Calendso: An open source Calendly alternative • Hacker News Board

Re: Calendso: An open source Calendly alternative

#61

Post by pvitz » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 1:05 PM UTC

ckwalsh wrote: post #22

I have to echo everyone else here that the homepage could be much more effective. My first impressions without scrolling: * Calendso has something to do with calendars, based on the name. * It has a popular paid competitor called Calendly. * It's open source, and there is a hosted version as well. I do not yet know what problem it is solving for me or its existing customers. Scrolling down slightly further, I see the…

I agree with everything you have written and I would also suggest that they improve the video. It has the same shortcomings as the rest of the website and the charts presented are totally meaningless without proper axes and axes titles.

Re: Calendso: An open source Calendly alternative

#62

Post by cellover » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 1:08 PM UTC

mritchie712 wrote: post #23

cellover wrote: post #16

Looks promising, was considering using Calendly for a SaaS app I just launched to book demos but will give Calendso a try. Was wondering if there was an integration with Salesforce via Zapier.

I think you could do that via a webhook

Oh I see now, thank you for having spotted this!

Re: Calendso: An open source Calendly alternative

#63

Post by ryanar » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 1:13 PM UTC

benjaminwootton wrote: post #45

Am I the only person who hates receiving calend.ly links? I know it's unreasonble, but I find it somehow rude when someone asks me to go hunting around in their calendar, even though it's more efficient than agreeing on meeting slots. I have even passed on some good opportunities simply because I have an aversion to calend.ly!

That problem is being solved by Derrick Reimer with https://savvycal.com/

Re: Calendso: An open source Calendly alternative

#64

Post by exabyte » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 1:13 PM UTC

rodolphoarruda wrote: post #14

Does it offer multi-language support, or is it English only? I couldn't find that information anywhere.

https://youtu.be/gPUVKcM4ug8?t=109

"we have a whole host of features on our roadmap that have all been suggested and voted on by the community which we plan to bring in the near future"

One of the features displayed is multilingual support, but may not be available right now according to the vid.

Re: Calendso: An open source Calendly alternative

#65

Post by kylecordes » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 1:23 PM UTC

mfkp wrote: post #36

kenrick95 wrote: post #20

When I try the product by clicking on to booking your time [1], my first question that pops up in my head is: What is the time zone? I couldn't find this information anywhere. Thanks [1] https://app.calendso.com/bailey/1

Also, what an odd calendar layout. Starting with the first day of the month at the top left means all the days are off for most months. Why would Thursday be at the very left side (as is the case in April)?? (I was initially trying to find out if the layout was Sunday or Monday starting, but apparently it's neither)

This bit makes me think the project is very early days, not ready for adoption - or for the sharp eye of HN feedback - yet. This weirdness is surely an obvious blocker to most/all possible users, but a team (open source or otherwise) can't do everything on day 1.

Still, I'll bookmark Calenso for a look later!

Re: Calendso: An open source Calendly alternative

#66

Post by okamiueru » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 1:29 PM UTC

scottfr wrote: post #37

ckwalsh wrote: post #22

I have to echo everyone else here that the homepage could be much more effective. My first impressions without scrolling: * Calendso has something to do with calendars, based on the name. * It has a popular paid competitor called Calendly. * It's open source, and there is a hosted version as well. I do not yet know what problem it is solving for me or its existing customers. Scrolling down slightly further, I see the…

I think you and others on this thread are being much too harsh on their messaging. Most people who have the need this product is meeting will have already encountered Calendly as it is ubiquitous in the space. It's basically a generic term like "Zoom" at this point. "I'll send you my Calendly link" is something people will understand to mean send you a meeting scheduling link. So "An open source Calendly alternative"…

A strange take to say that was too harsh, when, the whole point was that it could be clearer? That's rather mild and constructive.

The counter argument that clear communication isn't all that necessary, because the people looking to receive this knowledge already should know this?

Re: Calendso: An open source Calendly alternative

#67

Post by jokethrowaway » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 1:36 PM UTC

ryanar wrote: post #63

benjaminwootton wrote: post #45

Am I the only person who hates receiving calend.ly links? I know it's unreasonble, but I find it somehow rude when someone asks me to go hunting around in their calendar, even though it's more efficient than agreeing on meeting slots. I have even passed on some good opportunities simply because I have an aversion to calend.ly!

That problem is being solved by Derrick Reimer with https://savvycal.com/

I'm intrigued by the proposition but I don't understand in which way this is any different from calendly.

That said, despite a brief first negative emotional response (like the parent said, it kind of feels impersonal), my rational side appreciates the convenience of calendly and not having to type more emails to agree on time.

Re: Calendso: An open source Calendly alternative

#68

Post by hartator » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 1:37 PM UTC

I hate Calendly.

I don’t exactly know why. The UI is nice, being able to pick a date is cool, and automated calendar invite does work. There is just something that tickle in the wrong way. Mostly because these don’t get updated seriously, you can’t pick any dates shown as available in reality. It’s also a little passive agressive when finding a date/time that works is really not that hard. It feels like a technological solution to a human communication problem. Just get better at communicating! Suggest two dates/time that works for you well and you think should also work for the other person and it often does!

Re: Calendso: An open source Calendly alternative

#69

Post by mchusma » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 1:38 PM UTC

ckwalsh wrote: post #22

I have to echo everyone else here that the homepage could be much more effective. My first impressions without scrolling: * Calendso has something to do with calendars, based on the name. * It has a popular paid competitor called Calendly. * It's open source, and there is a hosted version as well. I do not yet know what problem it is solving for me or its existing customers. Scrolling down slightly further, I see the…

As a counterpoint, I instantly knew 90% what this was by using the term.

Re: Calendso: An open source Calendly alternative

#70

Post by k2xl » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 1:56 PM UTC

I used to work at Calendly (fantastic company out of atlanta).

Around the "rudeness" of back and forth in Calendly. One of the most powerful features we built was the ability to show availability both ways. Meaning if the person who is booking with you has Calendly too, they will be able to see times where both you and them are available - which I think helps with the booking etiquette since Calendly will save time for both parties. It's a powerful feature since it makes it becomes more useful the more Calendly becomes the de facto scheduling platform (chances that someone you send a Calendly link also has Calendly grows)