From: owner-xtensionlist@shed.com () To: xtensionlist-digest@shed.com Subject: V1 #28 Reply-To: xtensionlist@shed.com Sender: owner-xtensionlist@shed.com Errors-To: owner-xtensionlist@shed.com Precedence: bulk Tuesday, October 17 2000 Volume 01 : Number 028 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 08:22:19 -0400 From: michael Subject: Re: Halloween Links Andy Montag wrote: > > Okay, okay, I give. I must get a Skyway Rider or two in time for > Halloween! Where can I get them? Hello Folks, I've looked all over, and just can't find a picture of the box that the Skyway Rider came in... it would help to know what it looks like in the stores. Several folks have found these at Toys R Us... about $15.00 You might want to print out a picture of the gondola and maybe the store manager will remember where it is. The toy is made by "Cap Toys" (made in China). And it may be called "Skyway Racer" etc. I've bandied the name several times... I don't know how much of a payload it can carry, but my grandson did play with it attached to a magnet that picked up a lot of metal and carried it without bogging down. When you buy this, I'd suggest that you check out the contents. Sometimes they include a continuous piece of monofilament for the 'track', but sometimes it's cut into pieces. If so, you may want to stop by a fishing supply store and pick up a few hundred feet of similar monofilament. A tip for finding this is to get the store manager to call around for any remainders at other stores... michael ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 08:19:17 -0400 From: leonardr@bc.edu Subject: Version Changes Hi, Now that the long days of summer are over I am spending some time with XTension. I upgraded from version 2.x to 3.1 and like the changes. There is much to experiment with but first I have noticed a problem that I must address. Now that the log reports show the difference between scripts executed from the database and scripts executed from the text file, I realize that many of my scripts are not in the database! Since running from the text file is slower I decided I should get the database up to date. In order to do this I have to copy the script, delete the script, and create a new script. That seems to fix the problem. Also, I don't have the "execute text scripts" option checked so I was surprised that this was happening. Am I on the right track? Rich Leonard PS I seems that XTension no longer recognizes the DateTime commands (i.e. %d). Works OK if I wrap a tell Finder around the command. Did something change? ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 08:43:38 -0400 From: michael Subject: Re: Version Changes leonardr@bc.edu wrote: ... > In order to do this I have to copy the script, delete the script, and create a > new script. That seems to fix the problem. > > Also, I don't have the "execute text scripts" option checked so I was surprised > that this was happening. > PS I seems that XTension no longer recognizes the DateTime commands (i.e. %d). > Works OK if I wrap a tell Finder around the command. Did something change? Hi Rich, If you have the text copy of the scripts, you can use the "Import" button in the Edit Script dialog to fetch the text. Then "SAVE" should compile and save the script into the database. The 'execute text scripts' option should affect only Unit scripts. Global scripts will still be sought as text if they don't exist in the database. The DateTime verb was removed because: 1. I couldn't get it to compile under the new Apple includes. 2. Changes to the date/time values returned by XTension are now in a format which makes it easy to use Apple's date/time formatting verbs. (and it looks like only two folks were using it... :-) michael ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 07:54:03 -0500 From: "Prsha, Jerry" Subject: RE: Halloween Links All this talk about Halloween makes me giddy! I'm going to have 4 motion sensors placed along the walkway that all trigger sounds. Now I just have to make sure that they don't get set off all the time (every 30 seconds...) Jerry > ---------- > From: michael > Reply To: xtensionlist@shed.com > Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 7:22 AM > To: xtensionlist@shed.com > Subject: Re: Halloween Links > > Andy Montag wrote: > > > > Okay, okay, I give. I must get a Skyway Rider or two in time for > > Halloween! Where can I get them? > > Hello Folks, > > I've looked all over, and just can't find a picture of the > box that the Skyway Rider came in... it would help to know > what it looks like in the stores. > > Several folks have found these at Toys R Us... about $15.00 > > You might want to print out a picture of the gondola and > maybe the store manager will remember where it is. > > > The toy is made by "Cap Toys" (made in China). > > And