======================================================================
INTRODUCTION
======================================================================
The SyncBuilder framework allows you to develop Java-applications that 
can connect with Palm devices. It works independently from Palm 
Computing's HotSync(tm) technology and is not bound to a specific 
platform (some functionality currently requires native support code that
is only available for Unix and Win32).

Its functionality includes the ability to read and write records 
from/to the Palm device, and to query information on the Palm device. 
It also offers special support for the built-in applications (Calendar,
To-Do, Address book, Mail, Expenses, MemoPad).
Finally, it can read and write PDB and PRC-files. It supports both the 
normal synchronization through a serial cable as well as the Network 
HotSync technology. Direct synchronization through a modem has not 
been tested and is not expected to work. You can use a modem with the
Network HotSync technology, of course.

The SyncBuilder framework is a derivative work of the original Java 
binding that comes with pilot-link 0.9.0 by Kenneth Albanowski.
The current goal is to modify the object design so as to make it 
easier to understand and easier to use. There is also an ongoing 
effort to decouple the framework from the underlying pilot-link 
software in order to give it more platform independence.

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RECOMMENDED READING - WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
======================================================================
Read the installation instructions on the web-site. This will help you 
to properly install the framework and get up and running quickly (a 
local copy of the web-site is in the docs/website-directory).

Study the sample code in the samplecode-directory. There is a README
file in the samplecode directory that explains the purpose of all
sample files to you.

There is a preliminary user guide in docs/user/book1.html. 

You might also wish to read tutorials from external sources about 
the way Palm OS organizes data, and what considerations you have to
make when you develop synchronization software. Palm Computing's
website (www.palm.com/devzone) contains a wealth of these documents.

Read COPYING for a copy of the GNU General Public License version 2.
Read COPYING.LIB for a copy of the GNU Library General Public License
version 2.
Read TODO in order to see a list of long-term goals.
Read FIXME in order to see which bugs and short-term goals exist.


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RECOMMENDED TOOLS
======================================================================
jikes (by IBM, available at <http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/formula>) 
is a blindingly fast Java compiler that will be auto-detected by my 
configuration scripts. It is HIGHLY recommended!

jdeps (by Steven Robbins, available at
<http://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~stever/software/JavaDeps/>) is required for 
dependancy generation. This is only needed if you wish to make changes 
to the software.

Together/J Whiteboard Edition (by Object International, available at
http://www.oi.com) has done a good job of visualizing the class-
hierarchy on my Linux box and my Windows NT box.


======================================================================
LEGAL DETAILS
======================================================================
The original binding is copyrighted (C) 1997,1998 by Kenneth Albanowski.

The SyncBuilder framework is 
Copyrighted (C) 1998, 1999 by Tilo Christ
Portions copyrighted (C) 1997,1998 by Kenneth Albanowski.
Portions copyrighted (C) 1998 by Robert Crawford.
Portions copyrighted (C) 1987-1997 by FSF, Inc.
Portions copyrighted (C) 1998 by Aaron M. Renn.
All Rights Reserved.

The following disclaimer is in effect for all executable programs
in this package:

    This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
    the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
    (at your option) any later version.

    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
    GNU General Public License for more details.

    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
    along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
    Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.

The following disclaimer is in effect for all libraries in this package. 
These are all the files which explicitly state that they are under the 
GNU Library Public License:

    This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
    modify it under the terms of the GNU Library General Public
    License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
    version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

    This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
    Library General Public License for more details.

    You should have received a copy of the GNU Library General Public
    License along with this library; if not, write to the Free
    Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  
    USA




