converting or extracting sidekick card files?

[token1]

hi all, ok here's the issuue, i did a back for a customer who uses sidekick 99a. well at that time, windows was gone, and i could only back up the folders themselves, since i didn't backup the cardfiles and other info using sidekick is there any way for me to even import those files into the new installation on sidekick?
or if thats not possible to extract the info out of those files to let's say a access database or text file.

thx
=)

 

[james33]

Dear token1,
Just go File|Open and navigate to the disk/folder that you backed them up to, if you can see the files, open them, if you can't see them from that dialog, there is a possibility that you didn't back up all the relevant files.
To see what the components of all the Sidekick Cardfiles, calendar, expense and Write/Memo files are see:
faq807-2966
Q02/Q03
Q02 talks about Sidekick98 but is relevant to all versions:

Sidekick's Files
This document refers to a "Memo Write file" or "Calendar file" as a single file, but each of these is actually composed of several files. When you create new Calendar files or Memo Write files, Sidekick 98 creates and maintains these extra files automatically

Memo Write Files
A Memo Write file is made up of
*.SKWrite,
*.SKContent, and
*.SKNoteHeader.
The asterisk represents the name you give the file when you save it from the Memos view. A fourth file with the extension .SKTmpContent is a temporary file that exists only as long as that Memo Write file is open. Back Up and Restore does not back it up. Memo Write files are listed without an extension in Sidekick 98, so they appear as one file.
If you have an AUTOMATED BACKUP routine then it is a good idea to backup this Temp File at the same time too but save the entire set of Write files in their own folder including this one as it is easier to identify them.

Calendar Files

Your "Calendar file" is actually up to nine files in the XXXX????.SKW format, where XXXX stands for your name or initials (which can actually be shorter eg XX if you saved it with only 2 initials).
When saving, opening, backing up, or restoring calendar files, Sidekick 98 lists XXXX as the name of the calendar.
The ???? part of the file name stands for the type of calendar file, as listed here:
· XXXXEVEN.SKW Appointments
· XXXXCALL.SKW Calls
· XXXXTASK.SKW To Dos
· XXXXMAST.SKW Goals
· XXXXRECR.SKW Recurring Activities
· XXXXINIT.SKW Calendar Settings (includes print settings)
· XXXXCSCA.SKW Personal list definitions
· XXXXDATA.SKW Special days and multi-day events
· XXXXALAR.SKW Alarms

Cardfiles

Unlike calendars and Write documents, cardfiles are single files. A cardfile is saved with the name you give it and the extension .SKCard. Cardfiles are listed without their extensions in Back Up and Restore.
Bear in mind that when backing up cardfile information, template settings will not be backed up.The files containing Address book, Envelope, and Label template information must be manually backed up if you want to be able to use these in the future.
These files are:
1. Address Book Templates: skwph2.skw
2. Envelope Templates: skwnv2.skw
3. Label Templates: skwlb2.skw
These files are stored (by default) in the C:\Program files\Starfish\Sidekick 98\data\ directory.

The Label contents are actually part of the Cardfile and are saved with the Cardfile so they can be backed up by copying and then deleting all the cards and saving the blank cardfiles in a backup folder as Cardblank1 , 2 etc (wow what original names!).
In the event of corruption in the original cardfile they can be opened and all the cards dragged into them and then Save As under the original cardfile name..

Report files

Like cardfiles, Report files are single files. A report is saved with the name you give it and the extension .RPT.  
(Report Templates are saved under the extension .TPT)

Resource Files

There are three types of resource files, all of which are located in the Resource folder:
*.skr Master list of all resources available to you
*.skd Detailed information for those resources you manage
*.dat Information on resources that have been recently transferred

Expense Files

Expense files are listed under [Others] They have the extension .SKExpense.
Back Up and Restore Files
When Back Up and Restore copies files, it creates and places a .LOG file alongside the copied files. This file allows Back Up and Restore to keep track of the files that have been backed up or restored. Back Up and Restore creates and accesses this file automatically, so you don't need to worry about copying or updating it.


Regards Jim
Check the FAQ area of this Forum for answers (If there are any FAQs!) , it could save you a lot of time and effort and means that links are more likely to be current. Please 'Comment' on them if they are not!

 

[token1]

ok thx, but it seems that maybe i dind't back up the all that was, needed know i opened up some of the files with notepad and i can see that they have the data. so is there any way for me to convert these to excel or access databases and /or a text file

 

[james33]

Dear token1,
I would suggest that a hex editor could be the best approach and a lot of find and replace, sorry I haven't any better news, maybe someone else here has an idea??

Regards Jim
Check the FAQ area of this Forum for answers (If there are any FAQs!) , it could save you a lot of time and effort and means that links are more likely to be current. Please 'Comment' on them if they are not!

 

[sjordi]

Does anyone have the native file format description somewhere???