I really want a web based automation program
- Thread starter dbinaz
- Start date
Dean Roddey
Senior Member
Vector based systems allow you to use one set of interfaces across a relatively reasonable range of screen sizes. But, the wider the range of sizes, the more you will have to compromise on the use of screen real estate to keep the elements from being microsopically small on the lower end and enormous on the larger ones. So something designed for a 1024x768 isn't going to translate well to a PPC. And something done for a wider aspect ratio will have everything squished on a smaller one (unless you letter box it) an so forth.
I'm sure it would be reasonable to do something like have one set for 1024x768 and 800x600 with a reaonable amount of compromise in the design, for instance.
I'm sure it would be reasonable to do something like have one set for 1024x768 and 800x600 with a reaonable amount of compromise in the design, for instance.
I understand. would be between 800x480 (samsung q1) and 1024+
don't get me wrong, I love CQC, it's just very time consumming to get things done. I had a floor plan set up for 1024 and wanted it for my Q1, so I had to redo it all from scratch. Wouldn't have been so bad if the editor had a tabbed interface at least.
but it still doesn't help with accessing my HA from the net. I know it's doable in CQC, but not easily.
D
don't get me wrong, I love CQC, it's just very time consumming to get things done. I had a floor plan set up for 1024 and wanted it for my Q1, so I had to redo it all from scratch. Wouldn't have been so bad if the editor had a tabbed interface at least.
but it still doesn't help with accessing my HA from the net. I know it's doable in CQC, but not easily.
D
Steve
Senior Member
Everyone is unique and you need to just find the right software that 'fits' you like a good suit. For me, even with its sometimes annoying 'oddities', I find CQC a very straightforward and easy to use system where you can build some extreme interfaces fairly quickly. The hardest part, and is true for any of them is the graphics. If you want your own custom stuff, you need to be fairly proficient with graphics concepts and tools. Of course if you care not good with graphics, some vendors offer good/pro graphics for sale and others have a large skilled user base that shares their custom graphics.
Rupp
Senior Member
For a lot less money you can get an out of the box touch screen solution using HomeSeer ( on sale at Automated Outlet) and the Maestro plugin. It takes less than 20 minutes to setup.dbinaz said:
http://www.harmony-home.com/More/home.htm
There's also the free touch pad plugin that comes with HomeSeer which can be customized using cascading style sheets.
Attachments
dbinez,
with Mainlobby, you can take one set of screens and go into Menu/Display/ and reset the screen resolution to whatever you want.
For the great majority of things, you now have a smaller or larger interface. Now, don't forget that good user interface designs are built for a specific sized screen. More buttons for a large screen, fewer larger ones for a small screen with more scenes. Changing the resolution doesn't do this for you
I don't know when you last used Mainlobby, but to play music and movies you can get that done in a night. Lighting is another night. You can customize it to death if you want after that, but you are able to enjoy / use it all along the way. MainLobby comes with preconfigured scenes that mostly work right out of the box. If you were on Prior to MainLobby 3, then it was a lot of work to get going.
If you want to give it another shot, let me know and I can RDP into your PC and give you some nudges here and there to to get you going. PM me if you are interested.
Thanx for taking a peek.
If I understand Maestro, those modules were suppose to be ala carte. This is same pricing plan as MainLobby. If you are already using Maestro, then that is the fast path to getting a better looking user interface than what exists in Homeseer natively. But, Maestro is much more limited than MainLobby and not as mature of a product. Price comparison is hard, because Maestro doesn't have the span of products that MainLobby has now. If you aren't using Homeseer (doesn't sound it), then you will also have the configuration time of Homeseer which is more difficult than Mainlobby to get initial satisfaction. Homeseer then has some features that MainLobby doesn't have, and visa versa. MainLobby and Homeseer integrate well together as the most comprehensive solution(s) on the market.
with Mainlobby, you can take one set of screens and go into Menu/Display/ and reset the screen resolution to whatever you want.
For the great majority of things, you now have a smaller or larger interface. Now, don't forget that good user interface designs are built for a specific sized screen. More buttons for a large screen, fewer larger ones for a small screen with more scenes. Changing the resolution doesn't do this for you
I don't know when you last used Mainlobby, but to play music and movies you can get that done in a night. Lighting is another night. You can customize it to death if you want after that, but you are able to enjoy / use it all along the way. MainLobby comes with preconfigured scenes that mostly work right out of the box. If you were on Prior to MainLobby 3, then it was a lot of work to get going.
If you want to give it another shot, let me know and I can RDP into your PC and give you some nudges here and there to to get you going. PM me if you are interested.
Thanx for taking a peek.
If I understand Maestro, those modules were suppose to be ala carte. This is same pricing plan as MainLobby. If you are already using Maestro, then that is the fast path to getting a better looking user interface than what exists in Homeseer natively. But, Maestro is much more limited than MainLobby and not as mature of a product. Price comparison is hard, because Maestro doesn't have the span of products that MainLobby has now. If you aren't using Homeseer (doesn't sound it), then you will also have the configuration time of Homeseer which is more difficult than Mainlobby to get initial satisfaction. Homeseer then has some features that MainLobby doesn't have, and visa versa. MainLobby and Homeseer integrate well together as the most comprehensive solution(s) on the market.
gregjsmith
Member
Didn't see it mentioned, but if your using a Mac, Indigo has great web based interface.
No, don't have a Mac.
So I dl'ed ML again. Seems to run on Vista so far. But I have no idea what to do. I open the buttons and I don't see how they get cmds to the devices. I can't find any walk-through tutorials that walk u through creating a basic scene. That would be a good edition. I learn better by doing then reading.
So I dl'ed ML again. Seems to run on Vista so far. But I have no idea what to do. I open the buttons and I don't see how they get cmds to the devices. I can't find any walk-through tutorials that walk u through creating a basic scene. That would be a good edition. I learn better by doing then reading.
Dean Roddey
Senior Member
Better hurry, your night is running out...
Steve
Senior Member
That's almost exactly the experience I had. The commands are there but they are kind of cryptic and you need a reference sheet. I also found it kind of unintuitive that everything was a button. With CQC, there are dedicated/specific widgets that just make sense, and it was very easy to click on a few dropdowns to attach to the drivers and issue commands.dbinaz said:
There is no denying that ML is a very robust, powerful and capable system, it just required too many alterations to fit me well. CQC just fit me better right off the hanger and as stated, this is a very personal decision but it sounds like you have similar experience.
