If you're a Mac user who relies on iCal and Gmail, I'm going to show you how to put your Gmail account on steroids in this post. My iCal problem is that, while I love it, I don't check it often enough. But I check my Gmail account way too often. So if only iCal would show up in Gmail! Here's how to make it do so.
Download the Firefox Addon "Better Gmail 2" here. Install. (This is not necessary, but it will give you full Gcal functionality in your Gmail account. Even if you don't use Firefox, for some absurd reason, the rest will work for you. You'll just get a smaller synced sidebar calendar that's perfect for reminders.)
Go to Gmail --> Settings --> Labs and enable the following features: "Right Side Labels", "Right Side Chat", and "Google Calendar Gadget". This will move the chat box and the labels box to the right side, locating the "Google Calendar Gadget" right beneath your inbox controls and directly in your line of sight. If you like, you can also enable "Navbar Drag and Drop" for more control over the layout. I also recommend the "Forgotten Attachment Detector".
Finally, you need software that will automatically sync your iCal with your Gcal. For this, you need Spanning Sync. This is absolutely lovely Mac software, and well worth the $20 if you're an iCal/Gmail user. If you use the provided link, it should offer you a $5 discount. If not, you can enter my spanning sync discount code manually: XQC376 to get $5 off.
In the linked image you can see the effect. Gmail remembers whether you left it with your calendar minimized or maximized. In this case, I have the mail bar minimized so you can see the lovely syncing action between iCal and Gcal (and so you can't see all my e-mails). I like having my entire calendar easily accesible from within Gmail, but I rely primarily on the sidebar gadget for reminders. Since you have the sidebar calendar as well, with all your upcoming appointments neatly displayed beneath the mail controls, you leave your mail window open at all times and not worry about missing anything. Hot, no?
Comments