iOutNotes

Native Notes Sychronization

2009-06-26T10:14:00.015+08:00

The iPhone 3.0 firmware can now do Notes Sychronization natively that you can sync all the notes you write on your iPhone back to your Mac or PC.

http://www.apple.com/iphone/softwareupdate/

It is hopefully that the slight steer of the product roadmap is a truthful response to the community and is only a beginning to offer the whole set of essential features.

As a result of the release, iOutNotes is no longer developed since the satisfactorily accomplishment of her mission.

Again, thanks for your appreciation.

Introduction

2009-04-15T18:18:00.005+08:00

iOutNotes is an Open Source Software designed to fill the missing piece in the data synchronization between Apple iPhone and Microsoft Outlook where purely through the USB connection. Prior to iPhone firmware 3.0, Apple iTunes supports only the synchronization of Calendar events and Contacts between iPhone and Microsoft Outlook; hence there is no native support for synchronizing Notes before.

There are certainly other solutions available for synchronizing data over the air with sites in the Internet. Unless there is a need of online personal notes access, it is obvious that synchronizing data over USB has more advantages to end-users than other means. While both ends of the communication (i.e. iPhone and PC) are situated in front of the user, the most efficient method is undoubtly to connect them together directly. The introduction of unrelated party mandatory governing the data exchange is unnecessary and questionably, which consequently inducing the risk of accidental information disclosure especially when the Internet is the pathway, and not even mention about the trustworthiness and the truthfulness of the party in doubt.

By considering the total cost, direct USB synchronization can reduce the time cost, the data carrier airtime cost, the third party subscription and storage cost, and the iPhone maintenance cost - a result of the lengthen mean time between battery charging.

Owing to the lacking of the freedom, iOutNotes becomes a zero cost response to the shared needs of common iPhone users.

iOutNotes is coded in VBScript (A text file containing the batch instructions for the computer to work on) interpreted by the built-in Microsoft Windows Script Host interpreter, which is in human readable format reducing the threat of virus or Trojan (See the decision). According to Microsoft, Windows Script Host may be used for a variety of purposes, including logon scripts, administration and general automation.

The operation of iOutNotes requires two prerequisite third parties Windows applications, the SQLite ODBC Driver and the iPhone Utility Client. The SQLite ODBC Driver enables programmatic access to the format the iPhone notes database is constructed. The iPHone Utility Client (iPHUC) is the second generation of iPhoneInterface which allows convenient command line access to the iphone from a desktop computer. Other than jailbreak, there is no extra application required on iPhone.

During the execution time, notes are retrieved from both iPhone and Outlook and are compared with each other one by one. Once an iPhone note matches with an Outlook note, the one with the latest modification time stamp is retained and replicated to the other end.

In short, the synchronization logics are summarized as follows:-

1. New note on Outlook          --> Copy onto iPhone database
2. New note on iPhone           --> Copy onto Outlook
3. Modified note on Outlook   --> Update the corresponding note on iPhone database
4. Modified note on iPhone    --> Update the corresponding note on Outlook
5. Deleted note on Outlook     --> Delete the corresponding note on iPhone database
6. Deleted note on iPhone      --> Restore the corresponding note from outlook to iPhone database
7. If Outlook has no note         --> Ask whether restore all notes from iPhone to Outlook or purge the iPhone database
8. If iPhone has no note          --> Copy all notes from Outlook to iPhone database
9. If both sides have no note --> Do nothing

There are 2 users' most concerned default limits, the maximum note size (2088 characters long) and the maximum number of notes allowed (32767 notes), that are modificable for fitting individual user's needs. All the users tunable parameters are listed as follows:-

DEBUG_FLAG = 0               - 1 = Debug mode
MAXNOTES = 32767           - The maximum number of notes
MAXNOTESIZE = 2088        - The maximum size (Characters) of each note
BACKUPLEVEL = 5             - The number of backup file versions to be kept
IPHONE_TIMEOUT = 30      - The time (Seconds) to wait for iPhone to be connected to PC

