scheduler

RebootEx offers users a simple, fast, and easy way to turn your machine off from anywhere and even log back on when it restarts. While the average user probably won't have a need for its remote shutdown capabilities, it works on a local PC as well.

This program has an interface that will look familiar to anyone who has used Windows. A small bar pops up on the desktop featuring the exact same icons as Windows for Shut Down, Restart, and Log Off. In addition, there is a button for Remote. Below these are a clock for scheduled restarts … Read more

For all the bells and whistles you get with this backup program, we were shocked to find that it's free. Cobian Backup not only looks good, but it proved to be a very reliable and easy to use backup tool.

The user interface is straightforward, and the colorful command buttons are extremely intuitive. Creating a new backup task was easy, despite all of the configuration options. Basically, all we had to do was create a name, decide what files and folders to include, and create a schedule for the backup. We opted to save important files to our USB, … Read more

Auto Shutdown Genius provides users with an innovative way to monitor and control the hows and whens of computer shutdowns. This program offers a wide selection of choices that can help customize every user's system.

This program has a very scientific-looking interface. The CPU usage monitor, similar to a heart monitor in a hospital, instantly jumps off the screen. A spiking green line shows a real-time reading of what percentage of the hard drive is being used. Above this area is a list of commands users have operating with the Auto Shutdown Genius, as well as a table of … Read more

Schedule Wizard attempts to give users ultimate control over their daily lives by helping manage and remind them of important dates. This program offers many options, but navigation was awkward and there were some stability issues, as well.

Taking the standard datebook layout, this free 30-day trial will feel familiar to users with Outlook experience. Within the confines of the program, users are given opportunities to input important meetings and dates and organize the frequency with which they are reminded. In addition, users are also given the option to send an e-mail at a specific time, which can be composed … Read more

StudyMinder is a planner aimed directly at students with variable schedules. With an impressive series of additional options, this program sets itself apart from simple calendaring programs.

At the core of this free 30-day trial is a calendar. Users divide their calendars by semesters or quarters. The calendars even provide countdowns to finals week. By inputting classes and credits, users get a full picture of their scholastic world. The program sends reminders so users do not miss a class.

But, it is the other options that give StudyMinder its legs. Students can enter homework assignments into their calendars and budget … Read more

Over the weekend, we reported on the release of iPhone OS 2.2 beta 2 for developers. The new revision adds support for audio-in devices in all third-party applications, meaning apps will be able to receive audio input on all devices and possible paving the way for genuine VOIP applications for the iPod touch. It also adds support for Google Street View, the ability to view walking and transit (bus, train) directions instead of driving directions, and the ability to share locations with other users.

A user of the iPhoneYap discussion boards has posted an extensive screenshot gallery depicting the … Read more

The meeting time broker TimeDriver, which has been in closed testing since I covered it back in January, will finally enter its public beta period on Monday. I had a chance to play with the product Thursday. For a lot of people, this service could be a great help.

TimeDriver is designed to help people who need to schedule a lot of one-on-one meetings. If you're interviewing job candidates, for example, or taking appointments with customers, you can set up either one-time or recurring blocks of time, and send people links that let them grab appointment times in those … Read more

Mixin is a very pretty and simplistic scheduling tool that makes your calendar readily available to others. It's been designed to help you block out time and keep everything organized with color coding and an entry system that makes creating a new event as easy as typing just a few characters.

Like Twitter it centers around a blank box on the top of the screen where you can drop in text, along with a timeline of what's on your plate for the next five days. To create a new plan or item you can simply jot down what you want using conversational text, so writing "grab a beer at Dave's pub at 6" will convert that to a recognizable event that goes in your schedule. You can also accomplish the same thing by typing "Beer@Dave's 6."

The system rewards advanced users fewer keystrokes by learning some basic shortcuts, but those looking to create a more detailed entry can toggle an advanced view that lets you pop in things like addresses, specific times, and RSVP options.

Right after you make an event anyone who has subscribed to you will be alerted, and depending on their notification settings that means they could be getting real-time updates by SMS or a simple e-mail. From there users can interact with the event like they would on Facebook or Upcoming to make time or location suggestions, add photos and videos, or leave a note to explain why they're not going.

One thing to note up front is that Mixin doesn't sync up with Microsoft Exchange or any other calendar data feeds. Instead, you must include mixin@mixin.com as a guest when creating or planning to attend an event in any calendaring tool you're using and it will parse that data and convert it into an event on your Mixin calendar. It's not a perfect system, but if you're not worried about two-way sync this is a viable solution.

I'm still a little wary to recommend Mixin to the the casual user. As a standalone tool it offers little in the way of organization compared to most calendaring tools. Where it shines, however, is the social integration with other Mixin users. Like tools that help find a consensus for a single meeting time, Mixin does something similar with your social or work life. If you and your friends are willing to hunker down and log your schedules onto Mixin's servers there's a lot of power here, however I think Google's Calendar service is far easier for basic scheduling and appointments. It also includes daily and monthly views, which I think are a must-have.

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You can rely on Z-Cron as a robust scheduler that can handle not only shutting down the computer, but also launching programs, leave reminder notes, and cleaning directories. Similar to the Unix Cron scheduler, and far more powerful than the native Windows task scheduler, Z-Cron is an aggressive sergeant at arms, able to tell your computer what to do and when to do it, leaving you to get on with your life when you're away from your machine. Besides tasks, Z-Cron also has the capability to schedule tasks to run daily, weekly, monthly, once, and regularly at your system … Read more