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Thinking about moving to android, few questions...

Im thinking about moving from WinMo to Android. If you could help me with few questions...
I dont use any Google services, no gmail as I rather use myowndomain.com... I want to sync with Outlook via usb (bluetooth, yeah maybe but usb would be better); contacts, calendar and tasks... Is there good sync software out there?
The main reason for me to have a smartphone for a cell phone, is so I dont need always have a laptop with me. This brings me to opening and editing office apps; I found "Documents to Go" that seems to be OK, anyone using it?
To me its also important to automatically sync folders while syncing with Outlook, any good programs for that? Ive been using MobSync with WinMo and I guess it could work with this too? I found also Microsoft SyncToy, never tried it though...
Can I get my tasks listed on Android today screen like on WinMo? I need to have be reminded of my tasks, otherwise I would spend ½ of my day reading at XDA and not doing any of the things Im supposed to do...
Any comments and help is appreciated... Thanks!

Loco5150 said:
Im thinking about moving from WinMo to Android. If you could help me with few questions...
I dont use any Google services, no gmail as I rather use myowndomain.com... I want to sync with Outlook via usb (bluetooth, yeah maybe but usb would be better); contacts, calendar and tasks... Is there good sync software out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC Sync comes with the phone, I also had some contacts stored on my company mail but I've started migrating to gmail because the really really neat integration and extremely useful features.
Loco5150 said:
The main reason for me to have a smartphone for a cell phone, is so I dont need always have a laptop with me. This brings me to opening and editing office apps; I found "Documents to Go" that seems to be OK, anyone using it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use any software for editing just for opening the docs on my smartphone so I can't help you here but I'm fairly sure you can
Loco5150 said:
To me its also important to automatically sync folders while syncing with Outlook, any good programs for that? Ive been using MobSync with WinMo and I guess it could work with this too? I found also Microsoft SyncToy, never tried it though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again I'm more hands on with the storage so I don't sync folders maybe someone else can help you here...
Loco5150 said:
Can I get my tasks listed on Android today screen like on WinMo? I need to have be reminded of my tasks, otherwise I would spend ½ of my day reading at XDA and not doing any of the things Im supposed to do...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can, there are vagarious free apps on the market that even offer feature widgets/notes for the screens

Hi there!
Did you already buy a Desire? I've used winmob before and you sound like you're totally schooled at Outlook with usb sync. HTC has exchange service support and you can sync through usb, It was long time ago since I ever used active sync but a friend of mine use it on Desire and he was not satisfied.
There is calendarpad that can show on start screen as activities or regular day view. Editing documents are thought to be done through Google docs as it is thought to be faster than a full scale office program on the phone. You can other wise get quick office premium for editing offline.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Loco5150 said:
The main reason for me to have a smartphone for a cell phone, is so I dont need always have a laptop with me. This brings me to opening and editing office apps; I found "Documents to Go" that seems to be OK, anyone using it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep, documents to go has such functionality:

Loco5150 said:
I dont use any Google services, no gmail as I rather use myowndomain.com...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you thought about using Google Apps for Domains, so that you can use your own domain with Google services?
Regards,
Dave

[Q] Will the Desire do what my Diamond 2 does?

I am currently using a Topaz windows mobile based phone, and thinking about switching to a Desire.
However, I use my phone extensively for business, and need to know if there are some things that Android will allow.
First off, I need to be able to access my home network with the wireless. Currently I use Resco explorer, browse to my server share, and copy the files I will need to the SD card. Is this possible on Android? Is it just as easy? I often have to do this first thing in the morning, when I don't have a lot of time. This is an absolute deal breaker for me, so I am really looking for some help before I commit to a new phone.
Non show stoppers but nice to have;
Cookie's Home Tab type display , which allows me to show my next 3 calendar appointments, and 3 tasks on the home screen. Will Sense allow this on the Desire? I like the Sense interface and widgets, so would prefer to keep Sense, but am prepared to apply additional software to allow me to do what I need to. (Paid or otherwise).
The ability to map hardware keys to specific functions (eg I currently have long press on the back key to switch off my wifi. Handy for in the car, when I forget to switch it off).
Ability to edit open office, and ms office documents.
That's it I guess. Any and all feedback very much appreciated.

