Thoughts Media and Two Peaks Release ZoneCalc 1.0

[Jason Dunn]

<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/zonecalc-header.gif" /><br /><br />I'm very proud to announce the first application from a joint partnership that <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com">Thoughts Media Inc.</a> and <a href="http://www.twopeaks.com">Two Peaks Solutions Inc.</a> have formed: ZoneCalc. It's an application that I've often wished I had - and those are the types of applications that Thoughts Media and Two Peaks will be developing together: unique, useful, streamlined applications that offer highly focused solutions. ZoneCalc is a very simple application, but what it does it does well: it calculates time zone differences for you, allowing you to change the time, date, and timezone of either the local or remote location. <br /><br />The story behind me wanting this application is one many of you can likely relate to. I'm involved with conference calls and online meetings quite often, and more often than not the time of the conference call is set by the person hosting the call, which is in a different timezone than mine. I happen to have a poor memory for timezones, so I'm constantly looking up what a particular timezone is and doing the calculations in my head - which sometimes results in me calculating in the wrong direction. :oops: ZoneCalc to the rescue!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/zonecalc-screenshot.jpg" /><br /><br />It's VGA and QVGA compatible, and should work on square-screened devices as well. It has been tested with on Windows Mobile 5, Pocket PC 2003SE, and Pocket PC 2003 - but should work on pretty much anything. We'll have a Smartphone version coming in the next 30 days.<br /><br />And here's the best part of all: ZoneCalc is free to all Pocket PC Thoughts <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/subscribe.php">subscribers</a>! You'll find ZoneCalc on the <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/discounts.php">discounts page</a>. Enjoy, and thank you for supporting this site by being a <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/subscribe.php">subscriber</a>.

[OSUKid7]

Awesome! Now I can finally figure out all the crazy times Darius is awake posting on PPCT. :lol:

Simple application, but it gets the job done. Good work. :way to go:

[kiwi]

heh.. maybe I wont miss my ebay auctions expiring.. missed a couple deals recently

[KTamas]

Jason, how about a non-subscriber version?...

[stevelam]

Ditto.

[Jon Westfall]

Great app. especially useful for those who travel infrequently and have trouble remembering time zone differences!

[Jason Dunn]

Jason, how about a non-subscriber version?...

Subscribers financially support this site, so I'm giving benefits back to them - this application is one of those benefits. If I gave this application and all other subscriber benefits away to non-subscribers, why would anyone pay to become a subscriber? Pocket PC Thoughts is a business for me remember - this is how I make my living, so I have to make decisions on how best to drive income and keep this site viable. One of those ways is free, unique software, only for subscribers.

I greatly appreciate EVERYONE who visits this site - non-subscribers included - and I know that many people support this site by clicking on the ads, buying affiliate products, etc. I don't want non-subscribers to feel slighted by not having access to this app, but please understand that in order to keep driving new subscriptions and renewals, I need to keep offering more value to subscribers - and this app is one way I'm doing that.

[Bajan Cherry]

Awsome app! As I am writing this, I am waiting for the time to strike to dial into the conferenece call with US and Canada, I very much relate to this application. Although so far I am making do with SPB Time, which lets me view the local time in 4 cities.

[Phillip Dyson]

Excellent tool Jason.

This would make a great PocketOutlook (or other PIM) plugin.

[Jason Dunn]

Although so far I am making do with SPB Time, which lets me view the local time in 4 cities.

Oh yeah, this app isn't meant to be able to compete with full-blown time apps like SPB Time, it's just a little freebie for subscribers who might not have or need something as powerful as that.

[rlobrecht]

Nice app. I usually use http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html

[Darius Wey]

Jason, how about a non-subscriber version?...

I greatly appreciate EVERYONE who visits this site - non-subscribers included - and I know that many people support this site by clicking on the ads, buying affiliate products, etc. I don't want non-subscribers to feel slighted by not having access to this app, but please understand that in order to keep driving new subscriptions and renewals, I need to keep offering more value to subscribers - and this app is one way I'm doing that.

One thing I'd like to mention (on top of Jason's comments) is a reminder that there is still exclusive content available in the Downloads forum for subscribers and non-subscribers of this site. Over the next few months, the content will be heavily updated and expanded, so in short, you'll all get a piece of the cake, but subscribers will have the advantage of extra icing on top in the form of unique subscriber benefits. :)

[alex_kac]

I think its a neat app :)

I'd recommend that the app be callable from an IContextMenu plugin so that it shows up in the Pocket Outlook/Pocket Informant context menus.

I'd be happy to provide code for this to Mel if he wants.

[JamesM]

Subscribers financially support this site, so I'm giving benefits back to them - this application is one of those benefits. If I gave this application and all other subscriber benefits away to non-subscribers, why would anyone pay to become a subscriber?

Just wondering, Jason, if KTamas didn't mean to make it available to non-subscribers for a price as well. In any case, as a subscriber, THANK YOU for this app!

***excessive quoting deleted by moderator JD***

[KTamas]

Just wondering, Jason, if KTamas didn't mean to make it available to non-subscribers for a price as well. In any case, as a subscriber, THANK YOU for this app!

Actually I did :) By the way, Jason, Can you add a *real* monthly subscription system? I can't really afford $36 as in one payment (I'm a student...), but $3 per month is a much more better option...

***excessive quoting deleted by moderator JD***

[alex_kac]

I think Jason's comment was that the price is a subscription. So if you want to buy it, buy a subscription :) The problem with a $3 a month subscription is that one could do it for one month and get all the goodies, then stop the subscription and have gotten all the benefits for $3.

[KTamas]

I think Jason's comment was that the price is a subscription. So if you want to buy it, buy a subscription :) The problem with a $3 a month subscription is that one could do it for one month and get all the goodies, then stop the subscription and have gotten all the benefits for $3.
True, did not think on that possibility...

[Jason Dunn]

Just wondering, Jason, if KTamas didn't mean to make it available to non-subscribers for a price as well. In any case, as a subscriber, THANK YOU for this app!

I don't think that's what he meant, but maybe. Regardless, it's not a complex enough app to warrant selling, nor do I want to get into the application selling business. ;-)

[Jason Dunn]

Actually I did :) By the way, Jason, Can you add a *real* monthly subscription system? I can't really afford $36 as in one payment (I'm a student...), but $3 per month is a much more better option...

I'd like to, but on every $3 transaction I'd be giving PayPal or the credit card company 5-8% of that, and it's just not worth it for such a small amount. Magazine subscriptions aren't money either for the same reason. Sorry I can't offer something that would work!

[karen]

I can't tell you how many times I converted timezones the wrong way ... :oops: It gets even more difficult when working with date lines and such. I work with teams in Bangalore, London, the US and Canada and just gets down right confusing. Throw in the fact that both India and Newfoundland have 'half hour' timezones and it's a wonder that any calls get the right people at the right time.

So I use this freebie from Microsoft on my laptop:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&amp;FamilyID=bff59fcf-3148-40b8-a286-fe7274f6e4d8

Overview
Microsoft Time Zone conveniently runs in the system tray and allows you to easily view the date and time in various locations around the world. You can also quickly and easily add your own personal locations to customize Microsoft Time Zone the way you want.

So why not download Microsoft Time Zone today and always know what time it is, wherever you go!

It's great. I have it set to be in my taskbar, so that I can quickly look up ates and times in some pre-set zones. I can also open it up to get ad hoc time information.

Karen