Reminderfox works with the standard ICS data format for calendar applications defined with RFC 2445.[iCAL] - specifies a core specification of objects, data types, properties and property parameters.Reminderfox only supports that format for exchange with other calendars, services or devices.
See also: Invitations [iCal / iTIP]Exporting and Importing is useful for backing up your reminders as well as sharing them with other profiles, computers, or calendar services. Only iCalendar (ics) files are supported for importing and exporting.
You can import or export reminders and ToDo's via the ReminderFox Options dialog. When importing reminders, you can either overwrite your current existing reminders, or add the imported reminders to your existing list of reminders (sort of like merging). This allows for you to import common shared lists of reminders for multiple people who share a pool of reminders such as family members (birthdays, etc).
Changing the Options to use the same 'reminderfox.ics' file from both programs makes it possible to work with just one set of data. From one instance of ReminderFox, go to the Options and then go to the File tab. Copy the ReminderFox File Location (you may need to first uncheck Use Default). Now go to your second instance of ReminderFox, go to the Options and then go to the File tab. Uncheck 'Use Default' and then paste in the file location you had previously copied. Now both programs are pointing to the same file, so any changes made in one program will be reflected in the other.
You can share your reminders via the network. You can easily share reminders with other instances of ReminderFox - for example, to use the same list of reminders between your computers at work and at home.
You can use any FTP or WebDAV (HTTP/HTTPS) server to store your reminders. If you do not have any servers available for sharing, there are a number of freely available services, such as iCal Exchange (icalx.com).See also: Options: NetworkSelect the protocol from the drop down (http/https/fttp) and then enter in your address in the address text field. Make sure that your address ends in a filename. Enter in your username and password needed to access your server (if required). You can then press Import to download your events from the remote server, or Export to upload your reminders to the remote server.
Here's an example of a network setup using iCal Exchange:
If you enable the Automatic Synchronize Reminders With Network option, your local reminders and ToDo's will automatically be kept in sync with your remote reminders. Whenever you make any changes to your reminder list, your reminders will automatically be uploaded to your remote server. And when any changes are made to the remote reminders, they will automatically be downloaded to your local machine. Your remote reminders are checked to see if there are new changes whenever you view your list of reminders as well as when your start ReminderFox and once an hour after that.
Make sure your address is written properly (http:// or ftp:// should not be part of the text of your address - they are selected in the drop-down box before the address). Make sure that your address ends with a filename (example: reminders.ics). Also, some servers do not accept files with certain extensions (like .ics), so try changing your filename to end in another extension (example: reminders.txt). Also, make sure that you can access your server via FTP or HTTP outside of ReminderFox to ensure that the server is properly accepting requests in normal circumstances. Also if the address you are synchronizing to is another calendar service, you should make sure that they support downloading and uploading from other calendar programs.
Though not explicitly supported, you should be able to share with most other calendar services that are also based on the iCalendar (ics) format, and which support both reading and writing events. Some of the services that have been reported to work with ReminderFox:
Note:
- Memotoo
- Zimbra
- iCal Exchange
You should be careful when sharing with other network services and automatic synchronization; you may want to back up your ReminderFox reminders first.Lightning (Sunbird) Calendar
Any change with Lightning or Reminderfox can also change the events in the other one.
This needs the Lightning / Sunbird calendar is stored with format ICS file also.
Work with Google Calendar
Google Calendar and ReminderFox can work side-by-side, also some specials/limitations has to be known:
Events and TasksGoogle Calendar (currently) supports only events (in ReminderFox called: reminders) with the standard based ICS/iCal format. So only reminders can be shared between both calendars.
GCal Tasks (in ReminderFox called: Todos) can not been shared.
ReminderFox acting as 'Viewer' for Google CalendarThe ReminderFox networking capability allows to read and display events entered on the Google Calendar. But it is not possible to add events in ReminderFox and have them appear on the Google Calendar.
In this scenario, all events must be added using Google Calendar, and ReminderFox will act as a 'Viewer' of these events - ONLY!
Also it is important to know adding events to the ReminderFox list will not only NOT be added to the Google Calendar, but the sync process will delete those events from the ReminderFox list.
For details how configure this 'Viewer' go to here.
ReminderFox and Google Calendar - 2-way syncUsing the third party program GCALDaemon gives the user the ability for a true 2-way sync of events/reminders.
For a detailed description for the setup and use see here.
Working with InvitationsInvitations received from Google calendar by mail can be processed as usual (see also Reminderfox Events/Invitations ) and added to the Reminderfox list. Google Calendar only accepts invitation replies send from Google Calendar; this is not a problem of Reminderfox.
Microsoft Outlook
Exchange of Events / Invitations
- Invitations received from Outlook by mail can be processed as usual (see also Reminderfox Events/Invitations ) and added to the Reminderfox list..
- Sending to Outlook - MS Outlook receiving messages with replies to invitation will not automatically add the reply status to the calendar, also it can be stored to the events manually.
Outlook Events importing withICS data file
To import events from Outlook requires to export with Outlook using the ICS data format. Some Outlook versions may not support this export.
For this situation a standalone program can be used to export with ICS format. A detailed description for the export / import can be found with the downloaded ZIP file.
Notes:
- Importing of Outlook todo's doesn't support "Recurring" todo's
- Outlook-Todos 'Categories'-items are treated as ReminderFox-List 'Names'; if that ReminderFox-List does not exist, ReminderFox will build it while importing the ICS-file
- If an Outlook-Todo holds multiple 'Categories'-items, the Outlook-ToDo is imported to a ReminderFox-List named "CATEGORIES". You should move it to the required ReminderFox-List manually.
Sync Events and ToDo's with PDAs / SmartPhones / iPods
ReminderFox works with the ICS-format and stores all data in a calendar file.
This file can be used to sync with PDAs and Smartphones.
PDA -- Finchsync
Devices running MS Windows Mobil can be used with the JAVA program FinchSync running on Windows, Linux and MAC OSX systems. (MAC OSX need a WLAN connection to the device).
FinchSync is compatible with Reminderfox, which makes it possible to exchange Events and ToDo's. In FinchSync, for "Appointments" select the source as "Mozilla Calendar/Sunbird".
Notes:
- FinchSync stores a backup of the source/destination file before syncing, but it's also recommended to make a copy of the ReminderFox ICS file before starting. (See also Options: Files )
- ReminderFox Todo's can be stored in individual custom lists (eg. Birthdays, Albums). These lists are ReminderFox specific. When exporting to 'MS Window Mobil', all list entries are transfered into the PDA as regular "Todo's".
iPod
tbd [$$$]