Creating a "Reservation/Booking" System

Scotalia · March 15th, 2008, 10:27 AM

Hi all,

I'm sure the solution to this question will be biting off more than I can chew at this time. However, since my sites are actually coming along pretty well (at least in my mind

), I'm trying to continue riding that wave of confidence.

What I am looking to do now is find a way to create, or purchase very cheaply, a system that will allow visitors to book an appointment through a website.

Basically, I want to create a calendar that would sit on a wbe page. The visitor would click a date on the calendar. Calendar opens to reveal different time slots (like "day view" in Entourage or Google Cal or iCal). "Booked" time slots would be shown as such, but open slots could then be booked by visitor. Booking would consist of selecting date, time slot, location of meeting, and a form of relevant pre-meeting data gathering. Maybe other stuff I have not yet determined.

Also, I would like to be able to use this system (or a simple variant of it) to allow visitors to register for classes I teach. In this case, visitor would select class, be taken to available dates, select date, time, location, and make payment if payment is necessary. An example of the basics of what I'm looking for with this 2nd system can be found here: http://www.ricksteves.com/news/classes/class_menu.htm.

All of which would have to be entered live into my calendar and an auto responder sent stating I will confirm with visitor within 24 hours. Also, would need to ensure that already booked time slots could not be altered by visitors. Again I might need these systems to do more, but uncertain of that right now - suggestions would be helpful.

Again I know I'm biting off more than I can chew at the moment, but would love to know what would be needed to do something like this and which programming languages I'd have to learn to do this myself if it is possible. I have nothing but time right now to learn...

I didn't notice a question like this on the forums, but might have missed it.

Thanks for any help guys/girls.

Craig