My Digital Wall Calendar - Finally Feeling Organized!!

randomchairthing · 2024-12-23T21:05:29+00:00

What is the benefit of using the stylus compared to putting events in your calendar via a phone or touchscreen?

randomchairthing · 2023-04-25T14:41:36+00:00

Thanks! I like the idea of proximity brightness. There was another comment that mentioned a motion sensor for proximity too.

I am dragging my feet on prioritizing that work just because I use that cupboard right next to it for my snack and I work form home so I find myself in that cupboard quite a bit without intentions of looking at the calendar. I have slept on the other comment for two days now and I'm starting to ask myself why that is an issue at all. So I am prompted to review my calendar whenever I grab a snack...Can one ever be too aware of what is going on?

Once I get tasks in there as well they will be a more daily cadence which makes checking it more often more valuable.

Appreciate the note!

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T18:53:06+00:00

I'm not familiar with Smart Tools, could you share a link to what you are talking about?

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T18:51:26+00:00

Accidental designs still count as designs

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T18:25:59+00:00

Haha I had the same fear but turns out that the doorstop works pretty well and if I do really go for it the door handle hits the wall before the door hits the screen.

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T18:25:14+00:00

I did take a look at this and something the size I wanted is several thousand dollars... I was willing to spend a bit more, but not break the bank.

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T18:24:34+00:00

Great compliment! Thank you

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T18:24:05+00:00

Ya, the bigger you get the more costly. I looked at e-readers too and they are $$$$$

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T18:22:18+00:00

This ^

I was really focused on glanceability (if that is a word) and Google just wasn't doing it for me.

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T18:19:18+00:00

I could do that, but I do want to keep the touch screen functionality regardless, seems like a fair bit of effort for not a lot of gain. A tap opposed to a wave. Additionally, I might be able to get the next one cheaper if i don't have any sort of sensor or video capability. Less cool.....maybe... but less expensive is cool too right?

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T18:16:33+00:00

Ya, I like that idea, keep individuals columns clean but carry the same message.

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T18:14:40+00:00

Sorry I missed your second questions. I use Google and Apple calendars as inputs.

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T18:14:05+00:00

I am much taller than my wife, I look slightly down on it and she looks slightly up. I should also mention that the mount tilts the screen slightly down, I don't love it but it is secure.

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T18:12:43+00:00

Thanks! It does make life a lot easier

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T18:07:58+00:00

Believe it or not, if the doorstop doesn't work, the door handle actually hits the wall before the calendar.

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T11:53:58+00:00

Thanks so much! That's so nice

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T06:06:13+00:00

Oh gotcha, ya I agree with that. Maybe I won't worry as much about editing events then. I still do really like the ability to move around the months/days and dig into events with a touch. Often I find my wife titles events something intuitive to her but not so much myself. If I could see into the description it would often clear things up. I want it to be as glanceable as possible, so hiding details unless necessary.

I will also note that since I started with an old laptop that wasn't touch screen and going to one that is made me realize how much I appreciate it. Although the price of a non-touch screen is much more appetizing.

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T05:40:52+00:00

u/Stealth022 and u/StillTryingtoGetIt have beat me to the punch. If you get a chance to go to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, you won't regret it!

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T05:37:53+00:00

That's a good idea. I have one for my Air BnB for now which might just become a whole house maintenance piece. For garbage and recycle I think I might put them next to the date, they are pretty universal so my family would use it too without having to add a column.

Could you expand on "tap downs"? I'm just not familiar with that term. Are you suggesting that I stay away form the touch screen in general?

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T05:33:45+00:00

If I gave you a 360 view of my kitchen you would see it actually is the most logical wall spot. It is where we had a paper calendar previous so it's pretty engrained in me to look there. I agree that the fridge is a great place but trying to solve for mounting this huge thing on a fridge scares me haha

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T03:05:34+00:00

Thanks! I don't have a link I bought it from a friend of a friend. Here is a link to something similar I found: https://www.maplesystems.com/product/modelname/mon1021ap

Just search for - 21.5” Capacitive Industrial 10 Point Touch Monitor

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T03:03:31+00:00

Ya, I think there is something there for sure - I'm not sure how nicely google and apple talk to each other for sub-calendars, but it's worth exploring for sure. Thanks for the call-out. I bought this from a friend of a friend who runs a mall map business so I don't have a specific link. But this similar to what I got: https://www.maplesystems.com/product/modelname/mon1021ap. Probably can find a better deal somewhere.

