.Mac like service
Christoph Witzany
mail at doublemalt.net
Wed Apr 30 13:47:09 CEST 2008
Alexey Feldgendler schrieb:
> On Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:54:08 +0200, Shawn Rutledge
> <shawn.t.rutledge at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>> my list starts with:
>>> *backing up phone settings, including list of installed packages (in
>>> case i need to re-install everything)
>>> *backing up e-mails/text messages
>>> *storing gps coords in case the phone's stolen/lost
>>> *backup/storage of any other arbitrary files
>
>> You would want it to be a commercial service like .mac, with a
>> subscription fee and guaranteed reliable service, and use GPRS to
>> access it? Or you would want to just do that stuff with your own PC?
>
> The difference between an open technology and a closed one is that
> while Apple is the only one who runs a .Mac server, anyone can run a
> server in an open technology. Someone can install software based on
> open standards and run a server, and even charge for its use if they
> like. Don't like paying for it? Set up your own!
>
> I believe that an open standards based server solution for assisting
> mobile phone features should be created. The most important thing here
> is that the data formats and protocols are open, so that anyone can
> implement a client or a server. There are several proprietary services
> with their closed data formats out there, but no really open one, as
> far as I know. Developing a consistent and comprehensive specification
> is an immensely important step.
>
> I would define the scope of the technology as “sycnhronization, backup
> and remote control for mobile devices”. Here is a very vague, draft
> list of requirements:
>
> * Allow backup and incremental synchronization of typical data items
> stored on mobile devices:
> * SMS/IM histories
> * last dialled/received calls
> * contact lists
> * browser bookmarks, histories and cookies
> * calendar events
> * various account information (GPRS, HTTP proxy, email, IM)
> * stored certificates
> * global preferences like language, time zone, visual theme
> * software-specific settings
> * user documents
> * information about installed downloadable addons
> * As much as possible should be synchronizable across devices and
> software platforms.
> * Leverage existing open standards wherever possible, e.g. use vCard
> for contact information.
> * Provide automatic conflict resolution.
> * Be bandwidth-efficient.
> * Survive long periods without connectivity and synchronize reasonably
> afterwards.
> * Don't insist on complete synchronization before parts of data become
> usable.
> * Be secure so that even passwords and certificates can be trusted to it.
> * Do not require server-initiated activity because it's often
> impossible, i.e. rely on pull only.
> * Allow for interchangeable transport layers to make use of various
> connectivity options available on devices:
> * HTTP
> * various serial port-like connections like IR and BT
> * maybe offline synchronization via memory card
> * Allow automatic offloading of data that's typically moved from
> device to PC:
> * pictures, video and audio recordings
> * various logs
> * Probably allow sharing or publishing parts of user's data.
> * Provide remote control and reporting infrastructure that allows:
> * upgrades of device software
> * activation of special modes on lost/stolen devices and obtaining
> information from them
> * Transparent expansion of device's storage, e.g. the user can
> continue taking pictures without thinking about where they go, and the
> older ones are pushed off to the server.
>
>
This is an excellent starting point. I also like very much the ambition
to reach out beyond Openmoko (even if it is the natural platform to
start such a projec).
I would very much like to participate at such a project (or even kick it
off ftm), as my the plans for my PhD work include creating a service
that would fulfill an important part of this: The transparent storage of
data in the [Web|Cloud|Grid|<newest_buzzword_for_distributed_networks>].
Who's in?
regards
Christoph
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