Hi,
I am starting this thread in the hopes that we can dumb down all these techno details to the level of an "executive summary". I've read all these postings with tons of techno details, but just can't find the simple answers as to what are the functions and capabilities of these pieces of software. Here's some questions and some guesses at the answers.
In being corrected, I may find enlightenment.
1. What is PC Companion? (PCC)
It's software to be called from Active Home Pro (AHP) using the command line option so that macros can speak messages, or even do things like announce the weather. Right now, when I turn off the office lights, PCC announces the current weather forecast - that's pretty cool.
It does a lot of other stuff too, but i'm not sure of the benefits.
As last attempted, it's difficult to get PCC to speak a line of text that's included as a command line argument due to AHP not liking spaces nor quotes. I tried the "slash" trick (please/speak/this/line/of/text) but the slashes were also spoken. I hope to get PCC announcing messages without needing to create bat files and wav files.
2. What is Alert Dialer and Alert Dialer Plus? (ADP)
From another thread, "ADP(AlertDialerPlus) does evey thing the standard version does and more. Most noticable is Voice regognition."
Whole house microphones are not in my current plans, and I am content with remotes.
True of False? IF you don't have a phone land line, and don't want voice recognition, then you don't want Alert Dialer Plus?
Don't know for sure, but I suspect it's useless to me , and perhaps many others, as my phone land line has gone the way of the dinosaurs, in favor of a cell phone.
3. What is x10 Dispatcher and why would I think of using it?
From another thread, "X10Relayer is a simple relaying program hence the name. It currently links AlertDialerPlus, BlueWatch,and PcCompanion." Still not understanding why someone would need this or how it would be used. (Hey, I freely admit i am the dummy here asking dumb questions.)
4. What is Bluewatch?
Is it detecting the presence of Bluetooth devices? And tying those to macro triggers? Like, "I've arrived home and now trigger those macros for MY arrival, which may be different from the macros for when my wife arrives home?" Only useful if I keep bluetooth enabled on my phone?
5. What is x10 BVC? (Bills Voice Commander ?)
Only mentioned because there's so many references around the forums to it. Does PCC make BVC unneccessary and redundant?
Final ramblings:
I am not trying to belittle your software, just trying to understand it, and figure out how I can incorporate it.
I seriously applaud all the efforts you are making to expand the capabilities of X10 home automation
and thank you for sharing your hard work, and not keeping it to yourself.
For me, and probably others out there, I want to take my X10 system to the next level of practical and reliable convenience.
I now have holes in my ceiling with wires to carry line level audio from my win xp pc to other areas of the house. I am eager to get a few spoken announcements and a weather forecast. Maybe when I open the garage service door I will hear the current local weather forecast (using a DS10A, AHP, PCC, and distributed audio(amplified pc speakers on an appliance module)). Perhaps someday, if a MS10A detects motion in the workshop between the hours of 10pm and 8am, a voice in the bedroom will say "intruder alert in the workshop".
I am going to attempt to get my cameras working again, and try Mr. Puck's hardwiring solution using phone cable. How does PCC help with the cameras? Does it in any way?
I think it's time to give up on using any x10 motion sensors outdoors. There's too many false alarms from falling leaves or changing breezes. The Hawkeye works great indoors for turning on the utility room light, but outdoors, there's only so many false alarms before you start ignoring it. It looks like the bunker Hill Driveway sensor is far more reliable, so I may have to do the modification to that device with a universal module. Can PCC increase the reliability of the motion sensors (Hawkeyes and MS10As) with any creative macros or something?
My internet provider (Verizon broadband modem) does not provide a static Ip address. Instead I've been focusing my efforts on using my networks WIFI connection. What exactly is the trick to get AHP and/or PCC to send an email? Is this best done with PCC?
Here's one little thing I can share perhaps to the benefit of someone reading. If you have AHP installed, an interface, and home wifi, you can use your android phone to control yours lights. I don't walk around my property with a palm pad, but my phone is always with me. Download the app autom8, and install the server on your pc. Define the modules you want to control from your droid on the server software. It works beautifully and is free (and there's nada in it for me). Here's the link if interested,
http://autom8.clangen.org/. Unlike some other apps, you can also dim the lights.
At this point, I'd be content if PCC would just let AHP make some text announcements, and weather forecasts. Although, if PCC can tap into NOAA/NWS for tornado warnings using s.a.m.e., that would be really way cool and a possible life saver. (but you probably don't have NOAA up in Canada).
Looking forward to the next PCC software release.
BTW, if I understood this software better, I would have volunteered to help with the beta testing, but figured my limited understanding would be of little use to you.
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Topic: What is all this software good for??! (Read 5063 times)