AppFlow

When Dan first told me that I would be reviewing an iCal replacement this time, I will admit, I wasn’t looking forward to it.  In my opinion, iCal is one of those perfect apps.  One that too much fiddling with would ruin.  It’s simple, beautiful and lightning quick.

While using BusyCal, however, I have been genuinely impressed with how the guys at BusyMac have not only dared to toy with the brilliance of iCal, they’ve succeeded in making it better!

Interface

Let’s start with what hasn’t changed.  The BusyCal interface is remarkably similar to iCal.  So similar in fact that I was underwhelmed at first sight.  This, however, is part of BusyCal’s brilliance:  You don’t notice the app has changed, until you need to.

Editing

Editing in iCal was done by double clicking the event.  On doing this a silver dialogue box would slide out of the event and display all of the details.  Pressing edit would change the window into an editable one where you could change event name etc.  Simple, beautiful, fast.

Editing in BusyCal, however is all done via the right hand side panel.  This means that to change an event, all you need to do is single click it and select the field you want to change.  Sure, this is less pretty and there isn’t the protection of an ‘Edit’ button before you can make changes, but this feature makes up in the ease of use.

Google Integration

iCal had links with Google Calendar, in that you could download your Google Calendar into iCal.  This was really useful, but I found it frustrating that I couldn’t publish calendars I made in iCal do Google.  This all changes with BusyCal.  Not only does it give you the option to download Google calendars, but it gives you the option to Publish them.  This is unimaginably easy to do as well.  Simply set up your google account, right click a calendar and select “Publish”!

Sticky Notes

I went into the supermarket last weekend and bought 1200 sticky notes for £1.20!  Within a week, my desk, monitor and keyboard are now covered with sticky notes – all reminding me to do things on certain days.  If only I could attach these to a day in my calendar…

Stickies in BusyCal stick to days.  These can be anything from reminders to motivational words to a future you!  Rather than cluttering up your work space as conventional sticky notes do, pressing the ‘X’ hides the note in that day.  Out of sight, but not out of mind.

Month View

BusyCal shows off a few more party tricks when you switch it to Month View (Until now I’ve been using ‘Week’).

• Unlike in iCal, BusyCal still shows appointment times at Month view.  This may make the interface look more cluttered, but is useful for at-a-glance analysis of your upcoming week.
• Weather for the next 5 days is shown.  I like this feature as it doesn’t take up much room, but is a sensible addition to a calendar,
• Rather than cramming all of your appointments into one tiny box, BusyCal gives you a scroll bar on hovering over a day that doesn’t fit in it’s box.  (Shown here on the 14th)
• Notice my sticky note is still visible on the 8th

Conclusion

BusyCal is an app that takes on the task of improving iCal and does a pretty good job of it.  BusyCal is often given the nickname of ‘iCal Pro’ and now I can see why.  Sure, some of the additions make the app more cluttered and less pretty, but they make up for it in improved speed of use and simplicity.

It’s a tough thing to do to beat a brilliant app like iCal, but BusyCal has done just that for me!  It’s earned it’s place on my dock and I believe it deserves a place on yours!