Hi,

I am running KDE 4.4RC2 (Kubuntu) an I have a few problem with the new Kaddressbook:
- There are groups and folders. Can somebody explain the difference?
- The main difference at the moment seems to be that I can not access groups after I create them. I have not found any possibility to view, edit them or add new contacts to a group. Is this "not yet implemented" or somewhere secretly hidden.
- I have created a Resource for my old contacts and then moved them all to the new Akonadi-resource. Then I noticed that the folder with the Akonadi-resource only contains contacts I have edited or created new. The other contact still exist in the old Kaddressbook resource, even though I removed it from Kaddressbook. I do not like this. Since Kaddressbook/ Akonadi seems not perfectly stable (it took really a look of work and googling to get it working in the first place) I would like the contacts to be in one place, so it is easier maintain backups and fix problems if they occur. Is there a way to trigger the addressbook that they are really moved all to the Akonadi-folder (apart from doing it one by one, which would really take to long).

Markum

I can't speak for Kubuntu, as I use Fedora. If your addressbook successfully migrates to Akonadi you should not need to copy anything. The migration itself puts copies of all your records into the new location. This is non-destructive - that is, your old std.vcf remains intact and can be used, should you choose to do so, though without benefits that Akonadi will bring.

I would suggest that you use the Akonadi configuration tools to add a new resource, pointing it to the new location. If adding or removing addresses affects both, then either your addressbook did not migrate correctly, or your copying has upset it. If that is the case I can only suggest that you rename ~/.local/share/contacts/ (with kontact or kaddressbook closed) and hope that the migration runs again.

I have created a Group - which is to be the replacement for Distribution Lists - and when selecting it I can see the addresses of all the members added to it. I haven't yet learned the purpose of Folders. We can only hope that we get more information in the coming weeks. I am adding migration-related information to http://userbase.kde.org/Akonadi as I get it.

I am on RC3 and also trying to sort Kaddressbook. I've created an address-book, "Personal Contacts", by pointing at ~/.local/share/contacts. I did this in Kaddressbook standalone as recommended elsewhere rather than in Kontact. All the contacts were OK but all the groups were lost.

I've managed - eventually - to create a couple of groups but populating these groups seems to be a ridiculously time-consuming task. I hope the method I've used is not the only one. I open the group and start to type a name and then select from the drop-down list. I did a couple and thought "there must be a better way". I tried drag-and-drop but that wasn't allowed. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Graham

The developers say that Groups (the replacement for distribution lists) is not yet fully functional. Yes, it's a bit clunky for now, but this is not the way the final version will be. However, it may be 4.5 before we get the new version.

Thanks "annew", I'd got a bit confused between "groups" and "categories". You've explained the former and it looks to me as though "folders" might be the replacement for the latter. Unfortunately, they don't work too well either. It's possible to copy a contact into a folder but not to move it - the function is there but does nothing. I think I'll try moving them in 4.3.4 and see what happens.

Graham

No, Categories are to be replaced by using Tag information. Tags were introduced in KDE SC 4.3. If, like me, you didn't use them, it's time to start re-thinking I suppose there isn't much difference, really - just needs a little time for us to get used to it.

So then, how do I tag my contacts and search for a specific tag?

Really, when I heard that KAddressbook was replaced I was excited at first, since the old one wasn't all too user-friendly (but usable, at least). However this "replacement" seems more half-baked than anything.

Besides confusing the user with "groups" and "folders" (which both don't seem to work) it now offers only one text entry for the name whereas there were separate fields for first and last names, titles and such before. The "new" app apparently tries to figure out which is which automagically but produces rather awkward results.

It still displays the names of my contacts that were created with the old KAddressbook correctly, but I can't create new contacts because of that stupid single-name-field thing. Is there a way I can get my "classic" name-entries back?

Oh, and speaking of poor design:

Why aren't there separate columns for first last names? How am I supposed to sort my contacts by last name?

Why are there three equally sized panes in the main window? I doubt most people have as many contacts as they have address books. A drop-down box on the tool-bar to switch address books would have sufficed, I think.

I also can't launch KAddressbook from within KOrganizer anymore. I receive the message "Could not find the program 'KAddressBook'", but there might be something wrong with my setup.

I'm sorry for the negative post but it's really disappointing to see obviously incomplete software being put in a major KDE release. Honestly, this new KAddressbook in it's current state should be considered alpha software.

Vortex375,

The only way I can see for sorting by last name means you'll have to edit each contact and alter the display from Joe Bloggs, say, to "Bloggs, Joe".

The 3 panes can simply be resized by dragging the dividers.

My Kaddressbook sits in Korganizer quite happily.

Re the confusion with groups, folders, tags, etc., I first thought I couldn't populate folders but now they're working fine. I've now got folders arranged much as the old groups - I haven't tried tags yet. Like most problems with this application, it seems to take a few close-downs and re-opens before changes register.

In order to see what I should be doing with this application, I thought I'd check the KDE Users Manual - if all else fails, read the documentation. The latest update is "Revision 0.01.00 (2001-06-01)" and that's just a dummy entry. Not a lot of help!

Graham

@Vortex375: It may be as well to remind you that if you are using the new addressbook you have chosen to run a bleeding edge distribution that contains work in progress. Using insulting language is not likely to bring work to completion any faster.

The sort method is exactly as it was in the old addressbook - I always did use the 'lastname with comma' method.

