Microsoft's iCal Clone (Screenshot included)

[mox358]

Here is a screenshot of Microsoft's upcoming "Windows Calendar". It's the first screenshot I've seen of the program, and I'm generally not one to bash MS alot for copying (just a little ) but the first thing I thought when I saw this was "Wow, that looks just like iCal". See for yourself.

 

[Diatribe]

That does look like iCal. But it's also the first time I've seen MS improve on Apple's design and not make it worse.
I actually like the "one window" look and the tasks below the calendars so there's more space for the actual calendar. Besides the obvious settings overkill I think it looks nice.

 

[Abstract]

Yeah, the only difference between this and iCal is the "To Do" list being on the left side underneath the small calendar.......and I like it.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Leave it to Microsoft to rip off one of the weakest UIs Apple has done recently. They may have even improved it a bit, not that this required much thought. Still, true to form, they've managed to waste even more space in the interface than Apple. What's that big white area at the right good for? Will "sharing information" ever fill it up?

 

[GoCubsGo]

I quite like it, but I agree about the wasted space in the lower right.

 

[emw]

Well, to be fair there's only so many ways to display a calendar. The fact that the MS calendar is reminiscent of iCal is interesting, but then again, most calendar applications I have are pretty similar.

 

[gauchogolfer]

I like the way that iCal displays the months in the lower left corner, allowing me to drag the window up to display multiple months at a time. Maybe Vista could copy this as well.

I prefer the iCal approach with drawers, myself, because it helps eliminate some of the extra white space that people are complaining about. Works for me.

 

[backupdrummer]

It looks like many of the other calendar apps out there. I honestly find them all a bit lacking and am waiting for someone to come up with a truely elegant and well thought out execution. I currently have a hard time integrating calendar apps into my work flow. They are fine for little things but time consuming to manage.

I am liking Google's calendar right now. Nothing amazing about it yet but it is a good clean start.

 

[live4ever]

Does it use the standard iCal file format or some proprietary MS one?

 

[Kingsly]

This may be a little off topic but do those "gadgets" go away (like dashboard)or do they sit there taking up space even when their not in use?

BTW, iLike iCal. It is pretty obvious where microsoft got their inspiration.

 

[menziep]

just a message to the MS Calander Bashers

Theres Not Many ways to make a calender app

 

[bousozoku]

It also looks a lot like the calendar in MS Outlook.

There isn't that much you can do with a calendar application.

 

[Timepass]

It also looks a lot like the calendar in MS Outlook.

There isn't that much you can do with a calendar application.

I agree. This entire part of basing everything is getting out of hand. It looks a lot like what already in outlook.

Looks a bit like an outlook Sunbird mixture to me.

But like so many others have said there are only so many ways to lay out a calendar ap.

Btw the looks of things everything is going to be tied together bettween contacts and everything else and then everyone going to be screaming they are coping apple even more. But Outlook already ties all that stuff together they are just making it a little larger and a little less link to one ap but to several apps that all tied together.

I am still hoping that in the end I could stiff run everything like it currently done in out look. Only program containing everything. But also have indivial apps if I want to only use certain parts of each program.

 

[bousozoku]

I agree. This entire part of basing everything is getting out of hand. It looks a lot like what already in outlook.

Looks a bit like an outlook Sunbird mixture to me.

But like so many others have said there are only so many ways to lay out a calendar ap.

Btw the looks of things everything is going to be tied together bettween contacts and everything else and then everyone going to be screaming they are coping apple even more. But Outlook already ties all that stuff together they are just making it a little larger and a little less link to one ap but to several apps that all tied together.

I am still hoping that in the end I could stiff run everything like it currently done in out look. Only program containing everything. But also have indivial apps if I want to only use certain parts of each program.

Yes, they're splitting Outlook functionality out into a simpler version that can be run locally. I'm sure you'll still need Outlook to work with Exchange servers but newer versions will probably work with your personal calendars, too.

It's amazing to me that everyone someone does something, they think that Apple did it first--even when Apple copied someone/something else.