1) yes you can browse files on your home network using the desire, you need 3rd party software tho also there are apps that will let you controll your pc and or device remotlely from your device and or pc
2) there are loads of calendar widgets on the marketplace im sure one will take your fancy
3) the wifi will switch itself off after x amout of time idle
4) the desire comes with quick office out of the box but there are tons of office apps so yeah

Just a small warning if you think to sync your mobile with the PC (callendar, notes, mails, contacts) via bluetooth - it's not possible in android.
Well, not entirely true, as there is "Missing Sync" in the market, but costs for about $40 - a bit too much.
So, try to love your usb cable

Or sync through the google things and sync your home stuff with the google things. For me it's annoying as I hate the google things, but it does sort of work.

dysje said:
Or sync through the google things and sync your home stuff with the google things. For me it's annoying as I hate the google things, but it does sort of work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you buy a google thing-centric phone if you hate google things?

On it's way
Thanks guys, you've convinced me.
Ordered from O2 for the princely sum of £285 + VAT, which I thought was a mistake, but it seems not. Be rude not to at that price.
Bit of luck it will arrive tomorrow, as I'm not working, so can play all day

JohnSteveDoe said:
Why would you buy a google thing-centric phone if you hate google things?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to give one example - I would not want to share with google my company contacts.
Also I preffer to keep business calendar outside of google (with all the respect)
Regards
R
Sent from my ZX Spectrum using Froyo_zx81

remmyhi said:
Just to give one example - I would not want to share with google my company contacts.
Also I preffer to keep business calendar outside of google (with all the respect)
Regards
R
Sent from my ZX Spectrum using Froyo_zx81
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not "sharing" with google though. You're just using their webspace to host information such as calendar and contacts.
Do you really think that Google have the time to look though all of their user's data, see your calendar information and contacts?

brummiesteven said:
You're not "sharing" with google though. You're just using their webspace to host information such as calendar and contacts.
Do you really think that Google have the time to look though all of their user's data, see your calendar information and contacts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol ..........

brummiesteven said:
You're not "sharing" with google though. You're just using their webspace to host information such as calendar and contacts.
Do you really think that Google have the time to look though all of their user's data, see your calendar information and contacts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would they bother with your phone when they've got street view cars to access open WiFi networks?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Most people here swear by Astro file manager and their add ons.
Check out the Sense agenda widget for upcoming appointments and tasks.
Widgets are the way to go, Sense widgets for WiFi, mobile connectivity, airplane mode etc etc etc......
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Thanks JabbaFat32.
Will check both of those out.

Google Tasks for WP7 - Needed?

Hi, I'm the developer of GogTasks for WM6.5 (thread on this site). Do you guys think there is a demand for a similar app for Windows Phone 7?
The reason I ask is that I'm not very familiar with the platform from a user-perspective myself. I've developed one app for it, but I'm not a daily user of a WP7 phone. Are there tasks apps bundled with the phone, and if there is, does it have any integration with a) Outlook or b) Google? (I'm pretty sure the answer is no on b) at least).
Also I believe apps are not allowed to integrate with Outlook on WP7 (the API is blocked for third party developers), so I believe the app will be more of a Google Tasks front end than a sync app. Still I may benefit from the API reverse engineering I did for GogTasks for WM6.5 / Desktop Outlook, but is there a demand for it?
Appreciate all input.

Ohhhh yes, would be a cool addition. I can sync my Outlook Tasks to Google via gSyncIt Addin for Outlook and then comes your app for WP7. At this time there are some ToDo Task Apps available, but no no one with Google Tasks Support.

i second that!!! I used g tasks when i had android but no such luck on WP7

I also missing the feature of google tasks on my wp7!
Unfortunately so far there is no wp7-app for google tasks.

