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Messages - Armor Gnome

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16
Users / Re: Orbiter Clock
« on: February 04, 2014, 01:33:24 am »
I hope it doesn't come out sarcastic, you always manage to give an answer that still requires that I get lost and have to look things up to make sense of your instructions.  I knew what a mouse was when I first come across LMCE.  I am now asking questions about command line editing of mysql.

I have made it as far as figuring out how to look up the PK_Style using the SELECT * FROM Style;

So I have determined that the PK_Style ID # I am looking for is 27.  Somehow I need to now select 27 to view the StyleVariation, then I need to learn to edit a Cell.

db = pluto_main
table = Style
row = 27
column = StyleVariation?
cell = 840?   

I need to edit 840 to a smaller number, like 600.  Sound like I am on the right path?



17
Users / Re: Orbiter Clock
« on: February 03, 2014, 07:35:14 pm »
After reading some articles on fc-cache, I found a listing of various options.

fc-cache -fv

-f: force overwriting of font config files
-v: verbose to show me added fonts?

My network time is limited so prior to forcing a command that could system break what I have and put me back quite a while fixing/reinstalling, I am asking if trying this could possibly cause conflicts elsewhere?

18
Users / Re: At Home with LinuxMCE: Photos
« on: February 03, 2014, 05:44:52 pm »
A few photos I have taken over the years with LMCE.  Some are pretty and clean as I like them now, others like my wall are... hopefully identifiable to others who ever struggled to grasp LMCE.



Aquarium for my axolotls (shown as Axolotls, a room, on orbiters) z-wave lighting for dawn/dust and midday light changes.  Z-wave on/off device runs the rain-head pump as a scene button under climate called "Rain"



Cisco 7970 w/ altered background image of my company logo.



One of the custom orbiter skins I made.  No true designer work but learned how to replace 260X260 icon graphics.



This was taken when I lived with another LMCE bachelor.  Chalkboard wall!!!

19
Users / [SOLVED] Orbiter Clock for 800x600
« on: February 03, 2014, 04:47:50 pm »
**EDIT UPDATE

In order to make the clock render correctly, you may depending on your orbiter resolution need to alter the clock font size.  I have found that a very nice size for 800x600 is a PixelHeight of 600.  Read on below if you would like to know how to change this value for other sized orbiter resolutions.

**ORIGINAL


My thanks to tschak for the clock addition.  I have it although rendered incorrectly and appreciate it already.  Starting a topic to ask for some assistance in making it render as intended.  What is happening now is when doing 4 digit time (anything after 9:59) it places the minute number off the far right side of the screen. 

I followed the steps outlined in the LinuxMCE at Home thread and will go over those now incase I missed or misread something.

1. Downloaded the HelveticaNeue-UltraLight.tff
2. web admin>SqlCVS>update>all - waited for "successfull" in the popped up window
3. Used a konqueror browser and used "fish://192.168.80.143" to graphically copy that .tff to my webDT. 
4.  ran the following from my core:
Code: [Select]
sudo -i
(password)
ssh 192.168.80.143
(password)
cd /usr/share/fonts/truetype/
dir
tc-cache
*dir returned a couple subfolders and HelveticaNeue-UltraLight.tff file

5. Via web admin I selected the webdt under orbiters and selected Full Regen
6. waited for status bars 1 & 2 and the words "orbiter regeneration complete"
7.  Quick reload router

** WebDT is using BlueCrystal skin, 800X600 UI1, everything else works smoothly and fits the skin

20
Users / Re: At Home with LinuxMCE: Photos
« on: January 24, 2014, 08:18:18 am »
I haven't had my core on-line in quite awhile.  I apologize for hitting such an old post.

After a sqlcvs update and 10.04 update/upgrade, one WebDT has the clock and one doesn't.  The orbiter that does however renders the far right digit off-screen.  I reviewed your instructions and I believe the problem was in:

"Get the attached font..."

I don't follow this, was there a font attached to this post? 

21
Users / Re: Need some dedicated testers.
« on: August 15, 2013, 04:04:33 pm »
It's been a while but I have some time to test.

