Backing Up Your PIM Data on the Device

There are a number of different applications out there that will backup your Windows Mobile device. Some do it over ActiveSync from your desktop while others actually run on the device and save the backup to a storage card. Most of these apps are pretty good and provide a great way to create a 100% image of your device. However, for me, I just want to backup my contacts and appointments – my PIM data. If I’m out roaming the world and my device has some major crash, having a copy of my contacts and appointments that I can restore to the device after a hard reset is imperative. I already keep a folder on my MicroSD card with all the CAB files for the applications I use. So I can reinstall them without much concern. The other advantage of backing up just the contacts and appointments is that they can easily be restored to a different device in the case where my device meets an early demise.

To do a complete backup of your all your PIM data on a device, I’ve been using a free application from “Dot Fred”. You can download a copy from his website – www.dotfred.net. It’s not that pretty an application, but when it comes to functionality, it’s top notch. If you’re looking at running this on a Smartphone, be prepared for a little more work as the interface is clearly designed for tapping on. It can still be used, but there’s a lot of scrolling and tabbing around at times.

PIM Backup doesn’t just backup your contacts and appointments, it also backs up the speed dial settings you’ve created along, call logs, messages, and there is even a custom option that allows you to select individual files or folders that you want to include in the backup. Once you’ve selected everything, you can select the destination for the backup along with creating a schedule for when you want it to run.

The only drawback that I have found in my use of this app, besides the poor interface for non-touch screen devices, is that it on restore it doesn’t create the mailboxes for the messages to go in. If you create the account first and then run restore, it will put them back into that inbox, but for whatever reason, it doesn’t create that account. I’m hoping that this is something that can be added in the future. For me, it’s the only thing missing on an otherwise great backup application. Regardless of that, you can’t go wrong for the price! Dot Fred has done a great job on this utility.

It’s Time To Call The Cops

I spend a fair amount of time on the road each day; I know it’s not as much as what some of you spend, but it’s still enough. A couple years back I narrowly escaped getting hit by some fool going way to fast in a heavy rain storm. He ended up taking out 3 other cars and finally came to a rest beside a telephone pole. I wasn’t involved in anyway, but I pulled over to help those that were. Thankfully nobody was injured in the accident. But now came the problem of what to do. We all knew we needed some police officer to come out and do their thing, but it’s wasn’t an emergency. In the end, I called my wife and asked her if she could do a Google search for the contact details of the local police department.

After that, I added the number for the police department to my contacts so it can be sync’ed with my device. In fact, I added the number for the police departments in all of the places where I normally drive. I realize it may not be someone that you’re going to call very often, but it sure is handy when you need it. Today for example, I stumbled upon what appeared to be a stolen car that was stripped down and left on the side of the road (this is a back street with nothing but farmers fields and dirt). It was really simple easy for me to call that in as I continued on my way to work. Just a suggestion, but I recommend you take a couple minutes and enter the non-emergency numbers for you local police department into your phone today. You never know.