Synchronizing with iSync

iSync enables you to synchronize calendar, Safari bookmark, and contact information among multiple computers and other devices, such as PDAs or cell phones. To use iSync among a group of computers, you need to have a .Mac account. However, you can use iSync to synchronize other devices without a .Mac account.

Configuring iSync Preferences

Configure the relevant iSync preferences with the following steps:

1.	Launch iSync (Applications folder) and open the iSync Preferences dialog box by selecting iSync, Preferences (-,).
2.	Enable iSync by checking the "Enable syncing on this computer" check box.
3.	If you want iSync to warn you when you attempt to sync a Palm device, check the "Show HotSync reminder when syncing Palm OS devices" check box. When you attempt to synchronize a Palm device, you are instructed to use the HotSync software instead.
4.	To show the iSync menu in the menu bar, check the "Show status in menu bar" check box.
5.	If you want to be alerted when data changes on your Mac, check the "Show Data Change Alert when" pop-up menu and select the amount of data that must be changed before you see a warning. Your options are "any," "more than 1%," "more than 5%," or "more than 10%."
6.	Close the Preferences dialog box.

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To clear iSync's memory, click the Reset Sync History button.

To learn how to synchronize Macs using .Mac, p. 512.

Synchronizing a Mac with Other Devices

You can use iSync to synchronize information on your Mac and other devices, such as PDAs and cell phones. The specific steps you use to do this vary from device to device. First, configure the device for syncing. The general steps to do this are the following:

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To sync with a Palm device, choose Devices, Enable Palm OS Syncing. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up syncing between your Mac and a Palm OS device, such as a PDA.

1.	Attach the device with which you want to sync to your Mac.
2.	Choose Devices, Add Device. Your Mac will be scanned for devices to sync. Devices that are found will be shown in the Add Device window (see Figure 27.12). Figure 27.12. This Mac has an iPod mini connected to it.
3.	Double-click the device with which you want to sync. It will be registered with iSync and the synchronization options window for the device will open (see Figure 27.13). Figure 27.13. Use this window to choose the synchronization options for a device.
4.	Use the configuration options to configure how and when the device will be synchronized. For example, if the device can store contact information, check the Contacts check box and use the pop-up menu to choose which contacts will be synchronized. If you want the device to be synchronized automatically, check the "Automatically synchronize when device is connected" check box.
5.	Click the Sync Devices button on the iSync toolbar to synchronize the device. You'll see a progress window that shows you how the sync is going. When the process is complete, the progress bar will go away.

After you have configured a device for synchronization, you can sync it manually either by connecting it to your Mac and clicking the Sync Devices button or by choosing Sync Now on the iSync menu if you added it to the Finder menu bar. If you configured the device to be synced automatically, it will be done each time you connect the device to your Mac.

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When you have configured a device in iSync, it will appear in the iSync toolbar. Click the device to configure its sync options.