Free/Open Software like iCal?
- Published March 20th, 2006 in Free Software, Apple
I only use Free Software except if I have no other alternative. It’s like being vegetarian: you are one but you can’t obly others to follow you. The same happens with me regarding Free Software. I don’t expect everyone to use Free Software — but I certainly demand some respect about my decision.
Well, this comes as an intro to what I’ll be discussing: a good calendar application. And this is precisely where Free Software lacks utterly. This means I have no more possibilities other than using proprietary software — Apple’s iCal. But hey, this is one hell of a software. iCal simply rocks!
I don’t know any other application, Free Software or not, that works as great as iCal does. Evolution is bloated and Outlook lacks a good UI. Damn, Apple really knows how to do friendly and easy to use interfaces. Web based calendards are out of question — they still miss a lot of usability.
So for anyone thinking about doing something useful — here’s your chance. I’d pay up to $100 for a good calendar application. Free Software preferabily. And yes, Free/Open Software can be sold. Richard Stallman went through the old days by selling Emacs copies.
You can search for Chandler. It’s still a prototype though. I also grew tired of complex solutions for simple calendar management so I’m planning on creating my own package but it won’t be any good to you unless you happen to be a Gnome user.
If you’re interested in hearing about it and maybe lending a hand let me know, you’ve got my email address there and I’d be more than happy to share the specs (even the -ugly- mockups :-) ).
I think Mario uses Ubuntu as well, and most certainly he should have gotten it, but here it goes:
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=119350&highlight=Chandler
Yes I do use Ubuntu and I’m a proud Gnome user :-)
I’ll contact you as soon as possible Celso.
Romeu and Celso,
Chandler seems really promising. I’m looking forward into it.