Review: Missing Sync 2.5
Posted by: Brandon Steili on Jul 20 2006 - 4,994 views
Note: I’m a new Mac user. I’ve never used Missing Sync before, so this is going to be a high level overview. I’ll try to update this later if I find some options I really thought were worthy of mention.
Installation:
Easy. Enough said. Download the file, the .DMG mounts automatically. Be aware that the installation will require a reboot. I wish all software was this simple. Configuration is equally easy, although… Take note of the following … Who knew about this little rule? I sure didn’t.
One thing I’ve noticed so far – I don’t see an option to define a server source. My guess is that this is reserved for Windows systems, and that if you want to be able to setup a server source you’re going to be stuck with doing it on the device. Simple enough since you can easily select to not synchronize with iCal/Entourage. Changing your choice of software to sync with is also really easy. Simply select the options you want during the initial setup or do it later in the main GUI by selecting a checkbox and going to the settings.
Preferences Pages:
I like the option of where to save downloaded files to… but I’ve yet to see what I’m downloading?! Connectivity options seem to be in abundance (compared to AS 4.2) as Missing Sync has settings for USB, Bluetooth and Network. However I am sort of questioning the default settings that don’t have the device mount automatically nor is it set to sync automatically. The whole point of the application is to recognize that I connected my PPC and sync my data is not? Finally, how cool is this … You can define a path for where to install files based upon the file extension!!
The Interface (Using Missing Sync)
Simple, Functional and interactive. That’s about the best way I can sum this up. Everything you see below serves a purpose, well ok almost everything. The info button just tells you the information about the application… woohoo. Sort of a waste of space if you ask me. Connections is just that, click on and it turns off that connection type. Slick!!
Also, just as a side note you can change / update the buttons with whatever you prefer by clicking on the arrows in the toolbar (not pictured sorry). I recommend getting rid of the info button, and putting something a bit more worthwhile in its place.
Note: Turn off your firewall software before the alarm scares the heck out of you. On a windows box I got used to seeing port scan and things of that nature popping up, but I’ve got to be honest here, when NetBarrier popped up as I connected my PPC it scared the heck out of me!
Well now that I’ve learned something new about my firewall software (like remembering I installed it) … Let’s get back to Missing Sync. The below dialog sort of scared me.
Why do I need this? ActiveSync connected and showed all was well. At least it allowed me to install to my MiniSD, but this reminds me of the client I had to install for Commontime mNotes. mNotes was a great app for Lotus Notes syncing to Windows Mobile, but I made one wrong move (once) and duplicated half of the stuff on my test box … hence me being scared! Moving on.
So now you’re connected. Anyone else get annoyed with Activesync and the fact that your PPC isn’t allowed to overwrite a conflict between itself and Outlook when a change has been made to both? Take a look at this (and be envious) then realize that this option can be customized for all the different items:
Sync in process. Of course as usual when trying something like this I’m a little worried. I’ve already got contacts / tasks / calendar items on my device and they are all sync’d with Exchange. Fortunately the only thing I see that went wrong was that I ended up with a couple reoccurring appointments that were duplicated. One complaint … syncing is a lot slower than AS 4.2 – not a whole lot slower but a good 5-10 seconds longer than it should be, especially when there’s been no changes on the device or Entourage.
Now for the big problem with syncing … where’s the option to sync my email??!! Well, it’s not there. That’s right no email syncing from within the application to Entourage or “Mail”. The user guide does have a nice walkthrough on how to setup POP/IMAP email, but that will only help you out if you use a PPC 2002/3 device since Internet connection pass through is not supported for Windows Mobile 5.
Other topics of note:
- Bluetooth and Wifi Synchronization setup help is available from the help menu
- Installing packages. I didn’t try this (I’ve got enough junk on my 8125 already) but once connected I did see I had the option to choose where the package got installed to. I imagine this is more for WM2003se and older support since WM5 has this option on the device instead of via the sync utility, but at least its there.
