Few ideas for improving the controller

[JacquesB]

Hi,

 

Here are some ideas I have about how the ISY controller could be improved :

 

1-Customized messages

 

For the moment, the controller can only notify with a generic and automatically generated message. It would be nice to have the possibility of customizing the message and add some variable in it, like the result of a query on a specific device.

 

2-The NOT operator

 

For the moment, the AND and OR operators are the only one easy to use. The NOT can be used with a workaround by placing its variable in a second program and looking for a False status on it. The possibility of doing all of that in a single program would be more intuitive and more powerful.

 

3-E-mail control

 

I know many other people have suggested that idea : send commands to the controller by e-mail. I also know what the actual answer is : not safe enough because e-mail are easy to forge.

 

A solution would be to sign these e-mail commands. The controller is already capable of cryptography : it uses SSL. A safe way of sending / receiving commands over e-mail would be to sign the e-mail with PGP or anything equivalent, so the controller could authenticate them.

 

4-SNMP control

 

Another option for remote control would be SNMP. Not only would it be another way for remote control, but it could also be used as an interface for almost any option manageable by a computer. The use of SNMP v3 would even be safe enough for doing it over the Net (SNMP v3 encrypts the message). At least, SNMP v2 would be good enough for home networks.

 

Hope these ideas will help improve the controller,

 

Jacques

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Jacques,

 

Thanks so very much indeed as ISY is basically the implementation of suggestions from our user community.

 

1. Yes. Already on our list with low priority

2. Yes + Question: what would be the difference between NOT x IS y and x IS NOT y? Currently we support the latter (x is NOT y). So, except for dates (i.e. when it is not Christmas), we already support NOT in other logical conditions. Is Date your primary concern?

3. No. Mostly because I cannot fathom the usecase which is not also satisfied by a mobile phone/browser

4. Yes. Already on our list with low priority

 

Thanks again so very much and please do be kind enough to provide us with more input.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

Hi,

 

Here are some ideas I have about how the ISY controller could be improved :

 

1-Customized messages

 

For the moment, the controller can only notify with a generic and automatically generated message. It would be nice to have the possibility of customizing the message and add some variable in it, like the result of a query on a specific device.

 

2-The NOT operator

 

For the moment, the AND and OR operators are the only one easy to use. The NOT can be used with a workaround by placing its variable in a second program and looking for a False status on it. The possibility of doing all of that in a single program would be more intuitive and more powerful.

 

3-E-mail control

 

I know many other people have suggested that idea : send commands to the controller by e-mail. I also know what the actual answer is : not safe enough because e-mail are easy to forge.

 

A solution would be to sign these e-mail commands. The controller is already capable of cryptography : it uses SSL. A safe way of sending / receiving commands over e-mail would be to sign the e-mail with PGP or anything equivalent, so the controller could authenticate them.

 

4-SNMP control

 

Another option for remote control would be SNMP. Not only would it be another way for remote control, but it could also be used as an interface for almost any option manageable by a computer. The use of SNMP v3 would even be safe enough for doing it over the Net (SNMP v3 encrypts the message). At least, SNMP v2 would be good enough for home networks.

 

Hope these ideas will help improve the controller,

 

Jacques

[JacquesB]

Hi,

 

About 1 and 4, thanks for the confirmation. I'm waiting them

 

For 2, yes, the date and time are part of the reason for a global NOT. Another use for the NOT as a standalone operator is to use it in front of parentheses.

 

It is possible to translate the function and moving the NOT inside, but it is less intuitive.

 

Let say : D and E and Neither ( A, B or C.)

It is more intuitive to have " D and E and Not (A or B or C) "

Than " D and E and Not A and Not B and Not C"

 

In the first case, it is obvious that D and E are joined in a first logical group, while A, B and C are joined in a second. The first are required while the second must be absent. The equation is two small parts easy to understand. With the second equation, it is only one big equation that must be fully understand in one piece.

 

For small equation, it is not that hard, but when your function grows, it is more and more difficult.

 

Should you not be able to include that function in the controller itself, you could just add a translation in the GUI and have the NOT converted in functions for the controller.

 

About the 3- I understand the some mobile phone can not do crypto, but some others can. Only the most advanced phones can, but the typical user of an home automation system usually is also the user of a higher end smart phone.

 

Thanks for your reply,

 

Jacques

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello Jacques,

 

Thanks so very much. I agree on 1 and it shall be added to our list. On 3, I think our time would be better spent on #1 than #3.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

Hi,

 

About 1 and 4, thanks for the confirmation. I'm waiting them

 

For 2, yes, the date and time are part of the reason for a global NOT. Another use for the NOT as a standalone operator is to use it in front of parentheses.

 

It is possible to translate the function and moving the NOT inside, but it is less intuitive.

 

Let say : D and E and Neither ( A, B or C.)

It is more intuitive to have " D and E and Not (A or B or C) "

Than " D and E and Not A and Not B and Not C"

 

In the first case, it is obvious that D and E are joined in a first logical group, while A, B and C are joined in a second. The first are required while the second must be absent. The equation is two small parts easy to understand. With the second equation, it is only one big equation that must be fully understand in one piece.

 

For small equation, it is not that hard, but when your function grows, it is more and more difficult.

 

Should you not be able to include that function in the controller itself, you could just add a translation in the GUI and have the NOT converted in functions for the controller.

 

About the 3- I understand the some mobile phone can not do crypto, but some others can. Only the most advanced phones can, but the typical user of an home automation system usually is also the user of a higher end smart phone.

 

Thanks for your reply,

 

Jacques

[LouOw]

Hi,

 

About 1 and 4, thanks for the confirmation. I'm waiting them

 

For 2, yes, the date and time are part of the reason for a global NOT. Another use for the NOT as a standalone operator is to use it in front of parentheses.

 

It is possible to translate the function and moving the NOT inside, but it is less intuitive.

 

Let say : D and E and Neither ( A, B or C.)

It is more intuitive to have " D and E and Not (A or B or C) "

Than " D and E and Not A and Not B and Not C"

 

In the first case, it is obvious that D and E are joined in a first logical group, while A, B and C are joined in a second. The first are required while the second must be absent. The equation is two small parts easy to understand. With the second equation, it is only one big equation that must be fully understand in one piece.

 

For small equation, it is not that hard, but when your function grows, it is more and more difficult.

 

Should you not be able to include that function in the controller itself, you could just add a translation in the GUI and have the NOT converted in functions for the controller.

 

About the 3- I understand the mobile phone can not do crypto, but some others can. Only the most advanced phones can, but the typical user of an home automation system usually is also the user of a higher end smart phone.

 

Thanks for your reply,

 

Jacques

 

I know many other people have suggested that idea but it's not working at all.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi LouOw,

 

What's not working at all?

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[Xathros]

Not positive but that one really feels like a pre spam post#1 to me.

 

-Xath