Subject: From: Date:

RE: [ECS] CGI advice needed Kevin Keast Sun, 30 Jan 2000 14:53:48 -0500

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That is simply incredible Mark,

Sounds very promising.

I use simple PERL scripts to access my ECS data via the internet and have
had good success.  I offer some less technical suggestions:

Client/Server using http protocol is a great idea however making an easy to
use interface that someone who does not know html or PERL would be important
(Pushing the issue David mentioned).  Additionally, you would not want users
to have to create html docs with other programs if they didn't want to.

The html idea is great because I can see users linking to Internet pages,
benefiting from thousands of free Java Scripts and other cools stuff.  NO
MORE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PARSE WEB PAGE INFO (Weather/TV
Listings/Movies)

The client server issue is key:  Muliple client support would be a
breakthrough.  I really think the future for HA is the home network.  As
small PC's become affordable people will use them. I use touchscreen
computers in my house right now and I can see the HA industry welcoming a
http client since it will work with even old  machines no matter what kind
of machine they are.  Also the technology is really heading that way too.  A
few posts back there was a post for http://www.ibutton.com .  This is a
perfect example.  Miniture devices that use IP traffic to communicate:
Eventually everything in your house would have an IP address and could
communicate.  How about all the web TV's out there....another route to the
ECS server!


I am really excited about this one....Additionally, if you make it user
friendly I can really see a market potential for Hobbyists like myself who
would like to break into the small business world.  This is a package I
could sell and support as long as it is straight forward and easy to use.

My couple of cents.........

Kevin

-----Original Message-----
From:	Mark Gilmore [mailto:omnip@usit.net]
Sent:	Saturday, January 29, 2000 8:08 PM
To:	ecs-list@netbloc.com
Subject:	[ECS] CGI advice needed

Hi all,

NOTE:An embryonic ECS/LINUX is now "operational", in that it
executes Events and supports most serial-devices (less the
modem and the NAPCO). Still lacking is sound support and a
user-interface (other than scrolling status text).

Rather than manually re-invent yet ANOTHER user-interface for
ECS/LINUX, I thought that I would be better off creating a
HTML/CGI-based interface that could be used on multiple platforms
(e.g. Win AND LINUX). BUT before diving into anything, I would
appreciate your sage guidance :-):

1) Is this a good approach ?
   If not, why not, and what would be a better approach ?

2) Should I use PERL, JAVA, or something else (and why) ?

3) How could the CGI best communicate with ECS ?
   NOTE: The DDE interface (with some additions) would work fine under
   Win (if I could interface it to the CGI), but I would prefer a method
   that could be applied on all platforms.

4) Can you provide an IDIOT's description of how YOU would to it
   (including a basic description of the data/control flow and what
   software does what) ?
   Please remember that I am VERY green on CGI/PERL/JAVA/etc.

THANKS
--
Mark Gilmore
Omnipotence (ECS home automation software)
http://www.usit.com/omnip
423-745-0026

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