Documentation for the whole PIM is being re-written.

I'm sorry it wasn't my intention to insult anyone.
I do think that the new KAddressbook may turn out nicely after it's been given some more work. I just can't understand the decision to put this (in my opinion) incomplete application in a stable release.

My Kaddressbook sits in Korganizer quite happily.

It does import contacts and birthdays from KAddressbook, but I can't launch it from KOrganizer (e.g. by clicking on a contact's name). Does this work for you?

And I can't create new address book folders - the menu entry is grayed out.

Guess I'll wait for the next release and look for a replacement during the meantime.

Vortex375 wrote:I'm sorry it wasn't my intention to insult anyone.
I do think that the new KAddressbook may turn out nicely after it's been given some more work. I just can't understand the decision to put this (in my opinion) incomplete application in a stable release.

Well, it's certainly the best way to get real-life user experience and feedback. Actually, it's not as bad as you think. If your addressbook was migrated to akonadi - and from what you say, I believe it was - your old std.vcf addressbook still exists and you can add it as a second resource. Some things, such as sub-folders, work with the traditional resource but not yet with the akonadi resource. Agreed, though, that we need some patience while the issues are identified and ironed out.

My Kaddressbook sits in Korganizer quite happily.

It does import contacts and birthdays from KAddressbook, but I can't launch it from KOrganizer (e.g. by clicking on a contact's name). Does this work for you?

I don't use korganizer in that way, so I'll leave that one for Graham/Cloddy to answer.

And I can't create new address book folders - the menu entry is grayed out.

It's not quite clear what you want here. You should be able to add a new addressbook - that's not greyed out in mine. The Akonadi addressbook doesn't seem to support sub-folders yet, so that's greyed out, but my traditional addressbook can have subfolders. In fact I'm finding that quite convenient for moving a specific group of addresses from the main addressbook to a dedicated 'club' folder.

Guess I'll wait for the next release and look for a replacement during the meantime.

By all means look around, but bear in mind that updates can come at any time, adding functionality. Everything that is changing is because it is focusing on the idea that your data shouldn't be locked up in one application, but be available to any application you use. There's a certain amount of hassle with the newness and incompleteness, but the end result should be well worth the wait.

annew,
I'm sorry to say that I must go along with Vortex375 in not understanding how Kaddressbook can be a "bleeding-edge" application when it is included in the final release of KDE4.4. Sorry in advance if I've misinterpreted your comment.


Vortex375,
I'm also unable to get any response by clicking on a contact's name in Korganiser - but I don't get any error, just no reaction at all. I've not used that option before so didn't miss it. I think I misunderstood your problem - sorry.

I can create new address-book folders OK. I just hover over the "Address Books" column and, with a right-click, the pop-up menu has the option "Add Address-book Folder" at the top - whether the mouse is over a blank area or over the "Personal Contacts" address-book folder. I'm sorry that I've no idea why it should work for me and not you. Only thing I can think of is that I created the initial address-book when using kaddressbook as a stand-alone application - as I'd seen recommended somewhere - rather than when it was within Kontact.

Cloddy wrote:annew,
I'm sorry to say that I must go along with Vortex375 in not understanding how Kaddressbook can be a "bleeding-edge" application when it is included in the final release of KDE4.4. Sorry in advance if I've misinterpreted your comment.

It does carry out the function of a simple addressbook. Bells and whistles are still to come.


Vortex375,
I've checked with the devs - tagging of contacts is working in trunk, but not yet available in 4.4, so it's coming.

annew,

I think this is a HUGE misunderstanding on behalf of the devs. And it shows a real lack of grasp of how much something like this will hurt KDE.

They just showed why business users have problems taking open source seriously.

You have all your contacts and information in your addressbook. It is the life and blood of your day to day work. Everything is bliss.

Along comes a RELEASE version of KDE. Not a bleeding edge version (4.4, not 4.0). And suddenly important information is not available anymore.

Kubuntu will soon release 10.04 LTS based on this. How can this be possible?

Yes, I have strong opinions on this. I am now sitting here trying to figure out how to get to the information that the new addressbook is not displaying.

A very good rule for software development (if you want to be taken seriously by any kind of normal users) is to never call it a release version if it does not cover all functions of the previous version. It does NOT mean it has to look the same or have the functions implemented the same way. But it should be possible to get same things done. And you should NEVER loose information.

Yes, I know the information is probably there, but that is not something you tell a non-programmer or businessman "Uh, sir, your data is there. It is just, uh, hidden... A programmer decided that you do not need that info until the end of this year...".

You NEVER mess with peoples data! NEVER! People spend a lot of time gathering and maintaining this data. I have 1600 addresses and these addresses are the basis for my income.

A good solution:

Give us a way to revert to the old PIM so we can continue to use that until the alphaversion that is in KDE 4.4 now is ready for use.

This is not a personal attack - it is a respons to an attitude that I see in a lot of open source development. A total lack of respect for the user. "The software is free, so you have to put up with whatever we throw at you". And in the process they hurt the whole open source movement really bad.

On the other hand - there are soooooooooooooooo many helpful, sweet, humble, knowledgeable, smart, fantastic people out there. And I find a lot of the in this forum. Thank you, every one of you.

I am on Kubuntu 9.10 with KDE 4.4 too, and I can't create group. The option is greyed out, and the mailing lists I previously created are all gone. What is happening? I store all my information in a local vcard file and access it through akonadi.