it may be called "Skyway Racer" etc. I've bandied the > name several times... > > I don't know how much of a payload it can carry, but my > grandson did play with it attached to a magnet that picked > up a lot of metal and carried it without bogging down. > > When you buy this, I'd suggest that you check out the contents. > > Sometimes they include a continuous piece of monofilament for > the 'track', but sometimes it's cut into pieces. > > If so, you may want to stop by a fishing supply store and > pick up a few hundred feet of similar monofilament. > > A tip for finding this is to get the store manager to call > around for any remainders at other stores... > > michael > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 09:14:35 -0400 From: michael Subject: Re: Halloween Links Prsha, Jerry wrote: > I'm going to have 4 motion sensors placed along the walkway that all trigger > sounds. Now I just have to make sure that they don't get set off all the time > (every 30 seconds...) Hi Jerry, Which motion sensors ? Some give periodic ON commands as long as there is motion. (MS13 and DM10) Others give only one ON command, and are silent until motion has stopped for a period. (PR511) What you would like is for the sensors NOT to keep sending ON commands. You can surely defeat the Scripts that would trigger too often, but you really don't want the X-10 signals flooding the lines. To keep the scripts from running too often, just do : if time delta of "Sensor" > 30 play sound "Growl" end if With multiple sensors, it could get interesting... michael ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 08:25:30 -0500 From: "Prsha, Jerry" Subject: RE: Halloween Links Yeah.. I'm using all DM10s. The sound effects I have are all in a theme that's hard to describe. Just to give you an idea though, one of them is a heartbeat (with that wonderful subwoofer) whose interval of thumping gets faster as they approach the front door. It's really cool! Since the speakers are underneath the wood decking, leading up to the front door, you can really feel it. I played all of these sounds for my wife and she showed me her arm. Her hair was standing on end. It was pretty creepy. That's when I realized that I was a really "sick" individual. ; ) I think I'll use the method of if sensor #1 is true, then allow sensor #2 to trigger the sounds and animation, etc. That way I won't hit the kids leaving the door, just the ones that are still "unsuspecting." With those "Werewolf hands" on, it'll be tough for me to hit buttons all night. I wish I had more experience in motors for the animatronics stuff.... XTension would really help me with that stuff! Jerry > ---------- > From: michael > Reply To: xtensionlist@shed.com > Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 8:14 AM > To: xtensionlist@shed.com > Subject: Re: Halloween Links > > Prsha, Jerry wrote: > > > I'm going to have 4 motion sensors placed along the walkway that all trigger > > sounds. Now I just have to make sure that they don't get set off all the > time > > (every 30 seconds...) > > Hi Jerry, > > Which motion sensors ? > > Some give periodic ON commands as long as there is motion. > (MS13 and DM10) > > Others give only one ON command, and are silent until motion > has stopped for a period. (PR511) > > What you would like is for the sensors NOT to keep sending ON commands. > > You can surely defeat the Scripts that would trigger too often, > but you really don't want the X-10 signals flooding the lines. > > To keep the scripts from running too often, just do : > > if time delta of "Sensor" > 30 > play sound "Growl" > end if > > With multiple sensors, it could get interesting... > > michael > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 09:27:47 -0400 From: "Davis, Dean" Subject: RE: Halloween Links From ToyDirectory.com... - ---------------------------------------- Cap Toys Inc primarily manufactures/wholesales products in the following categories: Action Figures Sporting Goods/Accessories To see a list of other manufacturers and wholesalers who carry similar products, click on a link above. 