I would also love a good google task app with a nice live tile.
Go for it

Ok thanks for your feedback. Maybe I should go for this, but there is one bump in the road - I just rememebered why I haven't done this before :/ ...Microsoft declined v1.1 of GogTasks for WinMo 6.5 on the marketplace because I use a non-public, non-supported WebService API (Google is about to release an open version of the API soon, but we never know how long that will take). I might try to publish anyway and see what happens.
redman99: What kind of info do you think would be relevant on the tile? Whether or not you have any tasks due today maybe? Or the date of the next due task? What if you have no tasks with due dates? Just a static icon?

This has kind of been done before: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=931316
Google supports the Exchange model now and sadly behaves better in this regard than Windows Live Mail/Hotmail. No flagged items, etc is a real PITA.
What you likely have to do with that app is set Google as an Exchange sync, not its normal email type. If Bring the Wine can pass marketplace approval using what I would expect is a somewhat undocumented Exchange API, I would think you could. Especially don't let a single submission keep an idea from being presented because apparently the certification process while rigid can be somewhat of a crap shoot.
Having said all this, Google Tasks do work in the IE browser I believe. They're not perfect but it was a decent stop gap for me. Now I'll try out BtW and if you do release your app, I'd give it a go as well.

w0rd-driven said:
This has kind of been done before: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=931316
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the hint... i not use Exchange so i still would love a sync app for google task that works without Exchange!
*wink @Nilzor

w0rd-driven said:
This has kind of been done before: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=931316
Google supports the Exchange model now and sadly behaves better in this regard than Windows Live Mail/Hotmail. No flagged items, etc is a real PITA.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure Google's exchange sync protocol still does NOT support tasks. Have you tried this?

gTasks - Google Task Manager - Just released
An app to use Google Tasks natively on Windows Phone 7 is just released. Check it out by searching for "gTasks" in the marketplace or clicking on the link below.
social.zune.net/redirect?type=phoneApp&id=a56d575c-7253-e011-854c-00237de2db9e

rjonna said:
An app to use Google Tasks natively on Windows Phone 7 is just released. Check it out by searching for "gTasks" in the marketplace or clicking on the link below.
social.zune.net/redirect?type=phoneApp&id=a56d575c-7253-e011-854c-00237de2db9e
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the heads up. This probably means there's no point in me going forward with this.
Anyone care to test the app? The irony of being a developer from Norway is that I can sell apps, but not buy or download (yet).

Yes i have tested it. The App works, but it needs some developing on it. there should be a option to automaticly sync the entrys and as a startpage i would prever a list of the avalaible lists, to choose from. after choosing the right list, i would like to load the items for this particular list. i hope its clear what i mean.
btw: there is WIndows Marketplace Tool, where you can download and deploy any app, also when you are not a member of the country. so i can download apps for the us marketplace also, if im a german user. i dont know the name of the program yet, but it is somehwere here in the forum.

bilbo_b said:
btw: there is WIndows Marketplace Tool, where you can download and deploy any app, also when you are not a member of the country. so i can download apps for the us marketplace also, if im a german user. i dont know the name of the program yet, but it is somehwere here in the forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. I did not know of this.

GooTa - an app for google tasks on windows phone
i also really felt the lack of google tasks on windows phone. i'm a heavy user and really love the nesting of tasks and how lightweight it feels in gmail.
and i didn't think that the gtasks app above me quite fit my needs...-_-
so i tried writing my own! check it out:
windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/49fd8ee0-7a38-426e-b674-7ccff5922333
it's called GooTa (google tasks).
let me know if it's missing anything you want -- there's a feedback link in the app. i hope this fits your needs! and if not, let me know and i can add whatever it's missing so it does

Disappointed: Exchange email support

I had been led to believe that ICS would finally give sub-folder support in MS Exchange (where you can see a combined view of all your email from all sub-folders and not have to go manually to each subfolder to read mail - also, if an email goes to a sub-folder, you don't get a new email notification). Touchdown has had it for ages.
And still not synchronising of Tasks!!!!
I was really hoping to run a "pure Android" phone but once again I have to use a third party app for email.

tangiers said:
And still not synchronising of Tasks!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No tasks sync, still? Well, it's a good thing GoTasks is free and works just like a real Google app (i.e. Google Tasks shows up for your google account under accounts & sync).