導言

2009-04-15T17:55:00.002+08:00

iOutNotes是一個開放源碼軟件, 設計用作填補蘋果iPhone和微軟Outlook之間通過USB連接同步的缺欠。由於在iPhone固件3.0之先, 蘋果iTunes僅能支持iPhone和微軟Outlook之間的日曆事件和通訊錄的同步, 沒有直接支持筆記同步。

在坊間也有一些其他疑似同步的方案, 都是利用互聯網將iPhone與網站數據庫連結同步。除非有需要在線上存取個人筆記，對於終端用戶而言，使用USB同步會比其它方法有更多明顯的好處。只因兩個同步對象(即iPhone和個人電腦)是近在用戶的咫尺間，最有效率的方法無疑是直接地將它們連接同步。引入與用戶無關的服務公司是什麼的一個鑽錢的方案?! 使用互聯網作數據交換和儲存的直接風險, 就是有意外洩漏資料的可能, 再者服務公司的可信賴性亦是用戶需要擔心的未知風險。

就用戶的總使用成本而言，直接USB同步可以減少時間成本、數據傳輸費用、第三方服務和儲存收費，以及因着充電次數減低而減少的iPhone維修費用。

由於缺乏了同步的自由，iOutNotes回應了一般iPhone用戶共有的零成本同步筆記需求。

iOutNotes是以微軟視窗的VBScript編寫(文字檔案包含着個人電腦的工作指示)，以人類可解讀的格式儲存去減少病毒或特洛伊木馬的憂慮。根據微軟所言，Windows Script Host可作為多用途的個人電腦工作指示檔使用，包括登入程序、管理程序和一般自動化程序。

iOutNotes的操作必須配合另外两個第三方視窗軟件、就是SQLite ODBC Driver and the iPhone Utility Client。SQLite ODBC Driver使iOutNotes能直接存取iPhone的筆記數據庫。iPHone Utility Client (iPHUC) 是iPhoneInterface的第二代, 允許iOutNotes能從個人電腦直接對iphone下工作指示。除Jailbreak以外，沒有其他軟件需要安裝在iPhone上。

在執行期間，iOutNotes會從iPhone和Outlook取出筆記並作出配對。如iPhone的一則筆記與Outlook的另一則筆記配對成功，那麼最後修改的一則會被保留並複製到另一方。

簡而言之，同步的邏輯被總結如下:-

1. 新的Outlook筆記        --> 會被複製到iPhone數據庫
2. 新的iPhone筆記         --> 會被複製到Outlook
3. 修改過的Outlook筆記 --> 會被更新到對應的iPhone筆記
4. 修改過的iPhone筆記 --> 會被更新到對應的Outlook筆記
5. 刪除了的Outlook筆記 --> 會刪除對應的iPhone筆記
6. 刪除了的iPhone筆記 --> 會從Outlook恢復到iPhone數據庫
7. 如果Outlook沒有筆記 --> 會詢問是否從iPhone恢復所有筆記到Outlook或完全清除iPhone數據庫
8. 如果iPhone沒有筆記 --> 會從Outlook複製所有筆記到iPhone數據庫
9. 如果雙方都沒有筆記   --> 那就什麼也不做了

程式中有两個用戶比較關心的限制參數、其為最大筆記大小(最長為2088個字符) 和最大容許的筆記數量(32767則筆記)，用戶可因着個人需要作出改動。以下列出所有用戶可自行改動的參數:-

DEBUG_FLAG = 0               - 1 = 開啟偵錯模式
MAXNOTES = 32767           - 最大容許的筆記數量
MAXNOTESIZE = 2088        - 最大筆記大小(最長可以有多少字符)
BACKUPLEVEL = 5             - 被保留的備份版本數量
IPHONE_TIMEOUT = 30      - 等待iPhone被連接到個人電腦的時間(秒)

Is Jailbreak a must?

