Try out different recurring event widgets

[willguv]

@joachim-n explained that there are at least four different widgets content editors could use to set up events

We'd like to test all the options and either:

• pick the best one and offer out of the box
• provide them all and let councils pick their favourite
• create a "super widget" that combines the best functionality we find
• create a widget that lets the user switch the widget in the edit form

@stephen-cox we need to see these widgets in action somewhere. Is it possible to give Joachim deploy access to the Product site, or you merge in something from him?

Joachim, feel free to suggest edits to this if I've not understood everything correctly

[joachim-n]

There are currently the following widgets:

• 'Simple Recurring Date Widget' in the base field module https://www.drupal.org/project/date_recur
• Three further widgets in https://www.drupal.org/project/date_recur_modular (screenshots on that page)
  • Alpha
  • Oscar
  • Sierra

@willguv the first two options are almost the same thing -- if we picked the Simple widget, it's no big deal to include date_recur_modular and let councils switch.

Added the further option of developing a widget switcher.

[finnlewis]

@ekes I know you have oodles of experience with recurring dates. Any thoughts on preferred widgets?

[finnlewis]

@LizziCBFC mentioned that Bracknell has lots of thoughts too!

[3mkay]

Adding from conversation in the Product group call: Each of those widgets is designed around a use case, it might cut down the options to consider how/why each was created before tests:

**Alpha**: a general purpose widget built with states.
**Oscar**: a widget built with primary purpose of entering opening-hours-style recurring rules, built with states.
**Sierra**: a widget built with states and AJAX, inspired by Google Calendar and Outlook implementations.

[stephen-cox]

When building events we did review the date widgets and chose the one we're using as the most straightforward.

No harm in reviewing them again and I can setup something on the product site so they can be tested together if desired.

There are some screenshots of the different widgets:

Alpha

Oscar

Sierra

[ekes]

@ekes I know you have oodles of experience with recurring dates. Any thoughts on preferred widgets?

Honestly. By default. The one that gives the least options to the user. Because it can always be changed if there are more specific requirements.

So maybe the question should be is there a reason that the simplest one doesn't meet the common repeat requirements of events put into calendars now. And should those be supported (out-of-the-box).

Realistically any widget that can write an ical rrule could be used. So the opensource javascript world is your oyster (or time suck). So if there is desire for something more flexible it might be worth researching things that look as much like Google/Microsoft/Thunderbird 's repeat rule widgets.

[andybroomfield]

BHCC has switched to Sierra, we also add multiple deltas.

[willguv]

@joachim-n do you need content designers to try these? Thanks