Android Phone: Razr HD (will check version and firmware)
Virtualbox: ICS - 1024 ram, 1 proc, virtual "sd card", working virtual "wifi" connection
Tablet: purchasing soon, most likely $100 range cheapo

 

22
Marketplace / Re: controllable thermostat less than 5" wide?
« on: July 10, 2013, 05:21:59 am »
My suggestion is manipulate the space.  A good finish carpenter with a good selection of router bits can cut into the molding of each vertical piece and refinish the cut out to look intentional.  It's pretty common in older homes when switches were added after construction.

Alternatively, could a z-wave thermostat be mounted inside the HVAC closet?  If your orbiter controls it there is no real reason to get to its display.  In my home the 2gig thermostat is fairly hidden behind a door that is almost always left open and in the main hallway where the old thermostat was mounted is a cradled WebDT. 

I set that orbiter to "Hallway" as a room, and created over a dozen scenes that only appear when in room 'hallway.' 

Entire house climate scenes: 65, 70, +1, -1.
Hallway scenes: 65, 66, 67, 68, etc...,  heat, cool, fan on, fan auto, +1, -1,

Custom scenes I have tried but couldn't get going: energy save heat, energy save cool.  Where the 2-stage unit uses its slow response mode to slowly reach a temperature.

23
Users / Re: Core continually "finds" hard drive.
« on: July 04, 2013, 11:45:49 am »
Allow me to try and explain based on my understanding.  If there are technical points described without complete accuracy someone with better familiarity will need to correct me.  I can resolve the notification issue however.

LMCE does not keep media partitions mounted.  Part of the radar that detects new drives does an occasional /mount (performs checks?) and then /umount.  So far as I understand it, you may test to verify, a partition needs to be mounted in order for xine/mplayer to read from it.  While doing playback of a movie known to exist on that drive do you still see the notice every 15 minutes?

To change notifications for individual orbiters, there is a setting in webadmin>orbiters>advanced which from memory is simply called "notifications."  There are no tips for this input to display all options but choices I have discovered are:

All
Important
-I assume there is a null/0/none/off setting but I haven't found it.

On my WebDT, weborbiter2 devices and theater setting on-screen orbiters I use "important" though a zero setting would be ideal.  For the onscreen orbiter of my hybrid (which is a 23" desktop monitor) I prefer the all setting as I am kept up on system workings, the downloading of new packages etc, when I am presumably more able/willing to make corrections or adjustments if necessary.

*I reread your post and wanted to ask specifically how you told LMCE to use the 1.83TB(-install size).  Most of my core setups have used smaller disks for boot/OS and larger disks for media.  I may again be wrong but my understanding here is that "all on one drive" setups would bottleneck streaming content to MDs while trying to copy a DVD on another MD and manage database read/writes all at the same time.

24
Users / Re: Adding a special "room"
« on: July 01, 2013, 09:30:33 am »
I have decided to go ahead and build these controls into a much smaller tank for the time being.  When I begin on the much more expensive 125 gallon tank I will hopefully have some lessons learned.  I have most of the plumbing set up but am now pausing before cementing pipe together to plan out actuated valves.  The cost of RainBirds controlled valves is very reasonable and allows me to open/close water pathways for various effects.

Z-Wave has several radiator and in-floor heat devices.  Has anyone used these and had any issues creating events?  I am in the US, if availability changes my options.

Dimmable (standard socket) LED bulbs?  Anyone have any recommendations based on the above few posts?

25
Users / Re: Adding a special "room"
« on: June 28, 2013, 09:30:53 pm »
In the reef-tank world there are lots of ready made options and several have PC connectivity and web-browser control/monitoring.  Digital Aquatics has a simple temp monitor that can have expansion modules connected for O2, CO2, water level etc.  If I was building this for a customer I would recommend that route but the hope in using my excess automation gear (x10, z-wave, gc100 relays, etc) was to both use some excess and to have access via the same orbiters that control the rest of the house.

With seperate floor plans and assigning all aquarium devices to this "room" I could have exceptional visibility not to mention alarms and notices broadcasting to all MDs or if critical limits are exceeded it could kill power to malfunctioning devices.  For something typical such as an overflow clogging I could install a float switch to stop the return pump, but I could also connect the float switch to a gc-100 sensor and get a notice that tells me I need to get home or have a roommate/neighbor check if out.

