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Andrey “Rarst” Savchenko —  — Software — calendar, google, plan

Rainlendar – convenient and skinnable calendar app

rainlendar_icon It is always a little tricky to recommend apps you don’t use yourself. There are some tells like popularity and developer’s reputation, but overall it is still guesswork and waiting for feedback.

Rainlendar is my blind shot recommendation for desktop calendar application and feedback was nothing but positive so far. Decided to take a look and get some first hand impressions.

What it does

App is essentially floating calendar with very flexible events/todos/alarms support.

rainlendar_interface

It doesn’t sound like much, but really it takes a lot of thought and polishing to cram that many organizer options in package this streamlined to use.

Items are automatically marked on calendar with icons (according to their category) and also included into floating events and todo lists.

Strong features

App is highly flexible, without being in your face about that. Whatever your workflow is you are almost certain to fit it in there the way you like it. Items can be templated, you can add own hotkeys to default ones and so on.

Can be switched into portable mode by creating rainlendar2.ini file in its directory.

Downsides

Graphical skin is major part of application. For example even if you switch interface language it will mostly remain English with default skin, because text is hardcoded as images. There is no way to easily change font sizes and like – you have to look for script that looks morel like what you want for that.

Some people more than enjoy such approach, but certainly not all of us. If you want app that just blends with OS seamlessly this is not a match.

Free version limitations

Lite version is fully functional. The only feature that Pro version adds is capability to sync with Outlook and online services such as Remember The Milk and Google Calendar.

Overall

Excellent functionality, but high weight of skinning in experience is not a universal fit.

Home http://www.rainlendar.net/

Download http://www.rainlendar.net/cms/index.php?option=com_rny_download&Itemid=30

Skins http://www.rainlendar.net/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=44

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4 Comments

  • kelltic #

    Loads of people really like Rainlender. I read positive comments about it everywhere. When you hear that much in the way of raves, you tend to believe. Myself, I was disappointed by its appearance. Not my cup of tea, or mug of brew. But then I don't like desktop clutter and really have no need of such an application. Today I have an engagement. I will probably be able to remember that for a couple of hours. Next Wednesday I have a lunch date. If I forget, I will only have offended one friend. On the other hand, I don't have too many of those . . .

  • Rarst #

    @kelltic Browse skins. :) Default skin is only one of many many ways it can look like. By the way you don't even have to display anything, it can be simply used in tray app with popup menu and alarms. I am not much into calendar apps myself (as I started post with), I mostly set reminders in mobile phone.

  • Ling #

    I tried using it as ways to manage tasks and outstanding issues etc at work, but gave it up in the end because it won't let me resize windows (I needed a longer window to fit all tasks, so I won't have to scroll) Other than that, I find the features excellent

  • Rarst #

    @Ling You can resize lists, but it is not very straightforward (and depends on skin I suspect). Anyway it works for default skin. Options > Skins > Active skins > toggle Advanced > find element you need to resize > Settings > there will be variables for width and height.