Good thing Nitrodesk Touchdown is a good app. I've been using it for about 2 years on my phone (N1) and about a year on my tablet (Xoom). Is worth the money if you need good Exchange support. I need it for work so it was a no-brainer a couple years back. I don't know if Google's email client will ever be as good. It seems like Google's concentration is on improving the Gmail application. I don't mind because other than work I use Gmail a lot. I have Touchdown for Exchange and don't care if it is a Google app or not.

BinaryTB said:
No tasks sync, still? Well, it's a good thing GoTasks is free and works just like a real Google app (i.e. Google Tasks shows up for your google account under accounts & sync).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure he's talking about Outlook/Exchange tasks.

i never understood why google just didn't combine gmail and others into their app. I use Enhanced email it that works too even for tasks,syncing and other stuff.

matt2053 said:
I'm pretty sure he's talking about Outlook/Exchange tasks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah right, forgot Exchange does Tasks too.

tangiers said:
I was really hoping to run a "pure Android" phone but once again I have to use a third party app for email.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When people say "pure Android" they mean without motoblur/sense/touchwiz. If you discounted 3rd party apps that would be ridiculous as that's what Android is all about, customization. I get what you mean, not having to add email apps or messaging apps or a camera app... the idea is similar, but a bit silly.

Enhanced Email works well. When my company first moved to Android, a few were pissed about the lack of Tasks. Email, Calendar, and Contacts is all I need and Android does that nicely.
But for a really good exchange app, I suggest TouchDown. There is also another one that is relatively new but looks like it is a pretty heavy email app.

degeneration said:
When people say "pure Android" they mean without motoblur/sense/touchwiz. If you discounted 3rd party apps that would be ridiculous as that's what Android is all about, customization. I get what you mean, not having to add email apps or messaging apps or a camera app... the idea is similar, but a bit silly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you are right. What I mean is not having to duplicate system apps with third party apps. I never know if it is safe to disable the Android stock email (and risk disruption to my email) or not and if I don't, whether I am wasting battery on having both running in the background.
To hijack my own thread, I am also disappointed we still don't have Desktop User Agent as an option on the stock browser. Looks like I'm stuck with Dolphin again....

I've been using touchdown since the g1 days. It's pretty solid.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

tangiers said:
To hijack my own thread, I am also disappointed we still don't have Desktop User Agent as an option on the stock browser. Looks like I'm stuck with Dolphin again....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might have another reason to switch the browser user agent, but if it's to view the desktop site, I thought ICS had a view "full site" feature in the stock browser now to see the desktop website?

BinaryTB said:
You might have another reason to switch the browser user agent, but if it's to view the desktop site, I thought ICS had a view "full site" feature in the stock browser now to see the desktop website?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that I can find.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

tangiers said:
Not that I can find.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have my GN yet, but according to:
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc...0-ice-cream-sandwich-1043150/review?artc_pg=4
It should show up in the menu. "Request Desktop Sites"

BinaryTB said:
I don't have my GN yet, but according to:
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc...0-ice-cream-sandwich-1043150/review?artc_pg=4
It should show up in the menu. "Request Desktop Sites"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that. I couldn't find the settings for this. I persevered and found them: it is only available if you are on the mobile version of a web page, it isn't an option if you are not.
Thanks again.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Everybody says touchdown, but touchdown is not linked to phone's contacts, calenders etc. etc.
There is no sense for me in using touchdown, when I then have to deal with 2 calenders, 2 contact databases etc.
When I add a contact in touchdown, it does not put this contact to the phone's contacts. When I put something into my agenda, it doesn't put it the phone's agenda.
ICS ms Exchange support is really disappointing.
The search function works only online with data connection and content search only, it is not possible to search by sender, by subject etc.
Off line e-mail searching is still missing.
As long as I have to use MS Windows, MS exchange, MS office etc. Sooner or later I will have to go back to Windows phone, as I promised myself never to own an I-phone.

