Calendar 4.2 feature requests?

So, what features would people like to see in the next calendar release? I expect to probably start it in December sometime.

Just Remember............
This is an event calendar, not a people scheduling calendar!

Already on the list are:

1) Events with no end_time
2) Making "basic" integration with other sites easier.
3) Better user manual.
4) Auto detection of installed functions.
ie, when logged in, if the user manager script is not there, it won't show up as a choice in the month/list display. This is targeted to security where the calendar may be "display only" on one site and managed on another.

An effective date to display an event.
ie, one inserts an event into the table, but that event is not shown on the calendar until the effective date is passed.

A status for each event.
ie, one inserts an event into the table, but that event is not shown on the calendar till the status is changed to have the event be shown.

I'm actually adding this myself right now, so if I get it done before you start work on the next release I'll let you know.

Question: How does an "effective date" differ from an event's start date?? If I don't want an event to show up, why post it at all???

The status flag seems reasonable. Can you explain how/why you intend to use it?

I've modified my description of an effective date. The effective date will be a certain time before the event in which the event is shown.
Example:
An event starts on October 25th. The effective date for the event is October 19 to October 23. (This implies that two fields are needed for the effective date.)
So, before October 19th, the event is not shown. From October 19 till October 23, the October 25th event is shown on the calendar. From October 23 to October 24, the event is not shown on the calendar. The event will again be seen on the calendar on the 25th.

The status flag will be a boolean variable, 1 or 0, true or false. When the status flag for an event is true, then the event will be displayed. Otherwise, it won't. Now that I think more about it, it is more for "planning" than anything else. Possibly the status flag could be used in the following way:
A user of the calendar discovers an event and wants to put it up on the calendar. So the user adds the event, but the status is 0, or false, and won't be seen on the calendar until an admin approves the event and changes the status to 1, or true.

I've also thought about more additions. Instead of just "Location", have an additional State and City, and possibly even Country, flag for each event. A drop down menu could be created for the State flag easily, saving on spelling errors.

Also, a URL flag would be useful. It would give a link to another site or to a different page within the site that a user could use to go find more information about the event.

And, if you'd like to go further into CM, add a table ltw_css which could be edited through an admin page so that one does not have to go through and edit the css file. Eventually this could be modified so that each user can have a different look to the calendar.

Just had another thought. How about a search function for the events!!!

In the Event details box:
1. indicate that you are attending the event and see who else is attending

2. ability to add event to own calendar (vCalendar format)

3. ability to format text, have hyperlinks in detail area

A full address field, not just a one-liner but something like:

The Sailing Club
23 Acacia Avenue
Anytown
Somewhere
State/Province
Postal/Zip Code

In the Event details box, the address could also be a link to Mapquest et al so users can look for directions.

But you can put HTML in the description!
Try it!

Yes, I know HTML works, I discovered it by accident while trying to get a line break.

A "Contact" field would be good, i.e. a one-liner, who to contact for a particular event. I'm actually putting this in our calendar but I'm sure your code would be far more efficient than my spaghetti.

Just to update my previous post, regarding a "Contact" field. I tweaked the code and have successfully implemented a "contact" in the calendar.

How about the ability to copy an event to another day. Say, they have an event four times a year that may contain a significant amount of data entry. It would be nice to just create it once and copy it where needed.

Maybe the ability for users to export and/or download data to a CSV file filtered by date range and category. This would be nice for importing into Outlook.

Thanks for considering, John

1. The ability to display graphics on the event pop up window.

2. Event dates without any time requirements

Actually, you can display graphics on the Event pop-up window. Just use HTML, admittedly, this is not very user-friendly if you have end-users updating the calendar.

The calendar is being used by a series of instructors who don't have HTML experience. Having to jump in to put in their pictures sort of negates the beauty of letting them set up their own courses.