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Best Free Reminder/To-Do Program

Last Update: Fri, 11/06/2009 - 11:36 — eyeldo
 
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Introduction
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.
Discussion
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 (Pro version). I liked, too, the way the tray icon shows the current date. Rainlendar Main Screen

Mozilla Calendar MainScreen

Firefox and Thunderbird users also have the option of using the ReminderFoxand Mozilla Calendar extensions which together provide similar functionality. Mozilla Calendar gives you option to synchronize with your online calendar like Google Calendar, letting you view  your calendar anywhere on web. They also 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.

 

Kana Reminder is  another good option. Its a light weight free program which offers  a simple reminder option,. It does not contain so  many options, but it does what it need to. Its simple user interface donot require much of the skill to work with. It can schedule any program to run at speciified time or even can set time to log off , shutdown or restart your computer. One main pro I noticed is its lightweightness. It wont give a feeling that it is running there, but it is.                     

 Kana Reminder Screen Shot

   
Quick Selection Guide

Rainlendar    Rating 8 of 10
Pros   Free Product Complement the Web based application
Cons   Shared calendars are available only for Pro version
Developer Home Page   http://www.rainlendar.net/cms/index.php
Download link   http://www.rainlendar.net/cms/index.php?option=com_rny_download&Itemid=32
File Size   4.24 MB   Version 2.6   License Type Unrestricted Freeware   Installation Requirements Windows 2000 or newer, Mac OS X Tiger (10.4) or newer, Various Linux distros
64 Bit version available   64 Bit version available
Info   A commercial version provides extended abilities to edit Outlook, Google Calendar from Rainlendar

ReminderFox    Rating 8 of 10
Pros   No need for a separate application
Cons   Firefox must be running
Developer Home Page   http://reminderfox.mozdev.org/
Download link   https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1191?id=1191
File Size   737 KB   Version 1.9.1   License Type Unrestricted Freeware   Installation Requirements Firefox
Info   If you want to support the effort, do not hesitate to make a donation

Lightning    Rating 8 of 10
Pros   No need for a separate application
Cons   Thunderbird must be running
Developer Home Page   http://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/lightning/index.html
Download link   http://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/lightning/
File Size   2 MB   Version 0.9   License Type Unrestricted Freeware   Installation Requirements Thunderbird
Info   if you want a standalone Apps use Sunbird

 

Kana Reminder    Rating 8 of 10
Pros   Simple, Very low CPU usage
Cons   Category Option to save reminders is not available, also no synchronsation with any other online or offline reminders
Developer Home Page   http://www.kanasolution.com
Download link   http://www.kanasolution.com/download.php?fid=11&pid=6&prid=8
File Size   549 KB   Version 1.5.0   License Type Unrestricted Freeware   Installation Requirements Windows 98 or above

 

 

 

 

 

This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Elmo Yeldo. Registered site visitors can contact Elmo by clicking here.

 

 

   

 

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#1Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 13:29.

Try this:
ToDoList (c) AbstractSpoon Software
http://www.abstractspoon.com/tdl_resources.html

#2Submitted by ChronicChaos on Mon, 09/07/2009 - 23:21.

Memo to me is a very easy email reminder site.

http://www.memotome.com/

#3Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 07/25/2009 - 05:33.

You can try http://www.memo-reminder.com . This free reminder is useful especially for those who work with the computer in one or multiple locations because has capability to be an offline/online application.

#4Submitted by eyeldo on Mon, 08/03/2009 - 11:34.

Good Program.. It would be nice if they include a synchronization with other calendars like Google calendar..Also it is consuming much of the CPU usage.

#5Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 07:43.

I am a huge fan of www.rememberthemilk.com. It took a minute to get used to but once I figured it out it became my lifeline.

#6Submitted by eyeldo on Mon, 08/03/2009 - 11:28.

For remember milk, we cannot minimize it to notification area, thereby saving the taskbar space...

#7Submitted by rangergord on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 13:07.

Anyone know of a ToDo list that embeds in the Desktop? Like to have the list starring at me when I start up.

#8Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 06/03/2009 - 19:56.

You should consider www.superminder.com too! Seems to be the new buzz right now.

#9Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 05/02/2009 - 22:48.

Please add to the list TODOIST.

http://todoist.com

It's free, fast, simple, on-line.

You get multiple todo list, and you can add complexity (priority, groups, labels) as you need. What I like the most is its versatility, and the fact that I can access it from my pda, laptop, office.

Great, great utility.

After months of free usee I subscribed just to support the developers.

#10Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 04/07/2009 - 22:57.

Try Time & Chos Ver 5.03 ... legacy version is free ...

#11Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 04/22/2009 - 11:48.

I think you meant "Time and Chaos"

#12Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 06/03/2009 - 20:02.

another vote for the legacy version of Time & Chaos - calendar, todo list, appointments, contact names and addresses, all on one page

#13Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/03/2009 - 05:08.

I think Rainlendar is fantastic!

#14Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/05/2009 - 20:17.

Yahoo widgets works for me.

#15Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 15:08.

Sorry, Taskcoach and many of these stink. All I (we) want it a to-do list that:
1)schedules daily to-dos
2)carry's over to-dos from day to day if they arent complete.
3)shows me only today's to-dos by default.
4)glimpse a calendar of upcoming to-dos

This is a to-do list not a project tracking sheet. It doesn't have to have any other functionality than showing me what I need to do today. Any notes, exceptions, work or clarifications need to documented with the project files and folders not in a to do program. All the to-do program really needs is a date to complete by and a date it was completed on.

#16Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 07/12/2009 - 11:34.

Did you ever find one?! I want it bad!! :(

#17Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 12/01/2008 - 12:53.

Taskcoach is the winner

#18Submitted by dalimit on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 14:30.

desktop calendar 0.42b-small and simple with clock,reminder and calendar run automatically at startup.

#19Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 10/27/2008 - 05:35.

but this is not free. Free to try and 14.99$

#20Submitted by keroffs on Mon, 10/27/2008 - 13:48.

0.42b is freeware.
"This program started out as Freeware and has been for the last two years. You can download it below completely free of charge and with no built-in limitations or time limits. However development has now stopped on that version and all future additions and improvement are going into the optional upgrade which is available for a small fee."
http://tinnes.org.uk/desktopcalendar/download.htm

Don't use it myself.
Steve

#21Submitted by binumathew on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 08:47.

I have tried all the reminders mentioned in this sections. All are having good features. But my requirement was
- a lightweight solution
- easy to create and edit ToDos
- can be installed anywhere and need not require registry modification
- should run automatically at startup

All these features I found in the following program - Extora

http://www.exstora.com/?mw_2.2

#22Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/03/2009 - 04:52.

I like Exstora, simple yet elegant.

#23Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 19:45.

the one that works best for me is xcalday.

#24Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 09/22/2008 - 11:10.

xcalday is great for one liner to-do lists and notes but if you want a bit more iDailyDiary is worth a look: http://www.splinterware.com/products/idailydiary.htm

I find TaskCoach is good for structured project to-do lists and ThinkingRock for project planning.

Ian Russell

#25Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 08/31/2008 - 17:03.

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.

#26Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 05:21.

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

#27Submitted by Megaman on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 02:28.

I agree, it works, well put. I have used it for a few months, and I haven't looked back.

#28Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 07/26/2008 - 10:02.

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

#29Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 05/20/2008 - 02:21.

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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