The early 1990s saw the advent of online diary planners,[1] digital tools that help users keep track of upcoming meetings and events.
The desire for effective online organizers and personal information managers (PIMS) has been growing.
[5] The web-based Filofax initially satisfied users' organizing needs, followed by ACT!, Time and Chaos, and Microsoft Outlook.
The main difference between online calendars and handheld computers and PIMS is that the older devices stored appointments and meeting schedules on a user's computer or handheld device; the newer calendars stored all information on the Internet.
[5] The older versions required users to make regular backups or risk data loss.
[7] Some of the first online calendars were generally unimpressive long-term,[8][9] but they helped users add appointments straightaway.
Which means if they wanted to schedule a conference over one month away, they would be unable to do so because the application allowed viewing a calendar only 30 days at a time.
[6] Many users turned to Microsoft Outlook, but the problem of double-booking appointments and meetings continued.
[6] Google Calendar sends meeting alerts as SMS messages to users' cell phones and smartphones via apps.
[14] Online planners exist for parties, families and friends, meetings, conferences and events, personal use, trips and special interests.
[14][17] Meeting Wizard, free of charge, allows the importation of emails and works across different time zones.
If the travel group agrees on a price, Hotel Planner designs website for online booking.
[15][20][21] Marco software is an online diary planner for wine enthusiasts, gardeners and photographers.