Ubuntu CrunchBang 8.04
install jpilot 
jpilot/Datei/Einstellungen/Einstellungen/Serielle Schnittstelle:
   usb:

Palm mit Craddle verbinden
jpilot aufrufen, see /var/log/syslog (1) below
Palm: Sync-Taste druecken
jpilot: "Sync your palm to the desktop"

see: Help/Palm_Tungsten_E2/pilot-link.txt

Apendix:
   (1)
after invoking jpilot with hooked palm:
May  6 15:00:47 a22m kernel: [ 1102.085140] usb 1-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 12
May  6 15:00:47 a22m kernel: [ 1102.121489] usb 1-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
May  6 15:00:47 a22m NetworkManager: <debug> [1273150847.707657] nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_830_61_PalmSN12345678'). 
May  6 15:00:48 a22m NetworkManager: <debug> [1273150848.097864] nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_830_61_PalmSN12345678_if0'). 
May  6 15:01:22 a22m kernel: [ 1108.029269] usb 1-1: USB disconnect, address 12
May  6 15:01:22 a22m NetworkManager: <debug> [1273150882.924032] nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_830_61_PalmSN12345678_if0'). 
May  6 15:01:22 a22m NetworkManager: <debug> [1273150882.949286] nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is '/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_830_61_PalmSN12345678').