[Ayatana] New Project Idea- Revamp to the Multisync (Opensync) gui

[ajmctaggart <ajmctaggart@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello all,

One of the major struggles I've had over the years as I've attempted to switch from Mac OS X to Ubuntu for daily computing was the lack of a good Sync Solution.  Now that I use Nokia phones relying on SyncML, and Opensync has been working diligently to support as many sync options as possible, I find the solution much, much better.

What has been bothering me lately, however, is the lack of a decent GUI to perform these tasks.  With the release of the Palm Pre, I think it is fair to say that the days of packaging Ubuntu's Desktop with Gnome-Pilot is getting a little old.  I suggest having a sync solution and gui that by default will support SyncML, and whatever else the community is willing to make inter-operable.  

Multisync-gui, is the current gui available for Opensync.  It isn't very good.  Not that it does not get the job done, because it will.  However, what has happened is for an end user that has a cool phone, and wants to sync it in evolution, or with Google Contacts, or Thunderbird, whatever...the interface stinks.  There is no way, for example, to remove one device from a sync group without removing that entire group, losing settings, etc.

This is somewhere that Linux as a desktop competitor is lacking.  I am not sure if you all are interested in revamping this gui, because although I have an idea of how it should look and function, I'm afraid I lack most of the skills necessary to make these changes alone.  I realize more and more is moving toward the cloud, however, Evolution is by default packaged for the distribution, it contains basic PIM apps, and we should have a way to connect the users pdas/smartphones to this default application.

I have spoken to David Siegel, and he suggested that I start a thread, and a Launchpad project, so I have.  I have tried contacting OpenSync's devs 3 times now, and have not gotten a response.  In a way, I understand, they are coding to make that backend stable, and really may not have much concern about a user that is interested in the gui.  I am, however, and would like to generate some community support to work on this project.

I urge all of you, if you the time, to install multisync-gui through Synaptic, and take a look at what the current gui a user must use to accomplish a sync.

I don't know how to upload mockups directly to the Launchpad project, perhaps I need a wiki or something.  I am very interested in helping coordinate a project like this and would love input from you all.

I have attached a *very rough mockup of what this gui *could look like.  Please keep in mind I am neither a programmer or designer, and this was my 3rd time using Gimp EVER...please be kind :)  The gradients, etc...were just for looks- any changes or ideas are welcome!

I look forward to your responses,
Anthony M.

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