Best Free Reminder/To-Do Program

There are literally dozens of free stand-alone reminder programs. Even more if you include sticky notes utilities and calendaring programs that offer reminder features. Many, I can assure you, are not worth installing.

Of the nine programs I looked at, Rainlendar is a much slicker product but a tad more difficult to use. Rainlender is not only a reminder program but a very capable "iCal compatible" desktop calendar, though the calendar feature can be turned off. Used as a reminder and "to do" program, it's very feature rich with a really snazzy interface employing things like variable windows transparency, impressive mouse-over effects, hotkeys, and easy skinning. It also has the ability to synchronize events between clients, as well as Outlook appointment integration. I liked, too, the way the tray icon shows the current date.

Firefox and Thunderbird users also have the option of using the ReminderFox and Mozilla Calendar extensions which together provide similar functionality. They offer the advantage of avoiding the need for running a separate reminder application but at the cost of not having reminders available when Firefox or Thunderbird aren't running.

Product Details

Rainlendar
Website:
http://www.rainlendar.net/cms/index.php
License: Freeware
Download Filesize:2.94MB
Operating Systems Supported: 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Non-Windows Operating Systems Supported: Linux
64 Bit Capable:Unknown
Portable Version Available: Unknown
Additional Software Required:No

ReminderFox
Website:
http://reminderfox.mozdev.org/
License: Freeware
Download Filesize:486KB
Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Non-Windows Operating Systems Supported:Yes
64 Bit Capable: Unknown
Portable Version Available: No
Additional Software Required:Firefox and/or Thunderbird

SunBird
Website:
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/
License: Freeware
Download Filesize:4.9MB
Operating Systems Supported: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
Non-Windows Operating Systems Supported: Linux, MAc OS
64 Bit Capable: Unknown
Portable Version Available:Yes (5.6Mo)
Additional Software Required: Available as Firefox and/or Thunderbird extension, or in standalone form as Sunbird.

This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Jean-Denis Laval.

How about GTDInbox, in extension for gmail, turning your gmail into to fantastic Getting Things Done environment. S/ labels for status, P/ labels for Projects (and sub projects as well), C/ labels for context (home, office, errands, phone calls, etc), R/ labels for references.

Really sophisticated.

I prefer kana reminder, a small but no-nonsense reminder
http://www.kanasolution.com/download.php?fid=11&pid=6&prid=8

I agree that there are many free stand-alone reminder and alarm programs. I have tried quite a lot of them. The one that suits me best - it is simple and not overloaded with unnecessary features - and which I have used with satisfaction for a few months is WinAlarm, website http://wa2.cba.pl/index.html. To me it has certainly been worth installing.
Bengt S

I have seen a program call memo that is fantastic and that does me very well, here is the link to download it: http://www.fobec.com/protec/logiciels2/load_logiciel.php3?id=152 and the link that talk about it: http://www.fobec.com/protec/logiciels2/encadre.php3?id_log=152&cat=VBure.... It works fine under XP and Vista (not the help file). You can transform the note into an appointment book, a daily journal, Reminder and so on. Really Great for me.

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