My recent switch to Linux also helped me to get out of the 'MS Outlook dungeon' that had encompassed computer usage in the last years for me. I could not find a real good calendar software for Linux besides Evolution, which did not work for me. So I found kiko.com a superb AJAX powered calendar. It is not exactly rich in functionality but it is very easy to use and looks great as well. Justin Kan co-founder of Kiko contacted me a while ago and I used the opportunity to find out more about Kiko's strategy competing with Google Calendar.

Q: For the uninitiated - what is Kiko doing?

Kiko is an web calendar for anyone who wants to keep and share a calendar online. Kiko excels at three main things:

* Universal access: Kiko integrates with your mobile phone and AIM and lets you access your calendar from any computer.

* Share your calendar: Invite anyone to events (not just other Kiko users!) Let others view your calendar with just a click.

* As easy as paper - or maybe easier: Write "Pay gas bill every month" onto your calendar and watch Kiko do the Right Thing!

Q: What is the background of the founder team?

Emmett and Justin met in the second grade, but at that time had no idea they would be founding a company together fourteen years later. During their senior year at Yale University, they saw that the world needed a good online calendar, and set out to make it happen. When they graduated in May of 2005, Kiko was born with seed funding from Y-Combinator.

Q: Why is it so beneficial to have my calendar web-based?

There are really three reasons why every application that can be web-based should be web-based:

* Accessibility: You should be able to read your calendar from anywhere * Interoperability: Sharing your information is easy and natural. * No Install: You never have to install or upgrade your software, and you're always up to date with the latest.

Q: I did start using Kiko some weeks ago and I'm amazed by the ease of use. Who made this slick user interface?

We've all contributed to the design, and there are components from each member of the team, but the ultimate credit for the look and feel has to go to our user-interface designer Richard White (height1percent.com). We call him David Copperfield because he works magic with CSS.

Q: Seems Kiko can be the better Outlook soon - how do you see the online calendar market evolving?

We can't speak for the other players, but from Kiko you're going to see much more integration with everything: devices, databases of events, webpages, and email. You're also going to see a more and more flexible interface - we improve our interface every day based on user feedback.

Q: How do you plan to compete with UeberAjaxWebAppPlayer Google and Google Calendar?

We can't complain too much about Google Calendar, given how fundamentally similar our current versions are. We'll be rolling out new sites soon for task management and event invitation that will integrate heavily with Kiko. I think these are some great features that should really put Kiko above the rest.

Q: How does Kiko make money and how is it financed so far?

We're currently funded by angel investors. Our future sources of revenue include user-pull advertising and possibly premium features.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

To put it simply: Making the best calendar in the entire world available for everyone. We won't rest until we've brought our vision to life.

Q: Finally - as usual- what is your most important lesson as an entrepreneur and what did Kiko teach you?

Being an entrepreneur is very bipolar. When you're up, things are great, and when you're down, it can be hard to go on. The important thing is to keep working hard and having fun with it, and know that at the end of the day whatever happens you're working on something you love.

Justin has written at length on some other lessons he's learned at http://jkanstyle.infogami.com/blog/lessons.

Thanks a lot Justin!