Registered: Nov 1999
Location: California
Posts: 108

Before buying my Visor I bought a Timex DataLink watch. True, the visor is better, but at times the watch can be slightly more convienent, especially when checking the time...or the date. Anyway, I was wondering if there was a way to export the data from the Palm Desktop to the Timex software at hotsync, other than using CSV files ! Mabee a conduit exists?

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

If memory serves me correctly, the DataLink can sync with Outlook. If you're syncing the Visor to Outlook, then I guess it's possible. As for the Palm Desktop, I've not seen or heard of anything.

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MarkEagle - Ice is nice!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: California
Posts: 108

I considered this, however, I like to keep outlook out of my system, since my copy is outdated, and messes things up.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 295

I have a Timex Datalink 150 and it sync's well with either Outlook 97 or 98. I haven�t tried it with Outlook 2000. There is a Y2K issue with the MS export utility in that it now interprets my export dates as the year "100" i.e. 2/29/100. I didn't know that they even had Datalink watches during our first Centennial. MS is supposed to fix this, but for now I simply remove the "1" from 100. I agree that having phone numbers, to-do, appts., and annv. right on my wrist is the ultimate convenience. However, the Datalink doesn't hold enough data, thus Palm. I plan on keeping my Visor and Outlook in sync, and then syncing Outlook into my Datalink.

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Mark Beck <><

[This message has been edited by LanMan (edited 02-29-2000).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 106

LanMan...while not a visor specific ??, perhaps you know the answer to this Datalink issue I'm having. I've got a 150S (expedition model). All syncs from outlook come in with the time converted to GMT time (-8 hours as I'm using PDT). Any thoughts other than a fix from Timex or MS? Thanks

[This message has been edited by RJT (edited 03-01-2000).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 295

RJT, what version of Windows or other OS are you running. There is a "feature" in Windows that might throw your time off if the regional setting is set to GMT. So even if your on-screen time is accurate, it might cause the Datalink program to sync wrong. Also, are you using the Timex Datalink software to sync or some other export utility such as the MS Outlook export?

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Mark Beck <><

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 106

Running Win 2000. I've synced with the real deal (Timex software) and everything works fine. I did notice however that when selecting a timezone from Timex, the drop down provides a whole suite of GMT based zones (GMT +/- a given hour - of which PST is a member of) as well as a straight PST, EST, ect. which makes no reference to a GMT base time. Using the standard Timex interface all times sync nicely (whether GMT based of just straight PST).

My concern was for the Outlook2000 Timex export utility. All it gives are GMT based timezones and they end up converting times to match GMT. This isn't really too much of a problem since I can either sync just correct times via the timex software or better yet just change the time on the watch itself. From then on, just turn off time syncing altogether. It just bugs me, being an old software tester for a number of years.

I guess the problem could be anywhere...Outlook2000, Win2000 (the paper said it only has 63,000 outstanding bugs in it). The issue could also be PEBKC (problem exists between keyboard and chair!) If you can shed any light that would be great. Other than that, I'll just let it ride. Thanks

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 295

RJT, I have unfortunately not yet tried a Datalink sync with either Outlook 2K nor W2K. I know that there was an issue in the office once where a user had the Regional setting for WinNT 4.0 set to GMT and it was throwing off file times on units set to CDT by six hours. I would make sure your regional settings are set to PDT/PST.

My Outlook 98 export util has two Time Zone selections. 1. Use Outlook time zone settings, and 2. Use custom time zone settings. I have mine set to Custom with the Primary time zone set to (GMT -06:00) Central Time (US & Canada). I also have it set to *Adjust for daylight saving time.

These settings seem to work fine for the Outlook 97/98 exports. However, I do admit that my watch is much more accurate than the computer, so I rarely sync times. I also notice that when I do sync the time that it is normally 10-15 seconds off anyway. Probably something to do with the delay factory during the actually sync. Therefore, I normally just look up the Naval Observatory site and manually set my watch to match (thinking about buying a Timex Beepwear Pro w/Flextime that keeps it set up the second automatically and has beeper).

Do you have the option of Outlook vs. Custom settings? If so try the other setting, and see if it makes a difference. The Outlook 97/98 export also has an onscreen Tip that says "The current computer time (adjusted for the current time zones selected) will be downloaded to the watch." That "adjusted for the current time zones selected" part makes me curious. Again check your W2K Regional setting and make sure it's set to PST.

Did Outlook 2K have the Timex export built into it or did you have to download it from the MS Office website?

Hope this helps. Let me know if you find anything out.

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Mark Beck <><

[This message has been edited by LanMan (edited 03-02-2000).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 295

CompuPika, you have an interesting thought. I wonder if the Palm could be programmed to communicate with the Timex Datalink via the IR port? I have a student in one of my classes that has taught his Palm �Furby� language, and now has the Furby trained to speak in sentences. This facilitates his two-year-olds language capabilities. Now if Palm can talk Furby, why should it not be able to speak Datalink! The only thing I�m not sure of is whether or not the Datalink can communicate via IR or not.

Another idea is that Timex does have a serial port notebook device.
http://www.timex.com/bin/detail.tmx?item=764:69950

Maybe this device could be �fitted� to a Visor and talk to the Datalink via it.

Just some thoughts. It would be cool to teach Palm to speak Timex.


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Mark Beck <><

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: California
Posts: 108

I know what we could do. Let's all start asking Timex to make a springboard moudle that would hook up with the TDL, include software for the Visor, then make a conduit between the visor and TDL software. Sounds good?