X10 Community Forum
💬General Category => Mac/Linux & Open Source and the X10 Home => Topic started by: lviper on February 01, 2018, 07:20:36 AM
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I'm not sure if this is the correct place for this post as I've seen several discussions on HomeGenie in a few different locations. I didn't want to hijack anyone's thread so I figured I would ask my question here. Feel free to relocate if needed.
Anyway, I've been following recent topics about running HomeGenine on a raspberry pi. I also noticed that there seems to be some changes happening in the HomeGenie world.
In the recent posts I understand I would download HG from homegenie.it. But I also see that the forums are now running at homegenie.club and they seem to have a new release. I know HG is open source and anyone can fork it, but being new to HG and not knowing the contributors from Adam, I was wondering where the development of HG was going. Should I install from homegenie.it or homegenie.club?
I assume homegenie from Gene is the original and the version from homegenie.club is a fork. Just wondering if Gene is giving up or what.
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I've been trying to accomplish this very thing myself. I think.. all the "versions" are located on the GitHub servers. I am by no means knowledgeable on this subject. I've been at this a couple weeks (off and on) and haven't got it to load yet. I even tried again this morning.
I bought a new faster, smaller (16gb) memory card... thinking the one with my Raspberry Pi 3 [kit] might be too big and slow. I downloaded NOOBS myself, moved it to the card..... Apparently that wasn't it at all. I did all the updates first, and when that didn't work I downloaded the required "mono runtime" (version 3.2 or later). Raspbian works great.... but I can't get homegenie to run. It's frustrating... but I haven't given up.
As a work around.... I re-created a couple simple macros on the CM15A that Homeseer uses. And my new WM100 (https://www.x10.com/wm100.html) is running timers.
Meanwhile...... (lots going on here... and every bit is foolishness)... I can't seem to get "events" written in Homeseer. My Homeseer is a Pi device.. with the HS3 Homeseer proprietary software. An awesome unit. I am my home automation setup in a transitional period right now. I took my Home Automation computer/laptop off line and shut it down. I'd like to reduce the HA footprint to just HUBS (Pi units included as a hub).
The bad thing is... windows is where the best computer voices are... and my system was heavily dependent on nice voice announcements. But I have a plan to record the needed announcements Via Alexa's "simon says" feature... and place the Mp3 or WAV files in HS events... AND also Homegenie. If I can ever get EITHER to work.
Fortunitly X10 hasn't let me down. The new WM100 (https://www.x10.com/wm100.html) works easy and flawlessly and even my old CM15A with the old AHP software still came through for me during my switch-over.
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Have you seen the following in the homegenie.club site?
https://homegenie.club/t/version-1-1-15-released/199/21
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Have you seen the following in the homegenie.club site?
https://homegenie.club/t/version-1-1-15-released/199/21
The v1.1.15 and the v .526 are basically the same. Not a whole lot of development on HomeGenie recently. The original author completed his development of HomeGenie and a number of original forum users continue to make minor changes. You can use either.
Do you need to know anything in particular.
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Do you need to know anything in particular.
I was just wondering if the versions were going in different directions or is .526 was ending.
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Have you seen the following in the homegenie.club site?
https://homegenie.club/t/version-1-1-15-released/199/21
Holy crap!
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Do you need to know anything in particular.
I was just wondering if the versions were going in different directions or is .526 was ending.
As I said you can run either. I've both loaded. Probably best to run v1.1.15 as you can request changes to be made should you need any. No harm trying it anyway.
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I'm running r525 on my stable RPi1 but will be installing the newest version on the club site's fork when I install things (hopefully today). Gene has done a fantastic job of getting things up to the point it's at, but he couldn't continue to devote time to the project. He says he's been unemployed for a long time and this didn't pan out as an income source. I'm sure the knowledge he gained through the project will help him land his dream job though!
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...... Gene has done a fantastic job of getting things up to the point it's at.......... He says he's been unemployed for a long time and this didn't pan out as an income source. I'm sure the knowledge he gained through the project will help him land his dream job though!
He should have tried selling memory cards with raspbian, iftttt, and Homegenie preloaded.