2009-04-15T17:39:00.001+08:00

Yes, Jailbreak is still necessary because Apple barred the access to the data area by default.

For details about Jailbreak, please visit: http://www.iclarified.com/entries/index.php?caid=2&scid=11&seid=2

Nevertheless, I do *NOT* mean to suggest, encourage, influence, convince or attract you to jailbreak your iPhone.

System Compatibility

2009-04-15T17:30:00.002+08:00

Latest Version is 1.0f Build 20090515
(See "What's New?" for details)

Users Tested Configurations
Operating Systems:
Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista/2008

Outlook Versions:
Microsoft Outlook 2000/XP/2003/2007

Apple iPhone Versions:
iPhone 2G/3G with firmware 2.0/2.0.1/2.0.2/2.1/2.2/2.2.1 (Jailbreak)

SQLITE ODBC Driver Versions:
0.78 or Later

How to Setup?

2009-02-07T22:43:00.025+08:00

Before running the script, you have to first download the following 3 x FREE packages:

   1. SQLite ODBC driver
       http://www.ch-werner.de/sqliteodbc/

   2. iPhuc Utility
       http://code.google.com/p/iphone-elite/downloads/detail?name=iPhuc%20Windows.rar&can=2&q=

   3. iOutNotes
       http://code.google.com/p/ioutnotes/downloads/list

onto your M$ Outlook-installed Windows machine.

Then perform the following 5 steps to let the solution works for you.

   1. Install SQLite ODBC driver

   2. Extract iOutNotes in a temporary directory (e.g. C:\Program Files\iOutNotes) on your PC

   3. Extract all files in the directory iPhuc Windows of the iPhuc archive in the same directory of iOutNotes

   4. Connect your iPhone to your PC

   5. Execute the batch file iOutNotes.bat or the script iOutNotes.vbs

If Outlook asks you for access permission, just tick the box to Allow access for 1 Minute and press OK



As always, BACKUP is one of the critical things to do when making changes. The script will automatic keep the five latest versions of the notes.db and the LOG file.

The additional iOutNotesDaemon script is written to be run in the background and automatic launch iOutNotes after each iTunes Sync.

   1. Execute the iOutNotesDaemon.bat or iOutNotesDaemon.vbs to start up the background service

   2. Execute the iOutNotesDaemon.bat or iOutNotesDaemon.vbs again to terminate the background service

Note: This procedure only holds for version 1.0b or later
              For earlier version, please refer to "How to do it Manually?"

You may want to refer to the tutorial of "How to Create a Shortcut on the Windows Desktop"

Please email to me if you need help.

如何安裝使用?

2009-02-07T22:39:00.017+08:00

首先，您必須下載以下三個免費軟件到您的Windows機器上:

   1. SQLite ODBC driver
       http://www.ch-werner.de/sqliteodbc/

   2. iPhuc Utility
       http://code.google.com/p/iphone-elite/downloads/detail?name=iPhuc%20Windows.rar&can=2&q=

   3. iOutNotes
       http://code.google.com/p/ioutnotes/downloads/list

然後執行以下五個步驟:

   1. 安裝 SQLite ODBC Driver

   2. 解壓 iOutNotes 到一個臨時目錄裡 (例如: C:\Program Files\iOutNotes)

   3. 解壓 iPhuc 包裹裏的檔案到 iOutNotes 的同一個臨時目錄裡, 不要保留目錄 iPhuc Windows

   4. 連接您的 iPhone 到您的個人電腦

   5. 執行程式 iOutNotes.bat 或 iOutNotes.vbs

   如果 Outlook 要求您訪問權限，請允許1分鐘的權限即可

iOutNotes 會自動將最新的五個版本的 notes.db 和記錄檔保留。

附載的程式 iOutNotesDaemon 會運行在背景中, 並自動地在每一次 iTunes Sync 完成以後執行程式 iOutNotes。

   1. 執行程式 iOutNotesDaemon.bat 或 iOutNotesDaemon.vbs 以啟動背景服務

   2. 再一次執行程式 iOutNotesDaemon.bat 或 iOutNotesDaemon.vbs 以終止背景服務

註：這個做法只適合 v1.0b 或以後的版本。對於初期版本，請參見 "How to do it manually?"