26201 RICHMOND RD. BEDFORD HEIGHTS OH 44146 Tel: 707-251-3700 Toll Free: 800-562-3386 - ------------------------------------- Hope that helps anyone looking for one of these. Dean Davis - -----Original Message----- From: michael [mailto:michael@shed.com] Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 8:22 AM To: xtensionlist@shed.com Subject: Re: Halloween Links Andy Montag wrote: > > Okay, okay, I give. I must get a Skyway Rider or two in time for > Halloween! Where can I get them? Hello Folks, I've looked all over, and just can't find a picture of the box that the Skyway Rider came in... it would help to know what it looks like in the stores. Several folks have found these at Toys R Us... about $15.00 You might want to print out a picture of the gondola and maybe the store manager will remember where it is. The toy is made by "Cap Toys" (made in China). And it may be called "Skyway Racer" etc. I've bandied the name several times... I don't know how much of a payload it can carry, but my grandson did play with it attached to a magnet that picked up a lot of metal and carried it without bogging down. When you buy this, I'd suggest that you check out the contents. Sometimes they include a continuous piece of monofilament for the 'track', but sometimes it's cut into pieces. If so, you may want to stop by a fishing supply store and pick up a few hundred feet of similar monofilament. A tip for finding this is to get the store manager to call around for any remainders at other stores... michael ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 09:36:50 -0400 From: "Davis, Dean" Subject: Skyway Racer Link Try this Sky Racer Fans... http://members.aol.com/hangfollow/skyracer.html Dean Davis ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 08:43:20 -0500 From: "Prsha, Jerry" Subject: RE: Skyway Racer Link $75!!!! Yikes... I think I'll find another way! Jp > ---------- > From: Davis, Dean > Reply To: xtensionlist@shed.com > Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 8:36 AM > To: xtensionlist@shed.com > Subject: Skyway Racer Link > > Try this Sky Racer Fans... > > http://members.aol.com/hangfollow/skyracer.html > > > Dean Davis > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 09:45:46 -0400 From: "Davis, Dean" Subject: RE: Skyway Racer Link Here's another one. I just ordered 4! $10.00/ea. Goto www.kbkids.com and search for product# 101057 Have fun. Dean Davis - -----Original Message----- From: Davis, Dean [mailto:Dean.Davis@HollandHitch.com] Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 9:37 AM To: xtensionlist@shed.com Subject: Skyway Racer Link Try this Sky Racer Fans... http://members.aol.com/hangfollow/skyracer.html Dean Davis ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 09:47:42 -0400 From: michael Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link Thanks Dean, That's a great link. The real kicker is : To Order by check or money order: Please send $75.00 plus $12.95* s/h to: Sheesh, I think I'll fix mine up and sell 'em !!! I bought one of mine for $10.00, the other for $15 ... michael ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 09:53:14 -0400 From: michael Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link Davis, Dean wrote: > Here's another one. > I just ordered 4! $10.00/ea. > Goto www.kbkids.com and search for product# 101057 Now that's a great deal...! Looks like that kit is the DUAL kit which has two racers ! thanks for the digging ! michael ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 08:49:03 -0500 From: HD Bolch Subject: Re: Silly little things >Thought-controlled devices, say, now that's home automation!! ;-) >Maybe not so whimsical after all? >-- >...Warren Rekow Not whimsical at all, according to IBVA (ibva.com); they claim to have a thought<->XTension interface for $1000-2000. I investigated trying out one of their devices but they were a little too slippery about the conditions under which they would issue an RMA. Perhaps if several of us approached them...? - -HD ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 08:55:19 -0500 From: "Prsha, Jerry" Subject: RE: Skyway Racer Link Yep.. THAT is a deal and I just ordered one! Thanks Dean! We appreciate it! Jerry > ---------- > From: michael > Reply To: xtensionlist@shed.com > Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 8:53 AM > To: xtensionlist@shed.com > Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link > > Davis, Dean wrote: > > Here's another one. > > I just ordered 4! $10.00/ea. > > Goto www.kbkids.com and search for product# 101057 > > Now that's a great deal...! > Looks like that kit is the DUAL kit which has two > racers ! > > thanks for the digging ! > michael > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 10:38:45 -0400 From: Phil Pedersen Subject: Re: Setting Brightness on Leviton 16383 I changed my mail address for this group to my home account. It works great since I can now see messages over the weekend, but if I delete them off the server, then I don't have a complete record here at work. Ah well, the vicissitudes of too much technology. :^} This question is kind of related to preset dimming. I think I remember a discussion a couple of years ago about this, but the memory is really dim. I've got a Lynx that I built in early 1995 with version 0102-008 firmware. Does anyone know if this even supports preset dimming? I've never gotten it to work; neither the xpress verb nor the preset verb seem to work at all. Since I don't have any other