Malsync

I would be remiss if I didn't mention this one, at least in passing. One of the most popular "after-market" software packages for the PalmOS-based PDAs is AvantGo, which is basically an offline Web browser or Web page “"clipping" service. You can use your Linux-based PC to connect to MAL servers like AvantGo. Here we will show you how.

In this discussion, I will assume that you are already have AvantGo or some other MAL-based Web-clipping application set up on your Palm device and you currently sync it using that other OS. If you don't know anything about this, start at http://avantgo.com , learn about the product, and then come back here.

So you have a Web-clipping server and your own account on it. You have your channels set up and now you want to use Linux to sync it so you can finally jettison that other operating system. Well, you've come to the right place! First, you need to get a little program called malsync from http://www.tomw.org/malsync/ . You can get source and compile it, get RPMs, or get a binary tarball. I recommend either the first or the last choice (in this rare instance, I would recommend the last choice, because the first choice may ask you some setup questions you aren't ready to deal with unless you are a programmer).

As I said, I assume you already have an AvantGo account and you have the Palm software installed and configured. If you don't, the malsync tarball includes them. You will have to install the software and then use the menu on the AvantGo application on your palm to select Options -> Server Preferences, where you will enter your AvantGo (or other MAL) server address and account information.

To synchronize, you have to run the malsync program and hit the Hotsync button on your palm cradle. malsync respects the PILOTPORT and PILOTRATE environment variables . It also supports both HTTP and SOCKS proxies (if you are behind a firewall). Basic operation looks like this:

mschwarz@mars:~$ malsync

Waiting for connection on /dev/pilot (press the HotSync button now)...

Connection successful...

Searching for updated Web pages...

..............................Removing out-of-date Web pages...

......

Saving updated channels...

...........

Saving updated Web pages...

...........................

Finishing...

Not very pretty, is it. That's okay ”if we wanted pretty we'd be using a Mac. It does get you your Web pages on your palm, and that was the point.