molan Posted December 23, 2012 Posted December 23, 2012 I want to set up a calendar for my band that everyone can access remotely via the web so that we can book rehearsals, block out time for gigs etc. Ideally I'd like everyone to be able to log in individually with a single password and for it to show nice simple colour coded blocks for when people aren't available etc. I'm sure there are a few of these around but just thought I'd see if anyone here has any preferences or advice Quote
Moos3h Posted December 23, 2012 Posted December 23, 2012 Google. Does everything you would need and more! Quote
Ed_S Posted December 23, 2012 Posted December 23, 2012 Yup, agreed - we've tried a few and settled on a shared Google calendar as being the best option for us as we all have gmail accounts and decent phones to link them to. Quote
Big_Stu Posted December 23, 2012 Posted December 23, 2012 Unless you're in a band with a huge number of members are you sure you'll have a need? Being in a band is all about communication, keeping it more "remote" could lead to rows and detachment. It's just as easy to plan ahead any time that you meet up, just about all phones have a calendar facility in them now. IMHO of course. Quote
molan Posted December 23, 2012 Author Posted December 23, 2012 There's only 5 of us in the band but we have a pilot who gets his long hail flight allocation quite a way in advance and a drummer who's in 3 other bands and who works on a 'first come first served' type basis. Being able to check if we can make a gig quickly is easier than calling all four other members and cross-referencing individual calendars If I use Google does that mean everyone has to have a Gmail account? Quote
vsmith1 Posted December 23, 2012 Posted December 23, 2012 I have used Doodle to arrange times for rehearsals etc. as you can give a set of dates and times and get each to respond to say which is best for them. Again used in conjunction with Google Calendar. Quote
discreet Posted December 23, 2012 Posted December 23, 2012 [quote name='Moos3h' timestamp='1356264453' post='1908483'] Google. Does everything you would need and more![/quote] Plus the one. Once you get into it, it's invaluable. But I also agree with Big Stu in that I phone everyone anyway, 'just to make sure...' Old School, see. Quote
Happy Jack Posted December 23, 2012 Posted December 23, 2012 [quote name='molan' timestamp='1356265040' post='1908492'] If I use Google does that mean everyone has to have a Gmail account? [/quote] Yup, but that's no great hardship. Rather harder is working out why the other band members (whether or not computer illiterate) seem entirely incapable of referring to said calendar, and claim that they can't add dates to it because "it won't let them". Does your band have an IT Department? Quote
molan Posted December 23, 2012 Author Posted December 23, 2012 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1356267883' post='1908524'] Yup, but that's no great hardship. Rather harder is working out why the other band members (whether or not computer illiterate) seem entirely incapable of referring to said calendar, and claim that they can't add dates to it because "it won't let them". Does your band have an IT Department? [/quote] We do have a software engineer - maybe that'll help Quote
JTUK Posted December 23, 2012 Posted December 23, 2012 yep, Google. One u/n and password... sorted. Quote
JTUK Posted December 23, 2012 Posted December 23, 2012 [quote name='molan' timestamp='1356265040' post='1908492'] There's only 5 of us in the band but we have a pilot who gets his long hail flight allocation quite a way in advance and a drummer who's in 3 other bands and who works on a 'first come first served' type basis. Being able to check if we can make a gig quickly is easier than calling all four other members and cross-referencing individual calendars If I use Google does that mean everyone has to have a Gmail account? [/quote] It is perfect for this... one dedicated account for the band. Everyone uses it and assigns their phone to it and it is there to call up anytime you like. Quote
JapanAxe Posted December 23, 2012 Posted December 23, 2012 I set up a Hotmail account for my band, and set it to automatically sync entries into my Gmail account. Thus all the band have access, and I can look at it instantly on my Android phone. However, the drummer keeps losing the password... Quote
seashell Posted December 23, 2012 Posted December 23, 2012 Believe it or not, our guitarist doesn't even have a mobile phone! Quote
TimR Posted December 24, 2012 Posted December 24, 2012 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1356267883' post='1908524'] ... Rather harder is working out why the other band members (whether or not computer illiterate) seem entirely incapable of referring to said calendar, ... [/quote] In principle it's a cracking idea. In practice though... It works best if you are the only one who adds to it but send out a link occasionally so the others can view it. I have enough problems working out when I'm free let alone keeping another calendar up to date when I'm free. Just add gigs and practices to it, but only after asking other people if they're free first. Don't expect them to remember to add when their granny's 80th birthday party etc is. Quote
fender73 Posted December 24, 2012 Posted December 24, 2012 Google here too! Free and easy to use Quote
TimR Posted December 24, 2012 Posted December 24, 2012 I assume you don't all have iPhones with built in calendars already. Quote
nottswarwick Posted December 25, 2012 Posted December 25, 2012 We use yahoo. Same principle as google and work well Quote
mcnach Posted December 25, 2012 Posted December 25, 2012 Google calendars. Set up one band calendar plus individual ones. Easy to check/modify from your computer or phone... Been using it for years. Of course, it's only as good as the information you put in, so people must use it/update it. Even if not fully up to date, it's a great tool when booking gigs, as it gives you some dates you can already say no to, even if you still need to confirm "manually". It works for us: juggling three-four bands. Quote
JTUK Posted December 25, 2012 Posted December 25, 2012 [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1356386115' post='1909896'] I assume you don't all have iPhones with built in calendars already. [/quote] Doesn't matter, just assign iPhone to whichever calendar. I have an iPhone and Samsung that both point to Google calendar. iPhones are for dummies... Couldn't be easier Quote
WalMan Posted December 27, 2012 Posted December 27, 2012 Google & I am pretty sure I didn't need a Gmail account for it. Syncs to my Outlook and I think I have just about managed to get it to stop showing dentist & doctor appointments and my two weekly injection & site reminder to everyone else. It does save the hassle of the ring/text round to confirm availability at the last minute, particularly with a vocalist whose phone goes straight to answerphone and whose mobile is switched off 99% of the time Quote
davehux Posted December 27, 2012 Posted December 27, 2012 We use www.localendar.com - free, easy to use and you can 'publish' it as a read-only version that anyone can see i.e. potential venues can see if you're available, should they have a cancellation etc Quote
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