interface, I've not been able to check that the Lynx actually sends them to the TW523 or if the TW523 actually transmits them. Marrick has a upgraded PIC processor (to version 3) for $29.95, but I've put off getting that since I would prefer to spend my money on a PLC. Should I upgrade anyway and use the Lynx as a backup? Phil >Hi Folks, > >Actually, there are two verbs, one which commands an explicit >X-10 address, and the other which uses the database name of >the unit. > >A note about the Extended Code sequences that are described >in the 'betterlites' tutorial... > >With the new 'set address' commands, those 'attachment' based >handlers are out-dated. It's a lot less involved now, just >need to update the examples and plug-in. > > >michael > >From the Manual: > >preset or preset address Command a named unit or specific address > preset string -- unit name > preset address string -- X-10 housecode/unit ie: "B5" > [to level integer] -- specifies the level from 0 to 31 > > example : preset "RCS Temp Setting" to level 25 > >preset of (unit) -- Returns the current 'Preset' value for a specific >named unit > > preset of string -- unit name > > example : write log "the current preset for RCS Temp is :" & preset >of "RCS Temp Setting" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 08:48:28 -0600 From: John F Sims Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link They gotta wonder what's going on. Just ordered my Christmas presents for friends and myself of course ;> john on 10/17/00 7:55 AM, Prsha, Jerry at jerry.prsha@anheuser-busch.com wrote: > Yep.. THAT is a deal and I just ordered one! Thanks Dean! We appreciate it! > > Jerry > >> ---------- >> From: michael >> Reply To: xtensionlist@shed.com >> Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 8:53 AM >> To: xtensionlist@shed.com >> Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link >> >> Davis, Dean wrote: >>> Here's another one. >>> I just ordered 4! $10.00/ea. >>> Goto www.kbkids.com and search for product# 101057 >> >> Now that's a great deal...! >> Looks like that kit is the DUAL kit which has two >> racers ! >> >> thanks for the digging ! >> michael >> >> > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 09:57:09 -0500 From: Andy Montag Subject: RE: Skyway Racer Link Yes! I ordered 4, too. Thanks for the great find! Now, as far as integrating them with XTension, what has been done? Is this a job for the Zephyr and Powermids? Andy >Here's another one. > >I just ordered 4! $10.00/ea. > >Goto www.kbkids.com and search for product# 101057 > >Have fun. > >Dean Davis > >-----Original Message----- >From: Davis, Dean [mailto:Dean.Davis@HollandHitch.com] >Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 9:37 AM >To: xtensionlist@shed.com >Subject: Skyway Racer Link > > >Try this Sky Racer Fans... > >http://members.aol.com/hangfollow/skyracer.html > > >Dean Davis ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 11:09:13 -0400 From: Phil Pedersen Subject: Re: time string for sunrise??? - --============_-1240326930==_ma============ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" I've got Xtension running on a MacIIci with 7.6.1. As well, I've installed it on my 8500 running 9.0.4 to fool around with Applescript, monitoring, etc. If I try write log "Sunrise occurs today at " & time string for sunrise on the 8500, I get the "identifer can't go after this" error with time string for highlighted. If I try write log "Sunrise occurs today at " & time string of (sunrise), I get Tue, Oct 17, 2000 10:58:26 AM Sunrise occurs today at 7:19:02 AM BTW, if I don't put in the parens around sunrise, I get "Expected expression but found command name" On the MacIIci with the GTQ programming suite installed, I get (parsed by AS) write log "sunrise " & (time string for (sunrise)) and the right stuff in the log, although without seconds If I try write log "Sunrise occurs today at " & time string of (sunrise) I get the same as on the 8500 (with seconds). It looks like the correct grammar is "of" instead of "for" to get this to work on all machines? Phil At 7:49 PM -0400 10/9/00, Steve Fyfe wrote: >JCT said on 10/9/2000 9:30 AM > > >write log "Sunrise occurs today at " & time string for sunrise >> >>I got: >>AppleScript Error >>Expected end of line, etc. but found identifier > >For this to work you must have the "Time String For" scripting addition >(aka osax) installed in your Scripting Additions folder. This osax is >part of the GTQ Programming Suite, which is a collection of scripting >additions. > - --============_-1240326930==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Re: time string for sunrise???
I've got Xtension running on a MacIIci with 7.6.1.  As well, I've installed it on my 8500 running 9.0.4 to fool around with Applescript, monitoring, etc.