- Backing up “My Documents” is a simple as it gets. Click File, click Backup My Documents and then choose where to save the .tar file. Restoring is just as easy. However … talk about a slow process. 3.47 MB and I have been sitting for who knows how long … I stopped paying attention =) and eventually cancelled it. I can copy / paste and tar it myself faster than that.
- Don’t forget iPhoto … Phfooop … part of the whole iLife thing that comes on all Macs. (Can’t get those commercials out of my head). Anyway, Missing Sync integrates with iPhoto to allow you to export directly from iPhoto to your Mobile Device. Pretty slick and actually somewhat worthwhile especially if you move a lot of photos back and forth. Granted not too worthwhile for my 8125, but being able to import (since it mounts the PPC for you) is handy!
- Did I mention iTunes integration? Oops… my bad. Notice the handy dandy WM_Brandon in the screenshot below…
- Check the extras directory … I found a treat in mine … cat’s staying in the bag on this one!
Conclusion
WOW! All this and a bag of chips. Ok, well no chips, but there’s a ton of features. Now will I buy it? I’m not sure. It’s a fairly pricey application and I have my own exchange server / file server so syncing isn’t exactly my biggest problem. It would be nice to have the ability to mount my device and transfer files directly, but I can do that with my file server. It would be great to have the integration with iTunes and iPhoto, but again I don’t use iTunes for downloads and all of my MP3’s are on my file server. iPhoto I can get my files again from the file server. The other big downer for me is the lack of email support from within the application.
For the non-geeks who don’t have their own exchange / file server in the house? BUY IT! If it’s just you and your Mac this app will make your life better. It may not get you a date … you (and I) are Mac users after all … but it definitely will make you happier with your PPC!
Tags: Missing Sync, Sync Mac and Windows Mobile, Just Another Mobile Monday
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That’s a pretty neat review! I’d like to ask you if you set up originally with ActiveSync? I’ve just purchased the Axim 51v. I’m just charging the battery now. I have a PC, but I don’t use it I use my iBook G4. Do I need to set up using ActiveSync first of all and then move to Missing Sync (as I planned to) to work with Mac? I know ActiveSync doesn’t work in the mac environment.
Thanks for your review, I’m convinced it’s the software I need - it’s just taking those intial steps, I want to get it right!
Sorry for the slow reply (I was out of town).
I had originally setup with ActiveSync, but I don’t think you would see any difference setting up with MissingSync first instead. Once you’ve setup a sync partner the options are pretty much the same if you wanted to setup files and things of that nature.
Anyway, you should be good to go either way …
Hey there,
I also really appreciate your review. I have a Palm Tungsten T3 that has served me well for many years. I am now needing to sync a certain medical program (UpToDate) which only syncs with Pocket PCs. Hence my need to move over to Pocket PC…
I am going to the O2 XDA Atom Exec, and was wondering whether the iCal calendars and their colour codings are preserved on the Pocket PC when you use Missing Sync? I know of another program (Pocket informant) which may do this. Another problem that the old iSync had with Palms was the addresses were not synced if they weren’t loaded into the “home” category in the Mac Address Book. Put them in “work”, and they simply wouldn’t sync across. Any such trouble with Missing sync and your devices? While both seem like such small points, they are of great relevance to day-to-day functioning!
The final thing is that I am trying to load a Windows-based program (UpToDate) onto the device. It requires syncing with a machine running Windows - either a PC or (I assume) a new Intel-chipped Mac running Windows. Did you have any experience syncing your device to more than one machine - particularly one being a PC and the other a Mac? Often this creates PDA nightmares, and I am very interested to know if Missing Sync struggled with this, or was able to handle it.
Thanks once again.
Regards,
Hi -
I didn’t use iCal (I’m on Exchange/Entourage) so I honestly can’t tell you if any of your color info will come across through iCal. I haven’t had any issues with categories and the like so I imagine it will work.
As for syncing with mulitple PC’s - it’s always going to be an issue. Just be sure to only change information on one system at a time and sync between changes on all systems otherwise things will get out of whack.
Good luck, and I welcome you to give the app a try for yourself -(hint: there’s a demo on their website… a little detective work will help you find it!)