I am using windows vista and can't seem to sync my blackberry bold with windows calendar, any help appreciated, cheers.

I don't think you can, address book yes, calendar no. Pretty stupid, since not everyone wants or needs Outlook.

No cant do it with windows calendar. (which apparently wont be in windows 7 anyway, along with windows mail)
Have to use outlook.

Standard M$. Make everyone shell out $100 for Outhouse, when the person may only want a simply calendar and address book. Then you wonder why I despise that company as much as I do.

yeh, i was shocked about windows mail, and turns out its because they are pushing their windows live calendar/mail/movie maker/and photo gallery.
they all replace the standard vista mail/calendar/move maker and photo gallery.

they suck muchly. though the prices for windows 7 pre order is damn good compared to before.

You're not the only one with strong feelings about being extorted into buying stuff that you don't really want.

But the thing is, you can have calendar and contacts (window calendar and contacts via windows mail) for free (in vista, and still free in 7 just need to download windows live)
but its RIM who made the dekstop manager ONLY allow outlook for calendar.
you can have contacts sync through windows mail/contacts but RIM overlooked windows calendar.

Is this sans outlook? Can you post a howto or at least a summary of how that is done?

It cannot be done without outlook.
we were discussing windows calendar and the the fact that desktop manager wont sync with it.