Posted: February 25 2004 at 22:11 | IP Logged

This is not a code change request, rather a documentation change request...

As a 'newbie' to PH, I have been reading over the docs trying to figure out how to create macros and functions to do simple things like translating received X10 codes (as detected by a CM11 interface) into PH actions, so I can make my motion sensors operable, and use unused house/unit codes to trigger actions.  At this point I do not have any real complaint about the quality of the PH documentation (although I have yet to figure out how to trigger a macro based on a received X10 event yet), but I have noted that the docs as they stand now do not include much in the way of 'sample code', other than small segments used to document the various functions themselves.

Please consider adding an appendix or a tutorial section in a upcoming doc release (not necessarily the one you are working on right now ) that shows a newbie how one might accomplish basic automation tasks, such as the example I cite above (CM11 receives a unused X10 on/off code, which triggers a macro that perhaps turns on three other X10 devices).  Discuss what entries and changes would have to be made in the Explorer to accomplish this.  The ideal would be a full-up tutorial that walked a new user through setting up a very basic home control environment using PH "fresh out of the box", but kept simple (e.g. just a few X10 modules, a single motion sensor, and a single CM11).  I realize that writing a full-up tutorial like I suggest would be rather time-consuming, so as a compromise I would propose adding an appendix that provided a few simple examples of automation via macros.  I suspect if I had a few simple, complete examples to chew on, I would get up-to-speed on using PH's more advanced features much more rapidly than I am at present.

Thanks...

Posted: February 26 2004 at 09:52 | IP Logged

Mark,

Your wish is my command.  The next version is including an approximately 37 page first time users tutorial and should be an immense help to beginners.

And you're right...the manual isn't anything like I'd like it to be but Im a much better programmer than I am technical writer .

The next releases manual isn't any better, sad to say, but we will have the QuickStart Guide as it's called and I am working on creating a better manual that will be also implemented as Windows help.

There is a sample database with sample code included in PowerHome, but you have to jump through some hoops to load it up in the current version.  The next version has an extra button on the Explorer toolbar that enables you to on-the-fly select the database you would like to browse.  Once browsing the sample database, you can export and import code from it.

Dave.

Posted: February 26 2004 at 13:26 | IP Logged

The next version has an extra button on the Explorer toolbar that enables you to on-the-fly select the database you would like to browse.  Once browsing the sample database, you can export and import code from it.

Yet another great idea!

Posted: February 26 2004 at 22:53 | IP Logged

Todd,

Be sure and take a look at the QuickStart Guide and let me know what you think.  It's new with this release and Im hoping it will newbies ramp up a little easier.

Dave.