Show HN: An open source app for navigating CS conferences

Description and use

**Brief Summary**
Show HN is an open‑source web app that helps users discover, browse, and plan attendance at computer‑science conferences. It aggregates conference data (dates, locations, topics, CFPs) into a searchable interface, making it easier for researchers, students, and industry professionals to find relevant events without manually scanning multiple sites.

**Value**

• **Centralized conference discovery** – eliminates the tedious “Google‑search‑each‑conference” workflow, saving time for anyone who regularly tracks CS events.
• **Customizable filters** – users can narrow results by topic, date range, location, or submission deadline, which is especially useful for planning paper submissions or recruiting trips.
• **Open‑source & extensible** – the codebase can be forked or integrated into internal tools (e.g., a company’s talent‑acquisition dashboard) without vendor lock‑in.

**Practical Adoption Path**

1. **Initial vetting** – clone the repo, run the test suite (if any), and verify the license (MIT/Apache‑style is typical).
2. **Data source review** – confirm that the upstream conference feeds (e.g., WikiCFP, DBLP, or custom CSVs) are still active and that the scraper/parser works with current site layouts.
3. **Prototype integration** – spin up the app in a sandbox (Docker compose or a simple npm run dev) and try a few internal use cases (e.g., “show all AI conferences in Q3”).
4. **Feedback loop** – gather input from the intended users (researchers, recruiters) and adjust filters or UI tweaks.
5. **Production hardening** – add monitoring, schedule regular data refreshes (cron or GitHub Actions), and lock dependency versions.

**Production Readiness**

• **Maturity**: Medium – the project is actively maintained (last commit 2026‑06‑25) but lacks extensive documentation, formal release tags, and a robust issue‑tracking history.
• **Risk considerations**: Verify the license, ensure the data‑scraping pipelines remain functional, and audit third‑party dependencies for security updates.
• **Suitable use**: Ideal for prototypes, internal dashboards, or as a starting point for a custom conference‑tracking service; not yet recommended for mission‑critical, customer‑facing production without additional testing and maintenance commitments.

Use in a workflow

Show HN: An open source app for navigating CS conferences may be useful when its README and activity match a concrete workflow.

Limitations and review notes

Medium: useful for prototypes or internal workflows, with dependency and maintenance checks before production.