folder synchronization (only one-way at the moment) I developed a free app which does not require external cloud storage services (like Dropbox or SugarSync). Check GammaSync. It's available on the Play Store. Maybe you'll find it useful
For any feedback:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2271739
AngeloMollame said:
For PC-to-Android folder synchronization (only one-way at the moment) I developed a free app which does not require external cloud storage services (like Dropbox or SugarSync). Check GammaSync. It's available on the Play Store. Maybe you'll find it useful
For any feedback:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2271739
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Click to collapse
Keep up the good work...
:*:N33b1:*:
FolderSync does exactly what you're looking for and does it well!
I figured out a SIMPLE trick to fix pictures missing in the Gallery app (maybe other apps) but visible using Samsung My Files app.
The Fix:
1.... I am not responsible for your actions. If you choose to do this and it screws things up I am sincerely sorry but not responsible. I have backups of my backups and I rarely test on my working phone, always testing on the spare. Back your [email protected]% up
2.....Make a Backup if you can. If you can see your pictures using Samsung's My Files app(or similar) then that means you can back them up somewhere before you screw things up......
3.........Make the assumption that you are using a cloud service and put your phone into airplane mode to pause cloud syncing. Watch to ensure that both Data and Wi-Fi are indeed turned off before proceeding.
4.........Using Samsung's My Files app(or similar) navigate to Internal Storage, not the SD card
5.........Rename DCIM to DCIM1 (press and hold then open menu and select "Rename")
6.........Rename DCIM1 back to DCIM
7.........Turn off Airplane Mode
8.........Enjoy
9.........Please post results
Back Story:
I do not use a paid cloud service. Instead I use a Synology DSM and manage my own personal cloud using Synology Drive Server. I sync my phone and a spare phone(I used to travel a lot) with my 80Gbyt personal music library, pictures, sms backups, work and other data. I sync my moms pictures and sms as well. I have been doing this for a couple years. In Feb 2021 I upgrade our phones to Note 9's and I had to go through the typical steps..... clear cache, uninstall, reinstall, mom cried, found them with My Files app & moved them out of Phone/DCIM to phone/temp then moved them back. This seemed to work...... step forward to July 4th....88YO mom screaming in my ear where are my pictures....good thing she understands what a backup is ....Summer Road trip with my 16Yo son..... I get home and Synology basically forced me to update my DSM and in the process I dumped their sync'ing software and started using Resilio Sync. All in all a good thing so far .......wait pictures missing again.......F&$# aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh and then I got a lightbulb