26
Users / Re: Adding a special "room"
« on: June 28, 2013, 02:44:37 pm »
Thank you for your input.  I had not considered an ardurino but now that you mention it, that could be exactly what I am looking for to handle some of the special on/offs such as my weather effects.  Going that route I am assuming the ardurino program is performed when an event triggers LMCE to send an "execute the thing you do" command?  This would help with some of my on for x seconds, off for y & then on for z.

I have struggled so far in my prototypes with water temperature so am still prototyping my chilled resevoir idea.  What I could really use assistance on to move forward with control is LED light selection as now I think I may move away from the open top and instead do a cooled canopy.  Here are my new questions:

6500k Dimmable LED (as recommended for aquariums)
Somewhat moisture resistant (probably less than shower area)
Dimmable to very low % levels
Wide illumination pattern (no spotlight effect)
Plays well with z-wave dimmers

27
Users / Adding a special "room"
« on: June 23, 2013, 10:49:48 am »
Greetings old friends!

I am still happily using 10.04 in my home and have enjoyed LinuxMCE for about 5 years now.
For reasons of roommate consideration, I have downsized the number of rooms with devices and dramatically reduced the amount of control and automation active.  -Of special note to those who have watched me struggle with old/unsupported equipment, this means only the best, most supported, newest equipment is in use now.

With extra time and automation equipment on my hands I have decided to pick back up the aquarium/vivarium hobby and think I could greatly benifit from some of my unused equipment and all I have learned about automation with and in LMCE.  My first question is about lights as I ran out and bought before asking before.  Following that question I will list a few ideas I have and if anyone is interested in following along or discussing this application I would be happy to update.

Innotech? Z-Wave Dimmable Light switch controlling 1-3 5000k LED bulbs?  Dimming with CFLs was not very successful for me using this switch and having watched TSCHACK's LED dimming YouTube video I have my doubts. (Congratulations btw TSCHACK on your recent family addition)
These lights will ideally provide a gradual increase in brightness each morning to simulate dawn and then a gradual reduction in the evening for dusk.  I am hoping for input on wide coverage bulbs that don't "beam" a narrow area, work well with z-wave fed fixtures and dim in small increments to very low intensities.

The whole picture of this new "room"

125 gallon (72x18x20) eurobraced glass aquarium w/ 40 gallons extra in refugium and sump
Paludranium (spelling may be off) meaning 50/50 water and land with many live plants
Two juvenial axolotls will call this home

Non-typical or creative aquarium ideas

Axolotl require cooler water than most aquariums (60-64F) and do like intense light.
Sumps and refugium overflows will function normally but I would like to add a refrigerated resevoir which would pump to 'cool rain' sprinkler heads when the tank goes above 64F. My thought is to use the relays on the gc100 to open automatic sprinkler valves but I have not found a good submersible temp sensor that could talk to LMCE.
Rain simulation would mainly be used as a cooling method but will also be added to accompany seasonal changes around breeding time.
Lightning storm effect: simple x10 or z-wave wall outlet would need to quickly turn on and off a cheap strobe light dialed in to lightning flash speed and mounted in the canopy.
Cloud movement: my idea is to have dark areas of a rolled film pulled horizontally from roll to roll between the lights and the glass top to give a moving cloud shadow effect.  Z-wave blind controls?
2gig z-wave thermostat: used to control the air temp inside the dry top half of the tank.  It would be cool only and would output to PC fans on either side of the tank.  Battery life of the thermostat or supply of voltage through a wall wort adapter are my thoughts.
Closed loop x10 use? I have a cm15a and a dozen x10 devices I would like to have on an isolated circuit for various sound effect, moonlight control, other effects.  Is there a way to isolate x10 or does the signal have to return to the breaker box each 'loop'
Mechanical or gravitational failsafes for all light/cooling/water level automation.
Event logging
Notifications, audible or email/text/VoIP recordings for out-of-spec conditions, water change or maintanence reminders.
Database logging and note taking (ideally via orbiter near the tank) for last fed, how much, breeding info, health etc.
Aeon-Labs energy monitor switch: connected to a mini-fridge housing my chilled resevoir.  This would turn on when the tank water temp nears my high limit, preventing wasted power keeping the cooling water cold when not needed.  This could also show me power usage and give me notice of other cooling issues.
Finally...
Long term scheduling to automate seasonal changes in light and temperatures.  I can pull weather info from these amphibians natural range and duplicate those settings in my enclosure.

