Subject: XTension digest V1 #91 Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 02:10:13 -0800 From: xtensionlist@shed.com (XTension digest) To: xtensionlist-digest@shed.com XTension digest Thursday, December 14 2000 Volume 01 : Number 091 Re: Xtension & the Washing Machine Early Christmas RE: Early Christmas Re: Early Christmas Re: Early Christmas Re: Early Christmas Re: Early Christmas Re: Early Christmas Re: Early Christmas Re: Xtension & the Washing Machine Re: X-10 device to close low voltage contacts (a toy)? Re: Xtension & the Washing Machine Re: Early Christmas Xtension & the Washing Machine RE: Early Christmas RE: Early Christmas Re: Early Christmas Re: Early Christmas Re: Early Christmas Re: Xtension & the Washing Machine ScanCam "addressable wallwort" power supplies vs. regular ones & Appliance Modules Re: ScanCam "addressable wallwort" power supplies vs. regular ones & Appliance Modules Re: Early Christmas Re: ScanCam "addressable wallwort" power supplies vs. regular ones & Appliance Modules Re: ScanCam "addressable wallwort" Mounting Volumes @ Startup? dual "if"s to activate a "then" Re: dual "if"s to activate a "then" Re: Mounting Volumes @ Startup? Re: ScanCam "addressable wallwort" Re: Mounting Volumes @ Startup? Re: Xtension & the Washing Machine Re: Mounting Volumes @ Startup? Re: Mounting Volumes @ Startup? Re: Simple question about casting a date Re: Simple question about casting a date Re: Simple question about casting a date X-10 PRO thermostat Re: X-10 PRO thermostat Room occupied monitor script ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 08:13:36 -0500 From: Bob Vennerbeck Subject: Re: Xtension & the Washing Machine Cecil - I've tried to resurrect 'perfectly good, just broken' appliances before - it's not as simple as we'd like -since washing machines are high volume consumer goods, they can afford to design complexity into the controls - there are probably 3 or 4 switched loads, (hot water solenoid valve, cold water solenoid valve, main motor, spin clutch, ..)not to mention a handful of sensors (tub water level, .....) - at a rough average of $20 a pop for X-10 modules, it's going to be cheaper to get the $29.95 OEM replacement timer...not as much fun maybe, but... also - the motors in some washing machines have multiple speeds - sometimes engaged by powering the leads of 2 or more separate motor windings in varying combinations - not something a simple relay/appliance module can do. On the other hand, the ability to program long soaks with intermittent agitation, wait for shower to stop before requesting hot water, etc makes it very tempting. Good Luck Cecil Jones wrote: > > The analog timer on our Washing Machine went out this month. What I want to > be able to do is use Xtension to control the timing and cycles for it. I > would love for some of you home automaters and techno-gadgeteers to help out > with what would it take to do this and would it be feesible to do? > > Any help and ideas would be appreciated. > > Thanks > Cecil - -- Bob VENNERBECK = ; RI School of Design Film/Video Tech 2 College Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903-2784 USA (401) 454-6236 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 08:43:57 -0500 From: michael Subject: Early Christmas Hi Folks, It was a year ago that folks on this list got a pre-release notice of the ZephIR... So what would be one-better than that ? I will let the ZephIR boys tell you more, but meanwhile, I've got Mine :-) michael Gotta hand it to these guys, in a world of empty promises, they're real 'stickers'... ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 08:23:33 -0500 From: "Davis, Dean" Subject: RE: Early Christmas My bet, USB ZephIR Other guesses? I don't think I got the 'stickers' hint. - -----Original Message----- From: michael [mailto:michael@shed.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2000 8:44 AM To: xtensionlist@shed.com Subject: Early Christmas Hi Folks, It was a year ago that folks on this list got a pre-release notice of the ZephIR... So what would be one-better than that ? I will let the ZephIR boys tell you more, but meanwhile, I've got Mine :-) michael Gotta hand it to these guys, in a world of empty promises, they're real 'stickers'... ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 09:10:15 -0500 From: michael Subject: Re: Early Christmas Davis, Dean wrote: > I don't think I got the 'stickers' hint. Hi Dean, "stickers", as in those with perseverence or stick-to-i-tivity... Actually, I first heard this term in Australia. michael ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 09:28:38 -0500 From: Phil Pedersen Subject: Re: Early Christmas Speaking of stickers, any new information on the LynxPLC? I'd love to have one for Christmas. Phil >Davis, Dean wrote: > >> I don't think I got the 'stickers' hint. > >Hi Dean, > >"stickers", as in those with perseverence > or stick-to-i-tivity... > >Actually, I first heard this term in Australia. > >michael ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 09:57:23 EST From: JSWTC@aol.com Subject: Re: Early Christmas In a message dated 12/13/00 1:15:46 PM, michael@shed.com writes: << ZephIR >> ZephIR - whaaaaaaazaaaaaaaaaaaat? ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 10:32:29 -0500 From: michael Subject: Re: Early Christmas JSWTC@aol.com wrote: > > In a message dated 12/13/00 1:15:46 PM, michael@shed.com writes: > > << ZephIR >> > > ZephIR - whaaaaaaazaaaaaaaaaaaat? try this page: ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 09:08:53 -0600 From: eric Subject: Re: Early Christmas on 12/13/00 8:57 AM, JSWTC@aol.com at JSWTC@aol.com wrote: > > In a message dated 12/13/00 1:15:46 PM, michael@shed.com writes: > > << ZephIR >> > > ZephIR - whaaaaaaazaaaaaaaaaaaat? www.thezephir.com It's an ADB interface to an IR emitter. Now you can control your home theater, TV, CD player, Furby, Whatever uses IR from your macintosh. It's inexpensive and works great. Works awesome with my 300 disk CD changer. Eric ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 10:39:12 -0500 From: michael Subject: Re: Early Christmas Phil Pedersen wrote: > > Speaking of stickers, any new information on the LynxPLC? I'd love > to have one for Christmas. Hi Phil, It's going on 3 years now since I first showed the LynX-PLC in the hands of the developer... It didn't have an enclosure yet, but a year later it had a pretty plastic case. And 18 months later, I had a working model here at the Hill. That was 6 months ago... (With the exception of one bout with heat-prostration, I couldn't be happier with it...) I do know that they are still working hard to get the next production run, but I have no knowledge of just when that will be. I do know that Marrick made up a small run of the first models, and MAY have some sitting around. But I'm sure that they don't want to get into trouble selling them without the proper approvals. And I'm sure that they don't want to cause a run on sales that they just can't support right now. But maybe there's a way that they could un-assemble a few, and sell them as 'kits'... ? Perhaps if they were sufficiently motivated to make a few hundred dollars, they might find a way to part with some of those boxes ? the power of email ? michael (Rick will probably call soon and chew me out...:-) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 09:57:52 -0600 From: John Sievert Subject: Re: Xtension & the Washing Machine Sounds interesting, until I recalled my run in with a clothes dryer in a college appt. My jeans fell apart being tumble dryed for 3 days when my dime apparently jammed the controller. I forgot they were in there and....... I agree below - get the replacement controller. We just got a new washer - one of those front loading frididaires. I wound up watching a complete cycle (don't ask - another long story when my wife forgot to take out the detergent sample box before running it.). I noticed that there is quite a bit of science and research that went into how to run the cycles. They agitate the clothes at different speeds with different 'soak' times in the cycle etc... Clearly someone did some major thinking into how to get clothes clean with the least soap, agitation, and water. What would be cool though, is the ability to load clothes into the machine and then to initiate the cycle at a predetermined time with Xtension. I wonder if you could do this by running the appliance with either an appliance module (HD) or switched outlet. If you load the clothes into the machine, set the timer and turn it on with no power applied, will it start when power is applied? This could be really simple and really useful! If not, there sometimes is a switch that you hit to initiate. Seems like you could solder wires onto the switch and do a contact closure to start it. FWIW John Bob Vennerbeck wrote: > Cecil - I've tried to resurrect 'perfectly good, just broken' appliances > before - it's not as simple as we'd like -since washing machines are > high volume consumer goods, they can afford to design complexity into > the controls - there are probably 3 or 4 switched loads, (hot water > solenoid valve, cold water solenoid valve, main motor, spin clutch, > ..)not to mention a handful of sensors (tub water level, .....) - at a > rough average of $20 a pop for X-10 modules, it's going to be cheaper to > get the $29.95 OEM replacement timer...not as much fun