Comments on: Small Biz Corner: BusyCal

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:35:48 +0000

I just started used BusyCal and so far so good although I don’t see a ton of upgrades from iCal since I don’t use Google calendars. I do like the layout slightly better and the moons/weathers but don’t think those alone are worth $49.
$30 would be the perfect price — any coupons / discount codes out there?

By: Leslie Godwin

Leslie Godwin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 03:58:43 +0000

It looks like busycal is $49. not 40. But it looks like your comments are pretty current. Is there a discount (besides buying mult. copies or buying busysync?)

By: Justin Noel

Justin Noel — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:20:20 +0000

I've given up on BusyCal. All of the issues I described above were just bothering me too much.

However, I don't know if it is really BusyCal's fault. I don't think it NOR iCal are really designed for the intense reminder functionality I've been using it for. In reality, I was just snoozing away dozens of tasks per day.

Instead, I've completely gone away from the Reminders controlling my life workflow to more of the GTD methodology. I'm using "Things" on the Mac to manage my tasks. It's been so refreshing. Now, I'm not dealing with reminders left and right. I've got a task list that I review throughout the day as I work. If I know something needs to be bumped, I just drag it to "Scheduled" and tell it how many days to postpone the task. I'm much more organized now.

Now that I'm not dealing with the iCal pop-ups except for actual appointments, I don't mind it so much.

Things has really improved my workflow and productivity. There's even an iPhone and a future iPad app.

By: Justin

Justin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:24:33 +0000

After giving up on iCal (the reminders/snooze options drove me crazy), Entourage (and it’s ever-corrupting 10gb database), and Sunbird (too buggy), I’m excited to try BusyCal. And so far, so good.

I had basically decided to go to just using Google Calendar, but having a desktop app is preferable. So this app that can sync with Google Calendar seems like a perfect fit.

By: Justin Noel

Justin Noel — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:32:46 +0000

I’ve been a BusyCal user for several months. I like it, but ….

Complaints :
No Exchange integration. If I get an Appointment via Mail (with Exchange), it doesn’t import into BusyCal. I have to open iCal first. Then, BusyCal will import it. What a pain.

Snooze – My biggest complaint about iCal is the Snooze options – or lack thereof. BusyCal is a huge improvement. You can define any snooze period you like. However, you have to use 3 different actions to accomplish it.

Example : 5 reminders pop up.

To Snooze 5 days on one reminder : Click in the text field (you can’t use a key stroke to move focus to it), then click the selection box and choose days.

To Snooze another reminder 30 mins, Click in the text field, type 30 mins, then click the select from and choose days, then click Snooze.

The other 3 reminders, guess what. Do lots more clicking and typing.

I’d much prefer having all these functions AND a simple drop down list with some default options. Click the drop down, choose a snooze and voila you’re on to the next reminder. FYI : That extra special drop down list MUST be configurable via preferences. I may want 1 Day, 2 Days, 20 mins, 45mins, 18 hours, etc. THAT is the biggest failure of iCal – the lack of customizing the drop down list.

By: Scott Rose

Scott Rose — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:37:00 +0000

Let’s not forget that BusySync also lets you share your BusyCal calendars over a WAN as well as a LAN, and that if you don’t have access to the published calendars when you’re away from them, it will sync when they become available.

By: Matthew Bookspan

Matthew Bookspan — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:37:05 +0000

With BusyCal, you get:

* SSL
* Alarm synchronization
* Define how much calendar information to publish.

Essentially, more control.

By: Matthew Bookspan

Matthew Bookspan — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:33:01 +0000

Michael,

I see your point. For small businesses, this might not really be an issue. I am curious as to why it is a blocker for you.

Matthew

By: Michael Spurlock

Michael Spurlock — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:27:03 +0000

I still can’t abide by the “iCal Pro” moniker until it can do everything iCal can do. Read/Write support for CalDAV is a must these days. I own BusySync and love it. I really want to buy BusyCal but it is useless without the CalDAV write feature. I refuse to use two calendar programs. Users have been asking BusyMac Software for this feature since BusyCal was released. They say they are considering it in the forums. Let’s all hope we get what we need.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:46:15 +0000

How is the Google Calendar sync feature any different from using CalDav sync in iCal? Thanks.