Subject: From: Date:

Re: [ECS] ECS and other software Mark Gilmore Wed, 02 Jun 1999 09:10:31 -0700

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Hi Dave,
My responses are inserted below:

Dave Kolb wrote:
> 
> Is there:
> 
> 1. a means for Windows ECS to launchanother program and get output back from
> it and integrate that info into ECS?

Yes. ECS can run any other software, and even simulate
key/mouse-activity if user-interaction is required.
The easiest way to return status is to have the program
(or batch file) write a status value(s) to a file,
which ECS can then read and react to.

> 
> 2. Is there means for another Windows program to share the X10 output device
> (RS232 port) with Windows ECS so that it can occaisionally send info onto
> the port. Or is there some way it can ask ECS to do something and get the
> information back?

No to the 1st question.
Yes to the 2nd: Similar to the approach above, you could have your
pgm write to an "input-mailbox" file, which ECS could read, react to,
and write completion status to an output-mailbox file.

> 
> 3. Is the Windows ECS user manual downloadable if I have not yet bought the
> product?

Yes - See QUICKSTART section of web page (click below).
BTW, I can email you the manual if you like.

> 
> 4. Windows NT and 2000 supported?

ECS is Y2K-compliant, but we have a minor problem with NT,
whereby it doesn't "like" Windows which use fixed fonts.
So I have ECS avoid there use if running under NT.
The only real problem with this is that the body
of displayed Events (e.g. "schedule" or "macro") in the
Event Editor are not visually aligned properly
(tab positions are off, due to proportional spacing).

Feel free to call me at 423-745-0026 if you have
more questions. Later...

> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Dave Kolb

-- 
Mark Gilmore
Omnipotence (ECS Home Automation Software)
omnip@usit.net
http://www.usit.com/omnip

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