Calendar Options:
Option #1: A Database Textbox Calendar
Cobb County uses this type of Calendar below. It allows you to type a calendar in a text box and the box appears in an iframe on the page so that a person may scroll down. I can even make the box extend so that it will include all events with no scrolling if you prefer.
· The pro is that you can update very easily and have a lot of control regarding the appearance.
· The con is that you have to keep it up regularly. It is not intuitive and does not adjust itself based on the date. The dates are also text and not individual entries.
Example:
Option #2: Database List Calendar
This calendar would look similar to Harrison’s. That is not to say they use this, but it is close to what it will appear. The calendar dates would be entered one line at a time based on date. Then the events will be organized based on the present date and go down to upcoming dates. Old dates would not appear.
The pro is that you will not have to erase or delete old events. Also each date is an entry in the database and could be referenced in other applications.
The con is that there is less flexibility and it is more time consuming to enter the dates.
Option #3: Google Calendar
This option provides great features and is what we use for the school’s website. The dates are automatically generated from an online Google Calendar Application. The dates give both a list and a desk calendar look. The dates can have comments added for more information and the dates are able to be searched. Updating the calendar only takes a free calendar account with Google that I could set up for you and then you entering the dates when you log on.
The pro is that you have great flexibility and the calendar can be combined with other Google calendars for an entire school calendar and also separated out for each sport. It would also be consistent with what we have now.
The con is that you have to login to Google every time you want to add an event and the events are in Google’s database, not ours, so we can not reference them elsewhere without typing in the date. (I do not really think that would be an issue though in your case.)
You can see examples on this page and you can take a look at the one on our website online.
In your decision, the Google one could be put up in a matter of 30 minutes. We would just need to get together for me to get you started. The first option could be built in an hour or two. The second option would take a few days to build and establish.
Just let me know which one you would like and I will get it going.
Todd