If I try

write log "Sunrise occurs today at " & time string for sunrise

on the 8500, I get the "identifer can't go after this" error with time string for highlighted.

If I try

write log "Sunrise occurs today at " & time string of (sunrise), I get

Tue, Oct 17, 2000 10:58:26 AM  Sunrise occurs today at 7:19:02 AM

BTW, if I don't put in the parens around sunrise, I get

"Expected expression but found command name"

On the MacIIci with the GTQ programming suite installed, I get (parsed by AS)

write log "sunrise " & (time string for (sunrise))

and the right stuff in the log, although without seconds

If I try 

write log "Sunrise occurs today at " & time string of (sunrise)

I get the same as on the 8500 (with seconds).

It looks like the correct grammar is "of" instead of "for" to get this to work on all machines?

Phil

At 7:49 PM -0400 10/9/00, Steve Fyfe wrote:
JCT <toujc@sympatico.ca> said on 10/9/2000 9:30 AM
>write log "Sunrise occurs today at " & time string for sunrise
>
>I got:
>AppleScript Error
>Expected end of line, etc. but found identifier

For this to work you must have the "Time String For" scripting addition
(aka osax) installed in your Scripting Additions folder. This osax is
part of the GTQ Programming Suite, which is a collection of scripting
additions.

- --============_-1240326930==_ma============-- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 11:24:37 -0400 From: michael Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link John F Sims wrote: > They gotta wonder what's going on. > Just ordered my Christmas presents for friends and myself of course ;> Hi Folks, Careful, or they'll up the price to $75 !! :-) One thing missing is pictures of a whole setup. Mine was so large that I couldn't get it into one frame. But the idea is that you Clamp on 'stations' to fixed points of opportunity, like door jambs, and affix the monofilament 'track' to ends of the stations, so that in the simplest two-point system, you end up making a long oval raceway. My outdoor raceway was over 400' long, attached to trees and posts. Do be inventive, make figure-8's, high-to-low, and even into the Gazebo where you can park it when it rains... There have been a lot of messages regarding this thing, at least two years back. The best pictures of the thing is at: Basically, you use one or two Universal Modules to operate the wireless remote control. With two, you can go forward and back. Just to start off the chat, think about how you would control the Racer using XTension. Start by timing the number seconds it takes for the racer to travel between each of the 'stations'. And then get an average time for how long it takes for the racer to start moving after XTension issues the command. Ditto the stop time. If you have a situation where each of the 'stations' are very sturdy, it will be much better. I put some of mine on trees. They bend, making the track droop, and that makes for a big 'hill' that the racer must climb to each station. The stations are very rugged. I haven't had one break yet, but then it's not cold here... So pull the monofilament as tightly as you need to make a reasonably-level track. What about two racers ? How to keep from gettin confused ? Can two racers carry something between them ? Or make it look like one ghoul is chasing another ? I'd add that both of my racers are still functional after two years, and having been in the worst of conditions. I never did do anything serious about making them weatherproof. I'd suggest that you at least put some silicone sealant at the seams. BTW: these things make great gifts for kids of all ages ... I think that they weren't very popular because they aren't "Power Rangers" sponsored etc. michael ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 11:37:23 -0400 From: michael Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link Prsha, Jerry wrote: > I wish I had more experience in motors for the animatronics > stuff.... XTension would really help me with that stuff! Hi Folks, Do think about the fact that a lot of 'animation' can be done with very little motor power, if you are careful about friction and mass... Even the motor on the skyway racer is capable of tugging the arm of a paper skeleton, or the jaw of a skull... I've seen the little bugger pull itself up a steep incline of a very droopy track. Never makes it to the top, but it sure is spunky. The gear on the motor could easily be interfaced to a larger gear for slow speed. Taken away from all the plastic, the whole thing is surprisingly small. michael ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 10:35:37 -0500 From: "W. W. Gilpin" Subject: RE: Skyway Racer Link >Here's another one. > >I just ordered 4! $10.00/ea. > >Goto