28
Users / Core HDD Size Estimates
« on: June 01, 2013, 08:18:25 pm »
What are other users seeing for total space required per MD for their core?

I am looking over things from a few previous installations while I gather hardware for a reinstall and have found some areas I want to look into further.  Specifically I am looking at logrotate and some run-away folder sizes.  The issues causing these coredumps and crash logs of course will need to be located and addressed individually.

Healthy Core (OS partition)
Total disk space used?
Total number of MD?

With enough input I will add a portion to the wiki pertaining to hardware selection covering suggested drive size based on max number of potential future device, or room count + outdoor areas if that reads easier.  Thanks.

29
Tireless developers and administrators:

I am using Facebook business pages to promote my home-business.  The large majority of electronics in my home are operated by and use LinuxMCE menus, displays, logos, etc.  I am requesting proper procedures for displaying images and videos of these devices, while giving all credit to LinuxMCE for its operation.

I do computer repair, non-glamorous "fix this PII so I can get on facebook", hardware upgrades and similar the majority of the time.  On occasion I do,  and my company goal is, to move into more and more customization, product development, installations and yes... home automation.  I will type it here nice and clear so it is communicated and can be quoted:
Quote
I will not offer for sale LinuxMCE or any software that is not entirely my creation.  I will not sell equipment that I am not able to make operational for my customers without the use of LinuxMCE, as this would burden LinuxMCE's developers with supporting customers I profited from."

There may be a situation where a customer is inspired after visiting my home office or seeing images/videos of LinuxMCE operating and despite my declaration of the quoted above, wishes to install LinuxMCE.  Should this occur I will refer to any instruction I am given here or contact an admin directly.  So far no customers of mine (that I am aware of) are using LinuxMCE.  The few used pieces of compatible equipment I have sold were configured to operate stand-alone or with that customers existing OS/control devices.

I realize that the mention of profit makes for immediate uneasiness.  I apologize though as I prefer a direct post and request such as this to any doubt about my intentions.  Links to GPL documentation, feedback from developers and responses from administrators is 100% welcome.

30
"Cheap" is my favorite word!  Well maybe second favorite...

There are always exceptions, clearance, thrift shop finds etc, but for the most part you truly do get what you pay for.  Forgive me if I leave any out as there is a ton of work making this operational.  The wiki sums this up better, but your options for orbiter 'types' is:

web-orbiter 2.0 :  laptop, pretty much everything with a browser.  I have used this on a Nintendo DSI XL.  No streaming cams to this, unless you tab switch away from the orbiter and open the cam url directly.

embedded orbiter (such as webdt-366, cisco 7970 and similar):  I believe this is what you are referring to when you say Linux OS running.  Supports streaming cams on devices I have tested. 

JavaMo:  have not tested

iOS apps :  (Dianemo S, Roaming Orb) :  Andrew will have to correct me here if I am mistaken but I believe cams are not supported for linuxmce on dianemo S due to their integration of kmotion??

qOrbiter:  This is exciting!  I do not currently have a capable device to test but the work being done is game changing.  Again you are going to get what you pay for in performance.  A tablet that was mentioned to me as pretty standard hardware capable of taking advantage of qOrbiter would be the Nexus 7.  Something very important to consider here btw is that investments here are not "home-bound,"  a tablet away from home functions like a tablet, when home it also becomes an orbiter.

One more point of clarity, I am used to having to make this distinction when introducing the system to family members.  Security Cameras being the exception, an orbiter does not play media.  Orbiters control Media Directors which play media.  If you can remember Media Directors as moon## devices the orbiter reference becomes easier to swallow as orbiters can control (orbit) a moon.  To cement this open an on-screen orbiter and change its room.  This one is the hardest for people to grasp i feel because a TV screen/monitor is viewed as a single image.  What you are seeing though is:

you       on-screen orbiter (living room)     media director (living room) display

change the onscreen orbiter in the living room though to  bedroom and you get:

you       on-screen orbiter (bedroom)         media director (living room) display

Play a movie using the onscreen orbiter now and the bedroom tv wakes up and starts playing.

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