New feature: Opera Calendar - time planner for a complete Personal Information Manager (PIM)

New feature: Opera Calendar - time planner for a complete Personal Information Manager (PIM)

A Calendar in Opera - Why?

• Because Opera, as a browser with integrated email client and contact book deals with people and messages history. If it really is a "Complete Internet Power Tool", it should also deal with TIME and future... If it was possible to plan the time using Opera - then one could say "Opera - planning sounds perfect!". It would then become a real Personal Information Manager - PIM.
• Existing calendar projects (like for Firefox/Thunderbird/Mozilla) are either separate programs or plugins which open in a new window - offering not much integration with email and news clients. Running them manually so that they can remind you about sb.'s birthday makes no sense, right? (You may forget to run the calendar at the right time.)
• Tiny tray-reminders, which are usually not portable, do not allow much more than assigning some text to some point in time. What is more, they store the events in their own format.

Please let me know if there exists any calendar plugin for Opera of such functionality.
I am curious about your opinions. You are welcome to vote in the poll.
What do you think about a calendar feature in Opera?

Hi njupas, there are already quite a few threads about calendars and PIMs.

Voted the "OK but only as a plugin" option. I personally wouldn't use a calendar initially so I wouldn't want it to come with Opera but in the off-chance that I actually do want to use it, making it a separate download would be the best way to handle it.

Yes that is one of my favorit wishlist items.

i have read through the panel calendar and the large reminder calendar. they are quite ok. but I must admit, that I really look up to the mozilla's calendar project. hmm... it's open, so maybe it is not impossible to fit here also...

Originally posted by njupas:

Existing calendar projects (like for Firefox/Thunderbird/Mozilla) are either separate programs or plugins which open in a new window - offering not much integration with email and news clients. Running them manually so that they can remind you about sb.'s birthday makes no sense, right? (You may forget to run the calendar at the right time.)

You mention calendar projects and forget Outlook, the calendar. It can be minimized to tray or used with all kinds of add-ons so as to make sure you are reminded regardless of whether it's open or not.

As far as integration with Opera goes, there's not much you can do apart from assigning all kinds of commands to Opera's menus. I personally combined assigning some labels in M2 with setting new tasks and reminders.

I didn't vote in the poll because there's no option that would fit my opinion. I most certainly don't need any calendar like that made by Mozilla, I need a full-fledged planning tool that would work with Exchange. I definitely wouldn't mind if all this functionality would be integrated in Opera, but I doubt it's realistic, as most people don't even know what Outlook does, thinking it's just a mail client and Exchange is a mail server.

I personally have no interest in using it, but between Mail, Usenet, RSS and Contacts, this is the one thing obviously missing from the "internet suite", and it's something that shouldn't be hard to put in.. it just needs to be simple, like iCal (which I currently use.) I don't mind it being part of Opera by default as Opera know how to code unlike others, where having extra features might actually weigh the computer down in speed and memory usage.

I vote for having a calendar - I would also love a Palm sync conduit too...

I would prefer a panel CSS for web calendar (e.g. yahoo) portable through all computers (home, work, ...).
But an included one is great.
When they add irc, it didn't mind me, so...
There is always a mean to disable it (like mail, irc, news).

I Like the idea!

I too would like something like sunbird/ical/KOrganizer in opera...
but maybe one that can be a standalone app.

hi !

i think this function is a must to add to opera !
it will make it the best internet software !

please add this agenda/calendar/planner to opera !

Good idea

great idea! it is a must!

+100

Would love it. Maybe it will be introduced via one of these new darn fangled widget things that are rumoured to be appearing in TP2 - assuming I am correct in believing they are Firefox Extension type devices.

What would be really great is if they can incorporate Calender, Bookmarks and Contacts in widgets that synchronize with a live database in MyOpera account space. I want it to be an incorporated part of my Opera browser at home, opening in tabs, but also available to access on any browser in a webpage (ala Pluck) when I'm off travelling.

