Convert SK99 Calendar files to Outlook 2003 via Palm Devices

Before trying this, you might want to see the FAQ about using Lotus Organizer, which seems more straightforward.

To migrate from Sidekick 99 to Outlook 2003 and keep your calendar events (the procedure also works for the contacts, but these can be easily exported from Sidekick 99 as a tab delimited file while the calendar cannot):

Requirements:
Access to a Palm III or Palm V (Palm device with a serial connection, rather than USB)

Sidekick 99 installation CD with update (to 6.01)

Palm III/V installation software

ôNewerö Palm (e.g., Tungsten T2) and installation software

1) Uninstall Sidekick 99.

2) Install Palm III/V software so that the conduits for the serial cable are installed. Sidekick 99 doesnÆt seem to recognize a Palm device with a USB connection, hence the need for the Palm III/V.

3) Install Sidekick 99, which should detect that you have previously installed Palm software and ask you if you would like TrueSync to use the Palm conduit (yes!).

4) After installing Sidekick, load in your calendar and contacts file(s).

5) Connect the Palm cradle to your serial port and set the Palm III/V into the cradle. Turn it on.

6) Select the TrueSync button and follow the on screen instructions (basically, just push the sync button on the Palm cradle). This will transfer contact and the calendar to the Palm V.


7) On a different computer (might also work on the same computer), install the latest Palm Desktop software using the CD that came with the newer Palm device. Be sure to select the ôPalm Conduitsö (use the ôadvancedö installation option to select this if you are unsure).

8) Connect the USB cable for the cradle and connect the Palm to the cradle.

9) Synch the Palm III/V to the Palm Desktop software. This step lets the calendar migrate to newer programs. You might want to stop here and then export the calendar and/or contact to one of the export formats supported by Palm Desktop.

10) Use a newer Palm device (one that supports synching to Outlook; I used a Palm Tungsten T2) and synch the Palm Desktop to the newer Palm. This will put the calendar/contacts on the newer Palm. This is also a place where you might want to stop if you plan to use the Palm device rather than using Outlook.

11) Uninstall the Palm Desktop software.

12) Using the original installation CD for the Palm Desktop device, re-install the Palm Desktop device using the ôadvancedö option. This time, select ôOutlookö synch rather than Palm Desktop. You may need to reboot.

13) With the Palm in the cradle, press the synch button on the cradle. This will synch the Palm calendar to Outlook

The approach works. Some cautions:

a) You may need to mess around with the name used on the Palm devices and the Palm desktop software.

b) The calendar passes through correctly but there are a couple of glitches:

a. Multi-day events from Sidekick are brought into the Palm software as multiple single-day events.

b. Recurring scheduled items are not imported to the Palm