This is a big release for Bitespire, long awaited by its enthusiasts. I upgraded from v2 tonight, loaded my database and started to familiarize myself with the UI changes.

It's quite stable, it runs better for me on Windows 10 than v2. Security and privacy are points of pride with the founder/director of this software. I'll update this post with a link to all the changes when it becomes available.

It's really something to see, if you're interested in PIMs. It features a calendar, planner, contacts, tasks, notes, bookmarks, email, documents, etc., allowing for linking of any record to any other number of records in the program, and linked records can also be created as you work.

Related links are shown in the information panel of both or all records (probably 'bidirectional' linking as seen in other discussions, but with a different lfeel). I've always been a big fan of Bitespire. I believe this is as close to perfect I could ever get, for my needs. I'm struggling to give him some time before emailing him with questions. I'll read all of the documentation, first.

I've been using this software off and on since it was DoOrganizer, around 2005, which came after TexNotes and before Harmony PIM. After that, it became DoogiePIM.

I can't say enough about it, it would take me all night to get into more detail and I still wouldn't be able to do it justice. I will say that it helps me significantly in my daily life. I appreciate the structure and the effort that's gone into it - it's beautifully refined and runs very nicely on my laptop. Fast and very smooth.

https://bitespire.com/details_doogiepim.php

Sarah

One of the worst websites that I've experienced. For a product which claims to include a browser, that's not too encouraging.

Not sure I see the correlation there.

Listerene wrote:

One of the worst websites that I've experienced. For a product which
claims to include a browser, that's not too encouraging.

Thanks for the heads up. I have one question whose answer I wasn't able to find on the website, at least from a quick perusal: is it possible to keep DoogiePIM's database files in a Dropbox (or similar service's) folder which would allow me to browse and update the information from various computers?


Sarah wrote:

I can't say enough about it, it would take me all night to get into more
detail and I still wouldn't be able to do it justice. I will say that it
helps me significantly in my daily life. I appreciate the structure and
the effort that's gone into it - it's beautifully refined and runs very
nicely on my laptop. Fast and very smooth.

Alexander,

This is the best answer I could find, below, which tells you some plans about v3 sync, but that was written in January. A lot can change in 7 months (and an updated post is expected), but while waiting, there's this, taken from the link just below it.

Sync with Cloud Services
You are able to Import or Export to various services but there is no constant connection with any external cloud. This is by design and supports the ethos of doogiePIM. However, background services in doogiePIM has been set up to accommodate local syncing between multiple PCs or PCs and a SmartPhone (Android or iOS) over a LAN (Local Area Network) using your router. This area will be in constant development to improve sync between your devices quickly without using any Cloud features.

https://bitespire.com/community/401-new-features-of-doogiepim-version-3/0


Alexander Deliyannis wrote:

Thanks for the heads up. I have one question whose answer I wasn't able
to find on the website, at least from a quick perusal: is it possible to
keep DoogiePIM's database files in a Dropbox (or similar service's)
folder which would allow me to browse and update the information from
various computers?

I found this post from before version 3 was released.

Interesting, @Sarah, many thanks for posting. I have fond memories of DoOrganizer, but hadn’t realised it had metamorphosed into DoogiePIM.

Looks amazingly comprehensive for such a reasonably priced piece of software. Lack of syncing with multiple devices is, for me, the weak point, but that won’t be the case for everybody.

I'm a PIM addict, and have gone to incredible lengths to acquire PIM programs present and past, in the endless search for my perfect PIM fit.

And of all the ones I have used, seen, or heard of, DoogiePIM became and remains my number one pick.

I have yet to upgrade to v3, I am about to work on that now actually. I encourage all to at least check it out. I suffer from chronic buyer's remorse, however with my DoogiePIM license that was not an issue lol. If you knew me, that fact sooner would speak volumes.

Can anybody help me to understand DoogiePIM is essentially different from Zoot or (to a lesser extent) EssentialPIM? I put version 3 through its paces and all three pieces of software seem quite similar, so I'd appreciate any enlightenment on how DoogiePIM might be better - i.e. if I've missed something.

