Specify path of the address book on Mac

Hello,

Thanks for the information. Let me clarify, and I'm sorry for any confusion, because I'm not that familiar with Macs.

In order to sync my address books over the two macs in my office, I have to copy the address book folder to my desktop. I'm doing this to avoid any confusion between the different user accounts on the computers. And, I am using Windows live sync, to do the syncing. (Besides mobile me, do you know of any other application that can sync contacts between Macs, that might be easier?)

Once the address book is copied to my desktop, I don't know how to read the address book file. Normally, I can click on Address book, and I am able to see my contacts. (I assume I am viewing the contacts located in the address book application folder in user/library/application support/address book.)

Is there any way to have the address book follow a different path, so that when I click on address book, I am reading the contacts in the address book folder on my desktop.

I hope I am explaining myself well enough. If you're able to help me further with this, that would be great.

Thanks,

Sal

that you can set the path that the Address book app looks on to something other than the one already set. I don't recall seeing anything in the preferences that would do this.
Is the sync that you are currently doing, actually a sync and not just an exchange of one db for another?
You may be able to find a piece of software that will synchronize two folders, seem to recall seeing something like that.

Have you considered MobileMe as an alternative? You only need one account.

P

Hi,

Thanks again for all your help.

The person at Windows live tech support said, and rather simply, to just specify the path of the address book to be opened or accessed. Here's the full explanation from tech support; maybe you can pick up something I'm missing:

"... an address book is associated with a specific email address (Windows Live email address or not). If you sync a file that goes with only a specific email address, I am uncertain if it will sync. So what you can do is create a back up copy of this address book file first and do the same on the other accounts if you will sync a different address book under a different email address. Creating a copy will create a duplicate address book, which you can move to a different path in your machine and sync that copy instead of using the original one. Add each of your recipient machines to this newly created syncing folder for them to have a copy of this address book. Add the address book from other accounts on the same folder for them to sync on the source machine and vice versa.

After syncing the files, you are now ready to check if you will be able to access them. This is where your email provider could help you open the address book files. In your email application, simply specify that the path of the address book to be opened or accessed. It should be the same as the one where this syncing folder you created is located because the files there are updated."

I'm not sure if the sync is an actual sync or a db exchange. But, I am able to test the sync with regular files. I uses normal jpeg photos, and when I add/delete photos from one computer, the photos are added/deleted from the second computer. So, the syncing appears to work, but I haven't been able to make the address book syncing work.

There might be other syncing solutions out there. I remember seeing a few when I first did a search for syncing. I thought the Windows sync would be a solid choice. I have considered MobileMe, and that would probably work perfect, but I work for a company, and my boss is trying to avoid the extra cost for the yearly subscription.

Anyway, thank you again for all you help. If you have an more suggestions or tips, it would be much appreciated.

Salvatore

This problem is well outside of their area of expertise, note that they think that the address book is part of the email client.

The third paragraph, starting "After syncing the files" has your email provider helping you to open the sync'd files. As if your ISP has any idea what you are doing!

Can you make an alias of the address book db and put that in the sync folder?

P

Check this site. It offers alternatives to mobileme

http://www.macworld.com/article/138481/2009/01/mobilemealternatives.html

P

Hi,

Thanks.

How would I do that, make an alias of the address book db and put that in the sync folder.

There are some options on that alternatives to mobileme site, that might also work.

Thanks again,
Salvatore

Right click on the db and choose Make Alias.
If you are using a single button mouse, no longer shipped, then hold down the Control key and click.

Drag that alias into the sync folder and see what happens.

It might be an idea to copy the Address Book folder, in Application Support, before you do this.


P

Hi,

Thanks again for the help. I tried to make an alias, but it's still giving me trouble. I think the Windows live syn is just not working, and I'm beginning to try other areas. That link to the mobileme alternatives page was helpful. I also found this program called fruux. Have you ever heard of it. It has an easy control panel that seems to be working in the right direction. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks again,

Salvatore

let us know how that software turns out.
I have not heard of it before now

P