Then my life will be complete. Well...assuming I get my LazyBoy Oasis E-recliner with built in comode at the same time. But then again, if I get that, I'll never leave the chair and live bookmarks will become irrelevant....

Originally posted by wwoodard:

I vote for having a calendar - I would also love a Palm sync conduit too...

YES, I have a PALM too.

From Chile
I want calendar for opera, who give me one.

The truth is you can already get a calender, i have one, but I don't use it that often, would be easier to get one as a widget or something.

Disregard what I just said, this idea is awsome. Great idea, suprised it's not already included.
+7

Originally posted by garydenness:

What would be really great is if they can incorporate Calender, Bookmarks and Contacts in widgets that synchronize with a live database in MyOpera account space.

Garydenness's idea would definitely be the best way to go - if Opera made its database of contacts, mail etc. accessible to widgets (e.g., via XML), then you could do really clever things.

Update: This would be especially easy with the addition of Web Forms 2.

Originally posted by fx910:

Originally posted by garydenness:

What would be really great is if they can incorporate Calender, Bookmarks and Contacts in widgets that synchronize with a live database in MyOpera account space.

Garydenness's idea would definitely be the best way to go - if Opera made its database of contacts, mail etc. accessible to widgets (e.g., via XML), then you could do really clever things.

Update: This would be especially easy with the addition of Web Forms 2.

And save me from having to use IE when in an Internet Cafe on my travels - I could dl Opera, but who can be arsed going through the procedures of setting Opera up if its not going to resemble the Opera you know and love from home? To expand on my idea, you could also incorporate a default skin and set up as well as the above mentioned, into a profile package that turns any copy of Opera on any PC instantly into your own personalised version.

I'm using Opera since v.5 as my default browser.
All i want is a slim, fast, secure and high configurable BROWSER.
Opera is probable the best browser out there but miles away from perfection.
Let's improve the browser and don't bloat it with questionable features.
Wonder for instance how many Opera users already have their own default eMail program and chat program. What about a paint program also included in the browser in order to paint nice paintings in our mails? Wouldn't be fantastic and unique? I'm just kidding and forgive me if I was rude.

Regards
Krake

Originally posted by Krake:

Let's improve the browser and don't bloat it with questionable features.

Improve it in what ways?
As said previously in the thread, Opera is not just a browser, it is a complete internet suite with chatting and email included. I use the IRC and M2 client in Opera and I find both equally innovative. An added PIM or a calendar would let me run just one program without using up too many resources on my computer.
At present I run Opera and Chandler (no outlook for me ) and wish I could have the same functionalty in one program.

Originally posted by Krake:

I'm using Opera since v.5 as my default browser.
All i want is a slim, fast, secure and high configurable BROWSER.
Opera is probable the best browser out there but miles away from perfection.
Let's improve the browser and don't bloat it with questionable features.
Wonder for instance how many Opera users already have their own default eMail program and chat program. What about a paint program also included in the browser in order to paint nice paintings in our mails? Wouldn't be fantastic and unique? I'm just kidding and forgive me if I was rude.

Regards
Krake

Opera have made it their forte to develop extra features to incorporate withing the browser, without causing any real bloat and minimising PC resources used.

Possibly you would prefer Firefox which is a stripped down browser, no mail client, no IRC - in fact nothing of any consequence. You can though configure it with a huge range of extensions. Even though a lot of them are buggy!

Only thing is...Opera with mail etc is still quicker and sleeker than standard Firefox :-)

Originally posted by garydenness:

Opera have made it their forte to develop extra features to incorporate withing the browser, without causing any real bloat and minimising PC resources used.

That's right but I'm afraid you didn't understand what I mean.
I didn't mean browser related features like mouse gestures, tabbed browsing and so on. These features are great and I love them
Mail client, IRC, calendar are not browser related features. There are specialized programs for such things with far more features and customizing options.
Therefore many Opera users don't even use Opera's mail program and I realy doubt that an advanced user will ever use Opera's IRC program.
As an example, plase compare the features of Opera's IRC with those of KVIrc
As stated before, Opera is probable the best browser.
Let's keep it that way and just focus on improving the browser and adding more browser related functionality.
Just a few examples:
- What about improving the support of SOCKS servers. You probable know that Opera leaks your DNS request when it is configured to use a SOCKS proxy directly
- What about giving the user the absolute power to control their browser and make third part filtering proxies like the mighty Proxomitron, obsolete?
- Have proxy not count as a "server" in connections setting

Originally posted by garydenness:

Possibly you would prefer Firefox which is a stripped down browser,...

