Here is a series of modifications to FPO/Outlook 2K that will help you manage your Task data.

If you follow the tips listed below, you get added functionality when using FPO and/or Outlook 2000 after having used FPO with Palm support. You do not have to do all of them, although the Recurring Tasks corruption solution really does need at least the Calendar TaskPad view modification to work effectively.

Uninstalling FPO but keeping the WMM unique data: (Optional)
Uninstall FPO after having saved a copy of your main outlook pst file and the WMM.PST file. You can then modify OL2K to use the information that you had in WMM.PST.

You restore (copy over) the version of your main pst file from before uninstalling FPO, Then you restart Outlook and add the wmm.pst file back to Outlook, being sure to recreate the original path (exactly) to where the WMM.PST file used to be. You can add the fields from the WMM.PST file to the Task and TaskPad views below as user defined fields. Of course the WMM unique data will not syn to the Palm, but, then in FPO that was a restricted set, anyway.

Two modifications for Task Viewing from Naugh Smith:
Tasks View:
Here's a tip I've been meaning to post, because I figured I'm not the only one with the issue. That is, I hate how FC has "restricted" the forms, and locked out certain features that are strong points of Outlook.

Using Outlook views and settings, here's how I created my own customizable versions of the PDTL, MTL. I hardly use the toolbar buttons to access FC's crappy version.

Start out with in the Outlook's Task folder, in any view (I used Simple View).
1. Click on View, Define Views ...
2. Copy the Current, name it as PDTL
3. Customize the view as to include the following:
- Fields: FCStatus, Complete, FCRank, Start Date, Subject, Status, Due Date, Priority, Notes, Icon. (you'll want to tweak it to your liking)
- Group By: Categories (and any other groups you like)
- Sort: FCRank
- Filter: Advanced: Complete Equals No.
4. Repeat the steps for the MTL, with the following modifications:
- Filter: Advanced: Start Date Not Exist.

Basically, using Outlook's Views features, you can create your own versions of PDTL, and MTL that looks EXACTLY the way you want it to; sort it any way; include whatever fields (columns) in any order; and best of all: allows you to enter dates using phrases like "today", "next monday", "tomorrow", "two days from now".

I've also used it troubleshoot numerous issues with duplicate tasks, and resolve all the funky stuff that FC didn't notice.

Hope others try it; it's saved me quite a lot of headaches and troubleshooting time.

Naugh

Reposted with permission.

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The Calendar's TaskPad View modifications.
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Newsgroups: fcps.FPO
Subject: Changing the Calendar Taskpad view
From: Coe CWCJr <cwcjunior@juno.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2000 06:32:00 -0500

From Naugh Smith:

Again (see also "Task List" thread), it's a matter of modifying the Taskpad's views to include FC's extra fields, such as FCStatus, FCRank, etc.

1) Once in Calendar View (with Taskpad shown), move the mouse pointer to a column, and right click to bring up extended menus.
2) Click Customize View . . .
3) Modify columns to include all of FC's fields (FCStatus, FCRank, FC....)
4) Sort by FCRank, Group by Categories (or whatever you choose).

Basically you'll have the FC PDTL, but without the nice Icons to tell you if it's "In Process", "Forwarded" etc. You'll get used to what the numbers from 0-5 means (until I figure out a way to display the icons, :).

This version of the PDTL is much nicer because you can enter word phrases for the "Start Date" and "Due Date" (I include both fields and modify Start Date).

Another nicer thing is that if you Group by Start Dates (as I have done in my modified Task List), you'll be able to "forward" items by simply dragging and dropping the task into that date.

Hope that helps.

Naugh

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Recurring Tasks Corruption Work-Around copyrighted by Coe (me)
Remember --- this information is NOT to be posted on the other board, but you're welcome to reference it and send anyone interested, here. [grin]

If you use Naugh Smith's taskpad view changes in the Calendar View, you get a nifty way to bypass the repeating task problem of FPO by using a repeating appointment.

After implementing Naugh Smith's changes for at least the Calendar's TaskPad view:

Set up your taskpad view to Group by date descending.
Now today's items will be at the top in a 'group' sub-window.

Schedule your task as a recurring APPOINTMENT for your normal morning planning time.
Now on those days while you are doing your morning planning, do your normal first round being sure that you have a TaskPad date for today in the grouping.

During the planning session, go to the calendar view and DRAG the appointment into today's Taskpad subsection
If your are still using FPO/PDTL 1.4, you should get a popup that says "change due date to .......".

Drop it.

Select the PDTL icon.
It will popup a message that XYZ is due today, and ask you if you want to move it to the PDTL.

Say YES.
It will create a single event PDTL item that sync's normally to the Palm.

Better than PDTL's treatment of Recurring Tasks:
1) The task will have a note attached that shows the recurring schedule for the 'task/appointment'.

2) Never a corruption nor duplication upon a Hot Sync.

3) You have FULL access to all task actions without affecting the other scheduled instances. (forward, delegate, close, .... )

4) Your calendar shows the recurring appointment on all the future dates for planning ahead.

If you are not using FPO/PDTL, then you just stop with Naugh's modifications. You can add your own user fields, also.
Good Luck

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Yeah, yeah, I know. Its just having the sequence written down and combined with Naugh's modifications that make it different than just using an Appointment, which in itself is not earth shattering. But T's & Cs being what they are.....