maybe, but... > > also - the motors in some washing machines have multiple speeds - > sometimes engaged by powering the leads of 2 or more separate motor > windings in varying combinations - not something a simple > relay/appliance module can do. > > On the other hand, the ability to program long soaks with intermittent > agitation, wait for shower to stop before requesting hot water, etc > makes it very tempting. > > Good Luck > > Cecil Jones wrote: > > > > The analog timer on our Washing Machine went out this month. What I want to > > be able to do is use Xtension to control the timing and cycles for it. I > > would love for some of you home automaters and techno-gadgeteers to help out > > with what would it take to do this and would it be feesible to do? > > > > Any help and ideas would be appreciated. > > > > Thanks > > Cecil > > -- > Bob VENNERBECK = ; RI School of Design Film/Video Tech > 2 College Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903-2784 USA (401) 454-6236 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 11:01:33 -0500 From: Chad A Gard Subject: Re: X-10 device to close low voltage contacts (a toy)? >Thanks. I thought that was it. Just wanted to make sure before I ordered. I >believe there was another unit too that actually supplied low >voltage..."powerflash module" which I didn't want, and I couldn't find it on >their "lovely" website to compare to the Universal. Not quite. With the exception of the controllable power supplies for the Xcams(?), or plugging a wall wart into an appliance module, I don't think there's a way to supply a low voltage with an X10 device. The PowerFlash is actually the opposite of the Universal module (the universal module, as Michael said, is the one you want). It's like this: X-10 contact closure PowerFlash sends receives Universal Mod receives sends HTH Chad Gard, CTS KB9WXQ INCHASE: http://www.inchase.org Co-founder SCOA: http://www.stormchasersofamerica.org Member #3 INSWA: http://www.insw.org Unit #21 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 11:16:34 -0500 From: Chad A Gard Subject: Re: Xtension & the Washing Machine >The analog timer on our Washing Machine went out this month. What I want to >be able to do is use Xtension to control the timing and cycles for it. I >would love for some of you home automaters and techno-gadgeteers to help out >with what would it take to do this and would it be feesible to do? > >Any help and ideas would be appreciated. If what your problem is is what happened to my washing machine on saturday, I may have a solution. In my case, it's a good old-fashioned washing machine with a simple dial. You turn it to the appropriate setting for your load, and as it clicks through different phases, it fills, washes, drains (possibly repeats), rinses, spins, rinses, spins, rinses, spins, done. The problem mine developed was that it wouldn't click over from the first fill/wash/drain cycle. Instead, it filled, washed, drained, then started over again forever (must be an internal timer that does each of the sub-cycles), and the knob would't turn to go into the series of rinse & spins. In addition, it takes a lot more electricity than it should in those wash cycles, apparantly, 'cause it blew a fuse (I never considered circuit breakers a luxury until I moved into this apartment). So, I needed a solution. I had an erector set that has a motor controlled by an IR remote. I created a cam with the erector set and motor, and a couple of strait erector set pieces. It was important that there be some mechanical advantage created, as the motor wasn't able to turn the knob past the stop by itself. Also, I wanted some ability to cope with timing errors without turning the knob too far. Since the knob handle was horizontal where it was sticking, I just needed a semi-straight vertical motion to nudge it past that point - after that it's all fine. I plugged the remote into a "battery eliminator" wall wart, which in turn was plugged into an appliance module. And used a rubber band to hold down the button. It would have been easier to use a universal module soldered accross the button contacts, but I didn't have one. Now, basically, I start the washing machine, then go back upstairs to whatever I'm doing. I hit a spare button on the kitchen's "thinline wall switch", which creates 3 scheduled events, 5 seconds apart, that turn on the erector set remote. the on script for the erector set remote creates an event that turns it off in 30 seconds. I repeat it three times just in case something gets missed. It's ugly, but a replacement timer was $43, and I am as flat broke as flat can be, and will be for quite a while more. So free was good. HTH Chad Gard, CTS KB9WXQ INCHASE: http://www.inchase.org Co-founder SCOA: http://www.stormchasersofamerica.org Member #3 INSWA: http://www.insw.org Unit #21 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 11:13:32 -0500 (EST) From: gannonr@apk.net Subject: Re: Early Christmas Quoting michael : > meanwhile, I've got Mine :-) I've HAD mine, but no case :) Is yours clear ? ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 09:19:28 -0700 From: Michael Herrick Subject: Xtension & the Washing Machine >The analog timer on our Washing Machine went out this month. What I want to >be able to do is use Xtension to control the timing and cycles for it. I >would love for some of you home automaters and techno-gadgeteers to help out >with what would it take to do this and would it be feesible to do? Oh my gosh. Are you sure you want to do this? My wife would kill me if I automated her washing machine. - --Michael ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 10:27:57 -0600 From: "Prsha, Jerry" Subject: RE: Early Christmas > Is yours clear ? > Mine is! ... Oh.. You weren't talking about your NEW G4 CUBE like I am! This thing is soooooo cool! (I think I just wet myself) Jerry ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 11:25:43 -0500 From: Chad A Gard Subject: RE: Early Christmas >My bet, USB ZephIR > Naw, a software update that provides multiple, individually addressable ZephIR's, and the ability to receive commands on one, and send a response command on another: on ZephIR1ReceiveOn() tell ZephIR2 send off end tell end ZephIR1ReceiveOn on ZephIR2ReceiveOff() tell ZephIr1 send on end tell end ZephIr2ReceiveOff hee hee. Chad Gard, CTS KB9WXQ INCHASE: http://www.inchase.org Co-founder SCOA: http://www.stormchasersofamerica.org Member #3 INSWA: http://www.insw.org Unit #21 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 11:40:29 -0500 From: michael Subject: Re: Early Christmas gannonr@apk.net wrote: > I've HAD mine, but no case :) > > Is yours clear ? yes, and it does seem to be much more snappy about learning weird codes... michael ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 12:00:51 -0500 From: Phil Pedersen Subject: Re: Early Christmas Now I'm jealous. Last I knew, they were looking for an assembly house. I sent them off info about one that we've had really good luck with and got a thanks, but no timeline for production. Maybe I can get a kit out of them. I do know which end of a soldering iron gets hot. Phil >gannonr@apk.net wrote: > >> I've HAD mine, but no case :) >> >> Is yours clear ? > >yes, and it does seem to be much more snappy >about learning weird codes... > >michael ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 11:24:55 -0600 From: Steve Passmore Subject: Re: Early Christmas A ZephIR that doesn't fall out of it's suction cup? A velcro adapter? A tripod? A base? >Davis, Dean wrote: > >> I don't think I got the 'stickers' hint. > >Hi Dean, > >"stickers", as in those with perseverence > or stick-to-i-tivity... > >Actually, I first heard this term in Australia. > >michael ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 13:55:23 -0500 From: Bob Vennerbeck Subject: Re: Xtension & the Washing Machine Chad A Gard wrote: > > > So, I needed a solution. I had an erector set ... Couldn't you bring yourself to use a Skyway Racer ? a breakaway payload of detergent should increase the end-of-skyline impact enough to advance even the balkiest timer... appliance timers used to be a great source of slow synchronous motors - now, instead of slowly rotating continuosly, they tend to have an intermittent motion of about 10 degrees - saves on fractional square inches of high current contact wiper area - a millicent here, a microcent there, a million or two washing machines..... - -- Bob VENNERBECK = ; RI School of Design Film/Video Tech 2 College Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903-2784 USA (401) 454-6236 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 11:06:19 -0800 From: Don Preisler Subject: ScanCam "addressable wallwort" power supplies vs. regular ones & Appliance Modules Has anyone experienced inconsistency with ScanCam "addressable wallwort" power supplies? I was trying to toggle cameras with Xtension by turning on and off their power supplies and viewing the image in Apple Video Player. It worked for awhile, but then it didn't. I was getting no image at all unless I momentarily and physically unplugged one of the power (addressable) supplies. Then whatever power supply I unplugged would show that camera, regardless of which one Xtension said it was giving power to. After trying different options and checking everything (for over an hour) I replaced the "addressable wallwort" power supplies" and