Subject: From: Date:

Re: [ECS] TVL directions Bill Walters Mon, 13 Sep 1999 09:54:29 -0500

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Mark,

If I use "TZ-C" here is what I get back for each line:
    09/12 00:00 <a hr A&E           A Touch of Frost

If I use "C-BAND" here is what I get back for each line:
    09/12 01:00 G5-23 A&E           A Touch of Frost

but, in the C-BAND listings, time is Eastern time (notice same program,
different times from the listings above).  So, following this logic, to have
announcements of favorites at the proper time for Central, given that C-BAND
comes out in Eastern time, use +61 instead of +1...

Modifying TVL.BAT to ask for "TZ-C C-BAND" instead of "TZ-C" or "C-BAND"
gives the same thing (central listings with "<a hr" instead of channel
number).

If I can get local listings with tv channels, I'm thinking of doing a 2 step
approach:
    Weekly, download both C-BAND & local tv listings & name each uniquely
    Use a flag in event to scan both C-band & local listings for favorites

Also, perhaps copying movie channel listings (HBO, HBOP, SHOW, SHOWE, etc)
to secondary file, then sorting by movie title, then thinking of a way to
allow selections of specific movies into a "movies" file which also gets
parsed, just like TVL.TXT.  Hard part would be how to display/select movies
into another file.

Ah well......

On another front:

I've finally gotten my RC-80 thermostat up and running upstairs...  It
communicates about 98% of the time on the first pass..  I've written
routines to accomodate this..  Thermostat sets back and announces that
action if everyone is gone from home.  If just teenager gone (he "lives"
upstairs), and it's a weekday (when wife uses her office upstairs), temp
sets back slightly, but not to extreme degree like everyone away.  At 9 pm
if teenager home, temp gets cooler (for sleeping).  If someone manually
adjusts the temperature desired at the thermostat, it will be acted upon for
30 minutes, and then ECS will reset to the "commanded" temperatures (dang
teenager comes in sweaty from basketball and sets temp to 70 to cool
off.....  Then he used to go out for the evening, leaving it at 70!
ARRAUGHHHHH!!  This way, he gets it for 30 minutes, then my A/C resets the
way I want it)....  If there are overnight guests, then for the duration of
the night, thermostat is allowed to be reset manually...  Resets to
automation control automatically in the morning or upon the departure of
"guests"...

It would all be so much simpler if we were the type of family that had
"normal" lives, however, having the type of job I do, and the type of job my
wife does, just doesn't promote automating the home via simple time
slots....  Gotta use who is home, who is not and is it a weekday or not, and
what time of day is it, all combined......   Makes for interesting
events.....

I'm off this afternoon for San Juan and will be home tomorrow night.... so,
may not reply right away..

Bill Walters


----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Gilmore <omnip@usit.net>
To: <ecs-list@netbloc.com>
Sent: Monday, September 13, 1999 6:50 AM
Subject: Re: [ECS] TVL directions


> Bill,
> Why not use TZ-C (central), instead of using +"61" ?
> See TVL.BAT comments.
> --
> Mark Gilmore
> Omnipotence (ECS home automation software)
> http://www.usit.com/omnip
> 423-745-0026
>
>
> Bill Walters wrote:
> >
> > Mark,
> >
> > I've answered most of my questions by just playing around with the
programs
> > in ms-dos mode...
> >
> > However, I was wondering if you might have some insight into how I might
get
> > the local tv channels into the listings?
> >
> > Using "TZ-C" for Central time zone, doesn't give you any channels..
I've
> > gotten into EXCITE and customized "my" page,
> > and can get the local channels there, just don't know how to get it
> > otherwise.......
> >
> > Thanks for your work on putting all of this together!
> >
> > I'll keep "tinkering"...  (that's how I figured out to use +61 instead
of +1
> > if you download C-Band listings, which are eastern time zone)
> >
> > Bill Walters
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Mark Gilmore <omnip@usit.net>
> > To: <ecs-list@netbloc.com>
> > Sent: Saturday, September 11, 1999 5:08 PM
> > Subject: Re: [ECS] TVL directions
> >
> > > Sorry Bill,
> > > I don't know what you are asking :-).
> > > Specifics, please.
> > > --
> > > Mark Gilmore
> > > Omnipotence (ECS home automation software)
> > > http://www.usit.com/omnip
> > > 423-745-0026
> > >
> > >
> > > Bill Walters wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Mark,
> > > >
> > > > I've downloaded ECSB (4.0.9 beta) and have been looking over the TV
> > listing
> > > > event.
> > > >
> > > > I guess I'm a little different, since I have a cable modem and am
100%
> > "on
> > > > line" at all times.
> > > >
> > > > Any hints on modifying the event and the BAT file to accomodate such
> > > > configuration?  (hint, if in DOS, I execute FTP batch file, it just
does
> > it;
> > > > no need to check/dialup/etc.)
> > > >
> > > > Bill Walters

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