Syncing Calendar Events from websites
I have recenlty being playing around with the HuddsDigitals site, and at the moment the main function of the site is to let people know of events and dates. We will be adding a members section soon which is semi-operation at the moment to sign in via twitter or facebook.
I am using Expression Engine for HuddsDigitals and have added a few plugins – one of which is RSVP which means people can register them selves for events. I had previously been using Facebook events, which is really easy to set up and send out invitations, problem is not every one checks facebook or need make sure you are friends with everyone to send invites. So I wanted to take it ‘in-house’ which both has its pro’s and cons, one is trying to get people to register and RSVP.
When people do use it
If we do get people to use the website, so updating their profiles (when that comes) and rsvp to the events they attend then we can use this data how ever we like and it belongs to HuddsDigitals. (Yes, we could start using existing API’s to bring in data, and might suggest this in some cases – but keeping it simple for now).
Calendar Sync
One thing I’ve enjoyed creating is the calendar sync – You can use microformats to show calendar information on a web page of which I do use, and can sync with desktop calendars quite easily but causes problems with mobiles – iPhone in particular.
Design for Content
More recently than ever this has been something I ask for upfront before starting any design on a web project. Yes, Im guilty and used lorem ipsum to show where content will be, but unless this is a fairly generic blog template or standard expanding text aera, its is damaging to the design.
edit – example picture is not a real situation , just to illustrate a design being done possibly without content, this site was designed with content prior to design
Make your images compatible with Retina Display
Had a little problem with trying to make images that display high res on retina displays. Christopher Webb replied with a link to a canvas example which made me realise this is alot easier than I thought!
Here’s how to make a 100pixel image ready for retina
Textpattern Mobile Site on a Subdomain
If you have been following my previous textpattern mobile site versions you may be pleased to know that I have new and more solid method of creating a mobile site but on a subdomain, still using the same database.
Create sub domain
This must be on the same host to match the root folder. Either copy the files below to you sub domain or download my commented files and upload.
iPhone site version using Textpattern:Extra
After some further ideas, testing and help from Marty I now have a method that lets iPhone/mobile users to view the full site if they wish.
Things you’ll need
- Detect Mobile User Agents & Browsers Script php script
- chs_cookie Textpattern plugin
- iPhone for testing
First things first
- Upload the mobile_device_detect.php file to your root file on server (you can put anywhere but just need to direct the script to it’s path later.)
- Install the chs_cookie script in the plugin area of textpattern – and remember to turn it on! Seems daft, but I did spend about 20mins wondering why it wasn’t working!
Create a page template and two new sections
I created a page template and called it setmobile, paste this code into into it and save.
iPhone site version using Textpattern
UPDATE: I have written a new post of a newer and slightly more complicated method to display a mobile version – please use this one if it suits you better.
If you use Textpattern and wanted to create an alternative iPhone version for faster and slimed down browsing, then I think I’ve finally done it!
I have been on the quest for this on and off for the last month or two ever since I read(skimmed) over the alternative site version article by the Erskine boys which set me thinking how to replicate this in Textpattern. I am no php programer but know how to copy and paste, and have been searching for the piece of code to serve up a different site for iPhones.