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Top 10 personal information management tools

Get organized with these programs -- they may not be feature-rich, but they get the job done.

by Max Green

(IDG) -- Whether we're using a handheld, a software program, or a desktop calendar, many of us have an almost religious attachment to whatever it is that organizes our lives. Personal information managers are a particularly strong category in the shareware universe. They may not have as many features as their commercial counterparts do, but this very quality often makes them easier to use. Below are the ten most popular PIMs from FileWorld, PC World's shareware library.

1. 12-Month Screen Calendar: Take a quick glance at the next 12 months with this calendar utility.

2. Calendar Builder: Create fancy calendars complete with graphic images, recurring dates, foreign language support, and lots more. Thirteen different calendar formats are included for you to choose from, and they feature the ability to select any font, color, and header style you wish.

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3. AquaScape PIM: This combination calendar and screen saver will make a day at the office almost as much fun as watching colorful fish drifting in the sea.

4. Visual Day Planner: With this calendar as your wallpaper you can switch between day, week, or month views; share your calendars and others' over a network; set alarms; and run events.

5. AZZ Cardfile: This contact manager imports the Windows Cardfile and other data files and lets you export cards you create to text file format. It can also launch your phone dialer, e-mail application, or browser, and you can customize many of its display properties.

6. Visual Calendar Planner: This easy-to-use visual calendar tracks appointments, reminders, notes, and anything else you want. This workgroup-enabled network version supports recurring events, unique alarms with multiple musical tunes, and WYSIWYG fonts. You can print your calendars in color.

7. RedBox Organizer: A PIM that provides a calendar, a to-do list, a business plan scheduler, a contact manager, sticky notes, a link manager, a report generator, alarms, and more.

8. PrimaSoft Student Organizer: Use this organizer to track your classes and other school information. Student Organizer can help you track courses, assignments, and even class notes.

9. Smart Address 95: Address-management software with links to any word processor. Handles mail merge in Microsoft Word; envelope and label printing; reminders; and autodialing.

10. Above & Beyond 98: This PIM handles appointments, recurring schedules, your calendar, and a to-do list. You can even set up alarms.