Thousands of X10 users could have bought a Pi, plugged in a CM19 or their CM15A.... and been Alexa ready in minutes.
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He actually had a RPi image ready to install for download early on. It was too much work apparently to build the image, so he provided an installation guide for how to install on a working RPi system. That would have been a good idea but I suspect it's too late for him to sell cards at this point.
HG is fully operational and doesn't really need anything updated to work. The only thing left on the list of to-do tasks was adding new automation standards. However, HG was designed so that end users could incorporate these so the dev really didn't need to do that either. And, since everything is open source, he's set things up to be taken over by enthusiasts anyway!
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He actually had a RPi image ready to install for download early on. It was too much work apparently to build the image, so he provided an installation guide for how to install on a working RPi system. That would have been a good idea but I suspect it's too late for him to sell cards at this point.
HG is fully operational and doesn't really need anything updated to work. The only thing left on the list of to-do tasks was adding new automation standards. However, HG was designed so that end users could incorporate these so the dev really didn't need to do that either. And, since everything is open source, he's set things up to be taken over by enthusiasts anyway!
The sudden halt to development of Homegenie was bizarre to say the least. Yes it appears on the face of it to be a finished product but as we all know in the software world, outside influences can put paid to that notion. For the author to halt further development to concentrate on the App seems somewhat strange bearing in mind he doesn't even have an iOS version of that App available.
I doubt if it would take much imagination to come up with a downloadable image file of Homegenie for the Raspberry Pi with the emphasis on x10 for users on this forum.
I reckon if an image was created with preconfigured x10 widgets and basic instructions on how to modify these widgets and how to use Homegenie and create further x10 widgets and scripting a fair few of this forum's contributors would take advantage of this.
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Like I said, that's exactly what was available in the first few versions. I'd say it wouldn't take much more than having a basic installation configured as desired and then use the RPi backup utility to create a compressed image. This file could be shared on the HG club forum as well to expose a new X10 audience.
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For anyone interested in trying HG that owns an RPi, I posted a script that will automate the setup of a HG SD card image. The instructions basically are to download Stretch, write it to an SD card, run the script, use HG. >!
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For anyone interested in trying HG that owns an RPi, I posted a script that will automate the setup of a HG SD card image.
Where is this post? Could you share a link. I looked at the homegenie club and at gethub... with no luck
The instructions basically are to download Stretch, write it to an SD card, run the script, use HG. >!
Great I've had Stretch as a selectable operation/program with my full NOOBS download. Are you stating I could run using ONLY Stretch (with no Raspbian needed). Unpackaged (unzipped in a former life) to the SD card. Then do a terminal:
https://github.com/genielabs/HomeGenie/releases/download/v1.1-beta.526/homegenie-beta_1.1.r526_all.deb (https://github.com/genielabs/HomeGenie/releases/download/v1.1-beta.526/homegenie-beta_1.1.r526_all.deb)
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install gdebi-core
sudo gdebi homegenie-beta_1.1.r526_all.deb
And download/unpack to where exactly.... downloads? A file somewhere?
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https://homegenie.club/t/version-1-1-15-released/199/88
The script has a header with the first steps. As I said, basically download Stretch Lite (full might work, but it's not necessary), write card, run acript. The script installs prerequisites as well as HG. It isn't final so it may change slightly to improve things, but it worked fine for me 2x. If you want Gene's version of HG, adjust comments for r526 instead of 1.1.15.
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https://homegenie.club/t/version-1-1-15-released/199/88
OK... found your text link.... I take it clicking that link while... running Stretch should download HG and get me running (?).
The script has a header with the first steps. As I said, basically download Stretch Lite (full might work, but it's not necessary), write card, run acript. The script installs prerequisites as well as HG. It isn't final so it may change slightly to improve things, but it worked fine for me 2x. If you want Gene's version of HG, adjust comments for r526 instead of 1.1.15.
So where do I find Stretch Lite? Is that a part or portion of NOOBS? I can't find a Stretch Lite download anywhere.