Thanks for your advise but I don't.
IMO Opera is for the moment the far better and mature browser.
Nevertheless, the Mozilla team has all my respect. FF managed to become in relative short time a nice and popular alternative browser.

Regards
Krake

Originally posted by Krake:

Originally posted by garydenness:

Opera have made it their forte to develop extra features to incorporate withing the browser, without causing any real bloat and minimising PC resources used.

That's right but I'm afraid you didn't understand what I mean.
I didn't mean browser related features like mouse gestures, tabbed browsing and so on. These features are great and I love them
Mail client, IRC, calendar are not browser related features. There are specialized programs for such things with far more features and customizing options.
Therefore many Opera users don't even use Opera's mail program and I realy doubt that an advanced user will ever use Opera's IRC program.
As an example, plase compare the features of Opera's IRC with those of KVIrc
As stated before, Opera is probable the best browser.
Let's keep it that way and just focus on improving the browser and adding more browser related functionality.
Just a few examples:
- What about improving the support of SOCKS servers. You probable know that Opera leaks your DNS request when it is configured to use a SOCKS proxy directly
- What about giving the user the absolute power to control their browser and make third part filtering proxies like the mighty Proxomitron, obsolete?
- Have proxy not count as a "server" in connections setting

Originally posted by garydenness:

Possibly you would prefer Firefox which is a stripped down browser,...

Thanks for your advise but I don't.
IMO Opera is for the moment the far better and mature browser.
Nevertheless, the Mozilla team has all my respect. FF managed to become in relative short time a nice and popular alternative browser.

Regards
Krake

But Opera is about the internet experience. It's not just IRC and Mail within Opera, but Bittorrent, Widgets, RSS with more to come no doubt. I'm sure plenty use the Mail client. It is one of the key reasons I switched to Opera many years ago. So what is the problem of incorporating them (plus a calender) if there is demand. The poll with this thread has the No's in a massive minority.

Opera also has to compete, mainly with Firefox, and as they don't offer extensions, they do need to offer a browser with a well rounded set of functions and a few unique abilities.

Browser development is a seperate issue, and I am sure they put in the required resources and efforts.

If only it sychronized with palm. I wish the contacts synchronized too, while we are at it

If only it sychronized with palm. I wish the contacts synchronized too, while we are at it

A dream would come true...

+1

Jobs - mail desktop developer

One of the "ideals" for such a person is "Experience with calendar protocols and technologies", so maybe this means an Opera Calender is finally coming our way in a future version?

I voted "Useful but not necessary".

I just started using Google Calendar, FWIW - then again, I don't use M2, I instead use GMail.

This, with Opera-on-a-Stick and synchronization with mobile phones/smartphones/PDAs (and the Opera there) would really be a dream come true.

+1

One of my wishes is to make a widget with Gantt graphics integrated with M2, but i do not know if in the widgets the user has the possibility to save a file

+1 please!

I am out of time now, but if i had time to learn widget development, one of my wishes is to make a GANTT CHART WIDGET.
I do not know if it possible to save the work in widgets in a different way from in image. if it is, it would be great to save the chronograms as XML or something like that.

@ sergiol:

I don't think it is possible to do a calendar of the reliability and features, that I have on my mind. I can imagine a calendar, where You can view last year, and see emails from a preson or group in this view. Where you can create email rules basing on relative and absolute dates/times. Where You can send an appointment proposal in the iCard standard or your whole schedule in iCalendar format to somebody by email, or just publish these infos at Your website.
I am talking of something like the Sunbird or Google calendars, but with functionality of Outlook and standard-compliance of Opera Software.