Question Like the device but IMHO it needs a decent email app (like Samsung). Any suggestions?

Hardware is good, love that it's a world phone for radio bands like iphone, bit I think it's software is sometimes too stock. Don't live google calendar but it will do, but it really needs a professional grade email app like Samsung, apple etc. I can't even use outlook on push mail on Gmail, which I think is a fairly lacking email app. Everyone is different but itt prevents me from keeping this device. Any suggestions as to a modern UI email app? BTW 9Mail is clunky and requires a passcode every time I use it.
THANKS

ekerbuddyeker said:
Hardware is good, love that it's a world phone for radio bands like iphone, bit I think it's software is sometimes too stock. Don't live google calendar but it will do, but it really needs a professional grade email app like Samsung, apple etc. I can't even use outlook on push mail on Gmail, which I think is a fairly lacking email app. Everyone is different but itt prevents me from keeping this device. Any suggestions as to a modern UI email app? BTW 9Mail is clunky and requires a passcode every time I use it.
THANKS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not just the Outlook app?

Thanks. I think Outlook is also a fairly poor app, certainly the UI is very dated, and it has limited flexibility, plus it doesn't integrate with any third party calendars. Really hoping there's something else out there that I did t already try.

I use Spark and can't go back to Gmail now, mainly for the optional links on notifications. I have 3 links on my notifications - Mark as read, Archive and Reply. That one single feature makes it my favourite email app.
Spark Mail – AI Email Inbox - Apps on Google Play
Smart AI-powered mail app. Connect Gmail, AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail in one mailbox.
play.google.com
In short, Spark is to Gmail what Nova is to the Pixel launcher. If you like it half as much as I do then you'll love it

Nine

Thanks. I just tried spark again. Does it also syncs calendars and contacts ?

I've always liked BlueMail works well on Android and iOS.

I use outlook normally. Although occasionally it seems to have spells where it isn't syncing so I've started to use one simply called "email" in the play store and seems to be fine

ekerbuddyeker said:
Thanks. I think Outlook is also a fairly poor app, certainly the UI is very dated, and it has limited flexibility, plus it doesn't integrate with any third party calendars. Really hoping there's something else out there that I did t already try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm an Outlook user and never came across Samsungs own email app, so I researched a bit.
Both look quite similar. Both have a clean, modern interface - not sure why you would call Outlook UI as "very dated". In terms of design language, Samsung seems to have already "modernized" it's UI do the very latest common design language (huge white boxes with big emtpy space for every word, aka Googles latest material design), whilst Microsoft has not yet done that. Even though that's not "very dated", it's simply a couple month behind.
In terms of functionality I can't say much, since I don't know what Samsung offers, but at least in terms of design it's no trouble at all.
Concerning calendars: Outlook can be synced with Google Calendar, never had issues with that.

Morgrain said:
I'm an Outlook user and never came across Samsungs own email app, so I researched a bit.
Both look quite similar. Both have a clean, modern interface - not sure why you would call Outlook UI as "very dated". In terms of design language, Samsung seems to have already "modernized" it's UI do the very latest common design language (huge white boxes with big emtpy space for every word, aka Googles latest material design), whilst Microsoft has not yet done that. Even though that's not "very dated", it's simply a couple month behind.
In terms of functionality I can't say much, since I don't know what Samsung offers, but at least in terms of design it's no trouble at all.
Concerning calendars: Outlook can be synced with Google Calendar, never had issues with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
If you also have access to a Samsung device, try the email app out.

