How to do a shared calendar for three users without Exchange

[crc-ict]

Hi All,

I have been asked my the admin staff at one of my schools to try and get a shared calendar set up for them, being shared between the Head, Bursar and Secretary, each on individual PCs.

One essential feature needs to be that it is either free or low cost - thus putting Exchange out! Actually, for other reasons I don't want to use Exchange anyway.

Just wondering if anyone is using anything similar? I would prefer to go with as simple a solution as possible and would struggle with anything that would need major server-side work - for example, I can't use an Apache/MySQL/PHP type of solution - basically because the only server available is controlled by the LEA and we're not allowed to do much to it.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Chris

[webman]

You could get a hosted solution like Google Apps - very nice interface and sharing facilities for zero-cost.

If you do get access to a server with PHP or IIS with a database; install something like VCaldendar.

If you eventually want an email system with shared calendar, you could do worse than using Zimbra which, for the open source version, is free.

[Ric_]

I believe that older versions of Outlook used to do this... I cannot remember which version of Outlook removed this functionality but Dos_Box should be able to help you out there.

[SimpleSi]

My techyest head spent a lot time looking into this nad eventually plumbed for Plaxo.

It wasn't free but was the cheapest he could find.

Looking at their website - it might even be free now !

regards

Simon

[damienharrison]

If you have exchange running then this can be used to do this nice and easily.

[Heebeejeebee]

If you have exchange running then this can be used to do this nice and easily.

HBJB

[FN-GM]

Another PHP calendar option is calendarix http://www.calendarix.com/index.php

[PEO]

ha, I'm always saying to my girl friend we need something like this so we know when we can see each other.... dudes our lives are manic... just manic, will have to...... ooow food is ready brb

[mark]

Google Calendar or M$ live/ Hotmail let you share calendars. I prefer google as it offers more features I use (like free notification via sms at the moment).

[contink]

I would prefer to go with as simple a solution as possible and would struggle with anything that would need major server-side work - for example, I can't use an Apache/MySQL/PHP type of solution - basically because the only server available is controlled by the LEA and we're not allowed to do much to it.

All the suggestions above barring Google are going to need at bare minimum PHP installed on the server in question so they're out.

Zimbra requires a lot more than just a few php scripts so that's out too.

I'd have to say that GoogleCalendar or something similar seems like the simplest bet but you have to question whether the staff in question are going to be up to using secure passwords and potentially having some genius child hacker gaining access. Simplest by far though.

[crc-ict]

OK, thanks for your ideas people.

Sounds like Google might be the way to go!

[Ric_]

@contink & crc-cit: XAMMP or similar could always be installed on one of the desktops to negate the issue of not being able to install PHP et al on the server.

[contink]

@contink & crc-cit: XAMMP or similar could always be installed on one of the desktops to negate the issue of not being able to install PHP et al on the server.

True but then you have the associated issues of someone turning off their machine when it's required.. plus security of that persons machine needing a little extra tweaking and consideration..

I'd have said that getting a spare box and putting zimbra on would be preferable to that, but that's just my opinion.

[K.C.Leblanc]

I've just had a look on www.overclockers.co.uk , some of the Synology and QNap network attached hard drives they do have web servers that support PHP & MySQL. They're cheaper then a dedicated server and might support some of systems people have surgested.