John,
There has been a lot of discussion on how to preserve the Newton
platform. Suggestions have included hardware improvements, new cases,
hardware improvements, and even a development fund. But as a business
consultant and a handheld user (since the days of the Tandy handheld
calculator like computer), I must say that the most important thing we
can do is improve desktop compatibility and information exchange.
Although I'd love to sync FilePad, I would look at the strengths
of...dare I say...the Microsoft ActiveSync program for a development
strategy.
Consider the following nSync development strategy:
1) Sync contacts with the address book - almost complete
2) Sync calendar and to do to iCal - in process
3) Sync notes to Stickies
4) Sync SimpleMail to Mail (I would also suggest updating a number of
features in the SimpleMail program like the use of subfolders, a sent
mail folder, a deleted mail folder, attachment exclusion, etc...)
5) Allow package installation from the desktop - this should be easy
since this program already exists
6) Allow backup from the desktop
7) Sync all NewtWorks, NewtDraw, and QuickFigure Works documents in a
selected category(s) to AppleWorks and store in a sync directory on the
desktop with subdirectories named after associated categories. You
should also be able to save a desktop file in this directory and have
it appear in the Newton store (i.e. convert in both directions)
8) Sync all *.txt, *.rtf, *.jpg, *.gif, and *.wav files
9) Sync FilePad to FileMaker Pro
10) Create an AvantGo like client to sync offline web sites
11) Sync PocketMoney to Quicken (not a *.qif exchange)
12) Sync iTunes to MadNewton
13) Work with one of the e-books distributors on porting their secure
book reader to the Newton OS
14) Link the Newt to OS X for desktop ink input
15) Completely redesigning and modernizing NewtScape or consider
porting something like Opera
As amazing as John is, this could only happen through the combined
efforts of many. Imagine a team of developers, project managers, code
testers, technical writers, and GUI designers all working together on
this one project. Now this is something much more achievable than
building a new Newt, porting the OS, or developing a R&D foundation.
If you want to get the attention of Apple, preserve the value of the
Newt, increase adoptability, or prove that our platform can compete in
this market, then this is your chance to be heard.
What do you think?
- Joe Solin
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 13:25:13 -0800
Subject: [NTLK] NewtSync FilePad plug-in?
From: John Anderson <dearjohn_at_everchanging.com>
Thinking farther ahead past Dates, Companies, and AddressBook Notes,
how many people would be interested in syncing FilePad with your Mac
databases, such as FileMaker Pro? What about mySQL?
John Anderson
everchanging
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