From...

January 7, 2000
Web posted at: 10:46 a.m. EST (1546 GMT)

by Max Green

(IDG) -- It's a whole lot easier to make New Year's resolutions than to follow through on them. The personal information managers in this week's list can't ensure that you keep your resolutions, but they can help you remember them. Some of the latest PIMs help you integrate your data with Microsoft Office, sync your PIM with your PalmPilot, share your calendar over a network, and retrieve stock quotes and pager messages. Over half the titles on this list are new; others have had significant updates. All of them are free to try, and two of them are free to keep, so start downloading! To browse all the PIMs in our library, click "More PIMs," link below.

1. Calendar+ 2000: Display your appointments and items in your to-do list in a calendar format. For each appointment entry, you can record the time, date, description, and notes. And if you do not finish items on your to-do list, you can carry them over to the next day.

2. RedBox Organizer: Get organized with this customizable PIM. A taskbar gives you quick access to calendar, to-do list, address, and e-mail and Web functions. This $40 updated version offers new 3D effects and easy backup features.

3. DeskTop Set: This powerful $49 PIM lets you access a calendar, prioritized to-do list, planner, address book, client dossier, and personal and group scheduler. It integrates with popular applications like Word and WordPerfect, and can even dial your phone and help you screen calls.

   MORE COMPUTING INTELLIGENCE

   IDG.net home page

   FileWorld's Top 10 archive

   Top 10 personal organizers

   Top 10 MP3 players and applications

   Top 10 essential files for Windows

   Reviews & in-depth info at IDG.net

   E-BusinessWorld

   Year 2000 World

   Questions about computers? Let IDG.net's editors help you

   Subscribe to IDG.net's free daily newsletter for computer geniuses (& newbies)

   Search IDG.net in 12 languages

   News Radio

   Fusion audio primers

   Computerworld Minute

4. Personal Address Book: This free database program lets you dial phone numbers, send e-mail messages, surf the Web, and export and import data.

5. Above & Beyond 2000: This PIM includes a contact database, pop-up calendar, auto-dialer, alarms, task and event timers, and week- and month-at-a-glance views. The trial version also includes PalmPilot hot-syncing, stock quotes, and more.

6. Calendar Builder: Make your own calendar! This flexible program lets you add images, borders, recurring dates, and foreign-language text. The $20 shareware includes 13 calendar formats and lets you customize their look with your choice of fonts, colors, and header styles.

7. WinDates: Automatically remind yourself of upcoming events such as appointments, holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and important dates each time you log on to Windows. This shareware costs $20 to register.

8. Electronic Assistant: Use this free utility to keep track of your contacts, appointments, and other lists, such as inventories of your CDs and books. The program's journal feature lets you record your daily schedule and set alarms and reminders.

9. Visual Day Planner: Set this $30 calendar as your wallpaper, and you can always have your day, week, or month within view. You can set alarms and note recurring events, and even drag and drop pictures into the calendar and share it over a network.

10. Visual Calendar Planner: This $30 PIM features unique alarms with musical tunes. It tracks recurring events, appointments, reminders, notes, and more. You can even print your calendars or share them via a network.