For quite a while now I’ve been looking for a solution to sync iCal and Google Calender. I’ve even though of giving up on iCal and using Gcal.app (an application) full time. However Plaxo 3 was released the other day and it syncs calendars for free.

Running a few tests, it indeed does sync my iCal and Google Calendar. However, it’s not instant. When I make an update to one calendar, it’s a bit of time before it shows on another. I’m not sure the exact amount of time, but it’s more like once an hour or two. Even by hitting the sync button in the Plaxo menubar icon, the changes don’t seem to take effect on Google Calendar right away.

I’ve recently re-checked out NeoOffice. NeoOffice is the Mac version of OpenOffice and is a great alternative to Microsoft Office. NeoOffice is free which makes it $400 less that the Microsoft version.

The download is big, but it’s a program that sure can do a lot. The interface is very nice and it makes the program look stunning. It also loads quite quickly on my Intel iMac.

One of the things I really liked about NeoOffice is that it can read and write Microsoft formats including .docx. I do have to interact with these files so it’s nice to have an easy solution.

On our weekly trip to SuperTarget today we noticed that two packs of General Mills cereal now come with two free iTunes songs. Not only that, plus you get a coupon for a $1 off a $15 iTunes card. Now that’s a decent deal. Especially since we always buy cereal.

Free iTunes Songs at Target Hosted on Zooomr

It’s December which means MacAppADay has started. Today it’s a nifty little iTunes controller and I’ve seen YummyFTP in the previews. Get your free download before they are gone: http://macappaday.com/

To fill sometime between now and my next ‘announcement’, I thought I’d share five nine free Mac apps that make my day easier.

1. Firefox - Customizable web browser. I love it.
2. Thunderbird - For work Email.
3. TextWranger - Great all around text/html editor.
4. AOL Radio - XM Radio for free and almost commercial free. Sweet.
5. Adium - The only chat application worth having.
6. Journler - Best everything app. Text, Video, Audio and much more.
7. Quicksilver - Sweet HD search. Like Spotlight only prettier.
8. Skype (on a good day) - I use this daily for my work phone however I’m having issues lately.

It all started with MacZot a few months ago. The idea was to give discounted, and sometimes free, applications to Mac users. Recently MacUpdate jumped on board with the daily special idea and now MacAppADay is next on the list.

MacAppADay is all about free apps and it sounds almost to good to be true. “Throughout December, each and every day, we’ll give away 5000 copies of a popular mac application. Even if all the apps were only worth $5.00, that’d be $150.00. And some of them are worth a lot more. Oh, and this is not a competition. Everyone gets every single application.” Now that’s a big promise for any site.

I heard that Zooomr was giving out free pro accounts for signing up and blogging an image so I thought I’d join up. Still not sure how it all works, but I’m waiting for my free upgrade.

For my first image, I looked back though some old photos and found a picture of a nasty fish that was served up at my sister-in-laws wedding. It’s salmon and doesn’t it make you want to …um… dig in?

There has been lots of talk online about Writely, iRows and Google Spreadsheet lately that I though I’d take a moment and talk about the Zoho offerings. ZoHo is a company that makes an online word processor , spreadsheet application, polls, to-do lists, chat and more. Most applications are free and are all very good; and not invite only.

ZoHoWriter is basically the same as Writely. It’s a free online word processor that import & export Microsoft Word documents along with many other types of text files, export PDFs and it’s all web based. They deal with documents a little better though with a left hand menu that includes all your documents. All accessible from one screen and they can even open in tabs. Pretty sweet.

Box.net is an online storage site that gives you one free gig of space to do with what you please. However, Uneasy Silence has figured out how to connect to Box.net via the Mac Finder. Thus allowing you to have a free, mountable 1 Gig online storage account.

It’s quite easy, just follow these steps.

1) Get a box.net account.
2) In the Mac Finder select the GO menu then choose Connect to Server (Or Command-K).
3) Put in the address: https://www.box.net/dav
4) When it prompts, put in your Box.net username as your name and your Box.net password in the password field.

It doesn’t matter if you have a video iPod, iPod Nano, Shuffle, Mini or a basic iPod, there are thousands of accessories out there. From cases to fm transmitters, car integration and speakers, there are plenty of iPod accessories to match any taste and price range.

There are so many accessories available that it can make your head spin. Good news though, iLounge is giving away a free iPod Accessories Book that you can download today!

It’s full of iPod addons that you’ve never heard of any plenty that you have heard of. I can almost guarantee that there is something in this free book that you will think is the coolest iPod accessory yet.