If you’ve drooled over the new crop of Blackberry devices, your probably one of the many Palm users who have mulled over the switch from Palm to Blackberry – but are unsure as to the compatibility and the convertibility of your Palm data. This article will tell you everything you need to know about moving your data across platforms, what you can expect to loose and what is possible.
The first thing you need to know is yes! it is possible to move your crucial data from your Palm device to the Blackberry. If you are seriously considering the Blackberry devices and wonder if the movement or conversion of data will slow you down or stop you – don’t worry. The data is safe and I’ll show you how to do it. As always, things change. Take the details I give you with a grain of salt, a little common sense and allot of “backsight” knowing some of this may be a bit out-of-date once you get to it. I would expect many of the principles, and screen shots to be useful for some time.
The Decision
Many are on the fence when it comes to the decision about moving to the Blackberry devices. If you are squarely on the middle of the fence, your likely not going to take much away from this article. If you swing one way or another – I may be able to help you in your decision. First off, i know you are a fan of the PDA, you likely have had your Palm Pilot for what in computer terms is eons, you know how useful a Palm is and are generally looking for integration (one phone,one PDA in one device), or more power (color screen, email capabilities). You are also not terribly interested in the Microsoft-ruled zone of Windows-CE PDA devices, as wonderful as they may seem. If you are looking for just a better address book, stay put. If you are looking to communicate better and have a more powerful integrated (phone, email, PDA) than the Blackberry may be for you.
What you’ll loose
Going away from the Palm platform will cost you in terms of powerful applications. If you are a user who simply uses your Palm for addresses and date book entries, you will loose nothing. If you are a Palm user who uses Pocket C for development, iSilo to read full-length books, Handbase to create databases, AutoMobil to track your vehicle expenses, and play any one of the many games – then you will loose a great deal. As an application platform, the Blackberry is not very well developed at all. in fact, you would be hard pressed to find a decent Blackberry application that doesn’t require BES (Blackberry Enterprise Services).
What you’ll gain
The key gain for the Palm user is the communication aspect. The Blackberry works extremely well as a communicator. It does email incredibly well, and if you own a 7280, you’ll find the phone features are as good as any other phone you might use. Today, the Palm is really playing catch up in terms of integration. One of the better devices (Kyocera 7135) is a poor email communicator and a satisfactory phone with a Palm built-in. The software written for the Kyocera is prone to crashing often.
The switch
So, you’ve decided to switch your setup from the Palm Pilot to the Blackberry. Here is what you’ll need to make the switch happen. Please skip to the section titled “Install the Blackberry synchronization software ” if your Address Book data is stored in Outlook and synchronized through Outlook. If you are using the Palm Desktop – like the one pictured here, then continue reading. Also, if you are using any special conduit software such as Act! or any other Palm related software that it will not longer be useful after the switch.
First: Backup
Before you start this switch, synchronize your Palm Pilot. Once that is finished, backup all of your data and applications in case you need to restore them at a later time.
#1 – Install Outlook
You are going to need to move your data to Outlook to migrate to the Blackberry. You will need to get the full version of Outlook (not Outlook Express) and set it up at least with a profile to store your data. You will unfortunately have to move to Outlook as a platform. You may want to consider moving your email to Outlook as well if you are using a different application. When Outlook/Office has been installed, and your profile is setup and running you can install the conduit.
#2 – Install the conduit software
All versions of the Palm included conduit software on the CD. On the version of the Palm (For the Kyocera 7135) CD I used for this example, the Outlook Conduit software resided in the folder called “Outlook Conduit”. You may find that the Conduit Software is located in the CDROM:\palmsfw\disk1\pocket mirror\ folder, on the Palm Vx or Palm IIIc CDs. Install this software by running SETUP.EXE in their respective folders. If you are asked, be sure to set you email client software to Outlook. You will also need to make sure Outlook is the default email application.
#3 – Configure the conduit software
The plan in this step is to move your data off the Palm and into Outlook. To do this, right-click on the HotSync icon in your System Tray. When you are presented with a menu, choose the “Custom…” option. You will be shown a Window. Make sure you click on each line-item and click “Change…” and change it to the option (Handheld overwrites Outlook). The items “System” and “Install” do not need to be changed. In addition to the synchronization options available, each item includes and option for you to see a progress monitor. I suggest you enable this option so you can see what is going on while the synchronizing is taking place.
Now, synchronize your Palm with Outlook. When the synchronization is finished.
#4 – Remove Palm Software
Now that you have all of your data in Outlook, go to Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs and remove the Outlook Conduit Software, Palm Desktop Software, and any other application that may be related to your Palm (for example, my Kyocera 7135 included music download software).
#5 – Install the Blackberry synchronization software
You are now ready to install the IntelliSync software for the Blackberry. When installing the software, make sure that you indicate your Email client or PIM software is Outlook. When this software is installed, you must also make sure that Outlook is your default email client in Windows. You then need to configure the Intellisync software before you first Synchronize.
#5 – Configure IntelliSync
After the Blackberry software (Desktop Manager) is installed – you should see an icon in your system tray that looks like a Blackberry. Double-Click on that icon and you’ll see the main Desktop Manager Window. You then double-click on the Intellisysnc icon to view the options window. Next, click on the button Labeled “Configure PIM” to view more options. After a few seconds you’ll see window labeled “Handheld {number} Configuration”. For each of the items in this Window click on the button Labeled “Choose…”. The Window you see, like in this image, allows you to set options for synchronization. Set the “Operation” to “Import” this setting is essential to making sure the information is sent to the Blackberry from Outlook. When you are finished setting options for each item, you should see all of the yellow arrows pointing to the left.
You can now synchronize your Blackberry with your computer. Once finished, take a look at your Blackberry’s address book and date book to ensure the setup is correct. If all is good, your finished. You can return to the Intellisync options to set the Operation back to “Synchronize” going forward. This finishes off the process. Enjoy!