Re: NTLK newt's fatal flaw

From: Laurent Daudelin (laurent_daudelin@fanniemae.com)
Date: Thu Jan 06 2000 - 09:44:55 EST


Victor Rehorst wrote:

> On Wed, 5 Jan 2000, Marco Mailand wrote:
>
> > > OTOH, it's very easy to do sockets in Java, so Ethernet syncing would,
> > > from a connection standpoint, be easy to implement.
> > The connection is made easily in LabVIEW too, but in case of the Newton
> > the protocol is the problem. I assume that Apple hided some essential
> > informations of e.g. the backup protocol somewhere in a proprietry code
> > piece, like a DLL or DIL.
>
> Oh, so you're planning on using the Newton's own Connection/Dock program?
> Wouldn't it be easier to write a new connection util to send the data
> rather than try to decode whatever Apple did? (Or is Connection
> documented somewhere...)
>

Yes, I think that Victor is right. If somebody is ever to start it, he would be
better off implementing his own, *well documented*, protocol, and create a
package on the Newton to talk to the host application on the computer.

However, that being said, without ever experiencing this, I've thought tha NCU
was supposed to be expandable by adding new modules to it. So, depending on the
documentation about how to do this, it might be easier to take this route, rather
than re-inventing the wheel, since all the engine is there, in NCU (while some
may argue not perfect).

What are the people that synch use right now? Anybody care to briefly send me
what application you're using to manage your time/contacts on the Newton, which
one you're using to connect to the host computer for the synch, what
translator/synchronizer/adapter/whatever you're using in the process to convert
data from the Newton into a usable form on the computer, what host application
you're using on the computer to receive those data, and, finally, what
PIM/groupware are you using on the computer? Ouf!

If you can send that, do it privately, to reduce the noise. I could report later
on the finding. BTW, anybody knows if this kind of survey was ever done?

-Laurent.
=====================================================================
Laurent Daudelin
Developer, Object Factory, Substrate Fannie Mae
Phone: 703-833-4266 mailto:Laurent_Daudelin@fanniemae.com
Fax: 703-833-7555 Usual disclaimers apply

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