Re: Could use some help with the HomeVision Plug In

["Mal Lansell" <mlansell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks, Ian.

I'll get on to that soon (probably tomorrow).  It looks like I'll
need to release a new version of the W800 service anyway - with some
form of filtering of multiple messages (except for dim commands!)
included.

Mal



--- In ukha_xpl@xxxxxxx, "Ian Lowe" <ian@w...> wrote:
> Hi Mal - the xml plugin is a great user-side feature - it's what
allows
> the determinators to work, and is basically a well structured xml
> description of what your app can do, written by the person that
knows it
> best - you!
>
> John posted an excellent article on how to do the plugin, I have
> included it here to save you trawling yahoo's archive.
>
> >---
> What is an xPLHal Plug-in?
> ------------------------------------------
>
> A plug-in is an XML file that describes the xPL devices released by
a
> particular vendor.
> It is worth noting that plug-ins are unrelated to the xPL protocol
> itself - they are just a feature of the xPLHal product to enhance
> usability.
> Plug-in files are stored within the xPLHal Manager installation
folder,
> in a directory called "plugins".
> They are loaded at startup by the manager, and are used in a
variety of
> places within the user interface to enhance the end-user experience.
>
> A mechanism for updating plug-ins via the web is provided via the
Help
> -> Update Plug-in Library menu option.
> Developers who wish to make their plug-in available via the web
update
> mechanism should post their requests to this group. They should
include
> their vendor name, and the URL to where their plug-in is hosted.
Note
> that plug-in files must end with the file extension .xml, and must
be
> hosted on an HTTP web server. We may be able to host plug-in files
on
> behalf of developers if they do not have their own hosting
facilities.
>
> How do I write a plug-in?
> --------------------------------------
>
> The best way to begin writing a plug-in is to take a look at the
> plug-ins that are already available.
> This should give you a good understanding of the structure of a
plug-in
> file.
>
> A reference plug-in is available at:
> http://www.xpl.myby.co.uk/info/vendor-plugin.txt
>
> This file demonstrates every possible feature of a plug-in, complete
> with full documentation.
>
> Should you have any questions about writing a plug-in, or
suggestions on
> how we can improve the plug-in interface, please feel free to post
them
> to this group.
>
> Regards,
>
> John