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https://homegenie.club/t/version-1-1-15-released/199/88
OK... I followed the link thinking maybe it would lead me to where I could DL the needed Stretch Lite... That I'd DL to my laptop and unpack to a memory card. And I got the very well written list of directions. But it's still way over my head. Things like:
Connect to RPi on port 22
Check your router or use a network sniffer like Fing (Android) to locate the RPi's IP address
# Watch incoming MQTT messages:
# mosquitto_sub -t "#" -v
I have no idea what this stuff means.
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You need Stretch lite (first link on google):
https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/
Download the second one (Raspbian Stretch Lite)
The image is probably compressed, so extract the zip file. Use Win32DiskImager (http://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/) to write the image to your SD (or microSD) card.
*** If you have a monitor and keyboard connected to RPi, skip this section ***
Navigate to the SD card in Windows and create an empty text file with the file name "SSH". Remove the card from your PC and insert it into the RPi and power it on. You need to locate the RPi on your network. There are various ways to do that so pick the best option for your setup. Android users can use Fing or similar. You can also log onto your router and look at the clients (RPi should be obvious). I'm sure iPhones have something that could do this too, I don't own one so you'll have to find a solution on your own if necessary.
Using a telnet program to connect to the appropriate IP (e.g., 192.168.0.100) on port 22.
*** end skipped section ***
With the script from the link saved to a file on your RPi (e.g., script.sh), execute the script:
sh script.sh
When complete, you should have a running installation of HG. Samba is also setup, so you should be able to access the files on your RPi using the login/password pi/pi. Please change this if security is a concern. Mosquitto is installed as well, so you can use MQTT within HG or from Linux. I may change the script to remove Mosquitto since HG has a MQTT broker available.
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https://homegenie.club/t/version-1-1-15-released/199/88
OK... I followed the link thinking maybe it would lead me to where I could DL the needed Stretch Lite... That I'd DL to my laptop and unpack to a memory card. And I got the very well written list of directions. But it's still way over my head. Things like:
Connect to RPi on port 22
Check your router or use a network sniffer like Fing (Android) to locate the RPi's IP address
# Watch incoming MQTT messages:
# mosquitto_sub -t "#" -v
I have no idea what this stuff means.
HA Dave can you get your hands on an SD card with Raspbian Stretch Lite already installed on it. This may be the easiest route to go. From there one of the helpful contributors on this site could connect remotely to your Raspberry Pi and complete the installation of HomeGenie for you.
This would mean that you have a working installation of HG and could start experimenting. The danger here for you is if you can't get HomeGenie installed you may loose interest. Once everything is working you can then familiarise yourself a little more with the Raspbian operating system.
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HA Dave can you get your hands on an SD card with Raspbian Stretch Lite already installed on it. This may be the easiest route to go.
I have a spare memory card... and can create (or recreate) NOOBS on the card (I have, and have used the SD card formatter). Then (I would assume I would select Stretch or Stretch Lite when loading the OS(s). Should I also select Raspbian... or is that necessary?
From there one of the helpful contributors on this site could connect remotely to your Raspberry Pi and complete the installation of HomeGenie for you.
I bought (and read) a book about Raspberry Pi 3. It was helpful... but I still have a lot to learn. I am a bit of a hobbyist and a believer of "If you can't fix it... you don't really own it". I'd really like to learn my way around the Pi. I've looked for local classes.
This would mean that you have a working installation of HG and could start experimenting. The danger here for you is if you can't get HomeGenie installed you may loose interest. Once everything is working you can then familiarise yourself a little more with the Raspbian operating system.
My 1st computer was a Vic-20 (Commodore ~ 1981). I built my first Windows box with parts from a computer show (1995). I've been using X10 products since about 2003. I don't tend to loose interest. I would NOT object to a pre-loaded Home Automation SD card or a specialized Home Genie Download. But I also feel compelled to learn this.
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You need Stretch lite (first link on google):
https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/
Download the second one (Raspbian Stretch Lite)
The image is probably compressed, so extract the zip file. Use Win32DiskImager (http://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/) to write the image to your SD (or microSD) card.
OK. I had already DL'ed (and used) Win32DiskImager... so this part isn't a problem. I've already downloaded the zip file to my laptop and will unpack it to the SD card.
