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An app that allows you to have a meeting with someone anytime both of you're available for the meeting. So it's schedule-less. Example: You want to talk to

by larrys 13y ago

An app that allows you to have a meeting with someone anytime both of you're available for the meeting. So it's schedule-less. Example: You want to talk to Paul. Paul wants to talk to you. But not as much. Paul is ranked "a1" in your book and you are ranked "b5" in Paul's book. Paul notes that he is in a "b5 and above" time period. Maybe he just got done exercise so he is more interested in talking to anyone (you are a b5 after all). Or maybe he is sitting in the dentists waiting room and has time to kill and is ok if he has to stop the conversation right away abruptly. In your book Paul is an "a1" so he can call in the middle of the night and you will take the call. Paul marks his availability as "b5 and above" and then app proceeds to start to contact anyone who matches. Someone else is ahead of you at b3 so they get the first call. Next guy is at b4 but he doesn't answer. So you are next at b5 and your phone rings and it's Paul. You have your conversation. Advantage: No need to schedule calls by time. They happen by importance. With granularity on both sides. Why I like this: I can make the most efficient use of time. Some people are more important and you want to take the call anytime anyplace. Others are less important and you are more picky. Also ability to use time that normally goes to waste. And prevents you from having to think "I've got a minute who should I call".

kybernetikos 13y ago
I really like this idea, although I'd be unlikely to mark my availability often. Maybe have a 'get me a meeting now' button, which raises your availability until a meeting matches.
- larrys 13y ago
  That's part of the idea. You don't map anything out. You hit a button that says literally "get me a meeting now" but further you can give it an idea of the level of importance of the meeting you want "now". Using the example I have given elsewhere if you are waiting for a plane that might take off in 10 minutes you don't want to call someone that you can't quickly get off the phone with. (You don't want to be rude to someone important). Otoh the person pitching you or the local realtor that you know that you need to check in with is the type that you can say "hey have to catch my plane talk to you later" (or your aunt). Or the guy at Home Depot with the size of the garden hose.
jarofgreen 13y ago
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/will-someone-please-make-a-better-online-calendar/?_php=true&_type=blogs&smid=tw-nytimes&src=twr&_r=0 http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/will-someone-please...
- larrys 13y ago
  That's a bit different in that it requires you to map out specific times. And people's mood and availability changes for various reasons. Things come up. People need to cancel. Maybe a more important thing comes along. This actually encourages more "iffy" meetings for that matter. Since you aren't obligated for a specific time. [1] Imagine needing speak with your doctor. You doctor might grab a minute sometime and then call you. You, with anxiety waiting for your test results, might take that call anytime (and in fact people do). But the doctor does not want to map out a specific time to call you as he might just have a few minutes between patients. And he will dial those from a note he has. And many will not be there when he calls. (This could in fact pre queue up just as if you are the President and you tell your secretary "get so and so on the line I will be out of this meeting in 5 minutes".) So really this solves another problem but is not necessarily a replacement for a separate general scheduling issue. Same concept could be adapted to, say, a handyman. He might have two hours in between fixed jobs and say "what job can I pull of where the person is home and within 3 miles from where I am right now". (Although to be clear that wasn't the original point of the idea but now I'm thinking of that twist to it.) [1] For example a salesman calling is normally interuptive and scheduling a meeting for something that you have only trivial interest in is not going to happen. Otoh sitting waiting for a plane which is delayed opens up the potential desire to possibly take meetings and conversations over things that you don't necessarily want to schedule.

by larrys 13y ago

kybernetikos 13y ago

I really like this idea, although I'd be unlikely to mark my availability often. Maybe have a 'get me a meeting now' button, which raises your availability until a meeting matches.

larrys 13y ago
That's part of the idea. You don't map anything out. You hit a button that says literally "get me a meeting now" but further you can give it an idea of the level of importance of the meeting you want "now". Using the example I have given elsewhere if you are waiting for a plane that might take off in 10 minutes you don't want to call someone that you can't quickly get off the phone with. (You don't want to be rude to someone important). Otoh the person pitching you or the local realtor that you know that you need to check in with is the type that you can say "hey have to catch my plane talk to you later" (or your aunt). Or the guy at Home Depot with the size of the garden hose.

jarofgreen 13y ago

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/will-someone-please-make-a-better-online-calendar/?_php=true&_type=blogs&smid=tw-nytimes&src=twr&_r=0 http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/will-someone-please...

larrys 13y ago
That's a bit different in that it requires you to map out specific times. And people's mood and availability changes for various reasons. Things come up. People need to cancel. Maybe a more important thing comes along. This actually encourages more "iffy" meetings for that matter. Since you aren't obligated for a specific time. [1] Imagine needing speak with your doctor. You doctor might grab a minute sometime and then call you. You, with anxiety waiting for your test results, might take that call anytime (and in fact people do). But the doctor does not want to map out a specific time to call you as he might just have a few minutes between patients. And he will dial those from a note he has. And many will not be there when he calls. (This could in fact pre queue up just as if you are the President and you tell your secretary "get so and so on the line I will be out of this meeting in 5 minutes".) So really this solves another problem but is not necessarily a replacement for a separate general scheduling issue. Same concept could be adapted to, say, a handyman. He might have two hours in between fixed jobs and say "what job can I pull of where the person is home and within 3 miles from where I am right now". (Although to be clear that wasn't the original point of the idea but now I'm thinking of that twist to it.) [1] For example a salesman calling is normally interuptive and scheduling a meeting for something that you have only trivial interest in is not going to happen. Otoh sitting waiting for a plane which is delayed opens up the potential desire to possibly take meetings and conversations over things that you don't necessarily want to schedule.