Chapter 4. Using KPilot Data Viewers and Main Window Interface

This chapter describes the usage of KPilot's main window; as a viewer application for data on the PalmPilot™, and its menu structure. The main window of KPilot also contains the HotSync®-log, which can be useful when debugging problems.

KPilot starts up with a splash screen, and then switches to showing the HotSync®-log, as shown here.

The Main Window


The Main Window

The Main Window


The main window contains the application menu, which we will deal with here.

The file menu contains the synchronization menu items. Note that these items do not start the sync process, they only select what the new sync will be. To really start it, you must press the HotSync button on your PalmPilot™'s cradle (or on the PalmPilot™ itself, when there is no cradle).

Note

It is not possible to cancel a sync operation once the request has been made.

For more information regarding the synchronization functionality, please check the Synchronization Chapter of this handbook, where you can find detailed descriptions of the synchronization methods and options offered by KPilot.

File->HotSync

Make the next sync a HotSync®. For more information, please check the Syncing your PalmPilot™ data section of this handbook.

File->FastSync

(not available with all installations) Make the next sync a FastSync. For more information, please check the Syncing your PalmPilot™ data section of this handbook.

File->FullSync

(not available with all installations) Make the next sync a FullSync. For more information, please check the Syncing your PalmPilot™ data section of this handbook.

File->Backup

Make the next sync a full backup of your PalmPilot™ data. This action can take several minutes. For more information, please check the Backing up your PalmPilot™ data section of this handbook.

Tip

The first thing you should do after starting KPilot for the first time is make a full backup.

File->Restore

This copies all the data from a previous backup on your PC to your PalmPilot™, replacing whatever data was there. Use this if your PalmPilot™ suffers some from software or hardware failure (or is replaced by a new one). For more information, please check the Restoring your PalmPilot™ data section of this handbook.

Warning

Doing a restore will erase all data on the PalmPilot™ before restoring the information from your PC!

File->List Only

The next sync will only list the databases on your PalmPilot™, no exchange of data will be performed.

File->Quit

Quits KPilot, closing the main window and stopping the daemon if that configuration option is enabled.

The Settings menu allows you to configure KPilot main interface and fine tune the synchronization process with the PalmPilot™.

Settings->Show Statusbar

Click this menu item to toggle KPilot's statusbar on and off, or in other words, to show it if hidden, or to hide it if shown.

Settings->Show Toolbar

Click this menu item to toggle KPilot's toolbar on and off, or in other words, to show it if hidden, or to hide it if shown.

Settings->Configure Shortcuts...

Displays KPilot's shortcut configuration dialog, allowing you change or create key bindings, which are associations between actions (for example, opening KPilot's configuration dialog) and keys or key combinations (for instance, Ctrl + Shift + a).

Settings->Configure Toolbars...

Displays KPilot's toolbar configuration dialog. This dialog lists all actions available for use on the toolbar, and the actions currently displayed, allowing you to add or remove actions, and move the actions which already are on the toolbar.

Settings->Configure KPilot...

Displays KPilot's configuration dialog, allowing you to match your hardware with the configuration, so that KPilot can talk with your PalmPilot™, to configure the way KPilot synchronizes your PalmPilot™ with your desktop applications (through conduits) and the way it shows the data from your PalmPilot™ in the built-in viewers. The Configuring KPilot chapter of this handbook offers detailed information about these configuration options.

Settings->Configuration Wizard...

Displays KPilot's configuration wizard dialog. The configuration wizard helps you to set up KPilot to communicate with the PalmPilot™ and to configure the conduits as a group. It's a great start for new users, and you can always fine tune your preferences later, using the configure dialog.