Here is the theory behind this. Sometimes there are just a few addresses that you really want and you don't want to have to go through the trouble of using a third-party tool to connect to that database and extract that information. Not every database is worth syncing with. Sometimes you just want to select a few key addresses and insert them into the address book on your device. Replication or performing a Palm HotSync is not always a priority or even practical.

Also, in the case of the PageWriter 2000, there is no Palm-like HotSync software just yet. Whatever addresses you want on the device you either must enter in by hand (via the tiny keyboard), type in manually via the Partner software, or import into the Partner software via a specifically formatted CSV file. As you might guess, the last alternative is the easiest.

Analyzing the correct format for importing the information is as easy. Just export some information from Notes and look at how it has been formatted. Then you just model your generated file after that export file to easily import information into the Palm Desktop or PageWriter 2000 Partner software.

To save you some time, we've listed the formats for each of the two devices in Table A. While the formats shown have worked for this project, you might also want to try doing an export of your own to verify our findings, especially if you're using later versions of the device software.

Reviewing the possible solutions
There are basically two ways of exporting information out of Notes using nothing but your bare hands and programming skills. The first way, in fact, doesn't even require your programming skills. You can export information out of Notes via a view by selecting Export from the File menu and then following the instructions of the Export Wizard. The only problem is that the Wizard only allows you to export information in three generic formats: Structured Text, Tabular Text and as a Lotus 1-2-3 Worksheet. In order to import that information into the desktop software of the device of your choice, you still have to open that file in a spreadsheet and manually save it as a CSV file

The problem with this is that it created a few extra steps for the end-user. Those extra steps, while straightforward to experienced users, could cause a novice user to make a mistake somewhere along the line and be unable to import the addresses into the device. Simply put, there were two many points of possible failure.