Thanks,

Graham

I remember EssentialPIM was pretty good, too – I haven’t looked at that for years.

As I remember, one could network-enable it, too – it ran on Firebase or some such backend.

I hear that. I've purchased licences I have no business owning. Thankfully, I'm too lazy to get into anything too far off the beaten path, otherwise I'd be spending much more.

My only consolation is that there are much more expensive habits with far worse outcomes than software. But, I still feel guilty for the expense and sometimes careless and idealistic for veering outside of my lane.



Barrage wrote:

I'm a PIM addict, and have gone to incredible lengths to acquire PIM
programs present and past, in the endless search for my perfect PIM fit.

And of all the ones I have used, seen, or heard of, DoogiePIM became and
remains my number one pick.

I have yet to upgrade to v3, I am about to work on that now actually. I
encourage all to at least check it out. I suffer from chronic buyer's
remorse, however with my DoogiePIM license that was not an issue lol. If
you knew me, that fact sooner would speak volumes.

Zoot looks like a completely different program than it did so when I first learned of it, I think, from you (or another Graham?) around 2004 on the InfoSelect forum. I thought Zoot was abandoned. Either way, judging only by a quick look the screenshots, its appearance has improved considerably. I'll have to try it out.

DoogiePIM & EssentialPIM are quite similar, in terms of layout and features, on Windows, specifically, since Doogie doesn't have any online version. (And, if sync works out with Doogie, the two will have even more in common.)

There is DoogiePIM's bookmarks section, although I suppose they could be moved to Notes in EssentialPIM. DoogiePIM has Resources (which I think is different users with varying access levels within the same database). The interface is more customizable in DP but doesn't need to be customized in EP. There are more niche features in DoogiePIM but I wouldn't call it better, that's just a matter of personal preference.


Graham Rhind wrote:

Can anybody help me to understand DoogiePIM is essentially different
from Zoot or (to a lesser extent) EssentialPIM? I put version 3 through
its paces and all three pieces of software seem quite similar, so I'd
appreciate any enlightenment on how DoogiePIM might be better - i.e. if
I've missed something.

Thanks,

Graham

Hi Bill,

In case I wasn't clear in my last reply to Graham, EssentialPIM is very good, very stable, too. I've had it for ages but since it works so well on Android, I've been using it more, lately.

Thanks for mentioning it.

Sarah

I especially like the vertical outlining in horizontal trees, or tabs.
MadaboutDana wrote:

Interesting, @Sarah, many thanks for posting. I have fond memories of
DoOrganizer, but hadn’t realised it had metamorphosed into
DoogiePIM.

Looks amazingly comprehensive for such a reasonably priced piece of
software. Lack of syncing with multiple devices is, for me, the weak
point, but that won’t be the case for everybody.

Thanks for pointing me to that post! The developer's more recent update in the comments seems to clarify the context further.

I like this approach. It is privacy-friendly, independent from third-party cloud services, and should cover the need for syncing in most cases.

I copy the update below as it may be of interest to more in this good forum.


Sarah wrote:

https://bitespire.com/community/401-new-features-of-doogiepim-version-3/0

BiteSpire Mar 31 Administrator
Edited 4 months ago by BiteSpire

The planned sync features are as follows:

All optional through settings embedded into each database. (There may be somme databases you don't wish to sync/check for new data).

Check Messages (POP, IMAP, RSS).
Check Calendar/Tasks Events and Reminders (ICS, CAL).
Check Mobile Sync records (LAN).
Various situations when sync can be initiated.

On startup of doogie.
Opening a different database.
Before a database backup.
Manual click of a button.
This may improve/change as the versions are released, depending on feedback and use.

Hey Sarah,

Yes, EssentialPIM seems to have improved steadily since I last used it in anger, some 5-6 years ago. I’ve always liked its simplicity. And the Android/iOS client is very convenient (and has also improved).

