95 lines
5.5 KiB
Markdown
95 lines
5.5 KiB
Markdown
# Quick Start
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`npm install`
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`node server.js`
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Browse to http://localhost:3000/admin for admin interface.
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Create a UID and follow link in admin interface for frontend.
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# Introducing FreeSched: A Simpler Alternative to Cal.com
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You’ve asked for a much simpler, easy-to-use version of Cal.com, named "FreeSched," that retains the clean and intuitive UI/UX of Cal.com and mirrors the simplicity of Calendly.com. Below, I’ll outline what FreeSched is, its core features, how it works, and why it’s a streamlined alternative to Cal.com—all while keeping the design aesthetic you love.
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What is FreeSched?
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FreeSched is a lightweight, open-source scheduling tool designed to make booking meetings as simple as possible. Inspired by Cal.com (an open-source scheduling infrastructure) and Calendly.com (a popular scheduling platform), FreeSched strips away complexity to focus on the essentials. It’s perfect for individuals—like freelancers, consultants, or anyone needing quick one-on-one scheduling—while maintaining a modern, minimalistic interface similar to Cal.com and Calendly.
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Key Features of FreeSched
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FreeSched focuses on simplicity without sacrificing usability. Here’s what it offers:
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Single Event Type
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Users set one type of event with a fixed duration (e.g., 30 minutes).
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No need to juggle multiple event types—just one straightforward option.
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Basic Availability Settings
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Set your available days and hours using a simple weekly grid (e.g., Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM).
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Availability is divided into 30-minute slots for easy selection.
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Google Calendar Integration
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Connects to your Google Calendar to check existing events and prevent double-booking.
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Only shows time slots when you’re truly free.
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Simple Booking Page
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A clean, public page (e.g., freesched.example.com/yourname) where others can pick a date and time.
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Invitees provide their name and email to confirm the booking.
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Email Notifications
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Sends confirmation emails to you and the invitee with all the details.
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Keeps everyone in the loop without extra effort.
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Time Zone Support
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Automatically adjusts available times to the invitee’s time zone.
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No more confusion for international scheduling.
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How FreeSched Works
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FreeSched is designed to be intuitive for both the user (you) and the invitee (the person booking with you). Here’s the process:
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For You (The User):
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Sign Up and Set Up
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Log in with Google (which also links your Google Calendar).
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Set your availability (e.g., weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM) and event duration (e.g., 30 minutes).
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Share Your Booking Link
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Get a unique URL (e.g., freesched.example.com/yourname) to share via email, social media, or anywhere.
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Manage Bookings
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View upcoming bookings in a simple dashboard.
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Cancel bookings if needed, with automatic notifications sent to both parties.
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For Invitees (The Booker):
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Visit Your Booking Page
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They open your link and see a calendar with your available dates.
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Pick a Time
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They select a date and choose from your available 30-minute slots, adjusted to their time zone.
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Confirm the Booking
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They enter their name and email, hit confirm, and receive an email with the details.
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Once booked, the event is added to your Google Calendar, and both of you get a confirmation email. That’s it—no fuss, no extra steps.
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UI/UX: Inspired by Cal.com and Calendly
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FreeSched keeps the polished, user-friendly design of Cal.com and Calendly:
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Clean Layout: A minimalistic interface with plenty of whitespace, clear fonts, and a simple color scheme.
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Intuitive Navigation: Easy-to-use calendar for picking dates and a straightforward list of time slots.
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Responsive Design: Works seamlessly on desktops, tablets, and phones.
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Booking Flow: Select a date → pick a time → enter details → confirm—all in a few clicks.
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Think of Calendly’s booking page or Cal.com’s sleek dashboard, but pared down to the essentials. The focus is on clarity and ease, avoiding overwhelming options or cluttered screens.
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How It’s Simpler Than Cal.com
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Cal.com is a powerful scheduling infrastructure with tons of features, but that can make it overkill for simple needs. FreeSched simplifies things:
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Feature Cal.com FreeSched
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Event Types Multiple (15-min, 30-min, etc.) One fixed duration (e.g., 30 min)
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Availability Detailed rules and buffers Basic weekly grid
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Integrations Multiple calendars, payments, etc. Google Calendar only
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Team Support Yes (shared schedules, etc.) Individual use only
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Customization Highly customizable Simple, uniform design
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FreeSched cuts out the extras to deliver a tool that’s fast to set up and easy to use, while still looking and feeling like its more complex cousins.
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Technical Overview (For the Curious)
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FreeSched is built with modern, open-source tools:
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Frontend: Next.js (a React framework for fast, server-rendered pages).
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Backend: Node.js with Express.js for handling bookings and logic.
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Database: PostgreSQL with Prisma to store user data and bookings.
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Authentication: NextAuth.js with Google OAuth for login and calendar access.
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Emails: SendGrid or Nodemailer for notifications.
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This keeps FreeSched lightweight, secure, and easy to maintain, with a tech stack similar to Cal.com but scaled back for simplicity.
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Why Use FreeSched?
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FreeSched is for anyone who wants a free, no-nonsense scheduling tool:
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Perfect For: Freelancers, tutors, consultants, or anyone needing simple one-on-one bookings.
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Benefits: Quick setup, no learning curve, and a professional look inspired by Cal.com and Calendly.
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Open-Source: Like Cal.com, it’s free to use and customizable if you’re a developer.
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It’s scheduling made easy—just share a link and let others book you, all wrapped in a familiar, user-friendly package. |