Plaxo No Longer Free = Other Outlook Sync options?

ChinaLamb · 6 Jul 2009, 05:16 PM

Plaxo is not going to start charging for their outlook sync features -Charging $60 per year.

Pretty steep if you ask me.

What are others using to sync contacts and calendars across multiple computers / devices?

/CL

fairflow · 6 Jul 2009, 10:16 PM

Classic: tempt people to commit to your platform by offering free services and then convert them into paying ones. Guaranteed to **** off a large proportion of your existing users. Even though I'm not using Plaxo for synchronising, their behaviour is ******* me off.

sflorack · 6 Jul 2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairflow

Classic: tempt people to commit to your platform by offering free services and then convert them into paying ones. Guaranteed to **** off a large proportion of your existing users. Even though I'm not using Plaxo for synchronising, their behaviour is ******* me off.

While I'm not defending their business practice, as you've already pointed out, it's a "classic" business model. The optimist would say, "hey, it's been free this long and I know they need to make money somehow, so at least it was good while it lasted."

ChinaLamb · 6 Jul 2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sflorack

While I'm not defending their business practice, as you've already pointed out, it's a "classic" business model. The optimist would say, "hey, it's been free this long and I know they need to make money somehow, so at least it was good while it lasted."

Ok, I think we can all agree that this business model just ticks people off, but, are there any other options people know about?

Thanks

NJSS · 7 Jul 2009, 12:42 AM

ChinaLamb

You could use GoodSync which I find to be excellent.

If Plaxo disappeared altogether, I would be delighted, as I have said before - so let's not re-open the topic, and hijack your thread!

NJSS

sflorack · 7 Jul 2009, 01:27 AM

I use Google Sync for calendars on both devices, and Google Sync for contacts on my iPhone. I sync Contacts to my Blackberry via BES.

**ReuvenNY** · 7 Jul 2009, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sflorack

I use Google Sync for calendars on both devices, and Google Sync for contacts on my iPhone. I sync Contacts to my Blackberry via BES.

My son seems to have a trouble setting his iPhone 3G with Google syncing. What's the secret? Any tips for him?
I use the Google phone, T-Mobile G1 in the us, for me it's a breeze...

ChinaLamb · 7 Jul 2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sflorack

I use Google Sync for calendars on both devices, and Google Sync for contacts on my iPhone. I sync Contacts to my Blackberry via BES.

Sorry guys, I am going to hijack my own thread back to the issue at hand.

Good Sync seems to just sync the pst file, not the changes in the file. I have two machines running at the same time that I need sync changes to the contacts and changes to the calendar. If outlook is open, the pst file is locked and cannot be sync'd. Moreover - I don't want to sync emails, just contacts and calendar.

Is GoodSync able to do this? Or is there something else I could use?

Thanks!

sflorack · 7 Jul 2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReuvenNY

My son seems to have a trouble setting his iPhone 3G with Google syncing. What's the secret? Any tips for him?
I use the Google phone, T-Mobile G1 in the us, for me it's a breeze...

I just followed the directions here (http://www.google.com/mobile/apple/sync.html) and it seemed to work like a charm. Just remember to backup everything, because once you sync with Google, the local data is replaced.

Good Luck!

NJSS · 7 Jul 2009, 06:05 PM

ChinaLamb wrote:-

Quote:

If outlook is open, the pst file is locked and cannot be sync'd.

You are correct in this respect. I am not aware of any product which will synchronise open files of this nature on different machines.

I simply close Outlook when I have amended or added one or more records, and then synchronise as I am never working on the two systems, my laptop and the server, at the same time. I also synchronise to a U3 USB stick, which travells with me even if I don't have my laptop.

You might download the trial version and see how you get on? Good luck

NJSS

ChinaLamb · 7 Jul 2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJSS

ChinaLamb wrote:-

You might download the trial version and see how you get on? Good luck

NJSS

Programs like Funambol or Sync2 or ezsync do this, though I have never tried them. Most are expensive. I am considering installing a funambol server myself to keep the whole thing free! Gmail does calendar, but thats one more thing I don't want google knowing!

Anyone try setting up their own funambol server before?

COUME · 8 Jul 2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinaLamb

Anyone try setting up their own funambol server before?

I will be testing that in the coming weeks as soon as time permits and will report.

ChinaLamb · 8 Jul 2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COUME

I will be testing that in the coming weeks as soon as time permits and will report.

If you use windows, I foundout you must install funambol to the root of the drive, not in c:\Program Files

The spaces in the file names causes it problems, and the program won't work. Nice that the default is to c:\program files\funambol... Took me a few hours of trying to tinker with the scripts, etc. before I just installed to c:\funambol... Jee Wizz. Hard to believe this is 2009. So much technology still works like it did in 2000.

Spent too much time on it, and had to get back to work.

In the meantime, I am syncing my calendars to Google with their free plugin, an using my windows mobile phone to sync contacts.

Please post your results. Also let me know if you see any contact corruption. I had that problem two years ago - assuming that they got it taken care of by now...

/cl

COUME · 8 Jul 2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinaLamb

If you use windows, I foundout you must install funambol to the root of the drive, not in c:\Program Filesl

I only have Linux machines and servers.

ChinaLamb · 8 Jul 2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COUME

I only have Linux machines and servers.

Better yet!

6 Jul 2009, 05:16 PM	#1
ChinaLamb The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: a virtually impossible but finitely improbable position Posts: 2,320	Plaxo No Longer Free = Other Outlook Sync options? Plaxo is not going to start charging for their outlook sync features -Charging $60 per year. Pretty steep if you ask me. What are others using to sync contacts and calendars across multiple computers / devices? /CL

6 Jul 2009, 10:16 PM	#2
fairflow Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1	Steep indeed Classic: tempt people to commit to your platform by offering free services and then convert them into paying ones. Guaranteed to ** off a large proportion of your existing users. Even though I'm not using Plaxo for synchronising, their behaviour is ***** me off.

7 Jul 2009, 12:42 AM	#5
NJSS Master of the @ Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,238	ChinaLamb You could use GoodSync which I find to be excellent. If Plaxo disappeared altogether, I would be delighted, as I have said before - so let's not re-open the topic, and hijack your thread! NJSS

7 Jul 2009, 01:27 AM	#6
sflorack The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,937	I use Google Sync for calendars on both devices, and Google Sync for contacts on my iPhone. I sync Contacts to my Blackberry via BES.