www.kbkids.com and search for product# 101057 Don't forget to use coupon code GATORKBKIDS to get $10 off of $30! - -- Wes Gilpin wgilpin@airmail.net ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 17:43:15 +0200 From: SCHMUCK Philippe - GRE Subject: Re: Version Changes Hi Michael, Tuesday, October 17, 2000, 2:43:38 PM, you wrote : I was using this verb and the DateTime OSAX and I didn't find any easy way to use Apple's date/time formatting verbs to extract the current hour in an integer or the current type of day in an integer and so on. I can't believe I'm the only one having these problems. m> The DateTime verb was removed because: m> 1. I couldn't get it to compile under the new Apple includes. m> 2. Changes to the date/time values returned by XTension are now m> in a format which makes it easy to use Apple's date/time m> formatting verbs. m> (and it looks like only two folks were using it... :-) m> michael - -- Regards, SCHMUCK Philippe - GRE mailto:Philippe.Schmuck@sema.fr ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 11:47:05 -0400 From: michael Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link Hi Again, Don't forget that this thing has two LEDs that respond to the 'forward' and 'back'. These can be clipped to save battery life, or consider that you don't use the motor at all, and think about just the lights. Lighted Eyes ? How about using the motor to spin the hands of a clock or some other spinning hypnotic disc ... ? You got about 5 volts DC for those LEDs, that's enough to power a variety of gadgets... michael ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 10:44:16 -0500 From: "Prsha, Jerry" Subject: RE: Skyway Racer Link I was thinking about a ghost or even a flying bat that cruised around the track with glowing red eyes. Could be interesting that night if I can find the time to hack one.... How much noise does it make anyway? Jp > ---------- > From: michael > Reply To: xtensionlist@shed.com > Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 10:37 AM > To: xtensionlist@shed.com > Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link > > Prsha, Jerry wrote: > > > I wish I had more experience in motors for the animatronics > > stuff.... XTension would really help me with that stuff! > > Hi Folks, > > Do think about the fact that a lot of 'animation' can be > done with very little motor power, if you are careful about > friction and mass... > > Even the motor on the skyway racer is capable of tugging > the arm of a paper skeleton, or the jaw of a skull... > > I've seen the little bugger pull itself up a steep incline > of a very droopy track. Never makes it to the top, but > it sure is spunky. > > The gear on the motor could easily be interfaced to > a larger gear for slow speed. > > Taken away from all the plastic, the whole thing is > surprisingly small. > > michael > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 10:54:52 -0500 From: "Prsha, Jerry" Subject: RE: Skyway Racer Link If I make some neat bat wing flapping noises while this thing travels over the kids heads, I might be able to pull the bat-thing off. I'm assuming that this thing "hangs" from the line so that I can create a bat body around it? Maybe if I put some sound deadening thing, I won't hear the motor in it? > ---------- > From: michael > Reply To: xtensionlist@shed.com > Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 10:47 AM > To: xtensionlist@shed.com > Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link > > Hi Again, > > Don't forget that this thing has two LEDs that respond > to the 'forward' and 'back'. > > These can be clipped to save battery life, or consider that > you don't use the motor at all, and think about just the lights. > > Lighted Eyes ? > > How about using the motor to spin the hands of a clock > or some other spinning hypnotic disc ... ? > > You got about 5 volts DC for those LEDs, that's enough > to power a variety of gadgets... > > michael > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 12:16:37 -0400 From: michael Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link Hi Again, Ok ok, I couldn't resist. I bought 4 more... Thanks to Wes for the $10 discount. If these things really are the DUAL kit, then it's an incredible deal. I've got the idea that I can hack one to control a little relay which can turn on/off the batteries to one of those wireless X-10 CAMs... BTW: Jerry, you have to be careful not to cover the drive wheel mechanism at the top of the racer. But it should be easy to make it look like a bat. michael ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 11:24:59 -0500 From: "Bruce Sergeant" Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link Hey! Save one for me... It's my kid's