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June 11, 2007

software

The search for a free Spanning Sync: Part III

Posted Jun. 11, ’07, 5:51 AM PT by Aaron Freedman
Category | Software

Spansync Yes Mac users, today is the day you’re waiting for. Today, here on MacUser, you will be able to see a new product be unveiled in one of the most anticipated events in the Mac world this year. Yes, today brings…The Search for a Free Spanning Sync: Part III.

Yes, after more than a month, The Search for a Free Spanning Sync: Part III is finally here. In this final installment of the series, I looked at a beta app called gSync.

gSync is very similar to Spanning Sync. It does manual and automatic bi-directional sync between any two Google and iCal calendars. Plus, gSync uses OS X’s SyncServices, so it could potentially integrate with a variety of Mac apps. Of course, gSync has its downsides. For one thing, it’s still in beta, so it doesn’t run perfect and isn’t feature-complete (heck, it doesn’t even have an icon!). Plus, with it already in its 0.99 release, the full, paid-version isn’t that far off, making it pointless to get as an alternative to Spanning Sync.

So, at the end of my journey to get a free alternative for Spanning Sync, I haven’t really come out with much. After three-and-a-half different programs and solutions, Spanning Sync still seems like the best. So, I guess I can either cough up the cash for Spanning Sync, wait for Leopard and CalDAV, or just do manual network syncing of my iCal files between two Macs.


4 Comments

Island in the Net Author Profile Page said:

I like Spanning Sync. I really do. But...I just do NOT want to pay over and over and over again to synchronize iCal to a free service (Google Calendar).

June 11, 2007 6:15 AM
Larry Hendricks said:

Just curious— how is Leopard and CalDAV going to change anything? CalDAV is more of a workgroup/enterprise feature. And unless Google announces free CalDAV access for all, which they haven't, this doesn't do much to help.

June 11, 2007 7:49 AM
White said:

I have been using gsync for the past few months and haven't come across any bug yet. Of course, other users may have a different experience, but so far I couldn't be happier. It's fast, easy to use, and free for now. I would personally suggest giving gync a try, and if it works for you, restrain from buying spanning sync just yet. You never know how attractive the gync pricing will be once it comes out of beta.

June 11, 2007 8:07 AM
Cornholieo said:

Wow... I was really bummed once I read this last article. I found gsync after a night of looking when the Spanning group decided to gouge everyone. gsync works well for me (I sync multiple Google Calendars), and at $20 will be at a much better price. Maybe the folks at Spanning will lower their price to be, more competitive, but I after reading their blog, they do not appear to be that market savvy. Oh well gsync will get my money, and Spanning will not.

June 11, 2007 11:08 PM

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