Ubuntu Wiki

Introduction

We want to create a new sync interface for ubuntu machines using all the tools we have available to make such a system as easy and robust as possible. at the moment there are a number of integration issues between each of the existing modules which makes it difficult to develop the finally gui interface; I will attempt to address each issue as well as giving an overview for what the project grand idea is. For each intergration step and the final gui shall be it's own task with clear goals to produce a working and valuable sync system for ubuntu.

Existing Launchpad Tickets

This issue has been brought up before here:

• https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/ltsp-palm-devices

• https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/pim-device-sync

• https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/pocket-pc-support

• https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/pda-support-out-of-the-box

• https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/syncintegration

Application

This is the python based gui front end, which is effectively a small taskbar widget like the sound controller which controls all syncing via opensync, scheduling syncing tasks and notifications for when syncable devices are plugged in.

This is a general scheme for an ubuntu syncing gui:

attachment:syncgui.png

Integration

Using OpenSync as a back-end for the syncing processes, cron for scheduling and HAL for the device detection and notifications via DBus messages.

attachment:syncintergration.png

Tasks

• Getting HAL to recognise Bluetooth devices as device nodes.
• Getting PDAs, Phones and other devices to pre-process through HAL, running various usb or bluetooth modules to find out information such as owner, device name (personalised name), product name (where usb string is wrong or generic for example) and run any pre initialisation code for the device hardware (such as barry's bcharge for making blackberries charge correctly from usb)

• Bringing all OpenSync modules up to the latest version and heavy testing, including writing generic testing scripts.

• Be able to manage non setup devices and know which opensync end points are available or missing (for instance device not plugged in)
• Images for all plugins, for nice display in gui.

Feedback

Please edit this page if you have ideas or corrections, Martin Owens (doctormo@gmail.com)