Auto synch iPOD notes files and others
Before u Begin
The latest iTunes (6.x) will autosync Calendar, Address Book etc as long as you are running Outlook 2003. If those are the functions u want and don't mind using OL or are already using OL, go check it out. iNotes is for people who don't want to do the aforementioned, who wants a simpler, but customized solution.
Purpose
To sync Windows notes files automatically for people running auto-sync.
There is nothing to purchase, no bloated programs to install. Set Up Once and Forget It.
Audience
Intermediate to power users.
Requirement
- Windows XP/2003/Vista(?). Won't work on NT/2000/9x. Don't ask.
- Your iPOD is in auto-sync mode.
- U must be fully comfortable with these instructions 'cuz THERE IS NO SUPPORT.
Theory of Operation
For Windows users, there hasn't been any easy and automatic way to sync notes files on the iPod. The solutions I have seen so far requires the user to take the iPod into disk (manual) mode. If you are a manual sync'er, STOP reading now, 'cuz obviously u don't mind the manual process. This procedure is for the auto-sync'er, couch potatoes.
I have written a script and all it does is sits there and wait for a removable device to arrive. It then checks whether it is an iPod that's been plugged in, and before iTunes takes over and "unmount" it, it runs the notes files updater, grabbing text files from your specified locations and updates the iPod.
Installation and Configuration
Warning: If u don't feel comfortable with any of these, please don't do it, as I can't provide any support.
Plug in your iPod and temporarily configure it for disk mode.
Unpack the downloaded Zip and copy iNotes.js and iNotes.ini into your iPod's root directory. Place VolumeChange.vbs, TestVolumeChange.* and AutoFix.exe into your favorite PC tools folder (anywhere).
Using a text editor (i.e. notepad) open the iNotes.ini file and place in your information. Save.
Unconfigure iPod disk mode as desired.
Unmount iPod via your standard method.
Testing System for Fitness
It seems, the autoplay feature of PCs have given iPod owner plenty of headache. To test whether your PC is healthy enough for this procedure, double-click the TestVolumeChange.vbs script. Plug in the iPod, and the test should detect it. Say Yes to continue testing, now unmount the iPod, and again the test should detect that. If nothing happends, attempt to fix your machine with the Microsoft provided AutoFix.exe program, hopefully that does the trick.
Let it rip
After you have comfortably edited iNotes.ini, give it some text file to sync as needed. Double-click VolumeChange.vbs (nothing seems to happend). Now Plug in iPod, voila, and watch do its thing!
To close the iNotes autoplay watcher, open your Task Manager -> Procesees. End wscript.exe
Good infos to have
This procedure WILL overwrite existing files on iPod of the same name. Existing notes files in iPod but NOT in iNotes.ini are left along.
Unmodified (archive bit off) text files since the last update are not written to the iPod. See notes in iNotes.ini for more details.
To have VolumeChange.vbs run automatically each time u log on, make a shortcut of it, and place it in your startup folder.
An iLog.txt file is written to your iTunes folder to aid troubleshooting. This is usually c:\program files\iTunes\iLog.txt
What about Calendars, Todo list, Address books?
Well, I did this project for me <G> and I am only interested in notes. But OK, lets say u got the correct calendar *.ics files out there, and the correct contacts *.vcf files, can't I just stick a couple lines of codes in there to copy them over? Oooo-kay, you worn me down. Look at the iNotes.ini file for details.
All this procedure does is to automate the copying of the correct files to your iPod. It's up to you to have those files ready and in the proper format.
If you are new to all of these, make sure u are able to view your notes, calendars whatever in your iPod first by copying them manually, THEN u can implement this procedure to automate the process.
Enjoy!
bobchen (c) 2006