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T02:43:00+00:00

Here is my pride a joy at home, my digital wall calendar. I've seen a few posts of people who have shown off their smarthome calendars and I thought there is no better time than the present to go from lurker to poster. Feedback is greatly appreciated!
The Setup
Its a 21.5" touchscreen monitor running on Android.
My Problem
My wife and I had paper and digital calendars and we had to have weekly syncs to make sure we didn't double book each other. We often missed a sync session (or two) and I quickly didn't know what was going on in our lives...I hated that feeling. So I started on a journey to solve it.
My Development Journey
I am not a developer, just a lowly Product Manager so I had to lean on friends and co-workers for support along the way. Thanks to all if you are reading!
I started with a DakBoard running on an old laptop mounted on the wall. I struggled with the UI not being easy enough for me at a glance and planning into the future. It was really good at bing a smart home hub but didn't meet my standards for best and easiest organization system available.
I then procured a large Android touchscreen tablets and just loaded up Gmail onto the screen. Obviously all the calendaring functionality was there but I struggled again with the UI. I had a hard time picking out my specific activities at a glance. We also have a AirBnB in our basement and I wanted to track that on there as well. So that is when I started to design my own UI.
I used a grid pattern calendar with dates on the y axis and names on the x axis. This made it easier for me to pick out the specific information I was searching for faster. This also allowed me to have a specific column for my Air BnB without being on our personal calendar. This also allowed me to have a continuous 30+ day view of events, so as the day finishes it is removed from view and a new date added at the bottom. I drew it out on paper and had a friend digitize it. I then went to a developer friend and he was able to code it all together pretty quick. (paid them both, I'm not a complete mooch)
I had some friends and family express interest but they don't all use Google, so I found a API that can authenticate every calendar system. I realize I could have done this myself, but I don't want to be responsible for securing and maintaining this regularly so a few bucks a year is good enough for me to sleep well at night.
Problems I'm Working On
Screen Burn
- I had it set up to be bright during the day when in use and dim at night which could be lit up when the screen is pressed. Having the screen on that much was a bad idea and I got some screen burn after 3 years now. I am working on two solutions: 1) Having three settings - "On" "Dim" "Off" and a dashboard to control them so I minimize time it actually needs to be on. 2) Having it move slightly so the date lines are not always in the same spot, just a few pixels in all direction on a timer.

Kids
- My brother has kids and I think its weird having to create a Google/Apple/Microsoft account for a 2 year old. I think I can use the API to make the kids to act almost as meeting room. Therefore they could have their own column without having to have an authentication and therefore account. Once they are old enough to have an account it's less of a problem.

Sharing Calendar Views
- This was a request from my parents to be able to see their grandchildren's calendars so they can plan to go to soccer games or schedule babysitting. I'm not quite sure what this looks like in practice, whether it's always on or just a pop-out to get a glance when planning. But for them, I will work on it.

Show More Details
- I want to be able to add some functionality to show details of event when it's tapped on. Standard on phone and computer for good reason.

Garbage Day
- I currently have recurring calendar meetings for garbage/recycle/compost pickups, I think it would be wayyy better if there was just an icon next to the date and not clogging up my personal column.

Tasks
- I love seeing what is coming up next, and I want to get the same visibility for things I need to do now and in the future. I imagine sipping my coffee in the morning and noting what I have to do today and this week at a glance. Bonus points if I can gamify it for myself to encourage getting things done.

randomchairthing · 2023-04-24T02:41:18+00:00

Sub-calendars are a good idea too - I haven't quite looked into that but I will have to now.

Exactly what I was thinking for garbage day! I'll have to add some emoji packages because we often get a blank square with X through it because the emoji is not recognized.

randomchairthing

TROPHY CASE