iCalMaker
(Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4, 10.5; cost $34.95 USD)
iCalMaker is an easy to use program for the rapid creation of vCal diary appointment files for use with iCal and other such applications (Download - Purchase). However, a number of users have asked why there is a need for iCalMaker when iCal (from Apple) is free.
First, iCalMaker is not a replacement for iCal but an aid to help with calendaring. Below are some suggested uses. (If you have some additional ideas please drop us a line - .)
- Display your iCal appointments as a list - Sometimes seeing things as a list can really help. Patterns can be spotted and problems seen. With the 'sort' function the usually disordered iCal files can be ordered.
- Clean up existing iCal files - iCal does a great job handling your data. However, sometimes iCal files can become 'bloated' with repeating appointments that no longer display in iCal as either all dates have passed or have been cancelled. Open the iCal file and have a look. Repeating events are indicated with a 'blue ball' and 'excluded dates' can be viewed using the repeat date drawer.
- Extract a series of appointments from an iCal file to e-mail to colleagues - Open the iCal file, delete the appointments you don't want and either save the file or send to mail using the built in function. (Invitees can also be added at this point.)
- Convert PalmDesktop vCal export for iCal - vCal files (for example, those exported from PalmDesktop) can be imported in to iCalMaker, edited and then either exported as a file (vCal or iCal) or directly to iCal using iCalMaker.
- Convert iCal files to vCal for use with PalmDesktop - Want to go back to PalmDesktop? Then use iCalMaker to convert iCal files back to a format that PalmDesktop can use.
- Automatically 'translate' an appointment in text, say in an e-mail, to an iCal appointment - Receive a lot of appointment by e-mail? With iCalMaker you can copy the text of the appointment to the clipboard and use the 'import from clipboard' to 'translate' to an iCal appointment. iCalMaker can then export the new appointment direct to iCal.
- Create, or import, appointments to e-mail to colleagues and producing a print-out for use on the day - Appointment lists (e.g. timetables, schedules for site visits, conference timetables etc.) can be imported or created, and then exported as file to be sent, and a text output created for hardcopy or inclusion with an e-mail.
- Export iCal data as a tab- or comma-delimited file - Maybe you want event data that you can import into a spreadsheet or a database? iCalMaker can create comma- or tab-delimited files than can be imported.
- Convert tab- or comma-delimited appointment files to iCal files - Event/appointment details can be exported from spreadsheet, or databases, as comma- or tab-delimited files and imported in to iCalMaker for editing and export to iCal.
- Combine calendars from multiple iCal (or vCal) - Multiple vCal, iCal, comma- and tab-delimited files can be imported in to iCalMaker and then exported to iCal etc.
And many more...
iCalMaker is written in Cocoa and therefore Mac OS X native. Why not give it a try?
The software is shareware ($34.95 US, approx. £20 GBP) and can be purchased directly from the MMISoftware Store. A demonstration version can be available. The demo version has no disabled features other than it can only process five appointments at a time and it starts to display a 'nag' screen after you have used the unregistered program more than 5 times.