KPilot - App of the Month
Read the interview with the man behind KPilot, Adriaan de Groot.
Last month we presented the addressbook from the KDE PIM module, so this month it is the turn of Palm-sync program KPilot. To keep the description short we will name all devices Palm.
What is KPilot?
You can use KPilot to sync data with any device that uses PalmOS(tm) as well as to install programs and a lot more. On the main page of the KDE PIM (Personal Information Management) Project there is a link to the KPilot webpage from the KPilot Project.
The KPilot webpage offers the following description: "KPilot is a replacement for the Palm Desktop software from PalmSource Inc., which makes any PalmOS powered handheld (e.g., a Palm Zire 31) capable of exchanging information with your KDE powered computer. KPilot does not replace the Palm Desktop alone, it connects and integrates a number of fine KDE 3.x applications into a package that can do everything the Palm Desktop can, and more.
KPilot has plugins that can exchange information between your Palm and other applications like KOrganizer, KNotes and KMail. In KPilot you can display and edit your contacts, write notes or install new programs on your Palm. "
Documentation on the KPilot Webpage
Currently the documentation is only in English. If you have trouble while using the program, you should use the FAQ on the website. It answers a lot of questions, but you could also get new program versions as source code. If you get errors with the version you are using you could take a look for a new version, where the error is probably fixed.
There is also an English Wiki for KPilot's library Pilot Link where you can find more information. You can find the documentation on docs.kde.org
Notes on the Tested Version of KPilot
In the latest versions a lot of the layout has been redesigned. There is a new assistant feature and different points of the menu are switched or combined. The version you have installed may be different from the tested version (4.4.5). I think you can use all the functions mentioned but if you have an earlier version it is possible that you will not have all the functions supported. In this case you should update your version.
The Main Window of KPilot
On the left hand side you can see the main KPilot applications. They will be introduced later. On the right hand side is the protocol window, this shows all the activities from KPilot. In the menu there are only a few entries but they are sufficient to handle all tasks. In the toolbar are the buttons for HotSync, save and to exit the program.
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Set up Your KPilot
Before using KPilot for the first time the program has to be set up. This is done with the menu settings -> Configure KPilot... or settings -> setup-assistant. In the latest version the assistant starts during the first startup.
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It is very important to correctly specify which interface the Palm is plugged into the computer with. If it is the serial port the entry for the pilot-device will be /dev/ttyS0 or /dev/ttyS1. This is for the first or the second serial interface. When using a USB-interface the entry is often /dev/ttyUSB0, depending on the device type. You could use these parameters securely with a SuSE 9.1 distribution. Unfortunately it could be different on other versions or distributions. If this does not work you should consult the documentation on this issue. Ensure that the user has the right to read and write the device. If she does not have sufficent rights it will be impossible to make a connection.
If you are using a serial connection, the speed for the connection should be the same on the Palm-device and on the computer. In this dialogue you can set it for the computer. For the Palm you should read the booklet and change the settings. The normal value is 57600. The name of the Palm-user is also important. Some devices accept only transactions with the same user. The language-code should not be forgotten. In Europe you take one of the iso-codes (iso 8859-1 to iso 8859-15). They are different in the special characters of the languages they support, you should always use the correct language code as set up on your Palm.
The other fields are not necessary for the normal program functions so we will not look at them here.
It is also possible to take the values given by the assistant and in most cases it will works. Because this part of the program uses underlying programs it is necessary to check if the connection is ok or if you get an error. This will not be part of this introduction. If the program works only as root and not as normal user it is a problem with rights for your interface.
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To ensure that your data is used correctly you need to set up the external (Conduit) programmes. This is the second step in the assistant. You can also reach this dialogue with set up KPilot. In the assistant it is only possible to choose from three options (Kontact, Evolution or none) but for most cases this is sufficient.
If you have troubles while syncing with a program this is the time to solve it.
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All of the programs are set up in similar ways so in this document we will only describe one entry, addressbook.
In the General tab you can see which program is used to sync this kind of data.
