ManplatoSync for Java

http://alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/manplatosync4java

Table of Contents

Introduction
System Requirements
    Single Machine Client
    MultiPort Server
Installation Instructions
    Preparation
    Running the GUI Client
    Running the MultiPort Server
Frequently Asked Questions
    General Overview
    System Requirements
    Communications Setup
    Conduits
    Languages/Translations
    Licensing
 

Introduction

ManplatoSync for Java is a complete application suite and development platform for creating and deploying cross-platform data synchronization solutions for the IBM WorkPad and other Palm and Palm-compatible handheld computer systems.

For users, ManplatoSync for Java provides both a graphical synchronization application and a MultiPort Server application.

For developers, the ManplatoSync API is completely open, allowing them to build their own plug-in synchronization modules for the bundled ManplatoSync applications or to build their own synchronization applications based on the ManplatoSync synchronization engine, protocol stack, and data abstraction classes.

ManplatoSync for Java is the only solution that provides data synchronization across a variety of platforms and environments: from thin-clients to large servers, it can be scaled to a single user or to hundreds of simultaneous users.

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System Requirements

Single Machine Client:

MultiPort Server:

* ManplatoSync for Java has been successfully tested on Linux, OS/2 Warp, Windows 95/98/NT/2000, FreeBSD, and Solaris (x86 and Sparc).

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Installation Instructions

Preparation:

  1. Be sure that you have a Java Runtime Environment v1.2 or later installed on your system. Also ensure that you have a Java Communications API for your system installed correctly.  It is important to follow the Java Communications API installation instructions carefully.
  2. Copy the file manplato-XXX.jar to a suitable subdirectory on your system (where XXX is the release name).
  3. Add the manplato-XXX.jar file to your CLASSPATH. Please see the documentation that came with the copy of the Java Runtime Environment for your platform for more information.
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Running the GUI Client

You can start the client by entering the following command:

java -jar manplato-XXX.jar

where XXX is the release name of the jar file you downloaded.

Alternatively, you can start the client by entering the following command:

java [-Dproperty=value] com.ibm.manplato.Client

The following property can be specified:

manplato.home - Specifies the home directory for ManplatoSync files. If not specified, defaults to the users home directory.

For example, to set the manplato.home directory to "C:\ManplatoSync" on OS/2 or Windows, you would enter:

java -Dmanplato.home=C:\ManplatoSync com.ibm.manplato.Client

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Running the MultiPort Server

  1. Download the ManplatoSync MultiPort Server Properties file "manplatosyncserver.properties", and save it in a suitable directory of your choosing.
  2. Edit the MultiPort Server Properties file to match your configuration.
  3. Run the MultiPort Server using the following command:
  4. java [-Dproperty=value] com.ibm.manplato.Server

    The following property can be specified:

    manplato.server.home - Specifies the home directory for ManplatoSync files. If not specified, defaults to the users home directory.

    For example, to set the manplato.server.home directory to "/var/manplato" on Linux or another Unix based operating system, you would run:

    java -Dmanplato.server.home=/var/manplato com.ibm.manplato.Server

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Frequently Asked Questions

General Overview

Q.
What does "Manplato" mean?
A.
"Manplato" is the Esperanto word for "Palm of the Hand". It is doubly applicable to our product; besides the reference to "Palm" (referring to the Palm and Palm-compatible devices ManplatoSync supports), the fact that it's a word in the most popular neutral second-language mirrors the products platform neutrality.
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System Requirements

