Synchronize with Desktop Databases with MobileLists

Posted By: Ed Tuesday, May 14, 2002 8:05:13 AM

Handmark is now shipping MobileLists, which lets a handheld view and edit data from desktop databases. The Windows version comes with plug-ins for Access and Excel while the Macintosh one has plug-ins for FileMaker and Excel. It allows users to create databases on a handheld and synchronize them with a desktop application. It is avaiIable now for $50.

According to Handmark marketing vice-president, Douglas Edwards, "What most users need is an easy way to mobilize desktop lists that are created in another application that they use every day, that's usually Excel or a popular desktop database. With MobileLists you can now take membership lists, conference attendees, team rosters and other data with you. It's especially great for any data that changes regularly, like Little League teams or class lists, that you may need but you don't want to permanently lose in the built-in address book."

Users can view their data in table form or as individual records. MobileLists can automaticly insert the date and time when a new record is created and it supports multiple data types.

The package also includes a Windows desktop application for direct manipulation of mobile files and a new MDB.DLL designed as a tool to help developers who want to add MobileLists file export to other Windows-based applications.

Of course, this isn't the first database application for the Palm OS. Others include JFile, MobileDB, and thinkDB.

Related Information:

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PIC: Software Forum

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Missed One!

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/14/2002 8:28:47 AM #

Of course, this isn't the first database application for the Palm OS. Others include JFile, MobileDB, and thinkDB.

I can't believe you left out HanDBase!

RE: Missed One!

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/14/2002 11:03:58 PM #

Give Ed a break!

RE: Missed One!

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/15/2002 9:55:56 AM #

Let me second that: I can't believe you left out HanDBase!

MobileLists just seems to be a re-packaged MobileDB.

Got that already

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/14/2002 8:42:06 AM #

Jeez, I can do this for ages with thinkDB. I can synchronize with Access, exchange with Excel, etc, etc. I love it and use everyday. This latecomer does not add anything to us users. Why they couldn't think of something more innovative?

RE: Got that already

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/14/2002 9:30:43 AM #

HanDbase does this as well. All you need is HanDbase Plus.

HanDbase also has the Exchange program, which allows syncronization with other types of databases that are ODBC compliant. However, I've found that program very limited because it does not allow seamless access to the tables in the other database (I had great difficulty accessing a Top Speed database).

The limitation I've seen with HanDbase Plus is that when you sync over a table from Access, HanDbase copies the data actually stored in a field as opposed to the value seen in the field. Therefore, if you are using the relational database appropriately, many of the meaningful database entries will only show the ID number of the item in that field and not the value you see in the Access table. For instance, instead of seeing the name, "Jones, Bob" in a field, you would see "157" (the ID number for "Jones, Bob"). Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I think this is an inherent limitation. I'm wondering if other syncing programs have this limitation as well. Maybe MobileLists does a better job with this. Don't know.

JBH

One unique thing about this

ardee @ 5/14/2002 12:08:08 PM #

I have a Mac, a PC, a Palm, AND a Pocket PC. This is the first package I've seen that gives you something for all four platforms. If I could quit procrastinating, I could for once get all my databases onto all four platforms.

RE: One unique thing about this

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/15/2002 9:58:36 AM #

HanDBase does PocketPC, PalmOS, Windows AND MacOS.

Recent Palm DB Apps Comparison?

ardee @ 5/14/2002 12:10:54 PM #

About 1.5 years ago, I read a few articles comparing in detail such database programs as JFile, MobileDB (which this is, basically), HanDBase, and ThinkDB. I imagine those comparisons are completely out of date now.

Do you know of any site or magazine that has done a much more recent comparison? (Also, isn't there now a 5th major Palm DB app?)

OUCH !

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/14/2002 2:12:07 PM #

$50 ??? You gotta be kidding me. More than $19 for this is a steal!

This IS MobileDB

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/14/2002 3:48:32 PM #

Actually, this IS MobileDB. The MobileLists CD includes MobileDB for Palm and PocketPC and all the plug-ins.

RE: This IS MobileDB

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/14/2002 7:26:50 PM #

MobileDB is included in the package, but I think the big addition here is the ability to access the data directly, rather than import/export the data via CSV or text files. ThinkDb has an available software package called DbSync if I remember correctly, which is similar in function and available at extra cost. I use ThinkDb2 in addition to MobileDB. For the fancy databases with the check boxes, drop down lists, and radio buttons, I'll use ThinkDb. MobileDB is more straight forward, fast, and I love the way it displays data when doing a Palm global find it will fit as many data fields on the one line as possible. This means that most of the time I can read the info I need right in the search results screen, then cancel the search without leaving whatever app I was in at the time.