But lately, I got scared, when I saw what is going on with Opera - how many new functionalities it has, which are NOT at all directly connected with BROWSING. I have even blogged my thoughts out on the Opera Classic concept.
Greetz!

Thanks for your reply njupas, i wish i had time to tuy the working of the widgets, for me to have a weel-formed opinion about their possibilities.
BTW, my idea was to make the Gantt widget integrated with M2 for it to work with Atom / RSS / Emails.

Originally posted by sergiol:

Thanks for your reply njupas, i wish i had time to tuy the working of the widgets, for me to have a weel-formed opinion about their possibilities.
BTW, my idea was to make the Gantt widget integrated with M2 for it to work with Atom / RSS / Emails.

Both ideas are excellent and I wish I could help you with it. How about you asking for help in the widget developers forum?

This is what I want. A combined Calender/Organiser/Synchronisation tool that could work between different instances of Opera on different machines. That would be great. Especially for the Desktop/Laptop user dealing with mail, feeds, bookmarks and contacts. Given that all Opera forum users are given space through the service, this connectivity could utilise this online throughput. I could also store Opera settings in periodical backups online.

Definitely has to be an opt-in, opt-out feature. Definitely should show up by OX if not before in a 9x release.

Originally posted by L.Rawlins:

This is what I want. A combined Calender/Organiser/Synchronisation tool that could work between different instances of Opera on different machines. That would be great. Especially for the Desktop/Laptop user dealing with mail, feeds, bookmarks and contacts. Given that all Opera forum users are given space through the service, this connectivity could utilise this online throughput. I could also store Opera settings in periodical backups online.

Definitely has to be an opt-in, opt-out feature. Definitely should show up by OX if not before in a 9x release.

See my topic Nomad browsing. Your ideas make more sense if Opera works this way.

+1

I'd love Opera to buy ms exchange license (like nokia and sony ericsson did for their devices) and have it as a native support. Then there would be no problem to synchronize pocket pc with opera (contacts, calendar, emails - via internet and ms exchange server) and have very nice outlook substitute for all major os. Support for ical, google calendar and so on would be great.

I doubt that.

If Opera is ever to add such functionaliy it's going to be their own written code, because it'll have to work across all OSes Opera support (a lot) and possibly massage it to fit their Mobile versions as well...

Well, under linux you have evolution with exchange connector - it works very well with ms exchange server (mail, contacts, calendar...). There are symbian devices (nokia, sony ericsson) that also have ms exchange support (bought from microsoft). This is all about protocol that ms can sell license for and making support for it. With calendar it could be a real killer - you would have outlook/ms exchange functionality even under mac or linux.

+1

And it could be used by widgets so that you could use the data from Opera PIM using Calender & others widgets...

Thank You for all Your support for the idea of Opera Calendar function. The need of introduction of time not only as a string to sort the emails by date seems to be already noticed by quite a few users. Hopefully, as the iCalendar and iCard standards become more and more popular, also through the Google Mail Calendar service, Opera Software will also notice, that this is the main argument against Opera for the Microsoft Outlook users (Outlook also can support mentioned standards after applying some patches).

I would really love a calendar. If a feature isn't used by the user, the feature usually don't bug the user.
A calendar (with tasks) should be like this too. In my opinion, adding a calendar would be a natural step.
The calendar should be able to make use of APIs like the one of Google Calendar and iCal files.

I clicked on "Useful but not necessary". Why? Because I know what effort it is to develop a properly working calendar. Standards, Collabration, Network Protocols, Timezones, Reminder Daemon, Syncronisation, ... I just switched to M2 as my mail client and I would love if instead further Opera development could be put into that one instead of investing in another project (I would not have minded living without widgets, but they are by far not as complex as a calendar).

One thing more - Opera should support SyncML for easy synchronization with servers and mobile devices.

Yes, this would mean I can get rid of Outlook.

Opera already has Mail, Contats and Notes. Calendar and Task List is the next step of Opera evolution.
Please add this feature.