In the tab Conflicts you have to decide which kind of data will be used if there is different information. For example if you have an address twice (one on the computer, one on the Palm), but with different content. This kind of settings could be changed every time you need it.
The tabs Fields and Userdefined Fields hold the specific specifications for this application. If your addresses is saved in a different form between the Palm and KDE, then you could make the adaptation here. This tab is different in most of the programs and may not appear if there are no special details.
In the last tab About you could find information about the programmers, but it may also list where you can get help with problems while using this application.
Arrange shortcuts
Here you could set up your personal shortcuts. If you need the same menu item often then this enables you to reach it fast. It imporant not to use system relevant combinations twice.
Set up the Toolbar
If you like to work more graphical, here you can set up the toolbar with your preferred buttons.
Setup Assistant
Most of the settings can be made with the assistant. A description of the menu was made earlier, in the section set up KPilot.
First HotSync
After the entry of the settings you can see the following message: Pilot device /dev/pilot does not exist. The device probably uses DevFS. Trying to open the device /dev/pilot... Device could not be opened: /dev/pilot (will try again).. This is probably a problem with HotPlug and normally you can ignore it.
Now it should be possible to make your first sync. If all of the values were correct you can press the HotSync button. You also have to do this on your Palm with its HotSync button (this might be called something different depending on the device used). Now KPilot should sync with your Palm. On the first use all data is copied to the computer. This takes a little bit of time, but means that all the information can be saved and later, incremental backups, take only a short time.
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After syncing your data we take a look at the applications and functions of KPilot.
The Main Applications of KPilot
HotSync
Shows the protocol of the connection. All transactions and exchanged files have a protocol.
Todo Viewer
All of the jobs you have saved on your Palm can also be seen here. After doing at least one HotSync you also could create a new job. It will be copied on your Palm during the next sync.
Because all of the applications use the same layout we will not describe all of the options available.
Address Viewer
Here you can see all of your addresses from your Palm. You could sync them with, for example, kaddressbook. This is done with the external conduit programs discussed above.
Memo View
Like the Todo Viewer you can see here your memos on your Palm. It is possible to create new ones and to copy them during the next sync.
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General DB Viewer
While the previous sections where very simple this one needs a few more comments.
The DB libraries contain important informations about the Palm and the installed programs. Because of this, the editing of them is only for users who know what they are doing!
The data can be changed with an external hexeditor, which has to be installed and KPilot has to know about it.
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File Installer
After you have found a new application in the internet and downloaded it, or you found one on a CD, you can install the new application onto your Palm with this menu. First you have to browse to the file using the button Add File. You can repeat this, until you have chosen all your desired files. At the moment it is not possible to delete separate items from the list. If an element is removed you have to delete the whole list and then you can add your preferred files again.
Programs with the ending .zip have to be unzipped. Files with the ending .prc can be imported directly.
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Now you have to sync with your Palm. With this transaction all your applications will be automatically installed.
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Backup and Restore the Palm
During the first HotSync KPilot generates a complete backup of the Palm. You can restore it onto your Palm with File -> Restore. You should mind that all of the changes after the last backup will be lost. This means that you should backup your data regulary. This is automatically done during a HotSync.
To avoid future trouble you should test this now with unimportant data. Unfortunately we can not give a guarantee that it will all work fine, but normally you should not have any bad surprises with devices that have been tested.
The menu entry backup is for making a complete backup. This replaces the incremental backups, which are done during a normal HotSync. You should save the backup in another (secure) place, but remember that any changes made after the backup may be lost, so remember to do this regularly.
More Information
If you have questions you should first consult the very good help which comes with the program. It is very accurate and gives detailed solutions. If the problem can not be solved and you can not find the answer on the webpages listed in the section documentation on the KPilot webpage, you can describe the problem to kdepim-users mailing list. The developers can be found in the IRC in the channel #kpilot on the irc.kde.org server. PalmOS en Palm are registered trademarks of PalmSource Inc.
Read the interview with the man behind KPilot, Adriaan de Groot.
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