birthday, next week. "...and so I re-wired it." Bruce Sergeant Lecompton, KS >>> michael@shed.com 10/17/00 11:16 AM >>> Hi Again, Ok ok, I couldn't resist. I bought 4 more... Thanks to Wes for the $10 discount. If these things really are the DUAL kit, then it's an incredible deal. I've got the idea that I can hack one to control a little relay which can turn on/off the batteries to one of those wireless X-10 CAMs... BTW: Jerry, you have to be careful not to cover the drive wheel mechanism at the top of the racer. But it should be easy to make it look like a bat. michael ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 12:27:56 -0400 From: michael Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link Hi Folks, Before anyone gets really serious about the Skyway Racer as a 'good' solution for anything, you gotta know: This thing will respond to ambient radio signals. Just sitting there, with no commands, it occasionally will turn on and 'jerk'. I've not ever seen it really take off, but on some mornings I found that it had travelled about 10 feet from these spurrious signals. This shouldn't be a bother at all for these whimsical uses... michael ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 12:47:20 -0400 From: michael Subject: Re: Version Changes SCHMUCK Philippe - GRE wrote: > I was using this verb and the DateTime OSAX and I didn't find any easy > way to use Apple's date/time formatting verbs to extract the current > hour in an integer or the current type of day in an integer and so on. > > I can't believe I'm the only one having these problems. Hello Phillipe, I admit to having switched to the Apple Way of date/times based on customer pressure, and without really testing all of the ramifications. If this turns out to be a real problem, I'll try to re- integrate the DateTime verb ... michael ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 09:54:05 -0600 From: Warren Rekow Subject: Re: Status Update, USB-IO Project Jean Laroche said: >I haven't seen a word about software. How will it be possible to control >that device? Will it be: >* by an AppleScriptable driver (or a Visual Basic library on the PC) ? >* a (scriptable) LabView-like app ? (or LabView itself. I've never worked >with that software, so I don't know if it takes plug-ins, or if >intrinsically it could communicate with the device) >* by function calls in C, Pascal, RealBasic, Java, ... ? and USB-IO team member Chilton responds: - --- I'll deliver an applescriptable, appleEvent aware app for people to run if they want to, as well as a lower level C api, probably not a pascal api since my pascal sucks, and definitely a REALBasic plug-in and a SuperCard external. More details as we get closer to delivery. - --- Looks like James will be all set to go. 8^) - -- ...Warren Rekow ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 11:04:14 -0600 From: Warren Rekow Subject: Re: Silly little things HD Bolch replied: >>Thought-controlled devices, say, now that's home automation!! ;-) >>Maybe not so whimsical after all? >>-- >>...Warren Rekow > >Not whimsical at all, according to IBVA (ibva.com); they claim to >have a thought<->XTension interface for $1000-2000. That's an interesting site. The IBVA device appears to be reading neural/brainwave signals via a box and band worn on the user's head. This mode of action would be different from the gas discharge device described in the book. That device responded to directed thought-forms from people who did not wear any equipment. - -- ...Warren Rekow ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 12:16:16 -0500 From: Chad A Gard Subject: fish HA Changed the subject, since we were really having two threads here... >Check out Sensorex at . They offer many >probe models and lots of useful info. Thanks (and thanks to John, too.). I've bookmarked both sites, so when I get more free time I'll have a place to start. >I used to raise show-quality fancy guppies, and maintaining high >water quality was essential for success. I built a continuous water >change system to support this effort. Water slowly entered each tank >via a dripper, and continuously exited each tank via an overflow tube >system which did not require any holes to be drilled in the tank. An >Xtension-controlled lawn sprinkler valve could be placed inline >before the dripper. The overflow tube system was the critical >element. If you can run water supply and drain tubes to your >aquarium(s), then such an arrangement might make a labor-saving >backup for your skyway racer-based system. Hmmm, I guess what we are >discussing here is an HA system for fish. ;-) Actually, I've been thinking of doing something more along those lines. The hard part is running water to the aquaria. I