Spanning Sync v1.0b4 Fixes Bugs, Adds Features

It's hard to believe it's only been nine days since we released the last beta. Suffice it to say it's been a busy nine days. In that time, we've used the excellent feedback from our beta testers to fix bugs and add missing features.

The result is Spanning Sync v1.0b4 (110), which is now available for download.

Who Can Access the Private Beta

If you signed up for the private beta before registration closed on October 31 and you've received a welcome email, you can download v1.0b4 (110) and start using it immediately. To take advantage of the new fixes just install and run the new version, click "Reset..." in pref pane, click "Reset info on this computer", and then re-select your calendar pairings.

If you registered for the private beta but haven't yet received a welcome email, please be patient. We're adding users to the program in batches, and still have hundreds to go. We'll be adding several hundred registrants to the private beta over the course of the next few days, so watch your email inbox.

If you didn't sign up for the private beta before registration closed, you'll still be able to participate in the public beta, which will start within the next few weeks. Watch for an announcement on the Spanning Sync Blog soon.

What's New and Fixed in v1.0b4

• First time syncs and refresh syncs are up to twice as fast
• Fixed a menu problem that could cause the pref pane not to load
• URLs in sync records are now converted to the correct format
• Improved error UI
• Recurrences crossing Daylight Saving Time boundaries are no longer offset by one hour
• iCal calendars of Address Book birthdays now sync correctly
• Many cases where duplicate events were created are now fixed
• Better handling of Google errors

Again, we'd like to thank those of you who continue to help us test our service. With your help, we're making Spanning Sync better every day.

Comments

[Mitch]

I just got my invitation! THANK YOU!!! I can't wait to get home from work and try this out!

[Charlie Wood]

See? We really do add people to the beta! We just have a long list to get through. Starting this week though we'll be adding people much more quickly.

Regards,
Charlie

[Tom]

I wish I made it in time to sign up. Will keep checking back for more updates, though. Can't wait for the opportunity to try it out. Thank you for developing such a wonderful product!

[Jon Kantro]

Hmm I'm almost positive I registered before October 31'st because I remember hearing about this app in the Google Mac group right around when they started their blog.

[Charlie Wood]

Jon,

There are exactly 331 people who registered before you (and more than that who registered after you) who still haven't been included in the private beta. Hopefully we'll get to you by the end of the week!

Regards,
Charlie

[Noel]

I'm crying inside that I missed the private beta.

[Dmitry]

We're dying without a public betaaaaaa :).

[maanav]

i, like many, am so excited about this product. i just wanted to thank you for your time and effort :)

i wish you all the best of luck between now and the public beta!!!

[Charlie Wood]

Thanks, maanav!

Regards,
Charlie

[Jason]

I think this looks to be a very exciting program. I don't understand (however) why it tries to contact your server to perform the sync?

[Charlie Wood]

Thanks, Jason. We designed the system in two parts: a client (which itself consists of a prefPane and a background application) and a server. There's a detailed explanation of our rationale here:

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/spanningsync/msg/0c6a4c09e4169bb2

but the bottom line is that by offering Spanning Sync as software plus a service as opposed to just software, we gain a lot of flexibility. We can identify and fix bugs--and add features--faster and often without requiring the user to download software.

Regards,
Charlie

[Peter]

Coming here for weeks now hoping to see the public beta is out...

Really can't wait to give it a spin. Really sad I was too late for the private beta. :-((

[Jon Moss]

Hi Charlie,

Delighted to see this progressing so well :-)
Any more invites coming out this week!?!?

Cheers!
JM

[Charlie Wood]

Jon,

100 invitations went out yesterday to people who signed up for the private beta before registration closed. 100-200 more will go out today. We'll continue to add 100-300 people every day until all 1,300 private beta registrants are active.

We're fairly pleased with how v1.0b4 is behaving. There will likely be only one more private beta version (and that's just to add a convenience feature) before the public beta begins. We continue to tweak the code on the server (where most of the heavy lifting is done) but that will be an ongoing process.

Regards,
Charlie

[Eric Carroll]

I am definitely looking forward to seeing this in the, hopefully, near future.

Thank you for devising a much-needed bridge to this calendaring gap.

[leg]

Hi,

is there going to be a new beta version where i can register....

this is a very good idea. As i saw the video... i just NEED to have it.

have a while and happy programming for you all

[Dennis]

Got my invitation yesterday, and it's working beautifully! With Spanning Sync and Missing Sync, I now have my Treo calendar and contact book and my Google Calendar all bi-drectionally syncing with iCal and Address Book.

[Andy]

I am not sure if I signed up for the private beta, I remember seeing the Google group on it. If I have not signed up how do I go about doing it? Thank you!

[Charlie Wood]

Andy,

In fact you did register for the private beta--on October 19. That means that you'll receive an email welcoming you to the private beta as soon as we make our way that far down the list. (We're about halfway through now.)

For everyone who didn't sign up for the private beta before registration closed, the public beta will begin soon. Watch this blog for the announcement.

Regards,
Charlie