Direct to PC sync of Pimlical now available!

[Hook]

Ah, that's the option. Thanks, Hook, I had seen it before at WebIS.net, but it's not what I'm looking for. Affordable BTW if I may add, cause I had considered in the past saddling up to FranklinCovey's online service, but it was pricy and I figured oneself can assemble the thing on his own if the proper online service is available. Besides, if Alex & team are pulling the same quality in their online service than in their apps, this clouded service already comes with prestige of its own.

I'm sure it will be good. And it is their way of doing what CESD has done. Because Android was never designed for syncing othe than with Google, I think developers have discovered it is non-trivial to get it to do it. I think everyone is coming to the conclusion that the only way to do it well is to control every aspect-- the app, the sync conduit and what it syncs to. CESD built a dektop and a conduit and his own database on Android. PI has it's own database and an conduit tht syncs to a cloud service that they also control. If you don' control all the pieces, Android will keep screwing you up. Even Calengoo, which just syncs with Google, developed its own database and conduit.

However, I'll tell you the one thing I don't like about cloud services. It's not the security issues (which are there, but I don't get that caught up in them). In a couple of years, all of these cloud services are going to shake out and a lot of folks are going to find out that hosting data is maybe not as profitable as they thought it might be and suddenly the lights are going to start going out on some of them. Google is probably a safe bet (although, in 1984, you would have said the IBM PC was a safe bet), and WEBis might be too, but I don't think we know for sure.

Mostly, it's okay because anything I have in the cloud is a backup. However, I don't trust companies whose offerings shift so fast.

[hal]

I'm sure it will be good. And it is their way of doing what CESD has done. Because Android was never designed for syncing othe than with Google, I think developers have discovered it is non-trivial to get it to do it. I think everyone is coming to the conclusion that the only way to do it well is to control every aspect-- the app, the sync conduit and what it syncs to. CESD built a dektop and a conduit and his own database on Android. PI has it's own database and an conduit tht syncs to a cloud service that they also control. If you don' control all the pieces, Android will keep screwing you up. Even Calengoo, which just syncs with Google, developed its own database and conduit.

However, I'll tell you the one thing I don't like about cloud services. It's not the security issues (which are there, but I don't get that caught up in them). In a couple of years, all of these cloud services are going to shake out and a lot of folks are going to find out that hosting data is maybe not as profitable as they thought it might be and suddenly the lights are going to start going out on some of them. Google is probably a safe bet (although, in 1984, you would have said the IBM PC was a safe bet), and WEBis might be too, but I don't think we know for sure.

Mostly, it's okay because anything I have in the loud is a backup. However, I don't trust companies whose offerings shift so fast.

Regarding Android and Google, indeed that's what I've been noticing. OK, for one Android has been configured almost from the ground up to be inevitably linked to the Googleverse, but of course the world, or the Internet, is somewhat broader than that. There are other options that still appeal to many persons. Just as you point it out, it's non-trivial to consider it a reasonable work pathway. I have been reviewing my dad's and my sister's devices, both in Android, and I've come to the conclusion that you remark: wish to do something with a calendar other than GCalendar? Move away from the native DB. Whatsoever. And build a conduit to sync elsewhere.

The solutions by CESD are notable, even from the distance. I mean, I've just dropped at the website to see what's the new thing. However, I think that for the moment they're attaining to the most conservative methodology: revamp the mobile app, work out on the desktop, and sync amongst. I ain't saying it's bad, but this implementation is getting old. At some point, the Cloud has to be considered. WebIS' solutions have pulled my attention since day one, and they're kinda trying to keep in mind a bigger picture; mobile, desktop, cloud.

About ten years ago, I had a FranklinCovey.com account, when it was a freemium, and it was mainly intended to have your planner pages online, instead of using say Outlook. This service came to an end and reappeared about four years ago, with the same name, but based in the same thing that WebIS.net is offering. Clouded PIM. Or Clouded service initially intended for PIM, and then you may add pieces as the business allows. Much more enriched than the first time, and with PIM conduits, and with options regarding CRM and salesforce. So the WebIS solution doesn't streak me as that innovative, I mean the whole concept has been running around for years. And the security issues are IMO of secondary concern. Just like you, I have come to the position that if you don't like the risks of the Net, then cancel your Facebook account, and your Google account, and your online banking password, and so on until you only use a string and can phone. And even then, there will be security issues to deal with. The inherent stability of the data hosting business is of bigger concern to me, for the reasons you aforemention. There have already been examples of excellent services that phased out because of the wrong business model, including an excellent one (whose name evades me right now), that offered Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) since 2009-or something, with full integration of Calendar, Contacts and Tasks. It was a free service BTW.

I have used an online service syncing to my mobile device via EAS in the past, but it was shut down. For several reasons I prefer not to use GMail, nor HotMail (excuse me, now renamed Outlook), or Yahoo! The most important of all reasons is that I once configured the mobile device for GMail under EAS and I indeed lost a given set of features in my data, such as categories. I am essentially reluctant to jeopardize all the man-hours I've invested in Office Outlook because some contemporary view deems several features as unnecessary. I'm gonna try Zoho Software, just to see how much can they integrate with Outlook, and if I can't find something really good, then I've considered the option of saddling up to an Office 365 account in order to have Office Outlook online.

