The UK Home Automation Archive

Archive Home
Group Home
Search Archive


Advanced Search

The UKHA-ARCHIVE IS CEASING OPERATIONS 31 DEC 2024


[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: MainLobby Ver 2.0



Hi Everyone,

It's good to see my Lobby software made it all the way to the UK. :)

All of my products are a constant work-in-progress and I have a
pretty big vision of where they are going so they will probably never
actually be completed per se. 

Up until now, everything has been handled by me personally.  Which
has been pretty challenging handling all aspects of the business. 
But you'll also notice that for any of you who saw the first version
of MainLobby, MainLobby 2.18 has come a long way in a very short
time.  The first version had one button style layed on a 2 x 4 grid
(8 buttons) that not only you couldn't move them, but you had to edit
a text file to modify their label and only consisted of one Scene. :)

Now you can drag and drop buttons (250+ to choose from), change
background skins (50+ to choose from), link between scenes, Girder
and SLinke support, turn on/off X10 devices, etc.

And this is really only just the beginning of what this software will
really be able to do.  Imagine MainLobby reacting to information
coming in, multiple clients, option to synchronize between 2
instances of MainLobby, macro controls, displaying a light bulb lit
based on if the light is actually on, moveable dials and dimmers,
digital displays read from your thermostat, and the list goes on and
on.

Not only will you have the best looking graphical user interface,
custom by you using my supplied graphics/buttons, but you'll also
have the most affordable and still have the features that compete
with the big dogs.

I'm looking forward to developing the Lobby Software in 2003.  I will
be bringing in more talent, better documentation, more updates to the
website, marketing, etc.

I certainly appreciate Paul's unbiased comments and welcome them. 
That's how the software becomes more polished.  I did release 2.18
earlier than I anticipated due to the high demand from the current
user base.  So some bugs are inevitable. Their is a PDF manual
included with MainLobby that I would recommend everyone reading.

The trial version will shut down after 60 minutes of use without
warning.

You can delete any button in any order.  The remove button from the
Menu removes the last button.  The 'Delete' button is located in the
Edit Button Properties panel.

The button Library does display text if the button has text on it. 
This was actually left in there last minute because I thought it
would benefit the user to some degree.  Say you have a label with the
number 1 on the button.  When you go into the library it will show
how the 1 looks on each button.  Currently, I've predetermined where
the text gets positioned on the buttons.  So some buttons have the
text off to the right, top or bottom of the button which makes it
looks like a bug.  I can put a mask around each button which will
solve this problem.  Again, I released this latest version sooner
than I would have liked. :)

Some buttons are invisible when  no mouse is over them.  Again this
is intentional for now.  But I think because of confusion I may make
them visible when in Edit or Design mode, but then disappear when in
Launch mode - this probably only makes sense for someone who has used
the software.  Basically each button has several states and some
users who are utilizing remote controls and not mouses, this makes
the system respond more accurately.

Like Paul mentioned, it is easy to create interfaces fast and furious
and with an uncomparable look to anything else out there.

I've also been contemplating a ProntoLobby which will allow you to
use MainLobby for creating Pronto interfaces - the software would
then automatically export quandrants out in BMP format for use with
the Pronto software.  This allows the user to design a common looking
interface for all components.  You can currently do create Pronto
screens, but you would need to break up and export the images your
self.

You'll also be seeing other exciting products like TVLobby and
possible integration with players as we begin to develop more
relationships with other companies.

I hope everyone can see the vision as I do and feel confident about
the development and my determination to see this product through.

Sincerely,

Mario Cascio
Cinemar
http://www.cinemaronline.com

Lobby Software Creator and Developer





Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT
HGTV Dream Home Giveaway

http://www.automatedhome.co.uk
Post message: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subscribe:  ukha_d-subscribe@xxxxxxx
Unsubscribe:  ukha_d-unsubscribe@xxxxxxx
List owner:  ukha_d-owner@xxxxxxx
List of UKHA Groups here - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UKHA_Grouplists/


Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

Home | Main Index | Thread Index

Comments to the Webmaster are always welcomed, please use this contact form . Note that as this site is a mailing list archive, the Webmaster has no control over the contents of the messages. Comments about message content should be directed to the relevant mailing list.