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September 24, 1999
Web posted at: 10:51 a.m. EDT (1451 GMT)

by Max Green

(IDG) -- This summer Microsoft released Office 2000, which includes the latest version of contact manager and the e-mail application Outlook. While Microsoft's hold on the operating-system market looks unbreakable, the company faces tough competition in the arena of personal information managers (PIMs), and shareware developers have come up with some great little low-cost programs to challenge the big commercial products.

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None of the PIMs on this week's list are as comprehensive as Outlook, but each shines at its specialty. We've chosen the most popular downloads in the FileWorld library to showcase, but if you think there's no such thing as too much organization, check out all the files in this category by clicking the "More PIMs, schedulers and contact managers" link below.

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Top 10 personal organizers

1. 12-Month Screen Calendar: Take a quick glance at the next 12 months with this free calendar utility.

2. Calendar Magic: This free calendar program aims to be as entertaining as it is useful.

3. AquaScape PIM: This combination calendar and screen-saver shareware will make a day at the office almost as much fun as snorkeling through tropical seas with exotic fish.

4. Personal Address Book: This simple database lets you store addresses, phone numbers, e-mail adresses, and more, and it's free. Personal Address Book supports phone-number dialing, Web browsing, envelope printing, and exporting and importing of data.

5. A1 Visual Contact: Organize all your URLs and e-mail addresses with this free desktop utility. A1 Visual Contact's address book lets you launch your Internet browser, e-mail app, or word processor while incorporating address information. The program's drag-and-drop feature allows easy importing and exporting from other desktop applications.

6. WinDates: Automatically remind yourself of upcoming events. Each time you log on to Windows, you'll be notified of appointments, holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and other important dates. This shareware is priced at $20.

7. Calendar Builder: Create fancy calendars complete with graphic images, recurring dates, and more. The $20 program supports multiple languages and includes 13 different calendar formats. You can also choose any font, color, and header style you wish.

8. Above and Beyond 99 (32 bit): This free-trial PIM's features include a pop-up calendar, alarms, task and event timers, and week- and month-at-a-glance views. A task timer, autodialer, and contact database are also included. You can print schedules and launch programs from schedules or pop-up alarms.

9. Almanac for Windows 95/NT: Put separate, configurable windows for your calendar, daily schedule, to-do list, phone book, and notes on your desktop with this $40 calendar program.

10. xReminder: This System Tray-based program tracks anniversaries, holidays, meetings, or any event. Unlike many personal organizers, this $20 utility works unobtrusively in the background.