Q.
What software do I need to run ManplatoSync for Java?
A.
The minimum software requirements are a Java Runtime Environment at the v1.2 level or higher, and the Java Communications API for your operating system. All IBM Java Runtime Environment v1.3 releases have an available Java Communications API from IBM.  It is important to follow the Java Communications API installation instructions carefully.
Q.
What Operating Systems will ManplatoSync for Java run on?
A.
In theory, any system with a compliant Java Runtime Environment v1.2 or higher JRE, and which also have a port of the Java Communications API available for them should be able to run ManplatoSync for Java.
Q.
What Operating Systems has ManplatoSync for Java been successfully tested on?
A.
ManplatoSync for Java has been tested on IBM's OS/2 Warp v4, Microsoft's Windows 95/98/NT/2000, Linux (RedHat, Caldera, TurboLinux), FreeBSD and Solaris (x86 and Sparc).
Q.
What type of hardware connections does ManplatoSync for Java support?
A.
ManplatoSync for Java supports serial-based synchronization hardware, including serial docking stations, InfraRed links running IR-COMM, and dialup modem synchronization.
Q.
Many handhelds now ship with USB docking stations. Does ManplatoSync support these?
A.
Not at this time. However, we are working with the group developing the Java USB specification to provide this support in the future.
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Communications Setup

Q.
I am asked to select a communications port, but the list of ports is empty. Why?
A.
ManplatoSync for Java requires the Java Communications API specific to your hardware platform and operating system in order to communicate with the handheld device. Be sure to install this correctly before running ManplatoSync for Java.
Q.
I've installed the Java Communications API, but want to make sure it's working correctly before running ManplatoSync for Java.
A.
If you have a local serial loopback connector, you can attach it to a free serial port, and run the serial port test application bundled with ManplatoSync for Java via the following command:

 
java com.ibm.manplato.Tools.Test.PortTester <portname> <speed>

 
...where "portname" is a valid serial port identifier, and speed is a valid serial speed. For example, to test on COM1 at 19 200 bps on Windows or OS/2 Warp, use:

 
java com.ibm.manplato.Tools.Test.PortTester COM1 57600
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Conduits

Q.
What are Conduits?
A.
Conduits are plug-in classes that provide ManplatoSync for Java with the synchronization logic to synchronize information between the handheld and a specific applications.
Q.
What conduits are currently available?
A.
ManplatoSync for Java comes with a conduit for handling the backup and restore of handheld databases, for installing new databases, and for deleting unwanted databases. The ManplatoSync for Java team has also developed an add-on conduit for Lotus Notes, capable of synchronizing the Address Book, Calendar, E-Mail and Journal/Memo Pad.
Q.
Can I develop my own conduits?
A.
Absolutely! ManplatoSync for Java has a full Conduit Development API, allowing you to create your own plug-in classes to synchronize with your favorite application.
Q.
When I first run ManplatoSync for Java, I receive the following error:

 
"Unable to load conduit: java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: com.ibm.manplato.Conduit.LN.NotesConduit"

 
What does it mean?
A.
One of the optional modules the ManplatoSync for Java team is working on is a Conduit for Lotus Notes. To help our users implement this functionality, we check to see whether or not Java can load the Notes Conduit the first time you run ManplatoSync. If it's present, we'll automatically install it for you. If it isn't, you'll receive the above error message. This message is just a warning -- ManplatoSync will continue to work correctly whether or not the Lotus Notes conduit is available.
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Languages/Translations

Q.
What languages does ManplatoSync for Java support?
A.
Currently, ManplatoSync for Java uses English strings. However, the ManplatoSync for Java team has been extremely aware of language and translation issues, and has used Java's Internationalization (I18N) capabilities to put all text into an easily translatable module.
Q.
Do you have plans to support languages other than English?
A.
Yes. French, German and Esperanto translations are planned for future releases. Other languages will also be supported as demand and the availability of translators provides.
Q.
My organization uses a language other than English which you currently don't have a translation for. Can we do the translation ourselves?
A.
Absolutely! The source for the text is available upon request, and can be translated to any language that can be represented by Unicode and your operating system. We suggest your translations be made from either the English or Esperanto sources.
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Licensing

Q.
What license are the binaries distributed under?
A.
The binaries are released under the alphaWorks License.  This license is viewable locally here.  More information about alphaWorks licensing is available at http://alphaworks.ibm.com/license.
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