I'm looking for some Software. Help?!

[JazzManJim]

Since I'm now back in school, and my organizational skills are a little <ahem> haphazard (meaning, I organize about as well as the Romans organized Carthage), I'm needing some help.

I'm looking for a personal organizer that'll handle setting up deadlines for my school assignments, give me test and project reminders, etc. I'd rather it was small, since if I wanted something big, I'd just use Outlook, and have a couple bells and whistles (like an contact manager).

I've checked out a couple of the big sites: Tucows, Download.com, and Rocket Download, and there's precious little there that looks like it'd work for me.

Of course, I'd prefer it be freeware, but I'm not averse to paying a little for a good program.

Any ideas on programs you've used, or seen used, I'd appreciate a lot!

 

[KillerMuffin]

I use a calendar and a pencil. It's handy. It's dandy. I can doodle on it in class. It's got the big monthy page for comparing and contrasting test days ad other events. It's got the small daily-y pages for individual assignments. Thought the syllabi work better.

Why high tech? Are you taking that many classes that require the computer?

 

[JazzManJim]

I use a calendar and a pencil. It's handy. It's dandy. I can doodle on it in class. It's got the big monthy page for comparing and contrasting test days ad other events. It's got the small daily-y pages for individual assignments. Thought the syllabi work better.

Why high tech? Are you taking that many classes that require the computer?

I've tried the Calendar and pencil route. It didn't go very well. I have the syllabi also, but having four of them right now is already beginning to tax my brain. I can see that there's going to be a problem. I'm not especially good at keeping track of dates in my head, nor at making sure I look at a piece of paper every couple days, to track when the due dates are.

So, high tech is the answer. Right now I'm in four classes and that's going up by at least two or three come the fall. I know how bad I am at organization and an looking for any edge I can get.

 

[LukkyKnight]

why high tech?

Because a calendar won't remind him without him looking at it. Granted, if it's part of your routine it may come close, but they don't beep when you've set a deadline, they require you to be actively using the thing, etc.

I think your solution is a palm/PDA that you can sync with your computer for backups in this case. Typically they come with a variable amount of time to set prior to any time/date alarms, and the low-cost ones (like the basic palms sold now) have this sort of function as part of the packags (plus if you get the cradle to sync to your computer you can download other utilities.) You'd be able to keep lists, say of groceries or whatever, phone numbers, etc.

Some of them, such as a handspring visor, will also let you clip a cell phone module on them so if you're contemplating a cell acquisition consider getting it all in one device. Personally I don't think the audio is as good as most cells, but I have a friend who wouldn't part with it and is now never late to meetings, etc.

Reminders on the puter only work while you're near it and it's on. You do want to be able to do backups, because unlike KM's suggestion this one CAN eat your data if it crashes.

 

[Ice Princess]

Did you check http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/ for programs? There might be something there. Or what's that other one I use sometimes ... webattack.com, I think. Those two sites might be worth a quick look.

 

[seXieleXie]

lexie's saving grace

http://www.timecalendar.com/

this is an absolutely fabulous program. it has a freeware version, and if it wins you over you can shell out about $30 for the whole shebang.

the program doesn't require a lot of memory, will automatically remind you (pop ups and sound), and has a neat "layering" feature so you can organize things in different colors, to differentiate between... say... bills and homework assignments.

the website is in some slick java or something so i can't copy the links and pictures into the thread. use the main link i posted, check out the features. let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Ambrosious]

49 dollars will get you a Casio Cassiopeia (Casio's version of the palm) at www.tigerdirect.com

8mb flash included and it syncs with you puter and outlook. Give it a shot.

I bought one for me and one for the wife and swear by it. Not fancy but for 49 bucks, who cares?

 

[Weird Harold]

If you use Quicken for your finances, you could use the Billminder to remind you of upcoming appointments as well as upcoming bills.

The people who publish Franklin Dayplanners also sell software for PDAs that mimics their hardcopy planners. I think if youdo a search for their website, they have a selection of PDAs that come loaded with their software.

 

[seXieleXie]

quicken kicks ass it's a life saver for people like me.

if you get a pda then the software i linked you to won't be of much help because you can't synch it up. on the other hand, a pda isn't too much better than a paper calendar if you don't remember to make use of it.

 

[Weird Harold]

if you get a pda then the software i linked you to won't be of much help because you can't synch it up. on the other hand, a pda isn't too much better than a paper calendar if you don't remember to make use of it.

That's why I suggested the Franklin Dayplanner Software. It requires the same sort of habitual use that carrying a dayplanner does with the added benefit of audible alarms and reminders. It also links to a PC database to get around the memory limits of PDAs.

My daughter, (the Avon Lady,) just converted from a three pound dayplanner to a 10 oz PDA and is very happy with the change.

PS: Quicken (and billminder) can be ported to a PDA if updating your financial info in real time is a consideration. The Dayplanner software is better for simple sheduling use.

 

[jrs259]

Good free sites

I have found some excellent freeware on the following sites. Absolutely Free software(AFS.Com), Moochers.Com, and Jumbo.com. Tell em Jim Sent ya

 

[seXieleXie]

bump for the jazz man, 'cause we all know how forgetful he is

 

[JazzManJim]

Thanks for looking out for me, hon, and for the info. That program, and the PDA, sounds like a dream!

I'm off to see what I can see!