1 December 2006 · Uncategorized
Google Calendar too restrictive?
I got this email from Stuart today:
Anyway I just wanted to mention that using Google Calender as the only
way of viewing the recording schedule is very restrictive – everyone who
wants to view the schedule needs a Google account – Some of us (well me
at least) are not interested in feeding the Google world domination
monster – could there be an alternative method of posting the schedule
for Luddites like myself?
I’ve been waiting to be able to do this in Google because I figured it would become the standard and it’s free, so everyone can play. But I’m open to any other ideas. Any suggestions for how I put the schedule up in ways that people who don’t use Google can view?
Not an expert on google calender but I know 30boxes allows publishing to blogs. I use 30boxes mainly because I was using it before google calender. Can’t speak from experience that it allows the whole sharing thing better but I bet the guys who run 30boxes would be more than happy to help you integrate it in your blog. Check out info for syndication
There are several ways to get the calendar, all of which don’t require a Google account.
XML:
http://www.google.com/calendar/feeds/0995lem398am8u11ablpt2jms0%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic
ICal:
http://www.google.com/calendar/ical/0995lem398am8u11ablpt2jms0%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
or HTML
http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=0995lem398am8u11ablpt2jms0%40group.calendar.google.com
No need for a Google account. That’s why I love Google’s work, they don’t lock you in, and you don’t need to feed any monster!
I’m not really sure why it’s a problem. Google calendar is great. I’ve been using it for a while to publish wine eventas happening around australia with the view that most people don’t use google. There are three forms people can use it (it’s a little empty now though as i haven’t added to it recently).
1. It’s embedded into a page on my blog with an option view view as a list or calendar; http://ozwineshow.com/index.php?static=calendar
2. People can view an individual page of the calendar; http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=l7mrfkjef3mjnbd1qqkp6jb7l8%40group.calendar.google.com%20
3. People subscribe to it and it’s integrated into their own google calendar.
Google has info at http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?answer=37083 which does not seem to require a Google account.
Hey Cam I noticed that the time stamps are an hour our on your blog.
I noticed that ages ago and figured it was because of daylight savings.
Thanks Michael, think I’ve fixed that.
Perhaps a piece of paper stuck to the notice board outside cameron’s local shop? Or is going to look at that going to be a little more effort than just getting a google account?
Just viewing someone’s shared Google Calendar does not require a Google Account IMO. Also, you can make the whole task easier if you use Outlook. There is a great utility called SyncMyCal at http://www.syncmycal.com that enables Calendar Sharing and Synchronization between Outlook and Google.