RSVP Redirect to Next Meetup

[wilrnh]

Feature Request: /rsvp URL Redirects to Next Upcoming Meetup Event (via RSS Feed)

Summary

Create a new route /rsvp on the website that automatically redirects users to the URL of the next upcoming event listed on the Flushing Tech Meetup.com page, using the Meetup.com RSS feed (not the API).

Details

• When a user visits /rsvp, the backend should fetch and parse the Meetup.com RSS feed for the Flushing Tech group.
• The user should be redirected (HTTP 302/307) to the URL of the next scheduled event from the feed.
• If there are no upcoming events, display a friendly message or redirect to a fallback page (e.g., the main Meetup group page).

Motivation

This feature will make it easier for users to find and join the next hackathon or event, improving engagement and reducing friction. Using the RSS feed avoids API authentication and rate limits.

Acceptance Criteria

• Visiting /rsvp always redirects to the next event if one exists, using the RSS feed as the data source.
• If no event is scheduled, a clear message or fallback redirect is provided.
• The solution is robust to RSS feed changes and handles errors gracefully.

Additional Notes

• Consider caching the RSS feed response to avoid excessive requests.

[benhuangbmj]

Feature Request: /hackathon URL Redirects to Next Upcoming Meetup Event (via RSS Feed)

Summary

Create a new route /hackathon on the website that automatically redirects users to the URL of the next upcoming event listed on the Flushing Tech Meetup.com page, using the Meetup.com RSS feed (not the API).

Details

• When a user visits /hackathon, the backend should fetch and parse the Meetup.com RSS feed for the Flushing Tech group.
• The user should be redirected (HTTP 302/307) to the URL of the next scheduled event from the feed.
• If there are no upcoming events, display a friendly message or redirect to a fallback page (e.g., the main Meetup group page).

Motivation

This feature will make it easier for users to find and join the next hackathon or event, improving engagement and reducing friction. Using the RSS feed avoids API authentication and rate limits.

Acceptance Criteria

• Visiting /hackathon always redirects to the next event if one exists, using the RSS feed as the data source.
• If no event is scheduled, a clear message or fallback redirect is provided.
• The solution is robust to RSS feed changes and handles errors gracefully.

Additional Notes

• Consider caching the RSS feed response to avoid excessive requests.

Got you. Thanks. Will work on it.

[wilrnh]

changed the url from /hackathon -> /rsvp, because /hackathon will be used instead for an informational page on the website.