Archer said:
I use Spark and can't go back to Gmail now, mainly for the optional links on notifications. I have 3 links on my notifications - Mark as read, Archive and Reply. That one single feature makes it my favourite email app.
Spark Mail – AI Email Inbox - Apps on Google Play
Smart AI-powered mail app. Connect Gmail, AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail in one mailbox.
play.google.com
In short, Spark is to Gmail what Nova is to the Pixel launcher. If you like it half as much as I do then you'll love it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does Spark support Gmail labels?

itchyUnder said:
Does Spark support Gmail labels?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes - you have to add them individually, even if they're nested. It's a bit of a hassle to have to do that, but it's there.

Fair Mail
Bare bones BUT very safety/privacy focused
Open source
Talk about settings/options ? This app is soooooo granular you can control EVERYTHING.
(I do not work for or profit from them)
FairEmail, privacy aware email - Apps on Google Play
Fully featured, privacy oriented email app
play.google.com

Archer said:
Yes - you have to add them individually, even if they're nested. It's a bit of a hassle to have to do that, but it's there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you DM me or provide instructions on how to enable gmail labels in Spark? I have tried out SPARK several times in the past couple years and never saw this feature. Googling this, I only see Apple implementation.

itchyUnder said:
Could you DM me or provide instructions on how to enable gmail labels in Spark? I have tried out SPARK several times in the past couple years and never saw this feature. Googling this, I only see Apple implementation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but since I use a USB cable to set up my new phones from my previous one, it's a long time since I had to set it up. I can't remember for sure. However, a quick Google search shows that you go into settings, mail accounts and then add account.

Aqua Mail ... has zillions of options ... honestly speaking too many ;-)

foobar66 said:
Aqua Mail ... has zillions of options ... honestly speaking too many ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been using this one for years now on Android. It's 100% not modern, the interface and UI haven't changed hardly any at all since I started with it. But it serves my purposes and if you have to connect to an Exchange server it can do that natively since IME most corporations don't open imap/pop up to their employees.

Archer said:
I use Spark and can't go back to Gmail now, mainly for the optional links on notifications. I have 3 links on my notifications - Mark as read, Archive and Reply. That one single feature makes it my favourite email app.
Spark Mail – AI Email Inbox - Apps on Google Play
Smart AI-powered mail app. Connect Gmail, AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail in one mailbox.
play.google.com
In short, Spark is to Gmail what Nova is to the Pixel launcher. If you like it half as much as I do then you'll love it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Spark ftw. Excellent, excellent app.
If you use emails for conversations I recommend spike, as well.

Bluemail is a privacy nightmare with a dev that has been, in the past, beyond shady about their privacy policy.
Samsung's email app has to be the most horrific app I've ever used. It's a slow, buggy mess, that even Samsung stopped distributing on their phones, simply because it was THAT awful. The fact that you like this app and think Outlook is junk makes me question a lot about this post.
BTW 9Mail is clunky and requires a passcode every time I use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use your fingerprint or a passcode. And that's if your network admin requires it. If your admin requires some sort of authentication to get into the app, not much is going to get around that.

entropism said:
Bluemail is a privacy nightmare with a dev that has been, in the past, beyond shady about their privacy policy.
Samsung's email app has to be the most horrific app I've ever used. It's a slow, buggy mess, that even Samsung stopped distributing on their phones, simply because it was THAT awful. The fact that you like this app and think Outlook is junk makes me question a lot about this post.
You can use your fingerprint or a passcode. And that's if your network admin requires it. If your admin requires some sort of authentication to get into the app, not much is going to get around that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Opinion is what makes this forun interesting. Actually, the Samsung email app gets updated on a regular basis and the same updated app is on every Samsung device so it has not been dropped as you say. I don't know why you find it buggy. But again it's all a matter of opinion. Personally I find the need to have to enter in a password or provide a fingerprint every time I look at mail, which is several hundred times a day because of my work, a bit of a bore. Nothing is perfect out there, right?