Customize Outlook Reminder Snoozing

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Hack - 21 Apr 2005 15:40 GMT

I'd like to see it possible to customize Outlook Reminder intervals.

Specifically, I'd like to see a snooze time interval of One Minute Before
Start. My options today...Outlook 2003 being less accurate to remind than 2K
was...are be five minutes early or one minute late.

But, I can see the use for 4, 3, 2, and 1 minute "before start" and "from
now".

To extend that further, I can see where other people want other things and
maybe it's better to allow the sky to be the limit by allowing the reminder
time intervals to be customized by the user.

Doug

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Ken Slovak - [MVP - Outlook] - 22 Apr 2005 14:05 GMT

You can type any number you want in the snooze area, not just what's
provided. The defaults however cannot be changed.

Signature

Ken Slovak
[MVP - Outlook]
http://www.slovaktech.com
Author: Absolute Beginner's Guide to Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
Reminder Manager, Extended Reminders, Attachment Options
http://www.slovaktech.com/products.htm

> I'd like to see it possible to customize Outlook Reminder intervals.
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Doug

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Hack - 22 Apr 2005 17:34 GMT

Editing the text "0 hours before start" to read "1 minute before start"
results in the following error message...

The snooze time "1 minute before start" is invalid. Please enter a valid
snooze time.

So, we're back to square one.

In Outlook 2003, I'm not sure where time comes from (localhost or Exchange
server) but, reminders are always 30 seconds to a minute late.

I do run in cached mode.

Any ideas?

Doug

> You can type any number you want in the snooze area, not just what's
> provided. The defaults however cannot be changed.
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> >
> > Doug

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Ken Slovak - [MVP - Outlook] - 22 Apr 2005 20:34 GMT

For Outlook 2003 I think you might have to use at least 2 minutes. As I
recall 1 minute worked in earlier versions of Outlook.

Reminders should fire at some point within the minute they are due, not
necessarily at the exact second the minute occurs. The time used to fire
reminders is your local time.

Signature

> Editing the text "0 hours before start" to read "1 minute before start"
> results in the following error message...
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Doug

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Hack - 25 Apr 2005 14:11 GMT

Thanks for your time on this Ken.

I just tried to use "2 minutes before start" and that came back as invalid
also.

It's interesting that you mention the reminders come up within the minute
they are do. That sounds like poor programming given reminders exist to keep
us on time. Every time I babysit the seconds on a reminder, they are always
32 seconds after the due time. That makes me late to a customer
con-call...and gives more reason to have a 1-minute before start reminder
interval.

Any other ideas about how to get a custom "before start time"
reminder?...without opening the original calendar item and editing the
"master" reminder time?

Doug

> For Outlook 2003 I think you might have to use at least 2 minutes. As I
> recall 1 minute worked in earlier versions of Outlook.
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> >
> > Doug

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Ken Slovak - [MVP - Outlook] - 26 Apr 2005 14:19 GMT

It looks like anything less than "5 minutes before start" will error, but if
you clear that condition and just enter "1 minute" it takes. So you have to
adjust how you enter the snooze time.

I don't see this as bad programming. The reminder service must run on some
sort of timer. Unless that timer was synchronized with the system clock to
start exactly at 00 seconds of each minute, adjusting the timer rate every
minute to avoid any slippage, firing some time during that minute is
adequate. And if things are really that precise that firing the reminder 20
seconds later than it should is a problem then set your reminders an extra
minute early.

Signature

> Thanks for your time on this Ken.
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Doug

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Hack - 04 May 2005 14:34 GMT

I'm glad to see we've come full-circle on this topic and you now fully
understand the logic of my request for '1 minute before start'..."if things
are really that precise that firing the reminder 20 seconds later than it
should is a problem then set your reminders an extra minute early." As the
host on customer con-call, I shouldn't be late.

Having watched this whole reminder timing thing for the past few weeks, I
now see where Outlook 2003 also kicks in multi-day reminders more than 24-hrs
early...I have a reminder set for Monday. On Thursday, my
should-remind-me-on-Friday. reminder pops up as though the meeting is on
Sunday. This wasn't the case in Outlook 2000.

So, where can I get a registry hack or something to predefine whatever
'before start' interval I want. Or, where do I really make an enhancement
request.

Thanks,
Doug

> It looks like anything less than "5 minutes before start" will error, but if
> you clear that condition and just enter "1 minute" it takes. So you have to
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> >
> > Doug

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Ken Slovak - [MVP - Outlook] - 05 May 2005 16:41 GMT

There is no hack for that. You can try writing to outwish@microsoft.com with
your feature request but don't hold your breath.

Signature

> I'm glad to see we've come full-circle on this topic and you now fully
> understand the logic of my request for '1 minute before start'..."if
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Thanks,
> Doug

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