I’d forgotten totally about Zoot. Now that you’ve mentioned it, I’ll have to take a look (even though it’s Windows-only, I believe)!

Sarah wrote:

Hi Bill,

In case I wasn't clear in my last reply to Graham, EssentialPIM is very
good, very stable, too. I've had it for ages but since it works so well
on Android, I've been using it more, lately.

Thanks for mentioning it.

Sarah

I especially like the vertical outlining in horizontal trees, or tabs.
MadaboutDana wrote:
Interesting, @Sarah, many thanks for posting. I have fond memories of
>DoOrganizer, but hadn’t realised it had metamorphosed into
>DoogiePIM.
>
>Looks amazingly comprehensive for such a reasonably priced piece of
>software. Lack of syncing with multiple devices is, for me, the weak
>point, but that won’t be the case for everybody.

Thanks Sarah. Yes, Zoot is alive and kicking and as idiosyncratic as ever. My dream would be Zoot's power with MyInfo's interface ...

(I don't think it would have been me on the InfoSelect forum because I never purchased InfoSelect - or did I? My memory ... Anyway, I was an Ariadne fan, which was a cheaper and better clone.)

Sarah wrote:

Zoot looks like a completely different program than it did so when I
first learned of it, I think, from you (or another Graham?) around 2004
on the InfoSelect forum. I thought Zoot was abandoned. Either way,
judging only by a quick look the screenshots, its appearance has
improved considerably. I'll have to try it out.

DoogiePIM & EssentialPIM are quite similar, in terms of layout and
features, on Windows, specifically, since Doogie doesn't have any online
version. (And, if sync works out with Doogie, the two will have even
more in common.)

There is DoogiePIM's bookmarks section, although I suppose they could be
moved to Notes in EssentialPIM. DoogiePIM has Resources (which I think
is different users with varying access levels within the same database).
The interface is more customizable in DP but doesn't need to be
customized in EP. There are more niche features in DoogiePIM but I
wouldn't call it better, that's just a matter of personal preference.


Graham Rhind wrote:
Can anybody help me to understand DoogiePIM is essentially different
>from Zoot or (to a lesser extent) EssentialPIM? I put version 3 through
>its paces and all three pieces of software seem quite similar, so I'd
>appreciate any enlightenment on how DoogiePIM might be better - i.e. if
>I've missed something.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Graham

Graham - I also was an Ariadne fan and user. Unfortunately, when it changed hands development faltered and went off in strange directions. Ariadne was similar in ways to InfoSelect except it was more polished and stable. If it had not gone off the rails I still would have been using it.

Daly

Absolutely Daly - me too. Just for everybody else's information, it is now known as Ardi - https://prokarpaty.net/demo . I've tried to work with this new version but it's far too way out even for me ...

Daly de Gagne wrote:

Graham - I also was an Ariadne fan and user. Unfortunately, when it
changed hands development faltered and went off in strange directions.
Ariadne was similar in ways to InfoSelect except it was more polished
and stable. If it had not gone off the rails I still would have been
using it.

Daly

I also really respect EssentialPIM, and regard it as a kind of quality standard in my endless quest of PIM collection.

Zoot and MyInfo are top class in my eyes, as well. I plan on getting MyInfo soon, I have admired it in the window for awhile and hope to take advantage of the current discount. I unfortunately had an unexpected expense recently which has prevented me from doing so already.

I had never heard of Ariadne or Ardi, but am very glad that I now have. Thanks!

Appreciate the heads up for the new version,

I've been waiting for the Tasks to be recurring and he said it would be in v3 and there it is. Looks like it has all the selections I'd want also so good job. From what I've explored so far it looks like a really nice update. I'll most likely purchase the next time it comes on BitsDuJour, I've always wanted to add this to my collection and may be a contender for the main one I use.

One thing I thought this had before but I'm not seeing it is a Tags system. I see the Flags but that's not really the same.

I haven't played around with this much yet, but does anyone know if it has Tag system and where would I add the Tags to the individual records and also a Tag Manager where I could see the list and select them.

Thanks,
Larry