used regular 12v. supplies and standard Appliance modules. That seemed to work. Seems the "addressable wallwort" power supplies" either weren't turning off or on or both. Anyone have similar problems? Don Preisler dmpreisler@ucdavis.edu ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 14:13:22 -0500 From: Phil Pedersen Subject: Re: ScanCam "addressable wallwort" power supplies vs. regular ones & Appliance Modules I've had somewhat the same symptoms and I put it down to the cameras not reacting well to cold. If I leave a particular camera turned on for a length of time (10 minutes) then the image seems to get better. I'll check out the power cubes. Phil >Has anyone experienced inconsistency with ScanCam "addressable wallwort" >power supplies? > > >Seems the "addressable wallwort" power supplies" either weren't turning off >or on or both. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 14:09:29 -0500 (EST) From: gannonr@apk.net Subject: Re: Early Christmas Quoting michael : > yes, and it does seem to be much more snappy > about learning weird codes... You can say that agin ! Try scripting a series of commands and watch your CD player fall all over itself trying to keep up. I have had to rewite my scripts using the delay command and WaitTicks OSAX. The performance on a 500 Mhz dual G4 is fantastic. Thes guys have really improved a product I thought was just about perfect. Now if we could just motivate them to produce an ADB I/O type device with their new technology......... Ray ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 11:32:01 -0800 From: Don Preisler Subject: Re: ScanCam "addressable wallwort" power supplies vs. regular ones & Appliance Modules > I've had somewhat the same symptoms and I put it down to the cameras > not reacting well to cold. If I leave a particular camera turned on > for a length of time (10 minutes) then the image seems to get better. > I'll check out the power cubes. Give it a try. Although you did mention something earlier about -30 degree weather. I'm pleased to say I don't have that as one of my usual troubleshooting variables. don Don Preisler dmpreisler@ucdavis.edu ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 13:38:04 -0600 From: Steve Passmore Subject: Re: ScanCam "addressable wallwort" I have what seems to be the same problem. I send two "cam power on" commands. Works most of the time. Steve >Has anyone experienced inconsistency with ScanCam "addressable wallwort" >power supplies? > >I was trying to toggle cameras with Xtension by turning on and off their >power supplies and viewing the image in Apple Video Player. > >It worked for awhile, but then it didn't. I was getting no image at all >unless I momentarily and physically unplugged one of the power (addressable) >supplies. Then whatever power supply I unplugged would show that camera, >regardless of which one Xtension said it was giving power to. > >After trying different options and checking everything (for over an hour) I >replaced the "addressable wallwort" power supplies" and used regular 12v. >supplies and standard Appliance modules. That seemed to work. > >Seems the "addressable wallwort" power supplies" either weren't turning off >or on or both. > >Anyone have similar problems? > >Don Preisler >dmpreisler@ucdavis.edu ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 14:20:34 -0600 From: Jeff Click Subject: Mounting Volumes @ Startup? Is there a solution to mounting network volumes at startup without getting caught up with the keychain/password issue? Can this be automated with a script? jeff ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 12:54:23 -0800 From: Don Preisler Subject: dual "if"s to activate a "then" Here's a basic scripting question that I cannot seem to find in the example scripts (Michael's) I have. What if I want to make an action dependent on TWO flags. For example: on the "on" script for a motion detector.. if (status of "office is closed") is true if (status of "camera is active") is false then turnon "camera is active" turnon "ceiling light" end if I need two "ifs" to be in the desired state to execute one "then" (pardon the clumsy description) Don Preisler dmpreisler@ucdavis.edu ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 16:02:07 -0500 From: michael Subject: Re: dual "if"s to activate a "then" Don Preisler wrote: > I need two "ifs" to be in the desired state to execute one "then" > Hi Don, Try this : if (status of "office is closed") is true {{Option-L}} and (status of "camera is active") is false then turnon "camera is active" turnon "ceiling light" end if PLEASE note that the {{Option-L}} above is the 'continuation' character. It looks like a backwards, sideways letter 'L' ... That's