 

[Project]

One things for sure, Aero Glass is much more beautiful than brushed metal

 

[Oryan]

It's amazing to me that everyone someone does something, they think that Apple did it first--even when Apple copied someone/something else.

I second that! Why's it matter how a calendar or mail program looks similar to another one? That's a good thing to me because it's easier to use another program if the need arises.

And the Aero glass (in this case) does look pretty sweet.

 

[Bern]

Maybe MS have come to realise that Outlook and Entourage are two useless apps but I'm sure this one will still be as bloated and cumbersome to use. MS may get their apps looking like Apple's, but they never can get them to work as well.

 

[bousozoku]

I second that! Why's it matter how a calendar or mail program looks similar to another one? That's a good thing to me because it's easier to use another program if the need arises.

And the Aero glass (in this case) does look pretty sweet.

Yes, the glass looks pretty nice. I just want it to work. I can use iCal but it's still a pain for all the things it doesn't do.

Maybe MS have come to realise that Outlook and Entourage are two useless apps but I'm sure this one will still be as bloated and cumbersome to use. MS may get their apps looking like Apple's, but they never can get them to work as well.

Outlook is the opposite of useless. Being an Apple cheerleader won't change that.

Having used Outlook day-in-day-out for years, I can tell you that it's not perfect but it works well, especially in group scheduling. Of course, if you're looking to keep track of yourself at home, you don't need the heavy lifting, do you?

 

[Peyton]

Attack of the clones! Anyway, its still a windows product, so unless vista is on my mbp, and I can import from ical, I wouldn't use it. And even then, 2 calendars kinda makes it more complicated than intended/wanted.

 

[Bern]

..... Outlook is the opposite of useless. Being an Apple cheerleader won't change that.

Having used Outlook day-in-day-out for years, I can tell you that it's not perfect but it works well...

Do you not see the oxymoron there?

Of course, if you're looking to keep track of yourself at home, you don't need the heavy lifting, do you?

That's why MS made Outlook Express isn't it? But if you actually want to keep your schedule iCal is the professional option.

 

[bousozoku]

Do you not see the oxymoron there?

No, it's a matter of degree but apparently, you don't understand that.

That's why MS made Outlook Express isn't it? But if you actually want to keep your schedule iCal is the professional option.

Professional for what?

 

[Bern]

Professional for what?

Well I own my own business and have many clients so therefore many appointments to keep, deadlines to meet and time tables to schedule. iCal has always worked well in this (insert "professional") capacity. It integrates perfectly with all other apps and has never let me down.

On the other hand I've witnessed windows users loose a whole lot of schedules with Outlook.


And for those of you playing at home, it's back to the original topic of this thread....

 

[Timepass]

Well I own my own business and have many clients so therefore many appointments to keep, deadlines to meet and time tables to schedule. iCal has always worked well in this (insert "professional") capacity. It integrates perfectly with all other apps and has never let me down.

On the other hand I've witnessed windows users loose a whole lot of schedules with Outlook.


And for those of you playing at home, it's back to the original topic of this thread....

Takes a lot of lose things in outlook. Providing you allow the program to make backups (a feature that is built in set up to run by default). I seen plenty of people have 0 problems with outlook and it has always work very well.

I quite enjoy using it and it has work very well at keeping everything straight.

Being a M$ basher does change the point that it is a good program. All it does is making you opinan on the program rather worthless because it clear that it very very tainted and doesnt matter how good the program is you are going to bash it.

 

[bousozoku]

Takes a lot of lose things in outlook. Providing you allow the program to make backups (a feature that is built in set up to run by default). I seen plenty of people have 0 problems with outlook and it has always work very well.
...

I made my own backups but if the server administrator is reliable and does backups, there isn't a problem with Outlook--unless someone accidentally deletes their own information and there is no application responsible for that.

 

[mkrishnan]

I'll stump for Outlook...I generally found it quite useful.

But so MS is going to abandon having an integrated PIM app and go for separate apps à la Apple?