Quote:
Originally Posted by david911
Using PocketMac 4.0 software downloaded from RIM.
The software seems very buggy, and I can't get it to work, and support is slow, and I am not aware of any other option for Macintosh.
If I can't get it working, I will have to return the phone, which will be a bummer because I like it so far.
david
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The software is buggy.
The support is non-existant.
The other solution for macintosh isn't out yet (Markspace's Missing Sync for Blackberry), and is yet to be seen as to whether it will be any better than pocketmac.
I find that there are two reoccurring scenarios (i end up configuring 2-5 BB 8100's a week):
PocketMac 3 was previously installed on the computer. In this case the computer will occasionally, or not at all see the device. Syncs may complete once and never again, or never ever complete at all. The solution is to manually uninstall all bits of pocketmac 3 and pocketmac 4 and reinstall.
Second scenario is on OS 10.4.x, syncing completes but the computer will not shutdown after. This is because the internal memory of the 8100/Pearl is registered by the OS as an "Unknown USB Device" (UUD). On the connection of an UUD, the OS launches a utility called pcscd to see if it is a smartcard/memory card/pc card reader and try to find the right driver to talk to it. pcscd fails to find a driver, and fails to time out.
It continues in a loop taking up all available processor power, cannot be force quit or killed and the machine can only be shut down by hard booting it (holding down the power button). Of course hard booting your computer risks doing serious damage to your hard drive formatting and should be avoided whenever possible.
The solution for the second problem is to put pcscd into conservative mode (you can find instructions for that if you search the previous pocketmac sucks threads). Doing this tho risks disabling any valid smartcard readers, including digital cameras. In my experience thy all work fine (i have my clients have their cameras ready to test after i do this hack), the only side effect I have seen is the extra memory card inside the pearl becomes inconsistent... sometimes it will mount on the desktop, sometimes not. Your results may vary.
Myself, I run pcscd in conservative mode and am anxiously awaiting the release of the Missing Sync solution, which beyond basic stability promises contact photo sync in addressbook, iphoto sync and playlist sync with itunes for the pearl. If it works reliably and delivers that functionality (and i can find a decent pair of headphones), I can retire my iPod nano.
Sadly the pearl is pretty much the only game in town for me. I need a functional calendar, I need a relatively functional keyboard, a full web browser, various IM clients, multiple email accounts, addressbook, maps etc all in a small sturdy device that fits in my pocket. the syncing is the achilles heel of it all. Even the jesus phone (Apple iPhone) isn't going be enough for me as it's not currently intending to ship an IM client and isn't opened up for third party development.