[clug-talk] blue tooth and customer relation management

[Shawn]

Dan Mueller wrote:
> Hello All.  More questions on something I know nothing about.  If I add 
> a Bluetooth usb unit onto my aspire one running kuki Linux…. Can that 
> Bluetooth interface through my blackberry access the internet if my 
> blackberry is internet enabled??

In theory, this is possible.  I've heard of some people being able to do 
something like this with some phones.  But from what I understand, it 
comes down to the phone capabilities.  I think what you are looking for 
is "bluetooth tethering".  Other than that though, I have no experience 
with a BlackBerry or tethering through a cell phone.  John has had some 
success here and blogged about it - 
http://www.herd-of-neurons.com/node/23.  Maybe something in there will 
be helpful.

>  #2.  you guys were so helpful on my previous question regarding a 
> customer relation management system. I looked at afew of the options and 
> even downloaded Sugar but these were way too much.  Would it be possible 
> to get a program like “Kontact”  to be accessed at the same time from 
> about 5-6 different users here in the office?? We want all users here 
> inside to be running off of the same calendar and also have the same 
> contact/supplier base to work from. Also through the email we could all 
> use the same e-mail to send globally and receive globally. Are there any 
> options or avenues that im not seeing??

First, while a CRM may be overkill, they can provide these types of 
services.  I'll assume you are not interested in a CRM though, for now....

You are discussing shared address books and shared calendars.  Gustin 
has some extensive experience with shared calendars.  (I'm betting he 
will post a response to this thread... )  I have been recently searching 
for a shared/common address book solution for myself and have only been 
partially successful.

The moment you start thinking of a central repository for contact 
information, you find yourself looking at an LDAP server.  In theory 
this is what it is meant for.  In practice it CAN do this, and more. 
But the problem comes in terms of what client you are intending on using 
to talk to the LDAP server.  ThunderBird can read from an LDAP server 
but cannot write - so no changing your contacts via ThunderBird. 
Kontact should be able to read/write from LDAP.  And the inconsistencies 
extend to the various clients.  If you get to select the client tool, 
this may not be an issue.  LDAP is a somewhat difficult thing to get set 
up, as it is based on terminology and technology that was designed 
before the massive proliferation of the Internet.  (X.500 is the base 
concept).  There is lots of documentation out there on getting LDAP up 
and running, and really it isn't that difficult.  But understanding the 
terms and the problem area is not for a novice.  Still, a little effort 
goes a long ways here.  (I might be willing to plan an LDAP workshop if 
there were enough interest.)

I believe the easiest alternative at the moment is to make use of Google 
Calendar and Google Contacts.  There are plugins to make use of these 
for most mail clients.  The negative side of this is that you are giving 
Google your calendar and contact information and it is known they'll 
make use of this to personalize ads for you.  I personally don't believe 
Google has a need for this info, and have so far resisted using these 
services.  But I can't deny the convenience they bring to the table.

Not a definitive solution for you, but hope you have a good start...

Shawn