This month's special tool is so simple, so useful, and so low-tech, that it's not only a breeze to write about, but most of you will probably be inspired to try it yourselves. One gets to this tool by going to www.birthdayalarm.com, and registering for the FREE service.

OK, so big deal, you say when you arrive there. Another e-card website. But, this one's different. For those of us who have trouble remembering what day of the week it is, much less what day of the year our in-laws celebrate their anniversary, this is the perfect tool. Sure, there are many other ways to keep track of these things. Some people keep a list somewhere on their computer, but rarely consult it. I have mine written in with my Contacts in Outlook, but if I happen to notice my note to myself it is generally after the fact. The old-fashioned way, maintaining a journal for those special dates, is also an option. But first you have to find the journal, and then you need to remember to consult it at least once a month, and, well, I can't even find the journal so what's the point.

The majority of people using this tool are using it because someone sent them a card on their birthday, and they notice that it's from Birthday Alarm. Like everyone else, when this happened to us we automatically checked out the site. Four really good things: it takes 20 seconds to register; it's free, because they make their money from advertisers and the gifts offered for purchase; the cards are right there, ready to be sent; and finally, they provide a simple cut and paste way to send the message out to anyone on your list whose important "dates" you would like to remember and/or you can enter the dates one time and then be done with it.

Then, you choose your own time frames. For example, I want to be reminded seven days ahead of the birthday or anniversary etc., and then again on the specific day. The seven days are in case a present buying adventure is part of the deal. The same day is so that after I've been reminded and then forgotten again, I can choose from the great selection of cards at www.birthdayalarm.com and send one off immediately.

There are also custom card options, and you can upload photos to use in a card. The images must be jpgs with a maximum data size of 500 kbs. The physical size of your photo can be anything, since all e-cards are automatically resized by BirthdayAlarm to 530 pixels wide.

So check it out for yourself, and see if you don't think it's simple, useful, and that you wish you'd thought of it first.