如果您需要幫助，請發電子郵件給我。

どのようにインストールして使いますか？

2009-02-07T22:15:00.009+08:00

まず、あなたは必ず以下の3つのフリーソフトをダウンロードしてあなたのWindows機械の上に着かなければなりません:

   1. SQLite ODBC driver
       http://www.ch-werner.de/sqliteodbc/

   2. iPhuc Utility
       http://code.google.com/p/iphone-elite/downloads/detail?name=iPhuc%20Windows.rar&can=2&q=

   3. iOutNotes
       http://code.google.com/p/ioutnotes/downloads/list

それから以下の5つの措置を実行します:

   1. インストール SQLite ODBC Driver

   2. 解凍します iOutNotes １つの臨時のディレクトリの中に着きます (例えば: C:\Program Files\iOutNotes)

   3. 解凍します iPhuc 小包の中の書類は着きます iOutNotes の同一の臨時のディレクトリの中で、ディレクトリを保留しないでください iPhuc Windows

   4. あなたのにつながります iPhone あなたのパソコンに着きます

   5. ファイルを実行します iOutNotes.bat あるいは iOutNotes.vbs

   もし…ならば Outlook あなたに権限を訪問するように求めて、1分の権限を許してすぐ下さい

iOutNotes できるのは自ら最新だ notes.db とランクを記録する5つのバージョンは保留します。

付けます：この方法はただ適するだけ v1.0b あるいは後のバージョン。初期バージョンについて、 "How to do it manually?"

はあなたはもし助けなければならないならば、電子メールを出して私にあげることを下さい。

What's New?

2009-02-07T21:00:00.022+08:00

Download Link

Changelogs:
v1.0f: (Full-Sync + Automation + 64-Bit OS Support + Background daemon + FW2.2.1 Support)
Attempt to change data source to cope with iPhone 2.2.1 firmware
Fixed minor bug on script execution outside of the containing directory
Added the trimming of unrecognized tags

v1.0e: (Full-Sync + Automation + 64-Bit OS Support + Background daemon)
Fixed error reporting in iOutNotes.vbs
Modified iOutNotesDaemon.vbs to be run without command batch

v1.0d: (Full-Sync + Automation + 64-Bit OS Support + Background daemon)
Added background daemon script to sync notes after each iTunes Sync

v1.0c: (Full-Sync + Automation + 64-Bit OS Support)
Added 64-Bit OS Support

v1.0b: (Full-Sync + Automation)
First Full-Sync + Automation Version
Added Upload/Download via iPhuc Utility
Added LOG file backup and rotation
Added notes.db backup file rotation

v1.0a: (Full-Sync Only)
First Full-Sync Version
Added Notes sorting by Title in database **Not useful because iPhone displays latest notes first
Added control flags to accelerate the overall process
Added long Note (>2088 characters) truncation to accommodate iPhone's record limit
Added prompting for all Notes restoration from iPhone when Outlook has *NO* note
Reduced temporary table's usage to reduce resources consumption

v0.97e: (Half-Sync Only)
Fixed fonts difference
Added explicit Unicode detection
Modified to closely follow the iPhone presentation format
Modified to handle Cyrillic fonts
Modified to use FS.Stream for logging

v0.96: (Half-Sync Only)
Added log file output for tracing
Added batch file for novice users
Tested with more cases

v0.95: (Half-Sync Only)
Modified record duplication check to include the Outlook EntryID
Added iPhone notes record deletion if the note is removed from Outlook
One-way sync is accomplished

v0.9: (Half-Sync Only)
Moved most main program steps to subroutine for easy porting
Added record duplication check by the title text and the last modification time

v0.8: (Half-Sync Only)
Corrected the sorting SQL statement

v0.7: (Half-Sync Only)
Corrected the date function

v0.6: (Half-Sync Only)
Added notes.db file backup
Added drop temporary tables before create
Added Simple Error Handler

v0.5: (Half-Sync Only)
Added progress notification
Added sorting through Index ID to ensure unique note_id
Added verbose output

