clairecjs / ingest_ics

creates Google Calendar events in response to ICS files saved to harddrive

ics_ingest

ics_ingest makes it so Google Calendar events are created from any ics files saved on your computer

What are ics files?

ics files:

• are calendar files

• represent an event

• can add events to your calendar

• are the ONLY way certain websites export their events

• don't work well on PCs

• can be handled by certain browser plugins (but those plugins are usually written to handle links)

Installation: Python

Just install the appropriate packages, and the script should be ready to go.

pip install -r requirements.txt

Installation: Windows 10 EXE: Quick Start instructions

• Quick Start: Click here or here to download, unzip, click "runme", start saving ics files into c:\calendar

Installation: Windows 10 EXE: Detailed instructions

• Download the Windows 10 binary executable from:

  • here
  • or here

• Unzip the ZIP file

  • Make sure you're unzipping the whole thing and not just the files in the top folder ;)
  • Unzip it somewhere permanent
    • like your desktop
    • or "c:\Program Files"
    • or "c:\calendar", since this will create that folder anyway

• Double-click the "runme.bat" file to run

• Start saving .ics files into c:\calendar and watch your web browser auto-open with Google Calendar event creation tabs

Usage: Monitor mode / Service mode

To monitor a folder (c:\calendar by default) for new ics files saved into that folder, simply run the program with no options, or double-click the EXE (if you have one):

python ingest_ics.py

Note that this will create the monitor folder if it doesn't exist, but it will also mention this on the screen so you will know.

Usage: File mode

To process a single ics file:

python ingest_ics.py <some_filename.ics>

This will process a single ics file. This is useful for testing, batch scripting, or if you have a user saving these .ics files on a network share so that they can be processed later on a different machine.

Why not just use a browser plugin?

Some websites let you export events to your calendar.

But some force a download of ics files, rather than providing a link to one.

Browser plugins for ics files are usually designed to process links (at least, the ones I looked at).

What is needed is an endpoint on our PC that processes these files.

This is that endpoint solution.

Contributing: Compiling

I absolutely would love to have other people -- as long as you don't live in the GMT timezone -- to compile versions for architectures other than my own (Windows 10). Just make sure to check that your event times are properly translating, first. The GMT-offset bug in compiled EXEs requires modification in the spec file to work. Mine can be seen here

Contributing: Modification

Feel free to make your own version with neato changes, if you are so inspired.

Those wacky BAT files?

I use TCC -- Take Command Command Line. Technically, my .BAT files are .BTM files. If you want to get the ones I have working, contact me, I can help.

License

The Unlicense