iDeskCal 2.2 Slowdown for Some Users – Explained

This is an update to the previous blog post Some users seeing computer slow downs with iDeskCal 2.2

Thanks to some of our users we were able to duplicate this issue, which allowed us to track down the problem.

Unfortunately the issue is not with iDeskCal, but a bug in Apple’s Calendar accessing code in Mac OS 10.5.8.
We have gone as far as to creating a test application to prove this fact, which we will be sharing with Apple.

The problem is that now that Snow Leopard (10.6) has been released we don’t know how fast Apple will be at fixing this issue, if at all.

You can bypass the problem by telling iDeskCal to launch in 32-bit mode, as explained in the previous post.
We will also be releasing an update with some code to specifically tell iDeskCal not to even try and run in 32-bit mode in 10.5, which will make it so you wont have to worry about dealing with the setting yourself.

We highly recommend updating to Snow Leopard (10.6) if you are on an Intel Mac.
You can upgrade to Snow Leopard for $29, and can buy a copy from Apple, your local Apple store, Amazon, and many other places.
Buy Snow Leopard from Apple.com

We highly apologize for the issues and inconvenience that this has caused.

iDeskCal in the October 09 issue of Macworld magazine

We received an email earlier this month from Macworld, letting us know that iDeskCal had received coverage in the October 2009 issue.

When our company copy showed up we were even happier to find that it was mentioned not only once, but twice in the same months magazine!

The first was what we were expecting, a review of iDeskCal.

(click image for full size version)

The second mention was smaller, but still nice…
It was in a section they did this month called “Budget Mac”.
The idea was for three Mac users to build their ultimate setup for $300.
iDeskCal showed up in the “Student’s” setup.

We took the liberty to create a little collage of the main items.
For the full text please pick up a copy of the magazine.

(click image for full size version)

Some users seeing computer slow downs with iDeskCal 2.2

We have been hearing some reports from some users that say after installing iDeskCal 2.2 that their computer slows down either a little or a lot.

iDeskCal 2.2 brings 64-bit support to iDeskCal.
This is a great addition especially for those running Snow Leopard.

64-bit support will cause any app, including iDeskCal to use more RAM, however it should not be noticeable unless perhaps you are on a machine with very limited RAM.
64-bit support should also cause iDeskCal to run faster.

So while some extra RAM being used is normal, the claims that users computers are slowing down dramatically, should not be happening and we are actively looking into this.

Luckily it looks like this is only affecting a very small percentage of users.
So far all reports have shown this happening on Mac OS 10.5.8.
We are not sure if that is a factor yet, or just a coincidence.

If you are one of the users that this effects you should be able to fix this by telling iDeskCal to continue to run in 32-bit mode. (Please note that we have not been able to personally test this as we have yet to duplicate the problem, however reports are that this is working for most users)

(If you do not understand all this 64-bit/32-bit talk, don’t worry. Just follow the steps below if this problem is affecting you)

1. Control-Click (right-click) on the iDeskCal application (most likely in your Applications folder)
2. Select ‘Get Info’
3. In the ‘Get Info’ panel that opens check the check box for the item that says ‘Open in 32-bit mode’
4. Close the ‘Get Info’ panel
5. Double click iDeskCal

This should launch iDeskCal in 32-bit mode again.

If for some reason this does not fix the problem for you, please download the previous version (2.1.1) from: http://hashbangind.com/ideskcal-releases.php

Once again, we are actively looking into what is happening and hope to have a better solution soon.

Thank you

Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) to be released Friday Aug 28, 2009

Apple® announced today that Mac OS X 10.6 (aka Snow Leopard) will be released on Friday August 28, 2009!

We here at HashBang Industries have been using developer preview versions of Snow Leopard and we can say with all honesty that Snow Leopard is a wonderful update to the already amazing 10.5 (Leopard).

The speed and performance updates in 10.6 make this a release that all eligible users should upgrade too, and at only $29 USD for the single computer upgrade and $49 USD for the Family upgrade, you should not need to even give it a second thought.

The main thing to know with 10.6 is that it will only work on Intel machines, so unfortunately you are out of luck if you are still using a Power PC computer.

The second main thing to know about 10.6 is that iDeskCal runs great on Snow Leopard!
We have been running it full time on Snow Leopard without any problems.
If however you do run into any issues with running iDeskCal on Snow Leopard, come Friday, Snow Leopard has special additions behind-the-scenes that make it even easier for us to track down reported bugs.
Unfortunately this is all we can say right now as our NDA with Apple is still in effect.

We have included links to pre-order Snow Leopard today!
Currently (Monday 24th) if you order from Apple, your upgrade DVD will be delivered the day Snow Leopard is released (Friday). We are not sure how long that will be the case, so we recommend you pre-order now!

Apple Online Store 10.6 Upgrade (Single computer & Family versions)
Amazon.com 10.6 Upgrade (Single computer version)
Amazon.com 10.6 Upgrade (Family version)

iDeskCal puts your events and tasks on your Desktop

Macworld.com hash posted a writeup of iDeskCal in its “Mac Gems” column.