Special Thanks to:
Andrey
Raymond Yiu
Jesper Rasmussen

One-Click Sync Automation

2009-02-05T15:16:00.005+08:00

BREAKING NEWS!!!

I am happy to tell you that I have worked out a way to automate the process of:

1. Retrieve the iPhone notes database note.db to PC
2. Synchronize the database with MS Outlook notes
3. Transfer the synchronized database note.db to iPhone

Therefore, the whole process can eventually be completed in one single click (excluding the "Allow access" click of Outlook).

See Installation Procedure

Full Sync Version (Alpha)

2009-02-03T21:01:00.005+08:00

I just managed to complete the first Full Sync Version during the Chinese New Year vacation. Sorry for the long delay!

This version can sync Outlook notes with iPhone notes database, except for the operation of note deletion that would only cater from the Outlook side. In other words, a note being deleted on Outlook will eventually be deleted on both side on next sync, but note being deleted on iPhone will be restored from Outlook for the sake of data protection.

Here are the scenarios: [Based on Record Modification Time]
1. New note on Outlook -> Copy onto iPhone database
2. New note on iPhone -> Copy onto Outlook
3. Modified note on Outlook -> Update the corresponding note on iPhone database
4. Modified note on iPhone -> Update the corresponding note on Outlook
5. Deleted note on Outlook -> Delete the corresponding note on iPhone database
6. Deleted note on iPhone -> Restore the corresponding note from outlook to iPhone database
7. If Outlook has no note -> Ask whether restore all notes from iPhone to Outlook or purge the iPhone database
8. If iPhone has no note -> Copy all notes from Outlook to iPhone database

Download Link

Nevertheless, please be minded that this is an Alpha version and is not intended for production use.

Major Changes:
Added Notes sorting by Title in database **Not useful because iPhone displays latest notes first
Added control flags to accelerate the overall process
Added long Note (>2088 characters) truncation to accommodate iPhone's record limit
Added prompting for all Notes restoration from iPhone when Outlook has *NO* note
Reduced temporary table's usage to reduce resources consumption

Sorry to mislead you

2008-10-03T15:50:00.004+08:00

Having extensive search on the net, I just figured out that the AFC2 support has to be explicitly enabled on iPhone before you can browse the directory "Raw File System" on iFunbox. There is no other way at the moment to turn it on except jailbreak your iPhone.

I am very Sorry!

Here is the quote from the net:

"The com.apple.afc service runs on the iPhone and is what iTunes uses to sync media to the iPhone.

This service is restricted to providing file system access to the Media folder. The service is "in jail".

The original meaning of jailbreak was to modify the service so that full file system access was possible. Later it was realized that a second service, com.apple.afc2, could be created to give full file system access to third party tools, while leaving com.apple.afc for iTunes to use.

iPhoneBrowser, other manzana-based programs, iBrickr, iFuntastic and iNdependance use the afc2 service to access the file system and allow the transfer of files such as Summerboard themes, NES ROMs or eBooks to the iPhone. "

However, if you can manage to see the /var/mobile/Library folder but not the file notes.db, please do expicitly create a note on your iPhone before giving up too early, because feedbacks from some of the users that they would be able to see the folder and the file only after they create one.

How to do it MANUALLY?

