Using UPNP to synchronize data between android and desktop

[Niranjan Rao]

I tried sending this message to developer's list first, but it looks since
I am not a member of the list it's being removed. Apologize if you see this
message twice.

I was playing Cling UPNP library (http://4thline.org/projects/cling/) and
thought that this might be one more way to support data synchronization
between gnucash and it's android companion. If things go as dreamed, it
might be as simple as picking up a server when user exports android data
and your data automagically will be updated using python calls. Android
application user won't have to export to OFX format as python binding might
be used to update the data. This approach also can be used to provide any
other data that future android versions might need.

Over the weekend, I wrote a POC which is able to serve the files desired by
android version and is able to accept the files. It definitely looks usable
from this angle.

On the device and android emulator, my services do show up, though Cling
demo code for android does not allow me to fire the service.

I see following problems in this approach. Any other thoughts and/or
criticism on this approach are greatly appreciated.

1. User needs to have java installed. There are UPNP libraries in python,
but most of them are media oriented. I have not investigated python
libraries yet.
2. User need to have python bindings installed.
3. To use UPNP, you need to have WIFI on your home router.
4. Stability of python API for gnucash
5. UPNP is not secure by design. But then android users can send emails to
get the exported data and mobile users do use many UPNP features such as
DLNA to steam media.

Regards,

Niranjan