Messages

46

Wiki / Re: New LinuxMCE Documentation

« on: September 30, 2012, 01:49:16 am »

To resolve the archival of old articles, we can simply move them to another namespace called "old articles".
I posted a page about it in the help namespace: http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Help:Namespace
There is enough information on that page for everyone.

47

Wiki / Re: New LinuxMCE Documentation

« on: September 29, 2012, 08:28:26 pm »

I updated "Contributing to LMCE" to reflect the ongoing discussion.

48

Wiki / Re: New LinuxMCE Documentation

« on: September 29, 2012, 08:03:49 pm »

So far, I gather that these need to be addressed:

• updates
• removal of obsolete articles
• editing for readability/simplicity
• new users centered additions (such as Networking structure & how-to, Basic system architecture, Simple step-by-step tutorials for the most basic functionalities)
• technical level centered organization (basic, intermediate, advanced, expert & developer)
• categorization, indexing/organization
• a table of hardware compatibility connecting to corresponding linked articles
• consistent favorites navigation
• uniformity, standardization of articles

I will keep updating this list (probably on the wiki - it's more appropriate - check my user page http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/User:Mcefan).

Please give the reasoning behind your suggestions so that everyone understands the issue.
If you would like to help in any of the above, please specify it.

Thank you.

49

Users / Re: first experience, first impression ... of LMCE

« on: September 29, 2012, 02:38:22 pm »

Sent!

50

Wiki / Re: New LinuxMCE Documentation

« on: September 29, 2012, 02:31:50 pm »

I already started.
Please propose (describe) a standard page with look and feel, and I will create a template for new pages.
As long as people are willing to answer questions, I can clean up. I need people to work with me by letting me know if it's OK to archive some of these pages. I would also need to make sure the new info is complete. Please follow this thread and answer any question you might have answer for.
For now, I just need a less restrictive account, I'm having problems editing existing pages.

51

Users / Re: first experience, first impression ... of LMCE

« on: September 29, 2012, 05:50:15 am »

send beer!

Where?

52

Wiki / New LinuxMCE Documentation

« on: September 29, 2012, 05:46:56 am »

We're in the process of improving the documentation.
Please help us list the things that you  wish you knew early, things you now realize that were not so intuitive, and things you feel we should know.
In addition to the above, help us pinpoint what's missing in the documentation.

Thank you.

53

Users / Re: Linux MCE beating as the heart of whole house automation

« on: September 29, 2012, 05:41:16 am »

OK!
Day 1: I started working on the documentation today (10 hours). I was able to start putting some order in the process of breaking ground into LMCE from scratch.
I added four new pages that will help in the documentation process:

        1. Where do I start?
        Contributing to LMCE
        Help:Editing advanced
        Help:Article categories
They are all on my user page here.
For the time being, I am using it as a scrap page to keep my thoughts organized. I linked to the pages I created so I can easily start from somewhere without having to look around. Any suggestion for improvement is welcomed.

... someone please pull the restriction back a bit so I can edit around. There's a lot of cleanup to do, and I'm having difficulties doing so because it is not accepting even the pages that are currently there. When I make simple edits, it tells me it's unsafe, I even tried saving the page itself without making any edit and received the same message...


I received the final quote from Element Controls today. Nice guys...
But the price!
I'm sure the technology has something to do with it, but I'd like to know:
they quoted me another $6,500 for the lighting controls, does that seem right for a 2,00 sq ft 3 stories home?

54

Users / Re: Linux MCE beating as the heart of whole house automation

« on: September 28, 2012, 02:24:06 pm »

The wiki account creation uses the same login information as the forums.  It is not a very intuitive process and there is a discussion on the wiki boards to improve it.  

Great! (I kinda sorta thought it might, but I did not bother trying because it looked completely closed - I'll do something about that)

I started by adding a help page for documentation so that people understand how to manipulate the pages on the wiki.
it would be nice to have a few extensions installed (like section transclusion, table of contents ...)

I agree completely, and have found that those willing to help themselves get the support they need.  Users wiling to help others and test/develop/design are even more-so rewarded with assistance to any issue you come across.  I admire your willingness so soon in your LMCE experience to do a full-blown installation and add support where existing templates do not cover your needs.  I don't think I have added much to this thread as I have been busy with other projects, it is nice to have you aboard!  

Man, if you only knew how excited I am to play with this!
The pleasure is all mine.


I started editing the "Editing" page (http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Help:Editing) page, then realized that it was better to start from scratch, so I added an "advanced" section and linked a new page there.

I'm having problems with some reference links. Could someone lift up the restrictions on my account a bit? I'd like to clean this wiki up a little. Some extension that enables transclusion would be helpful in creating new pages that are mix of existing ones (I can help in installing if necessary).
Also, a link to a "contribute" page right above the "Donations" link in the navigation would help get people started on the documentation. I can take it from there, even if the page is blank.

55

Users / Re: Linux MCE beating as the heart of whole house automation

« on: September 27, 2012, 08:28:39 pm »

I don't think you really need permission to create this.  Just log in and do it.

