- Roundtable - muug.ca

Home Automation
by B.Wolfe 09 May '07

09 May '07

Home Automation is a huge subject, with a large number of suppliers of hardware and software. Here are some answers to questions asked at last nights MUUG meeting on Home Automation. 1. Home can I use X-10 to control a garage door opener? Plug a X10 Universal Module http://www.smarthome.com/2010.html into an outlet close to your garage door opener. Connect a wire (telephone or door bell wire) from the terminals on the Universal module to the switch terminals on the garage door opener. Set the House and Unit codes to your choice, and its ready to go. Activate once to open the door, activate a second time to close the garage door. 2. How can I replace a 3-way switch with an X-10 swtich. Your can buy a 3-wy switch module http://www.x10.com/automation/ws4777_s.html to replace the existing 3-way switch. 3. How can I control flourescent lights with X-10? You can buy a X10 switch http://www.activehomepro.com/accessories/acc_wallswitch_ws13a.html that functions like an appliance module and is rated for flourescent lights 4. How can I control ceiling fans with X-10? You can buy a wall switch http://www.activehomepro.com/accessories/pro/xpdi3_iw_wa1_s.html rated for inductive (motor) electrical loads. You can use the X-10 DIM command to control the fan motor speed. This also works well for controlling ventilation fans (garage, bathroom, etc.) 5. How can I connect my computer to the A/C power line to use X-10? There are several options. The simplest is to use a Two-way powerline interface http://www.x10.com/products/x10_tw523.htm that will give you the hardware interface. You still need software to send and receive X-10 commands. The next step up is to use an interface with an embedded controller http://www.smarthome.com/1140.html You plug into the wall, plug you computer into the interface and download your home automation program, then disconnect your computer (if you want for safety/security). Also http://www.x10-store.com/5pccoinkitck.html There are many other options available that go up in features, capability and price. 6. How can I get started using X-10 (Home Automation)? The easiest way is to get a few X-10 lamp modules http://www.smarthome.com/2000.html and a mini http://www.smarthome.com/4030.html or Maxi http://www.smarthomepro.com/4020.html contoller. Plug in a few lamps, set the house/unit codes and play around with ON, OFF, DIMing, ALL ON, ALL OFF commands. Make a spousal acceptance check <g> and then expand. Or, if you want to sample whats out there for X-10 stuff you can get kit http://www.x10-store.com/praulipak.html that includes many different modules. 7. Embedded Controllers using X-10? This is one example. The PLIX chip http://www.micromint.com/products/chips.htm is a microcontroller tailored to sending/receiving X-10 signals. 8. How can I send an X-10 signal using a switch? You can buy a X-10 Powerflash module http://www.smarthome.com/4060.html and connect your switch (ie. magnetic door/window switch) across the Powerflash module terminals and set the house/unit codes. When the swith is closed to the Powerflash module will send a X-10 house/unit code. 9. Where can I learn more about home automation? You can't beat spending a few hours with google to find more information, but if your looking for a few short-cuts: Electronic House magazine http://www.electronichouse.com/ Circuit Cellar magazine http://www.circuitcellar.com/ Forum (HCS II system) http://bbs.circuitcellar.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=1b3de8a67b60732c66 562928c92b87b9 X-10 FAQ http://www.nomad.ee/micros/x10faq.html http://www.homecontrols.com/cgi-bin/main/co_disp/displ/pgrfnbr/458/sesent/00 Misterhouse article http://www.circuitcellar.com/pastissues/articles/winter111/winter.pdf 10. Where can I buy X-10 hardware? "The Source" is the only local retailer carrying X-10 stuff, but.... Selection is very limited and prices are comparatively high compared to ordering over the internet ( or mail order). Again using google you can't miss finding a supplier. 11. How can I interface my computer to many switches? There are many hardware interfaces that allow a computer to connect to analog, and digital switch inputs and analog and digital ouputs. However there are a much smaller number that are priced/marketed at the home (non-industrial) user AND.... Have software drivers/interfaces written for home automation software. This is where dedicated Home Automation controllers shine in providing integration of hardware controller, programming environment and options of analog and digital input/output (I/O). Some examples are: http://www.homecontrols.com/cgi-bin/main/co_disp/displ/carfnbr/137/sesent/00 Here is an example of I/O interface modules that are compatible with Misterhouse http://www.weedtech.com/ Brock

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Zaurus Podcast #3 and Branching Open Source
by Montana Quiring 09 May '07

09 May '07

Hello, For those that are interested we recorded episode #3 of the Zaurus Users of Manitoba podcast. It was an attempt creating a skype/IRC hybrid. It was an interesting experience. The skype call was with InSearchOf who is the current head developer of the popular Zaurus distro pdaXrom as well as the active administrator of the OESF forum. The quality of the skype call was poor at the best of times so I'll apologize in advance. I promise I'll get better at it. ;) Here's the link: http://www.tyrannozaurus.com/?q=tycast In the podcast we kind of stumbled across an interesting thought about how Open Source development tends to branch off a lot. This seems to create a lot of immature software as the expertise is spread across so many projects. I'd be interested in hearing other people's opinions and views on this. -Montana Quiring

