Joomla Calendar (JCal Pro) for CiviEvent

[Conga3.com]

It appears, JCal Pro can be hacked/synced to work as the frontend calendar for CiviEvents.  This would be a quick and simple way to use a good looking Joomla calendar component with CiviEVENTS.

There would be a number of different ways to do this, but I would do it like this:

Create import/sync script component that:

1. - Create new table with the CiviEvent_ID -> JCalEvent_ID relationship stored.  Knowing this relationship will allow the sync script in #4 to update changes, and would be needed for #5.

2. - Create new table with CiviEventType_ID -> JCalEventCategory_ID relationship stored.

3. - Import the "Event Types" table from CiviEvents into the JCal "Event Categories" with any new types found; sync existing types/categories based on #2 Table.

4. - Import the events fields from CiviEvents into JCal for any new events found; sync existing events.

- - - CiviEVENTS - - -	- - - JCal Pro - - -
title	title
description*	description*
event_type_id	cat
start_date	start_date
end_date	end_date
is_active	published

* - Not really needed, but I added it because they match up and variations to this idea might want to use it.

5. - Hack JCal calendar display to:
     IF JCalEVENT_ID is related to CiviEvents_ID, link to the CiviEVENTS Info page (based on that ID) (Example : index.php?option=com_civicrm&task=civicrm/event/info&id=1&Itemid=6)
     ELSE - use regular link to JCal Event Info page.

Conclusion

You could create and manage events in BOTH JCal Pro and CiviEVENTS.  The #5 hack would let you use the JCal calendar to link to the CiviEvents Info pages, so you don't need to do any duplicate work.  Since it is a HACK though, you might have to re-hack if you update you JCal version. 

The project I "might" need this for is a few months down the road, so I'm not going to develop this just yet for myself.  Things might change between now and then for me and this project. If enough people need this done ASAP, I could have this created for them, if they help with the development costs.

[FatherShawn]

I think that you're on to something here !  What are the advantages of maintaining JCal's tables rather than telling JCal to use CiviEvent instead? 

Being new to open source, are there any cultural protocols for approaching JCal's developer.  It seems to me that the most elegant solution is a "use CiviEvent" parameter in the component's backend settings.

I'm very interested in this proposal!

[Conga3.com]

Hey Father Shaun,

By writing a Synchronization / Event Import script as a completely separate component which just copies CiviEvents over to JCal, keeps track of them, and can update them if you make any changes... this means you're not "HACKING" up JCal, so updates to the JCal software are possible.

Also, JCal has a decent Event Manager already, and you might find you want to post an Event that doesn't require CiviMember sign-up, or any CiviCRM interaction at all, and posting that event in JCal would be quicker and simpler.

The only HACK that I would want to do is what I mentioned before, by hacking the calendar display.  But this a very minimal hack.

RE:  ...approaching JCal's developer

The software is licensed GNU GPL, so you don't need to ask permission or anything to make changes to their software.

And NO, they probably won't add a feature to their software that allows the user to select a "use CiviEvent" parameter. 

Like I said in my first post, there are many ways to do this.  But I wouldn't modify JCal to "use CiviEvent" because I then couldn't update my JCal version when they come out with a new version.

[FatherShawn]

Well put - minimal hacking to keep a clear upgrade path.  As I said before, I'll follow this with interest!

[Conga3.com]

OK,

I've gone ahead with this idea, and I'm having this Joomla! component created.

I should have it available later this week.

There have been around 900 'stable' downloads of the Joomla version of CiviCRM (at the time of this posting), so there should be a number of people who need a calendar solution for their CiviCRM install. 

If you are interested in this let me know.

[Dave Greenberg]

Excellent news (on the upcoming Joomla! component). I've created a stub page in our Documentation for describing how to install and use various calendaring options. It would be great if you could post download, install and configuration info on this page when you're ready.

http://wiki.civicrm.org/confluence/display/CRMDOC/CiviEvent+Calendars

[mcsmom]

That is very cool. I think what would really help more generically is an rss feel option, since many calendars will take those.

[Dave Greenberg]

Hi Elin - 1.8 will include an RSS feed option, a gData (Google Calendar format) option and the existing iCal feed. The code for this is committed and running in trunk if you're interested .

Regards,
dave

[mcsmom]

That's great! Thanks.

[rick]

It looks like no one has finished off this component. I have created a module to export a list of all events from civiCRM. If I post this module - can someone add the sychronisation part so that it is imported into JCAL?

[aspagarino]

I am interested on the JCal Pro integration or sync option as well... it would be great to know if Conga3 has any new information

[Conga3.com]

I stopped working on this project awhile back when the client/friend I built it for didn't continue using CiviCRM.

It was mostly finished at the time, but now is outdated.

If someone wants to grab what I have and take off with it, go ahead.

I'm always open to discussing custom projects like this.


http://www.conga3.com/com_civicrm_jcal.zip

NOTE: If you download hit me up with a forum "applaud" - I want more Karma than Lobo!!!

I was developing it using :

Joomla 1.0.12
JCal 1.5.3
CiviCRM 1.7.9379

[sungoddess]

I wish somebody would upgrade this for J1.5... it's heart breaking.

[Conga3.com]

An updated version of this component is possible if enough people want it.... and are willing to share in the cost.

Post here if you're interested, and I'll match any pledges of $$ to get an update done.

If you do pledge $$, PM me with contact info.

[boxwoodgrn]

I'm in for the $$ to assist.  PM me, we can talk details.