Chris Barnes’ Jottings

I often find it difficult to devote time to sitting down and writing for this blog, which is why it only gets updated fairly sporadically. So I have set up a tumblelog, which according to Tumblr is a “refreshingly simple new way to share anything you find, love, hate or create”. Basically I can post interesting links without having to worry about writing any editorial to describe them. I may still occasionally post the odd longer piece over here, but I’m planning to invest most of my blogging energy into the tumblelog format.

Anyway, that’s enough explaining, check the new ‘log out here.

Edit (3 September 2007): Well, 43 days since my first post and the tumblelog is still going strong. Tumblr is lacking some of the features I have come to enjoy with WordPress, namely commenting, sensibly-named permalinks (e.g. http://chrisbarnes.net/jottings/2007/07/over-to-tumblr/) and a decent archive system, but overall I’m happy with it.

GooSync is a service which allows you to synchronise your Google Calendar with your mobile phone or PDA. Unlike Google Calendar, which is only accessible via your mobile device’s web browser, GooSync ties in with the calendar/reminder function provided as part of your PDA or phone. This could potentially save you a lot of money if, like me, you’re on a fairly meagre data plan and like to check your schedule regularly.

GooSync is provided by Wolverhampton-based Toffa International, who specialise in sync software. The basic service is free to use, while power users may benefit from the £19.95/year subscription account which offers additional features such as multiple calendar support.

I signed up for the free service with the intention of writing a review, but to be honest there’s not much to be said. I signed up for the account, clicked the confirmation link sent to my email address, authorised GooSync to access my calendar via Google’s API and requested an auto-configuration message to be sent to my handset (Sony Ericsson W880i) via SMS. Opening the configuration SMS prompted me to install the new sync settings, then it was just a matter of telling the phone to synchronise.