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MUUG Meeting, May 8, 7:30pm -- Gordon Meyer's Smart Home Hacks
by gedetil＠cs.umanitoba.ca 24 Apr '07

24 Apr '07

The Manitoba UNIX User Group (MUUG) will be holding its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 8. The meeting topic for this month is as follows: Gordon Meyer's Smart Home Hacks Learn how to put your computer to work around the house. Gordon's presentation will get you started with the basics of do-it-yourself home automation, then cover the most practical, fun, and interesting techniques culled from around the globe. Drawn from the best of "Smart Home Hacks", you're sure to find at least one that suits your lifestyle. If you're new to home automation, you'll get on the fast track to the most useful methods. If you're an old hand, you'll leave with tips and inspiration for upgrading your home. Gordon Meyer is a Chicago-based writer and speaker who has authored dozens of software manuals, numerous articles for computer users and technical writers, and O'Reilly's "Smart Home Hacks", a leading book on do-it-yourself home automation techniques. Gordon, an amateur magician and a frequent speaker at technical conferences, touts a practical, lighthearted, and humanized approach to integrating technology with daily life. ********************************************************************** Meeting Location: For this month only, the meeting will be held at the Millennium Library, in the Carol Shields Auditorium (on the second floor). The Millennium Library is at the corner of Graham Ave. and Donald St. (251 Donald St.) Parking is $5 for the evening in the Library's underground lot, and $2-$5 elsewhere in the area. Meeting time is 7:30pm, as usual. ********************************************************************** Spread the Word... We're sending this announcement out early, to give people a chance to pass the word along, or invite others to join us for this special meeting. You can help promote this month's meeting, by putting this poster up on your workplace bulletin board, or a similar visible spot... http://www.muug.mb.ca/meetings/MUUGmeeting.pdf The group holds its general meetings at 7:30pm on the second Tuesday of every month from September to June. (There are no meetings in July and August.) Meetings are open to the general public; you don't have to be a MUUG member to attend. For more information about MUUG, and its monthly meetings, check out their Web server: http://www.muug.mb.ca/ -- Gilbert E. Detillieux E-mail: <gedetil(a)muug.mb.ca> Manitoba UNIX User Group Web: http://www.muug.mb.ca/ PO Box 130 St-Boniface Phone: (204)474-8161 Winnipeg MB CANADA R2H 3B4 Fax: (204)474-7609

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sponsor Indy 500 race car and logo design contest
by Gilles Detillieux 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

Thought this might interest some of you... http://tux500.com/ http://tux500.com/contest.php -- Gilles R. Detillieux E-mail: <grdetil(a)scrc.umanitoba.ca> Spinal Cord Research Centre WWW: http://www.scrc.umanitoba.ca/ Dept. Physiology, U. of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB R3E 3J7 (Canada)

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Feisty is out out out! Anyone want to meet for Beers/CD's?
by Scott Balneaves 20 Apr '07

20 Apr '07

I'll be torrenting u/ku/edu/xubuntu tonight, anyone want to get together for a brew at an appropriate venue Friday or Saturday? I'll hand out free cd's! Heck, might even have a free sticker or two! Anyone interested? Post to the list!! Scott -- Scott L. Balneaves | "Eternity is a very long time, Systems Department | especially towards the end." Legal Aid Manitoba | -- Woody Allen

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Zaurus podcast #2
by Montana Quiring 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

We recorded our second podcast on the weekend and it's available now if your interested: http://www.tyrannozaurus.com/?q=tycast Announcement of this issue can be found here, if interested: http://www.tyrannozaurus.com/?q=node/704 If you are using iTunes, you can click here to subscribe: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=219214014 -Montana

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COBOL on Linux
by John Lange 09 Apr '07

09 Apr '07

Does anyone have experience migrating legacy COBOL applications to Linux? Just looking for some general advice on what generally needs to be done to accomplish this. Thanks, John

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MUUG Meeting, April 10, 7:30pm -- Things you can do with 'Embedded' Devices
by gedetil＠cs.umanitoba.ca 03 Apr '07

