* Newton Connection Utilities 1.0b5 BETA Instructions * Introduction: These instructions provide important information that you will need in order to use the Newton Connection Utilities BETA software effectively. Please read it entirely. NCU 1.0b5 will time.out on September 1st, 1997. * Supported file formats: - Claris Organizer 2.0 - Now Contact 3.5 & Now Up To Date 3.5 - RTF [Rich Text Format] - Plain Text [ASCII] - Delimited ASCII - Now Contact 3.6 & Now Up-to-Date 3.6 ARE NOT supported at this time. * Getting Started: 1. Read the Newton Connection Utilities BETA software ReadMe (this file). 2. Please delete any previous Newton Connection Utilities BETA installation, including the Newton Connection Utilities preferences in the system folder. 3. Install the Newton Connection Utilities BETA software on your desktop. 3. Back-up your Newton and desktop application data files and put them in a safe place. 4. Install the appropriate System Patch on your Newton. Your Newton will have to re-start. - The latest System Patches for the Newton 120 and 130 can be downloaded from: 5. Try out the Newton Connection Utilities BETA software. * Known Bugs: a) Failure to Backup or Import\Export\Synch ... We are currently tracking down data conditions that can halt any of the before mentioned processes. It's our goal that the largest possible percentage of user data be translated and if it can't be, the user be notified as such. For data that is either corrupt or is unrecognizable to NCU and as such is giving NCU problems, we aim to ensure that that piece of data does not interfere with NCU's ability to process the rest of your data. We believe we've identified and addressed many conditions that fit in these categories but we are esp. interested in hearing if we've missed any. Please submit your condition and XLATE.LOG and ILERRORS.LOG to the appropriate e.mail address. They're a big help. While it's important to us to capture data from problems you encounter, we know it's important to you to get up and running. Here are two strategies to address halts in translation or backup ... i) refer to your XLATE.LOG ... frequently it will notify you as to which element it is stopping on. Copying and pasting the data to a new record or deleting the record will frequently take care of the problem. ii) In cases where the initial read is the problem [desktop reports it as a backup], the problem may be one greater then a single element [in some cases it's due to problematic 1.x data]. In this case, a good strategy is to do a card backup, wipe your newton internal store and restore from your card. For many of our users, this procedure then makes the data NCU friendly. iii) if you are having problems synching multiple soups or a single soup after multiple synchs, try increasing the amount of memory available to NCU to 8+ MB ... synchronizing data [esp. large amounts of records and\or repeating meetings you've modified] is memory intenstive as both sets of data from your desktop and newton must be writtent to memory for a speedy comapare ... b) QuickTime 2.1 conflict ... We have a bug\conflict with QuickTime 2.1 ... manifested such that export or synch cannot complete. Please deactivate 2.1 or use 2.0 or 2.5 for now. c) AutoDoubler 2.0x conflict ... We have a bug\conflict with AutoDoubler 2.0x and possibly other versions ... we suggest you do not run AutoDoubler with NCU. d) File Sharing and backup folders ... If you have file sharing on, please do not specify your backup folder [via preferences] to write to the root of your startup volume. Doing so will result in an error when backing up. Any other location is fine [although we suggest it be on a local volume]. * Version History 1.0b5 - a) New Interface - We've reworked the NCU main screen. We hope you like it. b) Newton Works - We're sure you've noticed two new buttons on the desktop, 'Newton Works Import' and 'Newton Works Export'. These functions relate to a new application, Newton Works, shipping with the new hardware, the Message Pad 2000 & eMate 300 which run version 2.1 of Newt OS. If you don't have one of these machines, you won't be able to use these functions. Sorry, Newton Works does not run on the 2.0 operating system. c) Auto Dock - is a feature visible on the desktop side within the preferences folder. Auto Dock allows the user to more easily execute the backup and synchronization of their data by allowing for the automatic recognition of a dock request when the user plugs their serial cable into their Newton. As with Newton Works, it's supported only with the new hardware and OS. d) Claris Organizer 2.0 - it's here ! ... it's relatively new so please report your bugs ... e) More Changes to Phone Labels ... we implemented phone label matching in Claris Organizer 2.0 [Now Contact 3.5 label matching supported in previous versions]. Four primary labels [Home, Work, Fax & Cellular [or Mobile]] will import properly. Names using alternative or duplicate supported labels will not import with default field map - as an alternative, please adjust your field mapping. We tried hard to find a satisfactory compromise between often times mutually exclusive alternatives ... please let us know how our scheme works for you. f) Additional Fixes to Data Synchronization ... Even more fixes to synchronization of repeating meeting types. 1.0b4 - a) Additional Fixes to Data Synchronization ... More fixes to synchronization of repeating meeting types. b) Improved Error Handling for Notes ... enhancements to error handling for Names, Dates & To.Do's ... We added improved error handling for notes such that errors or unanticipated data encountered either in newton soups or desktop data will not halt the translation process. If problematic data that cannot be processed is encountered, the offending record will be skipped and the error reported to XLATE.LOG. Any halts in translation [manifested either an error stating there has been a failure to read\write or complete the operation], is something we really want to hear from our users on. c) Changes to Phone Labels ... increased number of phone numbers transferred & synched by label. 1.0b3 - a) Multiple Fixes to Data Synchronization ... We were having problems synchronizing data. These problems manifested themselves most frequently as less then ideal conversion of certain repeating meeting or event data types, esp. of data type's with an exceptions to the general pattern [e.g. a scheduled meeting held on monday of every week, except for one week where it was held on tuesday]. We made multiple fixes to address this situation in several filters covering multiple data types. b) Improved Error Handling for Names, Dates & To.Do's ... We added improved error handling to Names, Dates & To.Do's ... so that errors or unanticipated data encountered either in newton soups or desktop data will not halt the translation process. If problematic data that cannot be processed is encountered, the record will be skipped and the error reported to XLATE.LOG. Any halts in translation [manifested either as an error stating there has been a failure to read\write or complete the operation], is something we really want to hear from our users on. * How To Report Bugs or Offer Suggestions: Please use the following format to report any problems that you may find. To Report A Bug: 1. Send all feedback via email to: NCUFeedback@newton.apple.com 2. Include the key words: "NCU Beta BUG" in the subject. 3. Include the following information: - What CPU were you using? - What version System/OS Software were you using? - What kind of Newton (120/130) were you using? - What version Newton OS Software were you using? - What version of Newton Connection Utilities are you using? - Was the connection Newton or desktop initiated? - Was it an AppleTalk or Serial connection? - If Serial, was it via the Modem or Printer port? - Do you have an internal modem? - When the problem occurred, what were you doing with NCU? (i.e., BackUp, Restore, Keyboard Pass Thru, Sync) - What Newton files were you working with? (i.e, Notes, Names, Dates, ToDos, etc.) - What Desktop Application were you using? - How often does the problem occur? - Summary of the problem: To Make Product Suggestions: 1. Send all feedback via email to: NCUFeedback@newton.apple.com 2. Include the key words: "NCU Beta SUGGESTION" in the subject. NOTE: While all feedback will be reviewed, we will not be able to reply to every mail. Thanks!