Migration from PalmOS
From OESF
[edit] Note on PIM data storage
The older Zauri (and Qtopia Desktop, presumably) used an XML-based storage format for the PIM apps. The data is now stored in /home/zaurus/Applications/dtm in a binary format. The Palm2Zaurus script mentioned below as a solution converts to the older format, and is therefore not going to help migrate to e.g. Zaurus C860. The easiest route seems to be via a desktop PIM suite: Outlook on Windows, and Kontact in KDE on linux. Sync the Palm with the desktop software, and then export or sync from there to a more supported data format or the popular KDE-pim/Pi suite.
Source: Flandry
Last updated: 2005.Feb.2
For reading and writing the newer binary format, there's a tool called zdbat (Zaurus DataBase Access Tool), written by Yutaka Yamada. It converts the PIM data to and from plain-text comma-separated value (CSV) files.
Source: Russil Wvong
Last updated: 2008.Dec.22
[edit] How can I move my Address book from the Palm to the Zaurus?
- Beam it
If you don't select any items in the Addressbook, and then select "Beam Category" on the Palm, everything is neatly beamed across. (Be sure to enable beam receive on the Zaurus!) Note: Do not beam the "All" category; each category must be selected on the Palm and then you can do a Beam-Category operation. Categories are lost in transmission, even if you pre-define them on the Zaurus, because the vCard 2.1 standard (used by both devices when communicating) does not have categories.
Source: Stefan C. Kremer, Paul E. Baclace
Last updated: 2002.Aug.21
- Use Palm2Zaurus
Palm2Zaurus, a Perl script, will convert your Palm addressbook from the ".pdb" format (which you get when you download it from your Palm to your desktop) into the XML format used on the Zaurus. It is available here.
Source: Thaddeus Selden
Last updated: 2002.Apr.13
[edit] How can I move my Todo List from the Palm to the Zaurus?
- Beam it
If you don't select any items in the Todo List, and then select "Beam Category" on the Palm, everything is neatly beamed across. (Be sure to enable beam receive on the Zaurus!) Note: Do not beam the "All" category; each category must be selected on the Palm and then you can do a Beam-Category operation. Categories are lost in transmission, even if you pre-define them on the Zaurus, because the vCard 2.1 standard (used by both devices when communicating) does not have categories.
Source: Stefan C. Kremer, Paul E. Baclace
Last updated: 2002.Aug.21
[edit] How can I move my Memo pad texts to the Zaurus?
- Beam them
You can beam your notes, one at a time, to the Zaurus. (If you do a "Beam Category" on the Palm, unfortunately they will all be concatenated to one large note on the Zaurus.) (Be sure to enable beam receive on the Zaurus!)
Source: Stefan C. Kremer
Last updated: 2002.Apr.13
- Download them to your PC, then upload them to your Zaurus
Get your Memo pad entries on your PC, each as its own file, then upload them to your Zaurus.
If you use FTP or SCP, instead of syncing them with Intellisync or QtopiaDesktop, you'll want to place the text files in "/home/root/Documents/text/plain/" on the Zaurus.
Last updated: 2002.May.30
[edit] How can I move my Calendar from the Palm to the Zaurus?
- Import the Palm's Calendar file using QtopiaDesktop
On 2002.Apr.17, Stefan Kremer reported: It appears that the QtopiaDesktop application can import the ".dba" calendar archive created by the "Palm Desktop" software for Palms.
But on 2005.Feb.2, Flandry advised: However, recent versions of QtopiaDesktop are not compatible with the Z. Be forewarned.
Yet on 2006.Jul.20, KerwoodDerby reported: I was able to convert my Palm calendar .dba to the Opie Calendar app using QtopiaDesktop, but I first had to tell QtopiaDesktop that my time zone was London so it would properly convert the times to UTC in the .xml file. This way, the resultant XML file showed the correct times within Opie Calendar.
- Beam each entry
Unfortunately, you can only beam Calendar entries one at a time, which can be tedious. (Be sure to enable beam receive on the Zaurus!)
Source: Stefan C. Kremer
Last updated: 2002.Apr.13
- Use KO/Pi
The popular KO/Pi program enables you to import iCalendar and vCalendar files, and also will sync with Outlook.
- If you use Windows only and have Outlook, install KO/Pi for Windows, sync your Palm to Outlook and then sync KO/Pi with Outlook. This will get your calendar entries, but may not get your Tasks/Todos. The transfer of data from KO/Pi on Windows and KO/Pi on the Z is trivial. Alternatively, the default Z PIMs are supposed to be able to sync with Outlook directly, but i haven't tried this arrangement.
- A better option if you run linux is to sync your Palm using Kpilot and Kontact. Kontact (KOrganizer) is able to export in iCalendar format, which you can then import directly on your Z into KO/Pi.
Source: Flandry
Last updated: 2005.Feb.2
[edit] How do I transfer my contacts and keep them in their categories?
- Follow these instructions:
It has been reported that you can transfer your contacts from a Palm and still maintain their categories on the Zaurus. First, make a list of all the categories on the Palm. Second, Open the Zaurus Address Book and Click Data --> New Address. Next to the Categories field, you will see a button that looks like a row of books, click this to go to the Edit Categories page. Add all the categories that you compiled from your Palm device (case is important!). Now, sync your palm with Microsoft Outlook. Make sure you sync Your contacts list. Now uninstall the Palm software and install the Intelisync software for the Zaurus. Make sure to syncronize your contacts. Now syncronize the Zaurus. All contacts should be added to the Zaurus AND they should be in the right categories as well.
Source: plasticrobotz
Last updated: 2002.Dec.18 mailto:plasticrobotz@hotmail.com
- Possible alternative: use KA/Pi
KA/Pi (the companion to KO/Pi mentioned in a different solution above) may be able to sync addresses with Outlook, and can certainly import vCard 3.0 (which can be exported in Kontacts). I haven't checked to see if this maintains categories, but it seems a good possibility.
Source: Flandry
Last updated: 2005.Feb.2
