Embeddable Linux PIM suite gaining platform independence

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Apr. 22, 2005

A group of KDE developers is closing in on a PIM (personal information manager) suite that can run on Qtopia PDAs/smartphones as well as Linux, Windows, and Mac desktops. The Pi-Sync Project says the organizer component of its platform-independent PIM suite is now feature-complete and stable.

The Pi-Sync project aims to develop platform-independent versions of a full complement of KDE PIM applications, ultimately providing a seamless way of managing appointments, todos, addresses, email, and VoIP phones across multiple systems. To some extent, KDE-PIM already does this; however, KDE-PIM cannot currently run on Qtopia-based Linux PDAs and smartphones. Qtopia vendor Trolltech expects 20 mobile phones based on Qtopia Phone Edition to reach market this year.

The Pi-Sync Project's component PIM applications are all compiled from the same source, regardless of the target platform, and can use the same data files, perhaps stored on a USB memory stick. Additionally, the PIM suite can import Outlook data and other sources, and synchronize with KDE-PIM.

So far, the PI-Sync Project has released feature-complete, stable, platform-independent versions of KOrganizer, KAddressbook, and PasswordManager, with K-OpieMail nearly there, and a KPhone port underway.

The newly finished Organizer component, KO/Pi, is based on the embedded version of KOrganizer, originally developed for the Sharp Zaurus and other Qtopia PDAs by Cornelius Schumacher. According to Schumacher, the project started in 2002 as entry to the Qtopia Worldwide Developer
Contest, and won in the category "Business/Productivity
applications."

KO/Pi (KOrganizer, platform-independent) includes a range of features added by Lutz Rogowski to suit the needs of other platforms and mobile devices, according to a post KDE.org.

KO/Pi can be compiled for 7x0- and 5x00-series Zauruses, Linux desktops (even those without other KDE components), or Windows. It can synchronize data with another KO/Pi instance running on another computer, with the KDE desktop, or with the Sharp Zaurus's native DTM PIM. The Windows version can import data from Outlook, and can be synced with some Nokia mobile phones as well. Click below for screenshots of KO/Pi:

According to Lutz, the Pi-Sync project's next steps will be to implement synchronization between mobile devices and KDE-PIM/Pi using the open source SyncML server, followed by full Outlook synchronization. Finally, within six months, the project hopes to have KDE-PIM/Pi running on the Mac, and implement iCal synchronization, which Lutz says "should be no problem, but I need a Mac for this."

Lutz stated, "As the project name says, the goal is platform independent sync!"

Schumaker said, "It's great to see how far it has come thanks to the work of Lutz and all the other contributors."

Additional information about the Pi-Sync project is available online.

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