To set a custom alarm
 
1.      Select the item, for which you want to set an alarm.
 
2.      From the Tools menu, choose Alarms, and then choose Create New Alarm.  The Create an Alarm dialog box appears.  
 
3.      In the Date box, select a date.
 
4.      To set a time for the alarm, use the Hours and Minutes buttons.
 

NOTE:  If you do not set a time, the alarm will occur at the start of the day of the event. You can specify the start of your day using the Options command on the Calendar menu.
 
 
5.      Specify the text you want the alarm to display by doing one of the following:
 
If you want the alarm to display the text of the selected item, select the Attach Alarm to Selected Item option.
 
If you want the alarm to display text other than the selected item, type the desired message in  the Alarm Text box. (The Alarm Text box is available if the Attach Alarm to Selected Item option is not checked.)
 
6.      In the Type box, select Custom.  The Custom Alarm dialog box appears.  
 
 
 
digression for background:
 
To set Calendar preferences
 
1.      From the Calendar menu, choose Options.  The Calendar Options dialog box appears.  
 
2.      Take one or more of the following actions:
 
Start the week on Monday instead of Sunday.
 
 
 
>>>      Change the start and end times of your day.
 
 
     Change the default appointment duration (for example, from one hour to a half hour).
     Change the default appointment time slot that appears in the Calendar.
     Change standard settings for appointments and ticklers.
     Show or hide tickler items in the week and month summary views.
     Change the position of the Tickler section.
 
     Set time zone for group scheduling.
     Set time zone adjustment for group scheduling.
     Select the country for which you want to view national holidays.
     Create custom holidays.
 
3.      Choose the OK button.
 
The Calendar changes to reflect the preferences you specified.
 
 
 
The dialog box contains the following fields:
 
Appointments tab
 
Week starts on Monday      
 
Specify whether your calendar week should begin on Monday, rather than Sunday.
 
 
Start of Day      Specify the time your workday begins.
End of Day      Specify the time your workday end.
 
Default Appointment Duration      Specify the default appointment length.
 
Appointment Time Slot Interval      
 
Select a default appointment time increment to be displayed in the Day view.
 
Appointment Item Options button      
 
Displays the Date Properties dialog box, in which you can select default settings for all new appointments.
 
Apply button      
Becomes active when changes are made to the property sheet. Changes are implemented, but the property sheet remains open.
 
Ticklers tab
 
Show Tickers in Summary Views for Week      
 
Select this option to display tickler items when the Calendar is displayed by the week view.
 
Show Tickers in Summary Views for Month      
 
Select this option to display tickler items when the Calendar is displayed by the month view.
 
 
Tickler Item Options button      
 
Displays the Choose Tickler Type dialog box, in which you select a default type or folder for new tickler items.
 
Apply button      
 
Becomes active when changes are made to the property sheet. Changes are implemented, but the property sheet remains open.
 
Time Zone tab
 
Time Zone      
 
Select your location’s time zone (used for group scheduling).  
For example, if someone in New York schedules a 3:00 p.m. phone conference and your primary time zone is Pacific time, the meeting would appear at 12:00 p.m. on your Calendar.
Time Zone Adjustment      
 
Specify any local differences from international standard time zones (15 to 45 minutes), or select U.S. daylight savings time, which adjusts one hour between April and October.
 
Apply button      
 
Becomes active when changes are made to the property sheet. Changes are implemented, but the property sheet remains open.
 
Holidays tab
 
Show Holidays for      
 
Specify the country whose national holidays you want displayed in the Calendars.
 
Custom Holiday button      
 
Displays the Manage Custom Holidays dialog box, in which you can add, delete, or rename custom holidays (such as birthdays), or delete standard holidays.
 
Apply button      
Becomes active when changes are made to the property sheet. Changes are implemented, but the property sheet remains open.