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[abatis]

I know there are probably a few of you like myself that use a Linux box from time to time. Currently I am running Ubuntu Dapper with kernel 2.6.15-26-amd64-k8 (dual core). I really like Ubuntu so far. Anyway, USB syncing your Windows Mobile 5 device with Linux is not main stream yet but it is getting better. I followed the instructions at
SynCE.org titled "Building SynCE with Windows Mobile 2005 support from Subversion". You will need Subversion to get the packages.
Make sure you have your kernel headers before you start. Anyway - success with a Qtek8500. My Samsung i730 does not USB connect yet because usb-rndis does not yet work with Intel PXA27x-based devices do to their flaky USB client implementation. I will fiddle with Bluetooth connecting down the road.

After successfully getting Ubuntu communicating with the Qtek8500 I decided to add the ability to explore the phone using the Gnome Nautilus file manager (kind of like Windows Explorer). I followed the instructions to Install Gnome VFS Plugin. This was a little tougher to get installed. After running the bootstrap I kept getting an error running ./configure. The gnome-vps-2.0 and the modules-2.0 were not found. I used Synaptic to add vps related components. The key package to get everything working was libgnomevfs2-dev. I also added the text "synce: libsyncevfs" to /etc/gnome-vfs-2.0/modules/default-modules.conf. So here is how the WM5 phone directory looks in on Ubuntu Gnome Nautilus. The next task is syncing contacts, calander and tasks with Evolution.

[Victor Solis]

Very cool guide, thanks. If you just want to browse your device's card (either SD/CF/etc), Softick's Card Export 2 works with Ubuntu. The latest version does take it's sweet time to mount, but when it does, I can browse files as if it were a USB thumbdrive. It does cost money, but then you can use your device on Windows as well as Linux.

[GrYph0n]

*Off Linux Topic*
[thread jack]There is also a freeware called WM5Storage that will allow your phone to be recognized as removable storage as well. I haven't tested it yet though, but would be helpful for those sole windows users out there who may read this.[/thread jack]