Why? Because the traditional assembly, mobile-desktop, is getting old regarding my needs. When Palm OS devices just synced PIM, you could get to your desktop, hotsync in less than a minute and a half, and run to the meeting room in time. As we keep on cluttering the mobile devices with newer functionalities, the hotsync paradigm is getting slower, and I resent it in conditions where I have to be present with no delay. This is a fact not just for Palm OS devices, but also for any moblie platform of more recent coinage. That's why I used EAS in the past, and intend to use it again, cause I am relying more and more on a paper pad (which is not bad anyway) to keep up with the daily bombardment of pieces of info, and an online service with EAS can ease much of it, by attaining to a more contemporary paradigm: online sync.

[internetpilot]

Datebk was always a developer's calendar. There's just no other way to describe it. It's ridiculously feature cluttered, overly complicated, and an incredible calendar app all rolled into one. As a very happy user of Datebk, I quickly figured out that it can be as simple as you want to make it. What was important for me was better alarm control, as well as cute little icons next to my appointments...the rest I pretty much ignored. Yes, I guess I like my calendar fluffy and friendly. The stock Palm calendar was still head and shoulders above anything else "stock" to this day. I look back on how I felt Palm's calendar lacked a few important features, and how stupid Palm is for just not including those....man, I wish I could go back to the stock Palm calendar now! Palm spoiled all of us. Now look what we're stuck with.

[Hook]

Datebk was always a developer's calendar. There's just no other way to describe it. It's ridiculously feature cluttered, overly complicated, and an incredible calendar app all rolled into one. As a very happy user of Datebk, I quickly figured out that it can be as simple as you want to make it. What was important for me was better alarm control, as well as cute little icons next to my appointments...the rest I pretty much ignored. Yes, I guess I like my calendar fluffy and friendly. The stock Palm calendar was still head and shoulders above anything else "stock" to this day. I look back on how I felt Palm's calendar lacked a few important features, and how stupid Palm is for just not including those....man, I wish I could go back to the stock Palm calendar now! Palm spoiled all of us. Now look what we're stuck with.

Amen, bruddah! ;-)

[JRakes]

Can I get a hallelujah?

[lelisa13p]

Can I get a hallelujah?

I'll see your Hallelujah and raise you one "Preach it, brother!"

Apple devices have even slimmer pickings if you don't want to go with Google Calendar.

[Varjak]

First, that comparo chart only compares to other iterations of DB, not to Palm. Second, it's one of those charts that throw in lots of 'filler' categories that are relevant in comparison to other versions of the same program (like compatibility with various versions of the OS); but not to functionality. Third, I'd agree with the comment that it can get to the point where it's SO complicated that it's actually less functional (and more opportunity for mistakes). If the big thing is the icons (I've seen that mentioned a lot in Datebk threads), I can't really see that as huge. Alarm control is nice; but I haven't ever had an issue where I couldn't set the alarm as I want. It handles time zones, etc. No moon phases, but I'm sure there was an app for that at one point. And battery charge, etc. are already integral to several screens. I'm not seeing the kind of quantum improvement mentioned. But if it works for you, that's great.

[lelisa13p]

If you'll permit me to say so, using DateBk6 is like having sex: until you actually do it, you can't fully appreciate what all the fuss is about. Ahem. *blush*

[JRakes]

Heeheehee...

But yes, I agree. ;-) For those who need and use a fully-featured calendar app, DB6 is (was) a wonder. And almost impossible to describe. There are certainly an almost overwhelming number of settings and controls (as is the case with *any* fully-featured app,) but most can be ignored. They're there, however, for tweaking a particular functionality. It's amazing how useful the flexibility becomes in a well designed and implemented program, and I found that aspect of DB6 to be as fantastic as the primary functionality of the app, in general.

Again, I hope Pimlical continues to develop and mature as well as DB6 did. It certainly seems, at this point to me, that it's on the right track!

[RickAgresta]

First, that comparo chart only compares to other iterations of DB, not to Palm. Second, it's one of those charts that throw in lots of 'filler' categories that are relevant in comparison to other versions of the same program (like compatibility with various versions of the OS); but not to functionality. Third, I'd agree with the comment that it can get to the point where it's SO complicated that it's actually less functional (and more opportunity for mistakes). If the big thing is the icons (I've seen that mentioned a lot in Datebk threads), I can't really see that as huge. Alarm control is nice; but I haven't ever had an issue where I couldn't set the alarm as I want. It handles time zones, etc. No moon phases, but I'm sure there was an app for that at one point. And battery charge, etc. are already integral to several screens. I'm not seeing the kind of quantum improvement mentioned. But if it works for you, that's great.

I assumed you were conversant with the features of the native Palm calendar, and I didn't say it was a comparison to Palm; if the native Palm calendar works for you, that's wonderful