really only have one that I'm maintaining now, though, anyway, and one quarantine tank, so it may not be that hard. In my (very old) apartment, there's a hole in the living room floor, conveniently behind my 55 gal aquarium. It's square, about the size of an electrical J-box, so I'm guessing at one time someone installed an outlet there, and it has since been removed (my apartment was built in 1916, used a married officer's housing by the army, then later as student housing for a seminary, and now just as inexpensive duplexes with decent yards within walking distance of both Butler and the aforementioned seminary - there is only one outlet per room, except the bathroom and dining room, where there are none). Directly below that are the water taps for the washing machine hookup. So, I connect a T-joint to the water connection, with one side still going to the washing machine, the other going to a garden hose. This hose goes up behind the aquarium, and hooks to my water filter (may take a bit of work, as the filter is designed to be attached by screwing inside a kitchen sink. But shouldnt' be too difficult). From the water filter it can to to the aquarium, passing through a check valve on the way (to avoid siphoning problems in the event of a loss of water preassure). I could put a solenoid controlled valve in-line with it to control on/off, as well as a control valve to control flow rate (could be manually controlled). Or, perhaps I could get one of those T joints with an adjustable valve and just do it down there. Either way, volume is greatly reduced by the filter anyway. The big problem is what to do with the draining overflow. But I could probably return it down to the basement, where it could enter the storm drain via the washing machine's drain. That would leave the skyway racer free to run the gravel vaccuum and the algae scraper. The key here is how does it make sure not to suck up a fish, and re-arranging the gravel into non-piles. The latter could easily be taken care of by changing from the community tank it currently is (shouldn't be too hard, as my population was greatly reduced by a recent polution incident in the city's water supply that my filter didn't take care of, so I could go with a considerably smaller aquarium) over to cichlids - they always are moving gravel into piles on their own anyway. Hrrmmmmmm... Chad Gard, CTS KB9WXQ INCHASE: INdiana CHasers of Adverse and Severe wEather http://www.inchase.org Co-founder Storm Chasers of America http://www.stormchasersofamerica.org Member #3 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 12:18:31 -0500 From: Chad A Gard Subject: Re: Halloween Links >In a message dated 10/16/00 11:32:30 PM, Andy wrote: > >>Okay, okay, I give. I must get a Skyway Rider or two in time for >>Halloween! Where can I get them? > >I second that motion. >Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Word is, you can get them at ToysRUs. But, my local stores didn't have them. I had another list member (Ross Strader) pick one up at his local ToysRUs and traded him some X10 stuff for it. Chad Gard, CTS KB9WXQ INCHASE: INdiana CHasers of Adverse and Severe wEather http://www.inchase.org Co-founder Storm Chasers of America http://www.stormchasersofamerica.org Member #3 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 12:32:55 -0500 From: Chad A Gard Subject: Re: Skyway Racer Link >Prsha, Jerry wrote: > >> I wish I had more experience in motors for the animatronics >> stuff.... XTension would really help me with that stuff! > >Hi Folks, > >Do think about the fact that a lot of 'animation' can be >done with very little motor power, if you are careful about >friction and mass... I remember from last year examining the website of a list member. He had _tons_ of halloween stuff. Things like a ghost that would move in various ways and looked _very_ interesting - had like a coathanger frame and just one little motor, as I recal. Lots of gauze and a blacklight were important. Also lots of pneumatic tricks. I remember one item was called "Trash Can Trauma" (easy to remember). Who was that, does the site still exist? He also had the materials for one of those "murder mystery get togethers", where you invite people to someone's house to solve a murder mystery, everyone coming in costume/character, one of them being a murder. Really quite cool. I've never done much for halloween, due to where I live being not near any children. But this site had tons and tons of great halloween stuff. Chad Gard, CTS KB9WXQ INCHASE: INdiana CHasers of Adverse and Severe wEather http://www.inchase.org Co-founder Storm Chasers of America http://www.stormchasersofamerica.org Member #3 ------------------------------ End of V1 #28 **************