Miss Minutes V2
This is the continuation of Miss Minutes as explained in the Failed List We faced significant challenges trying to implement the timetable management tool. My work started under the assumption google calendar and other major calendar softwares offer first class support to dynamic iCal link. which they do not. the only way I was able to get this working was involving a 2 app solution which included something called the Simple Calendar along with a caldav fetch tool.
This is not a feasible solution. Based on the discussion held in GLUG I revieved the feedback the current system works and maybe don't try to fix what's not broken. But as the semester progress multiple class were lost due to the last second reschdules and venue changes which got lost in the sea of whatsapp groups. I observed that the same is not an isolated incident and is being actively experienced by many of my peers especially the ones who have to repeat a course as they are not exactly in the loop like others.
Priorities
- We don't need to reinvent the wheel. I find iCal to have all the features that we need [1] [2]. as per my understanding iCal provides support for all the necessary fields we require.
- The solution is a 2 component piece
- frontend using lynx to provide multi-platform binaries. The tool will be a general purpose ical viewer / editor. with support for user login authentication etc.
- Backend build with django (preffered as of now since it's batteries included and since it's python we can expect more contribution.) however I'm tempted to try the same with elixir ( pheonix ) or Go (beego)
- As usual the goal it to build a generalized tool that can be used outside the specific use-case so that it can be maintained easily and get a wider range of contribution from the community. In short we won't be building a custom tool for solving the class scheduling crisis but rather try to build a general purpose iCal server and multi-platform iCal client.
Detailed spec
iCal client
- Modern UI following KISS Philosophy(Screens to be designed and shared here itself).
- Basic Features
- Ability to add dynamic iCal links and get the schedule auto-updated with low latency.