8.2 Calendar Formats for the iPod

The iPod's calendar system couldn't be more basic: Its software displays the contents of any iCalendar or vCalendar files it finds in the Calendar folder on its hard drive. All you have to do is put them there.

To do that, you'll probably want to export your existing schedule from a Mac or Windows calendar program. Fortunately, most programs can export either iCalendar (.ics) or vCalendar (.vcs) format.

These files are something like the vCards described on Section 7.1.1: You can make 'em, trade 'em, swap 'em with your friends , even if you use a Mac and they use PCs.

There are some differences between the i Calendar and v Calendar formats, however:

• The iCalendar format is designed for uploading and using calendars on the Internet; the vCalendar (vCal) format is popular for handheld computers and hard- core scheduling programs.

• Your alarms and reminders (Section 8.3.4) survive the journey to your iPod if they're in the iCalendar format ”but not if they're in vCalendar format.