the standard way of continuing a single applescript line onto two or more lines... You don't have to use it, but if you have a long line, and you want to make it 'pretty', it's the way to go... michael ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 16:07:19 -0500 From: "Michael J. Stango" Subject: Re: Mounting Volumes @ Startup? Jeff Click, wrote: >Is there a solution to mounting network volumes at startup without getting >caught up with the keychain/password issue? Actually, the easiest way I found to do this was to use Keychain AutoUnlock. Set it up and throw an alias into the Startup Items folder, and you're set. Do a search on a "keychain unlock" on www.versiontracker.com, and three things will show up. The aforementioned utility, another utility, and someething called "Unlock Keychain script model 1.1." You might want to check that out, if your heart is set on a scripting solution. But Keychain AutoUnlock works great for me, and the price is right. ~MJS ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 16:16:42 EST From: Iamsmall@aol.com Subject: Re: ScanCam "addressable wallwort" In a message dated 12/13/00 1:57:31 PM, you wrote: >Has anyone experienced inconsistency with ScanCam "addressable wallwort" >power supplies? Yes indeed. I've got one that responds to it's address as well as half the addresses on the same housecode. What's really odd it that sometimes it turns on when I send an 'off' to another address on it's housecode, and sometimes it turns off when I send an 'on' to another address on it's housecode. The concept of an addressable wall wart is a great idea, too bad their implementation sucks. Also on a different but related topic: Someone had recently commented about their X-cam being sluggish in cold weather. I've noticed that one of mine seems to be suffering "snow blindness". Apparently when the camera is powered off, the "iris" relaxes to a fully open setting; then when it's powered on, the iris closes down to the appropriate size for the amount of light available. Well, on a bright sunny day with all that white snow reflecting the light back to the camera, it seems a bit overwhelmed by all the light when it is first powered up. Initially, the camera transmits a blank white image, and then slowly over about 15-20 seconds it begins to darken as the iris gets smaller and objects begin to fade into view. it seems to take about 20-30 seconds for the image to completely stabilize. Definitely too long if you want to use the camera for security purposes - although it might show the perpretrator's footprints. : ) Ed ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 13:43:21 -0800 From: Robert Ladle Subject: Re: Mounting Volumes @ Startup? on 12/13/00 1:07 PM, Michael J. Stango at mjstango@home.com wrote: > Jeff Click, wrote: > >> Is there a solution to mounting network volumes at startup without getting >> caught up with the keychain/password issue? > > Actually, the easiest way I found to do this was to use Keychain > AutoUnlock. Set it up and throw an alias into the Startup Items folder, > and you're set. > > Do a search on a "keychain unlock" on www.versiontracker.com, and three > things will show up. The aforementioned utility, another utility, and > someething called "Unlock Keychain script model 1.1." You might want to > check that out, if your heart is set on a scripting solution. But > Keychain AutoUnlock works great for me, and the price is right. > > ~MJS I don't use the keychain. I set it up to connect to the server "server name" as "person's name" with the password "blank" (nothing) and let Okey Dokey Pro (set to about 6 seconds) catch the connect button. Works for me. Robert - -- Pitchypaw's Pages http://members.home.net/pitchypaws ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 16:51:35 -0600 From: John Sievert Subject: Re: Xtension & the Washing Machine I have a deep and abiding respect for machines that can spew *enormous* volumes of suds and gallons upon gallons of water. I also have a deep and abiding respect for my wife. Neither one is fun if messed with, the combination would be fearsome indeed. j. Michael Herrick wrote: > >The analog timer on our Washing Machine went out this month. What I want to > >be able to do is use Xtension to control the timing and cycles for it. I > >would love for some of you home automaters and techno-gadgeteers to help out > >with what would it take to do this and would it be feesible to do? > > Oh my gosh. Are you sure you want to do this? My wife would kill me > if I automated her washing machine. > > --Michael ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 18:40:28 -0500 From: "Michael J. Stango" Subject: Re: Mounting Volumes @ Startup? Robert Ladle, wrote: >I don't use the keychain. I set it up to connect to the server "server name" >as "person's name" with the password "blank" (nothing) and let Okey Dokey >Pro (set to about 6 seconds) catch the connect button. Works for me. That's one way, but I've got a cable modem. My HA server is also running IPNetRouter and AppleShare IP. I wanted a system in place that would allow the computers within my network at home to have zero barriers to communicate with each other, but I also needed a degree of security since at least one machine is connected to the Net 24/7/365. ~MJS ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Michael J. Stango --who is known as 'mjstango' at his ISP, 'home.com' "The masses have little time to think. And how incredible is the willingness of modern man to believe." -- Benito Mussolini explains the success of Intel's Pentium III ads ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 17:10:44 -0800 From: Robert Ladle Subject: Re: Mounting Volumes @ Startup? on 12/13/00 3:40 PM, Michael J. Stango at mjstango@home.com wrote: > Robert Ladle, wrote: > >> I don't use the keychain. I set it up to connect to the server "server name" >> as "person's name" with the password "blank" (nothing) and let Okey Dokey >> Pro (set to about 6 seconds) catch the connect button. Works for me. > > That's one way, but I've got a cable modem. My HA server is also running > IPNetRouter and AppleShare IP. > > I wanted a system in place that would allow the computers within my > network at home to have zero barriers to communicate with each other, but > I also needed a degree of security since at least one machine is > connected to the Net 24/7/365. Hi I also am connected to the net 24/7/365 with cable and am sitting behind a fire/router. However, I'm not set up to have need to access my computers from the outside. Robert > - -- Pitchypaw's Pages http://members.home.net/pitchypaws ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 20:28:16 -0500 From: "Jean Laroche" Subject: Re: Simple question about casting a date Hi Tom Use if time of (current date) > time of (sunset) then Michael has hinted that he may perhaps one day eliminate that construct. To be on the safe side, you can also use: if time of (current date) > time of (sunset for (current date)) then HTH Jean - ---------- >From: "Yarmas, Tom" >To: "'xtensionlist@shed.com'" >Subject: Simple question about casting a date >Date: Mard 12 déce 2000 19:46 > >I have some scripts that have to change in order to work with the latest >Xtension, and need a little help. I assume I just have to cast the value, >but not sure how. > >Script has something like: > >if time of (current date) > sunset then > >This no longer works. I see that sunset is now a "long date". How would I >write it for the lates Xtension S/W? > >Thanks in advance. > >-tom ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 20:28:16 -0500 From: "Jean Laroche" Subject: Re: Simple question about casting a date Hi Tom Use if time of (current date) > time of (sunset) then Michael has hinted that he may perhaps one day eliminate that construct. To be on the safe side, you can also use: if time of (current date) > time of (sunset for (current date)) then HTH Jean - ---------- >From: "Yarmas, Tom" >To: "'xtensionlist@shed.com'" >Subject: Simple question about casting a date >Date: Mard 12 déce 2000 19:46 > >I have some scripts that have to change in order to work with the latest >Xtension, and need a little help. I assume I just have to cast the value, >but not sure how. > >Script has something like: > >if time of (current date) > sunset then > >This no longer works. I see that sunset is now a "long date". How would I >write it for the lates Xtension S/W? > >Thanks in advance. > >-tom ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 20:40:16 -0500 From: michael Subject: Re: Simple question about casting a date Jean Laroche wrote: > Use > if time of (current date) > time of (sunset) then > > Michael has hinted that he may perhaps one day eliminate that construct. > To be on the safe side, you can also use: > if time of (current date) > time of (sunset for (current date)) then Hi Folks, But don't forget the "Daylight" variable. Unless you're unfortunate enough to live is those places where time runs backward, you can just say.. if not daylight then (There is still one unresolved report that Daylight does not get set correctly...) michael ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 21:16:41 -0500 From: michael Subject: X-10 PRO thermostat Hi Folks, I've finally decided to take up X-10's offer of a $80 'voucher', and purchase the X-10 PRO PDT20: This is the bi-directional thermostat HVAC