Automating Family Calendars With Cozi
Posted on April 27, 2011 by LJ Earnest
Categories: Simplification
Wednesdays are simplicity days at SimpleProductivity blog.
One of the hardest things I have had to keep track of is the family calendar. Not because of my daughter’s activities, but because my husband wouldn’t give me the information, except in side comments usually made when I was half-asleep.
(You know the type…you have just woken and your dear spouse mumbles something about having to be somewhere in three weeks.)
I tried everything. I asked for hard copies. I asked for him to write his activities on the family calendar. I even wrote an Outlook macro that would send his calendar to me with the push of two keys. Nothing worked.
The New Computer
Most new computers come pre-installed with a lot of crap useless software. My first step on setting up a new computer is to uninstall software.
When I got my new laptop, I starting uninstalling things. There was a bunch of new stuff on there from Microsoft that looked like it might hold promise to replace some software I had had to abandon because of the switch to Windows 7. Sitting next to these shortcuts was a program called Cozi that I assumed was part of the Microsoft Suite, so I didn’t uninstall it.
Tryiing The New Software
After trying out most of these pre-installed programs, I ran Cozi. My first impression was that it was another calendar program. Yawn. But then I clicked and read something interesting…
It has a plugin that automatically syncs Outlook with the shared calendars. And best of all, it actually worked.
Not only could I see my husband’s calendar, I could actually make adjustments to it.
I felt like I had found the pot of gold.
Not Crazy About Everythiing…
So I’m not crazy about everything on this program. I am not sure who has access to our data, and it is filled with ads. The first objection is combatted, to a certain extent, by our habits of making cryptic notations on our calendars. The second I guess I could ignore.
What Else Is Out There?
It occured to me that I cannot be the only person who has this problem. So I thought I would throw it to you, the readers, to get suggestions.
Do you know of any software that automatically hooks to Outlook but has dependable security and no ads? Let me know.
Photo by tanakawho
I have no affiliation with Cozi and I was not asked to provide a review of the product.
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Comments (8)
You can also used an online based calendar like Google Calendar and share them with all your family members. That way, you won’t be attached to one particular software you need on every computer.
Every member can have their own calendar but also “subscribe” to the family calendar. That way it’s easy for members to update the calendar because they can do it from any computer or device.
I appreciate the suggestion, but the problem is that my husband will only put information into Outlook, which syncs with his phone. So any extra steps are out of the question. (He says, YOU want the information, YOU get it!)
Plus my husband does not have a Google address (necessary to use the calendar) and refuses to get one.
I do use the subscribe feature within Cozi to see *my* calendar entries, which are in Google Calendar. I like the subscription feature.
I need something seamless into Outlook that he doesn’t have to do a thing to get the information to me (like I said, even the two key presses were too much!)
We have a calendar set up for each family member in Google. Our 2 teens are the biggest adherents because our rule is that if it ain’t on the family calendar, it doesn’t exist, so don’t expect a ride or other accommodations. Our family has a weekly review ever Sunday after lunch, to square away specifics of the upcoming week. Having a family calendar has saved =so much= stress & hassle!!
I love that you made your teens responsible for their own calendars and letting them let you know what they need. It’s a big step for personal responsibility!
I use a similar system on my wife’s pc – install the GCal Calendar sync app (http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?answer=89955) on your husband’s PC and set it to a 2-way sync to your GCal of choice. Then you’re free to do with it whatever you want!
Cheers,
Mick
thank you for this tip! I set this up last night, and it works like a champ. Completely seamless to my husband, yet I can see everything in my standard calendar.
The problem I had with Cozi was that my calendar was read only from their interface, so if I had to add something, I had to go to Google Calendars, add, then wait for the feed to refresh. Now everything is in Google Calendars.
I LOVE MY READERS! You guys are awesome!
Hi LJ,
This is Carol from Cozi. Thanks for writing about your experiences with Cozi, and to your readers for sharing their Google Cal tips too.
Actually, although a shortcut to Cozi comes pre-installed on your Dell, Cozi is not a software downloaded to your computer. It’s a web app you can access from any computer, and from pretty much any smartphone too. And, since the apps for your iPhone, iPad and Android phone and other tablets will instantly have all your data, no matter where it is entered, you pretty much have Cozi anywhere you go.
Unlike Google cal, you can also use Cozi to share your to do lists, shopping lists, and other family info, so it’s a great way to keep everything in one place.
You are right that Google offers data going in both directions, but it sounds like are still sort of “stuck” acting as your family’s personal assistant. (I can relate!) We try to make Cozi SO user-friendly, that eventually your husband (and kids!) will start to check in and add things on his/their own.
I hope you’ll keep trying Cozi – especially the mobile apps — but even if you don’t this is great feedback. Thanks!
Carol at Cozi
http://www.facebook.com/Cozifamily
I did install the Google Calendar link, so that I can have writable calendars from where I do most of my scheduling. But here’s the catch: I can’t see my husband’s calendar from my iPod Touch. So I am still using Cozi to view the consolidated calendars on the go. I also have the Cozi gadget on my desktop at home so I don’t have to open anything up to see what is going on.
I do like the feature of sharing shopping lists – and my hubby loves the fact I can send it to his phone. Now if I could just have a way through Cozi to add things to his Outlook task list?