Subject: From: Date:

Re: [ECS] Newbie questions Mark Gilmore Thu, 26 Aug 1999 07:03:38 -0700

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Hi Jay,
Responses inserted:

> 1)  The list of items configured in even the lite.cfg file is a little on
> the overwhelming side.  After playing around for a while it struck me that
> a naming convention for the different categories of items would help to
> keep them segregated in the list and might make things a bit easier to
> follow.  I started naming all my display/log items "Msg...", my timer items
> "Tmr...", etc.  This seems to make it easier to find things in the list.
> Is there a generally recognized convention along these lines or does
> everyone just go their own way?

The latter :-).
I think I will simplify the example CFGs, if for no other
reason than to keep from scaring off customers :-).

> 2)  Is there a repository for common events/macros?  Maybe there really
> won't be that many common things once I get further into this, but at this
> point several of the things I've wanted to do seem like they would be
> fairly common.  Stuff like fade a light to black over a specified time
> period, brighten a light to full on over a specified time period, flash a
> light for X minutes with a flash period of Y, etc.  Of course, with all the
> tricks in the ECS bag it's entirely possible there are built in commands to
> do all these things and I've just overlooked them.  Any enlightenment would
> be appreciated.

I know someone maintains such a repository, but I forget who
(they will probably make themselves today). I would suggest
that you review EXAMPLE.CFG, as it contains numerous examples.
 
> 3)  The web site mentions that "ECS comes with a thoroughly written user's
> manual ..."  Is this referring to the HTML file or is a printed manual
> included with registration?  Nothing wrong with the HTML, it's just that
> for something this complex I like to have printed documentation.  (I still
> don't have a HTML reader in my porcelain library.)  I know I could print
> out the HTML file, but it would take about two weeks with my ink jet and
> would consume about $50 worth of ink.

Sorry, but ECS.HTM is the only manual.
We decided a while back that our time/effort was best
spent on product enhancements (maintaining a printed
manual is extremely time-consuming and expensive).

Feel free to call if yu have more questions.
BTW, ECS is written in C (via MS VC++) :-).
Later...
-- 
Mark Gilmore
Omnipotence (ECS home automation software)
http://www.usit.com/omnip
423-745-0026

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