controller. Sez it takes 'extended commands', so this will be a good test for the latest changes to XTension's extended command features. BTW: It does seem that you can use the X-10 vouchers for the X-10 PRO products. At $156, that thermostat looked a lot more interesting... we'll see michael ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 18:34:02 -0800 From: Coleman Subject: Re: X-10 PRO thermostat So what is this "voucher" you talk of? Chuck Coleman coleman@teleport.com - ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 21:31:18 -0800 From: Mark Johannessen Subject: Room occupied monitor script - --============_-1235350542==_ma============ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" I'm trying to have a script turn on a light in a room (only when its not daylight) and then monitor the room for movement (at 15 minute intervals), and if there is no activity within 30 minutes, the light it turned off. I've pulled two scripts from the XTension archives with modifications (see below). The first script is attached to the ON event of the Motion Detectoer (a Hawkeye with the light sensor clipped). There is no script attached to the OFF event. That script is: - ----------- remove event "LivingRoomCheck" --clear the previous LivingRoomCheck Scheduled Event if not (daylight) then turnon "Living Room Light" execute script "LivingRoomCheck" end if - ---------- Then I have a global script which monitors the room for activity, and if there is activity (that is, the motion sensor issues an ON event), the last LivingRoomCheck event is deleted, and a new LivingRoomCheck event is started which should should start the 30 minutes over): - ---------- if (status of "Living Room Light") is true then -- light is on set on_time to (30 * 60) -- that is, 30 minutes if (time delta of "Living Room Motion Sensor") > on_time then - -- no motion so turn off turnoff "Living Room Light" else remove event "LivingRoomCheck" - --turnoff "Living Room Motion Sensor" execute script "LivingRoomCheck" in 5 * minutes --check every 15 minutes end if else -- the light is off end if - ----------- The problem is, if the room is inactive for more than 30 minutes, the time delta of the motion sensor keeps increasing beyond 30 minutes, so the next time I enter the room, the light goes on, and then immediately off (as the LivingRoomCheck script sees the large time delta as inactivity). I've tried resetting the time delta using the "turnoff 'Living Room Motion Sensor'", without success. Does anyone have a better solution to this or see an error in my ways? Mark Johannessen - --============_-1235350542==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Room occupied monitor script
I'm trying to have a script turn on a light in a room (only when its not daylight) and then monitor the room for movement (at 15 minute intervals), and if there is no activity within 30 minutes, the light it turned off.  I've pulled two scripts from the XTension archives with modifications (see below).

The first script is attached to the ON event of the Motion Detectoer (a Hawkeye with the light sensor clipped).  There is no script attached to the OFF event.  That script is:

-----------
remove event "LivingRoomCheck" --clear the previous LivingRoomCheck  Scheduled Event

if not (daylight) then
turnon "Living Room Light"
execute script "LivingRoomCheck"
end if
----------

Then I have a global script which monitors the room for activity, and if there is activity (that is, the motion sensor issues an ON event), the last LivingRoomCheck event is deleted, and a new LivingRoomCheck event is started which should should start the 30 minutes over):

----------

if (status of "Living Room Light") is true then -- light is on
set on_time to (30 * 60) -- that is, 30 minutes

if (time delta of "Living Room Motion Sensor") > on_time then
-- no motion so turn off
turnoff "Living Room Light"

else

remove event "LivingRoomCheck"
--turnoff "Living Room Motion Sensor"
execute script "LivingRoomCheck" in 5 * minutes --check every 15 minutes
end if
else -- the light is off       
end if

-----------

The problem is, if the room is inactive for more than 30 minutes, the time delta of the motion sensor keeps increasing beyond 30 minutes, so the next time I enter the room, the light goes on, and then immediately off (as the LivingRoomCheck script sees the large time delta as inactivity).  I've tried resetting the time delta using the "turnoff 'Living Room Motion Sensor'", without success.  Does anyone have a better solution to this or see an error in my ways?

Mark Johannessen
- --============_-1235350542==_ma============-- ------------------------------ End of XTension digest V1 #91 *****************************