You can read the article at: http://www.macworld.com/article/141687/2009/07/ideskcal.html

iDeskCal Receives 4.5/5 Stars from French Magazine VVMac

iDeskCal was recently reviewed in the French Mac magazine, VVMac and received 4.5 out of 5 stars!

The issue is on news stands for the next two months.

iDeskCal 2.0.2 Released – http://bit.ly/MJ0PL

iDeskCal version 2.0.2

New Features

• Support for Multiple Monitor setups that allow placement location to be a negative number
• When adding a calendar event, setting the start date later then the end date will auto update the end date for you
• Simplified Preferences by removing frequency setting, which helps to make sure old data doesn’t show
• Simplified Preferences by having Moveable/Resizable only occur for a single launch

Bug Fixes

• FIXED: Small glitch in To Do window border causing border to have a gap
• FIXED: Start at Login not working if application is not installed root of Applications folder
• FIXED: Events with Paragraphs/Line Breaks in the title break the look/feel
• FIXED: Recurring events marked with a date value of more than one day, and with a repeat schedule of those days are showing multiple times
• FIXED: To Do items that have a non-standard priority setting, causing crash
• FIXED: Missing some Spanish translations for new features

Known Issues

• Missing some Portuguese translations for new features

Product Page: http://www.hashbangind.com/iDeskCal
Download: Version 2.0.2
Purchase: https://www.hashbangind.com/purchase.php

iDeskCal 2.0.1 Released – http://bit.ly/MJ0PL

iDeskCal version 2.0.1 has been released!

New Features

• Added a Leopard style status bar image
• When adding a calendar event, setting the start date later then the end date will auto update the end date for you
• If you do not have any calendars selected with To Do items then on startup the To Do window will not auto display
• Allow turning text shadow on/off (only intended for advanced users)
• When a To Do item is too large to fit in the To Do window, the text is truncated with …
• Very basic French localization support

Bug Fixes

• FIXED: Can turn off both the dock icon and the status bar icon therefore making it impossible to access the menus and preferences (Fix allows users currently in this situation to get back into the preferences by enabling the status bar icon if this is detected)
• FIXED: Using the end date calendar when creating a new calendar event will set the start date instead
• FIXED: Events occuring over multiple days only show the first day
• FIXED: Certain fonts show the bottom of letters like ‘y’ with the bottom cut off

Known Issues

• Missing some translations for new features

iDeskCal a Apple Featured Download and #8 Top Download

iDeskCal is currently a Featured 3rd Party Download on http://www.apple.com/downloads/, as well as in the Productivity section: http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/productivity_tools/

Even cooler is the fact that iDeskCal is the #8 Top Download on all of apple.com/downloads!

It is ranked up there with iTunes, Safari, and above Google Earth and Firefox on Apple’s site.

iDeskCal has been downloaded (as of this posting) 10,617 times since Tuesday May 19th (less than a week).

An update with some big fixes a couple requested features, and documentation is coming soon.

(Click the images for a larger size where you can actually see it)

HashBang Industries announces iDeskCal 2.0 for Mac OS X

[prMac.com] Mesa, Arizona – HashBang Industries today is delighted to announce iDeskCal 2.0, a complete rebrand of their popular iCal-to-Desktop embedding solution, Desktop Remind. At its basic, iDeskCal embeds the users iCal calendar directly on their Finder Desktop, right above their wallpaper but below desktop items, making it a perfect choice for designers, freelancers or anyone who needs to keep up with their busy agenda.

Users can quickly and effortlessly know exactly what is on their calendar for the current day, and beyond. Among iDeskCal’s most prolific features is its ability to quickly add calendar events using keyboard shortcuts, as well as the ability to add and manage to-do lists quickly and easily. iDeskCal is user configurable, allowing users to place it precisely where they want on the desktop, as well as configure the font and font color to match taste and/or wallpaper. iDeskCal also plays well with multi-monitor setups too.

Feature Highlights:
* Embeds directly into the Desktop
* Configure Font and Font Color
* Add/Manage To-Do Lists quickly
* Keyboard Shortcuts
* Supports Multiple Monitors

“Desktop Remind was acquired from Code Genocide, and I’m very excited about the new version. It has a new name and icon to go along with a major overhaul of application” said Dallas Brown, founder of HashBang Industries. “We’re looking forward to a long and exciting roadmap ahead.”

Language support:
English, Spanish, and Portuguese

Minimum Requirements:
* Mac OS X Version 10.5 Leopard or later
* Universal Binary for PowerPC and Intel
* 2.6 MB Hard Drive space

Pricing and Availability:
iDeskCal 2.0 is priced at $12.99 (USD) via their online store, and available as a fully functional 14 day free trial. HashBang Industries is offering free upgrades for customers that purchased Desktop Remind in the last 2 months and is offering upgrade pricing for all other existing customers of Desktop Remind. Existing customers can easily retrieve their upgrade coupon code by entering their email address used to purchase Desktop Remind.

Located in sunny Mesa, Arizona, HashBang Industries is a privately held company founded in 2009 by Dallas Brown. With a focus on the Mac platform, HashBang’s aim is to develop unique Mac and iPhone products, complemented by first-class customer support. Copyright 2009 HashBang Industries. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, and iCal are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.