Task Plus keeps track of an unlimited number of personal tasks, holidays, and repeating events (such as birthdays). For each task, it allows you to insert a date, time, category, description, and alarm. You can drag and drop tasks from one date to another, or you can drag tasks from the Task grid to the Undated grid. It includes more than 230 preprogrammed international holidays for more than 20 countries. It also includes options that let you export to a comma-delimited file or HTML page.

Version 3.8 includes new quick keystroke abbreviations for fast data entry of common phrases, a new spelling checker, and better category support. The program now includes the ability to play MP3 files on alarms and has better Web-page-generation capabilities, the ability to clone tasks, snoozing alarms, and Jewish and Christian lunar calendars for the holidays. Version 3.9.7 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.

Editor's review of Task Plus Designed to act as a free alternative to Microsoft Outlook, Task Plus does an adequate job meeting most people's organizational needs. Adding a calendar item is a straightforward process, and changing the date is as simple as dragging and dropping. Task Plus supports a large amount of text in the notes field, and allows you to use abbreviations to help speed typing. You also can use any MP3 file as an alarm sound. When it comes time for notification, a large flashing pop-up window materializes as the reminder. The interface is somewhat clunky but can be resized and locked. The calendar can be turned into a charming Web page for sharing with family and friends. All in all, Task Plus is a good personal organizer, and the variety of options it offers makes it worth a try.