Multimedia keypad was Re: Someone asked about "nice" clock

["andy_powell_is" <ukha@xxxxxxx>]

I'm clearly a moron, I can't understand how to make something happen=20
when a commands comes in from the serial port...

Heeeelllppp ....

Andy


--- In ukha_d@y..., Frost Neil <neil.frost@i...> wrote:
> Paul
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> Just downloaded Girder and am having a play.
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> I really like what you've done in your bathroom and as mine is in=20
the "needs
> replastering" stage, I'm going to try and convince SWMBO that
it's=20
a great
> idea.
>=20
> I know you've praised Girder before but I have never bothered to=20
look at it,
> what an excellent and useful tool for HA!!!
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> Who else uses Girder and what for...???
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> Neil
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>=20
> -----Original Message-----
> From: andy_powell_is [mailto:ukha@xxxxxxx...]
> Sent: 22 March 2002 11:04
> To: ukha_d@y...
> Subject: [ukha_d] Multimedia keypad was Re: Someone asked=20
about "nice"
> clock
>=20
>=20
>=20
> Paul,
>=20
> >=20
> > Fairy nuff, - I prefer an off-the-shelf solution for several=20
> reasons, -=20
> > mainly time, - I just don't have the time to learn new=20
> hardware/software=20
> > skills when a simple ready-to-run solution is already
available=20
> for "about=20
> > the same price". Secondly is the issue of support, - what
happens=20
> if I build=20
> > something myself, and it doesn't work? - =A335 worth of
components=20
> doing=20
> > nothing?
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> You are of course quite correct, time is of the essence (sp!!) but=20
I=20
> just wanted to have a go. I have the Basic staps lying around doing=20
> nothing anyway :P ... as I'm just learning electronics and how to=20
use=20
> the stamps... the other thing is of course, if it doesn't work you=20
> tear it apart (not literally!) and use the bits for something=20
else...=20
> many of the components I have actually come out of old, broken=20
radios=20
> etc...I'm a cheapskate at heart :D
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> >=20
> >=20
> > With Girder as the software element, the way it works is
entirely=20
>=20
> will download it and have a peak.. are you using Girder to control=20
> the apps, or using something like the winamp COM control?=20
>=20
>=20
> > The VIOM is configured to report switch status upon any input=20
> change, and it=20
> > always reports the status of all the inputs at once, thus=20
pressing=20
> button=20
> > number 1 will send "1000000000000000" to the serial
port when=20
it's=20
> pressed,=20
> > and "0000000000000000" when it's released. It's
therefore=20
possible=20
> to detect=20
>=20
> this is the beauty of the basic stamp, I had this same effect... I=20
> didn't like it so now it only reports the presses and ot the=20
> releases.. of course I can change that...
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>=20=20
> > The downside of course, is that a PC is required full-time,
but=20
as=20
> a PC is=20
> > providing the media feeds anyway, that's really not an issue
for=20
> me... Plus=20
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> > I'm going to try to put a watchdog in the VIOM that can reset
the=20
> PC if it=20
> > hangs/crashes whatever.. - a recurring event on the PC will
send=20
a=20
>=20
> yup, that's a nice idea too... I think I'll add that :P
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> > port command to the VIOM to refresh one of it's internal
timers,=20
> the VIOM=20
> > will have one of it's output lines connected to the PC's
hardware=20
> reset=20
>=20
> two questions for this one, what 'voltage' - if any is on a PC=20
reset=20
> switch? 5?? or 12?? I guess that means that either this PC does not=20
> have passwords enabled or it 'automatically' logs in...?? if not=20
how=20
> are you running applications after a reboot?
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> The only other advantage I get is that you have to run 2 x CAT5 to=20
> your socket, I'll only need a max of 4 wires, so 'half' a CAT5=20
> cable...=20
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> One disadvantage for me is power, are you running any power over=20
the=20
> CAT5 cable or is it just contact closure?
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> > >Once again Paul - brilliant idea...
> >=20
> > Thanks!
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> no probs, tis the truth!
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> Andy
>=20
>=20
>=20
> For more information: http://www.automatedhome.co.uk=20
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