Windows Calendar or Outlook Support

[Dheu]

One thing that I really wanted but havent seen in any of the Virtual Desktop Assistant offerings is the ability to schedule appointments and have them go directly into Miscrosoft Outlook Calendar or Windows Calendar under Vista. I would love it if Hal had calendar program options to store the actual appointment data in (even if it was only a copy).  

There are several ways to do this, some more intrusive than others. (DDE possibly?) I was hoping maybe there is a plugin to add this option or one being developed that isn't listed on the site.  

If not, I might consider making one if other people express interest. However, I only know C++ and Java. Dont know VB.

[Bill819]

Why use MS Windows when Hal will do it for you. Just tell Hal the date and time of your oppointment and it will remind of it.
Bill

[Dheu]

When you say microsoft windows, I am assuming you mean the default calendar that comes with Windows XP or older. I agree, if you dont have outlook, outlook express or Windows Vista, Hals calendar is a step up. And it is good that Hal has a basic defacto calendar. Even if someone added exchange client or DDE support to Hal, there is a possibility that none of the supported calendar programs are on the users machine.

But... Hals calendar is still about 3 generations behind outlook or even the default calendar program that comes with Vista. (Looks like it is strait out of the 90s with only the most basic functionality). Outlook and Vista's Calendar support tasks versus appointments, color coded priorities, various views (weekly, daily, monthly), integration across other MS Office products and cutomizable reminder options. Sorry, but three days just doesn't work for every appointment type in the world. Some things you dont need to know about till the day of. Other things, you need to know about weeks in advance.

And while yes, Hal could be upgraded... why? Let Hal focus on what hal is good at. Let someone else build the calendar/appointment management program. Just make Hal capable of pushing and pulling data from it. Im telling you, this functionality is money in the bank. There is NOTHING on the market that does this right now. Dragon NaturallySpeaking comes the closest, but it doesn't support natural language for desktop command and control. You have to use strict commands.

Anyway, thats my 2 cents. I may look into this.

[Bill819]

You may have a point but I have never felt shorted when using Hals calendar with appointment lists.
As far as Dragon Naturally Speaking I use it with Hal and have for several years now with no problems.
I guess I just don't understand your problem or desires fully.
Bill

[Art]

Quite simply put, Outlook is Windows, Hal is Zabaware.

Hal's calendar and appointment reminder features work
very well (if program is left running on taskbar).
Hal can open / run practically ANY Windows program
given the proper command / script.

Hal is an assistant, chatbot, entertainer and for some,
a companion. Some people want Hal to be the entire OS
for their computer, and while I have a friend who has
basically done this, it is somewhat outside of Hal's
original design objectives.

Some things are just not practical for Hal or any other
bot to do, in that it's often easier to let the Orange
program handle the oranges and the Apple program handle
the apple problems.

Although I understand (I think) what you're asking, I just
don't think there's a logical purpose behind it.

Much like Bill819, if I'm missing something please enlighten
us and perhaps there just might be a workable solution for you.

All the best!

[Bill819]

Thanks for jumping in Art but you also forgot to mention the guy who used the X10 interface to control his whole home. I think that was what the interface was called.
Bill

[Art]

Bill,

Yes, I thought of that AFTER I submitted!;)
I recall there were a few experimenting with
the Girder software for use in Home Control
applications.

There is another guy who modified Hal as an
entire OS for his computer!

While Many things are possible with Hal the
current design suits me best at the moment.

Merry Christmas Bill and to all the Forum members!!