I could not get the create account button, and the pages are not editable.
The option to create an account on the login page is disabled, and there no instruction on what to do to contribute to the documentation.

56

Users / Re: Linux MCE beating as the heart of whole house automation

« on: September 27, 2012, 07:49:28 pm »

If there is a spec available

What spec?

and I get remote access via SSH to a system where it is hooked up to the serial, and a slave to press buttons on request, I can write a proper C++ device for it.

I can setup facilities for you to have a go at it. I have enough hardware laying around, and I can dedicate an IP to that setup. If needs be, I can hook up any of the equipment I have (or am planning to use). I'm just setting up anyway, nothing is final yet.
By the way, my offer to help in funding still stands. I missed the previous one.

and a slave to press buttons on request

do you mean someone needs to be on location as needed?
I'm willing to do that, but that means I have to NOT set it up in the rack at my office like I plan to, but rather set it up at home where I spend most of my time (telecommuting).


I have to say that I appreciate all the help I have received so far. This is truly a great and willing community: this thread is a proof.
I have a plea: could I at least have access to 1 (one) only one page on the wiki where I can write notes for noobs? [just for clarification, by noob I mean someone just coming to the system for the first time, I do not necessarily mean completely ignorant - resourceful people can be interested without having weeks to spend on it]. I spent the whole morning reading around on the wiki and find things a bit all over the place.
This is a project that need more support and I'm sure people are interested, but it's not easy to start. With all the reading I've been doing, I still consider myself a bit lost. I find great nuggets of info here and there, and I'd like to bring it together in a friendly usable form (links mostly) that can help people just walk through and not ask the stupid questions I am asking. I would not have to if the answer was obvious, but I have not been able to find it easily, and it's not because I did not make the effort to read (I took a week off just to familiarize myself with he subject - I'm sure a lot of people can not afford that). This should help people sort themselves out and free some time for the admins/moderators.
So, can I please, please, pleeeease have a page?
I am willing to maintain and keep improving the page.
(alternatively, I can start a separate thread for noobs that can be used as a reference, but a wiki page is the most appropriate - it can be edited)

57

Users / Re: Linux MCE beating as the heart of whole house automation

« on: September 26, 2012, 10:24:56 pm »

OK, good! So the NX-8E is still on the table.
Please post a link here so we can follow along (for completeness and future reference), just in case someone else bumps into the same thing.


I'm currently working on getting the TV going viewing going so I can decide on a strategy. As mentioned before, I purchased the HD-PVR as recommended on the wiki (http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Capture_Cards#ATSC.2FNTSC_Cards_.28only_in_US.2FCanada_.29_MythTV) because it is the one with the best picture/sound. 
Now I need to tap into the TV signal. Seeing that the HD-PVR only has component video YCrCb connection, I'm a bit puzzled. I'd like to return the set top box to the cable provider and plug the signal in my MCE. That means that I will need to get a cable card. Should I keep the STB I currently have (which I don't want to do) or is there a compatible cablecard that will give me component video YCrCb?

On the other hand, is MythTV compatible equipment compatible with LMCE? I could change the way I get the media in.

58

Users / Re: Linux MCE beating as the heart of whole house automation

« on: September 26, 2012, 08:40:18 pm »

You might want to open a new thread detailing what your problems are, and maybe jamo can help you get things sorted out.

Please post a link here if/when you do.

59

Users / Re: Linux MCE beating as the heart of whole house automation

« on: September 26, 2012, 08:35:54 pm »

... you'll need to write a driver. I can't write one, because I don't have the hardware.

Then let's do the fundraising thingy! Can you get one where you are? How much?

... you'll need to write a driver... If you want support for this Caddx panel, write a driver.

Well, I can't write it, I'm not a coder: I have no clue. Plus, I'm new to LMCe, still reading and trying to sort out the basics. I just love the idea of using linux to do all these things because it rocks! I've deployed some linux systems over the years that still outperform their competition for not even a fraction of the cost. I'm sold out.
That said, no one  has written one we can use?

On another note, this is a community: if all it takes is buying the toys for those who can in order to get the systems functional, what don't we just do that? There is power in number, all we have to do is what we can, and it's going to be done. Could we have a "next project" page on this site where the people that are interested can contribute like the Funding Drive: ZWave Door Locks:  http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php/topic,12866.30.html.
If the funding requests are made visible and notification is sent to all members, I'm sure it ill work out. That's the whole principle behind kickstarter and the LIFX that someone else posted about: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/limemouse/lifx-the-light-bulb-reinvented?ref=category. all they wanted was $100,000 and they're at $1,312,236 with 2 months left to go.
Granted this might be a smaller community, but it is still a community and people are willing.

60

Users / Re: Linux MCE beating as the heart of whole house automation

« on: September 26, 2012, 07:46:13 pm »

I was explicitly told I could get the Caddx NX-8E as it will integrate right in...It did not! 

Well, thanks for sharing your experience with us. I'm glad you did!
I don't know if it is something you did wrong or if it's the instructions that were the problem. Can you elaborate on the steps you took?

On the other hand, I'm sure people are actually running this (it's listed as compatible). Anyone care to give us simple instructions we can actually follow and make it work?