On 27/11/11 18:13, Tim wrote:
> On Sun, 2011-11-27 at 11:26 -0500, Bob Goodwin wrote:
>> Yes, I now understand what they are. I suspect that Apple has
>> sold her on a software system that doesn't fit her needs. If I
>> understand what she is telling me her data is stored in a
>> "cloud" server somewhere while she wants local copies stored on
>> several devices, desktop, portable, iPad, and what look like
>> some iPods to me, maybe they are telephones, I'm not sure? But
>> it seems that what she needs should be possible to do.
>>
>> They need to be able to access their account data without
>> finding an internet connection.
> Well, if they use several devices, then they will need some form of
> central database, otherwise how would you deal with updates to a record
> on one device being propagated through to the rest (such as a client
> giving you their new phone number, and you typing it into your pad).
They would periodically sync devices to the primary desk top
computer which is always connected.
> But, it sounds like what they also need are offline clients, that cache
> the results (all the too-many-megabytes of them), then feed back updates
> when they get the chance. And, if you're right, they probably need
> something running on a local server, rather than the internet. Though
> "the cloud" is becoming the latest Emperor's New Clothes.
>
> Yes, you'll pay for the new toy. Pay to lease the software, and pay for
> each and every access to it, through your mobile phone...
I haven't heard mention of data transfer via the mobile
phone system but it is killing me on my limited ISP
bandwidth. About ten gigs in the last few days, perhaps a
week, and I only have 17 per month! We are in a rural area
and satellite is the best we can do here. Normally there has
been sufficient bandwidth over the last five years or so.
> It's rather staggering the amount of money that well get splurged on
> techno-updating the secretary's rolodex. I'm sure that, soon enough,
> even very small businesses will be spending more on admin than actual
> workers.
>
>> I have since spent some time examining the files and they appear
>> to be vcards interspersed among huge fields of meaningless data
>> which at first looked like image files but I have since come to
>> think it may be some sort of encryption?
> Very likely that they're just pictures, and are something like base64
> encoding (the same technique as used to send 8-bit binary files through
> 7-bit email services).
>
> Chances are that it's not data that you even need (on all devices), and
> you'd be filling them up with a lot of wasted data. If it's client
> contact details on an ipad, so you can email the right person with a
> quote, you probably only need the textual stuff.
>
Yes it may well be images that aren't essential but as she
points out thumbnails are helpful in locating entries as she
scans a list. I have no idea how much space those thumbnails
might require but right now Apple is sorting out her problems.
It's proprietary software and I suspect that only they can deal
with it.
We appreciate your thoughts about this.
Thanks,
Bob
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