03 Apr '07

The Manitoba UNIX User Group (MUUG) will be holding its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 10. The meeting topic for this month is as follows: Things you can do with 'Embedded' Devices The Linksys WRT54G is probably one of the most popular consumer routers around, but for unlikely reasons. Linksys had decided to use Linux as the operating system inside. Linux and hardware hackers around the world started poking around inside. Shawn Wallbridge will be talking about various embedded devices that can be used in interesting ways. The group holds its general meetings at 7:30pm on the second Tuesday of every month from September to June. (There are no meetings in July and August.) Meetings are open to the general public; you don't have to be a MUUG member to attend. ********************************************************************** Please note our meeting location: The IBM offices, at 400 Ellice Ave. (between Edmonton and Kennedy). When you arrive, you will have to sign in at the reception desk, and then wait for someone to take you (in groups) to the meeting room. Please try to arrive by about 7:15pm, so the meeting can start promptly at 7:30pm. Don't be late, or you may not get in. (But don't come too early either, since security may not be there to let you in before 7:15 or so.) Non-members may be required to show photo ID at the security desk. Limited parking is available for free on the street, either on Ellice Ave. or on some of the intersecting streets. Indoor parking is also available nearby, at Portage Place, for $3.00 for the evening. Bicycle parking is available in a bike rack under video surveillance located behind the building on Webb Place. ********************************************************************** For more information about MUUG, and its monthly meetings, check out their Web server: http://www.muug.mb.ca/ Also note that MUUG maintains two mailing lists, called "muug-announce" and "roundtable". If you're not already on these lists, we encourage you to subscribe now: http://www.muug.mb.ca/mailman/listinfo/ The "muug-announce" list is used for monthly meeting announcements (such as this one) as well as other important announcements of interest to MUUG members. The "rountable" list is meant to be a forum for follow-ups to topics discussed at the meetings, or for round-table-style discussion on other topics that come up between meetings. Of course, for this to be effective, we need to reach a certain critical mass. So, please subscribe, and stay involved! -- Gilbert E. Detillieux E-mail: <gedetil(a)muug.mb.ca> Manitoba UNIX User Group Web: http://www.muug.mb.ca/ PO Box 130 St-Boniface Phone: (204)474-8161 Winnipeg MB CANADA R2H 3B4 Fax: (204)474-7609

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Doing a short BSD presentation for the MWCS next week
by Mike Pfaiffer 30 Mar '07

30 Mar '07

I've managed to install BSD on a 200MHz system (4GB hard drive). The folks at the MWCS were so impressed they asked me to do a demo. It seems to be working really well. I've even got KDE running (not enough room for Gnome). I don't have the sound configured yet. Can anybody think of something to wow some *NIX newbies? I was planning on letting them play around on the machine for 45 minutes while I talk about the similarities and differences between BSD and Linux. I'm a BSD newbie myself (It's been about a week since I got it running) so I'm not sure of what I can say. Later Mike

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Fwd: Exclusively at the Summit: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
by Gilbert E. Detillieux 29 Mar '07

29 Mar '07

Just FYI, in case any of you might be interested in going to San Diego in May for the Red Hat Summit... -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Exclusively at the Summit: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:15:55 -0400 From: Red Hat <summitl(a)info.redhat.com> Reply-To: Red Hat <feedback(a)redhat.com> Red Hat Summit San Diego | May 9 - 11, 2007 Want to learn the new technologies in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5? Attend the Red Hat Summit and become an expert. Pressures at work? Have more to manage with a constrained IT budget? At the Red Hat Summit, you'll get the hands-on, technical instruction you need to save your company money and increase productivity using the new technology in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5. Did you miss the launch? Watch the videos <http://now.eloqua.com/e/er.aspx?s=257&lid=978&elq=CD46D0CFECB74CB1B94178925…> and webcast <http://now.eloqua.com/e/er.aspx?s=257&lid=979&elq=CD46D0CFECB74CB1B94178925…> and see what's new in version 5. The agenda is available online <http://now.eloqua.com/e/er.aspx?s=257&lid=867&elq=CD46D0CFECB74CB1B94178925…>, but here's a glimpse of the Enterprise Linux 5 info available exclusively at the Summit. 1.) Red Hat Enterprise Linux Product Family Review <http://now.eloqua.com/e/er.aspx?s=257&lid=980&elq=CD46D0CFECB74CB1B94178925…> 2.) SELinux: Best practices and what's new in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 <http://now.eloqua.com/e/er.aspx?s=257&lid=981&elq=CD46D0CFECB74CB1B94178925…> 3.) Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, Yum and You <http://now.eloqua.com/e/er.aspx?s=257&lid=982&elq=CD46D0CFECB74CB1B94178925…> *Cost* Escape to sunny San Diego <http://now.eloqua.com/e/er.aspx?s=257&lid=983&elq=CD46D0CFECB74CB1B94178925…> May 9-11 and boost your Enterprise Linux 5 IQ. For $1349, experience three day's of innovative sessions with six tracks to choose from. Three night's hotel accommodations. And all conference meals and evening entertainment. Ready to register? <http://now.eloqua.com/e/er.aspx?s=257&lid=898&elq=CD46D0CFECB74CB1B94178925…> Learn the brand new technology in Enterprise Linux 5 and gain a competitive advantage for your company. Have questions? Email the Summit team. <mailto:summit@redhat.com> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This email is intended for people who have opted-in to receiving information from Red Hat. If you think that you have received this email in error, please accept our apologies. Simply unsubscribe <http://now.eloqua.com/u.asp?s=257&elq=CD46D0CFECB74CB1B9417892529BD215> and we'll make sure you do not receive this kind of email from Red Hat again. Red Hat, 1801 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606 USA Copyright © 2007 Red Hat, Inc. All rights reserved. "Red Hat" and the Red Hat "Shadowman" logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. in the US and other countries. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. *Privacy Policy* <http://www.redhat.com/legal/privacy_statement.html>

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