Subject: From: Date:

RE: [ECS] Another item for the wish list Martin Terry Fri, 12 Nov 1999 07:57:54 -0800

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We'll have to wait until tonight when I can get to ECS, but I have basically
3 events that do this:

1. I use text files for most of my text items, I got tired of adding a "text
item" for every status I wanted ECS to say, so I created a "generic message"
text item that an event loads from a text file as needed. I have dozens of
little text files in a \message directory, and when ECS needs to say one it
dynamically loads it and then speaks the message.

2. I use the general idea that Mark was talking about for an event called
"Dynamic Reminders" Each night it checks in a \reminder directory, if it
finds a file name for the next day (for example 111399) it will load the
contents of the file which defines the time of the reminder and the message
(for example "10:00am  Doctor's appointment"). 10am is loaded into a time
item and "Doctor's appointment" is loaded into generic reminder text item.
At the given time it speaks the reminder message. I also have a "daily" file
that it will check each day for daily reminders, and it would be easy enough
to extend the logic to weekdays/weekends. Very flexible. All I have to do is
generate the file with the time and message and name it the proper date.

3. I also use an event like the one above for paging, so ECS will page me
with reminders. Basically the same process as above but instead of speaking
the reminder message it sends it to my pager.

In fact, I've been meaning to extend my system in this manner - My son's
cable outlet is controlled by ECS using a DC controlled coax switch. ECS
enables and disables the cable by turning the coax switch on and off.
Currently the on/off times are "hard coded" in an event, but I could modify
the same events used above to create text files that define the on/off times
and ECS can dynamically load them each day. This way I can easily account
for holidays and other exceptions to the normal daily routine. Maybe this
weekend.



-----Original Message-----
From: David A. Kindred [mailto:DKindred@AutomatedLiving.com]
Sent: Friday, November 12, 1999 6:46 AM
To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
Subject: RE: [ECS] Another item for the wish list


Martin, I'd love to see how you did it. Would you mind posting the code?

--David

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Martin Terry [mailto:Martin.Terry@mail.tribnet.com]
> Sent: Friday, November 12, 1999 8:48 AM
> To: 'ecs-list@netbloc.com'
> Subject: RE: [ECS] Another item for the wish list
> 
> 
> Mark, I'm doing this in ECS now. I can post the code if you like.
> 

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