2008-10-01T02:41:00.013+08:00

*** The following *OLD* manual procedure is valid for all versions of iOutNotes ***

Before running the script, you have to first download and install the following 3 x FREE packages:

   1. SQLite ODBC driver
      http://www.ch-werner.de/sqliteodbc/

   2. iPhone file browser
      http://i-funbox.com/

   3. iOutNotes
      http://code.google.com/p/ioutnotes/downloads/list

onto your Windows machine. The Windows machine is certainly the one running your M$ Outlook because the script talks to Outlook directly instead of reading the PST file.

Then perform the following 6 steps to let the solution works for you.

   1. Install SQLite ODBC driver

   2. Install ifunbox

   3. Extract iOutNotes in a temporary directory (e.g. C:\Program Files\iOutNotes) on your PC

   4. Use ifunbox to "Copy To PC" the notes.db file from the folder

            /private/var/mobile/Library/Notes/

         of your iPhone into your Windows' folder where iOutNotes.vbs is located

   5. Run (aka Double click) the batch file iOutNotes.bat or the script iOutNotes.vbs

         If Outlook asks you for access permission, just tick the box to Allow access for 1 Minute and press OK



   6. Use ifunbox to "Copy From PC" the new notes.db file to your iPhone which in turn overwrites the original

** IMPORTANT **

The new notes.db file has to be "Copy From PC" and overwrites the old file, because it will save you time in changing the access permission of the file. Otherwise, you may have to change the file permission to 0775 by using the MobileTerminal or SSH.

"Overwrite" means the old notes.db file must be present when you do "Copy From PC" using ifunbox.

As always, BACKUP is one of the critical things to do when making changes.

  This is a sample output screen.

Please email to me if you need help.

The location of iPhone notes Database

2008-09-30T18:57:00.013+08:00

Click on the picture to enlarge view

Note: The iPhone folder /private/var/mobile/Library/Notes/ containing the notes database will not be accessible until the AFC2 service is started. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to accomplish it without jailbreak your iPhone.

Background

2008-09-29T15:36:00.024+08:00

Since I switched to use iPhone replacing Palm T3 as my PDA, I found it very uncomfortable to work without my long time companion - notes. Having weeks after weeks searched on the net for a good man's program that can simple convert the notes stored in M$ Outlook (Synced from Palm) to iPhone notes.db format, I felt upset to get zero suitable hit to overcome the disability. So, I finally decided to roll up my sleeves to write this simple script myself and blend the solution anyone can use at no cost.

Moreover, I targeted to craft a solution that can fulfill two major general users' requirements, the ability to support Unicode Chinese text and work seamlessly on *NON* jailbroken iPhone.

Regardless of the fact that I was more familiar in C and Bourne shell script, the solution crafting process was not smooth as I originally thought after several times bumping into the "special features" of M$ Office.

Listed below were the attempts I have ever tried:

   1. Outlook -> Excel Macro -> notes.db
        Dropped because long text is truncated by Outlook when doing Excel export.

   2. Outlook -> Access Macro -> notes.db
        Dropped because Outlook does not export all the essential fields.

   3. Outlook -> Java -> notes.db
        Half completed (i.e. only successful retrieve all the notes data from Outlook), because it is considered
           difficult for casual users to manage the JACOB JAVA-COM Bridge
           http://sourceforge.net/projects/jacob-project/

   4. Outlook -> Windows Script -> notes.db
        Completed and Released

>>> Feb 2009 Updates: The latest version supporting Full Sync + Automation + 64-Bit OS has been released.

Guestbook

2008-02-13T11:56:00.019+08:00

Please feel free to leave your comment relating to iOutnotes such as Suggestion, Appreciation, Enhancement, Concern, Issue, and etc. Many Thanks!

請留下您對iOutnotes相關的評論例如建議、欣賞、改進、關心、問題、等等。非常感謝!

あなたを残してiOutnotesの関連している評論に対して例えば、称賛、進歩、関心、問題、などを提案していることを下さい。どうもありがとうございます!

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