*** If you have a monitor and keyboard connected to RPi, skip this section ***
Navigate to the SD card in Windows and create an empty text file with the file name "SSH". Remove the card from your PC and insert it into the RPi and power it on. You need to locate the RPi on your network. There are various ways to do that so pick the best option for your setup. Android users can use Fing or similar. You can also log onto your router and look at the clients (RPi should be obvious). I'm sure iPhones have something that could do this too, I don't own one so you'll have to find a solution on your own if necessary.
Using a telnet program to connect to the appropriate IP (e.g., 192.168.0.100) on port 22.
*** end skipped section ***
Thank God... I could skip that. I have my Pi setup on the 42" TV in my Man Cave. I have a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard for it too.
With the script from the link saved to a file on your RPi (e.g., script.sh), execute the script:
"sh script.sh"
So.... what does this mean? Do I create a file (somewhere) on the PI and name the file sh? I don't understand the entire part in bold.
When complete, you should have a running installation of HG. Samba is also setup, so you should be able to access the files on your RPi using the login/password pi/pi. Please change this if security is a concern. Mosquitto is installed as well, so you can use MQTT within HG or from Linux. I may change the script to remove Mosquitto since HG has a MQTT broker available.
New terms to me... but I know how to google.
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HA Dave can you get your hands on an SD card with Raspbian Stretch Lite already installed on it. This may be the easiest route to go.
I have a spare memory card... and can create (or recreate) NOOBS on the card (I have, and have used the SD card formatter). Then (I would assume I would select Stretch or Stretch Lite when loading the OS(s). Should I also select Raspbian... or is that necessary?
From there one of the helpful contributors on this site could connect remotely to your Raspberry Pi and complete the installation of HomeGenie for you.
I bought (and read) a book about Raspberry Pi 3. It was helpful... but I still have a lot to learn. I am a bit of a hobbyist and a believer of "If you can't fix it... you don't really own it". I'd really like to learn my way around the Pi. I've looked for local classes.
This would mean that you have a working installation of HG and could start experimenting. The danger here for you is if you can't get HomeGenie installed you may loose interest. Once everything is working you can then familiarise yourself a little more with the Raspbian operating system.
My 1st computer was a Vic-20 (Commodore ~ 1981). I built my first Windows box with parts from a computer show (1995). I've been using X10 products since about 2003. I don't tend to loose interest. I would NOT object to a pre-loaded Home Automation SD card or a specialized Home Genie Download. But I also feel compelled to learn this.
I think you will be probably be more comfortable with a GUI so I suggest you select the single item Raspbian(recommended) full desktop from the menu and let the Pi do it's business. When it has completed it will reboot and you will be presented with the GUI Pixel which has a familiar Windows feel to it.
Have a go at that and report back.
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Using the full install of Raspbian is ok, it's just not necessary. There are surely lots of people who have the full version with the GUI installed and use it headless (without a keyboard/monitor). I indicated the lite version because it's what I'm using and I know it works. I see no reason the GUI version wouldn't also work though.
If you use the full version with the GUI, you can navigate to the link I provided where the script is and save the script to your RPi (your home directory is probably easiest). With a terminal window, you need to navigate to the location you saved the script. Then run "sh script.sh".
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...... navigate to the link I provided where the script is and save the script to your RPi (your home directory is probably easiest). With a terminal window, you need to navigate to the location you saved the script. Then run "sh script.sh".
Tried... what am I doing wrong?
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...... navigate to the link I provided where the script is and save the script to your RPi (your home directory is probably easiest). With a terminal window, you need to navigate to the location you saved the script. Then run "sh script.sh".
Tried... what am I doing wrong?
Ok from the screen shot it looks like you have Raspbian Lite on your Pi now. I'll let Bkenobi guide you from here. I dont want to cause you any confusion.
I'm assuming you have already downloaded his script to install HomeGenie because the system cannot find it from the path you provided.
Read his original post carefully, copy and paste the commands he provides and it should install for you.
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I don't think that command will work. I'll discuss that after what you should be doing.
cd ~
ls -ltr
sh script.sh
The first command changes to your home directory. "~" is a shortcut to "/home/pi" which is user pi's home directory). I would recommend putting the script in your home directory, but if you want to put it in that download path, just change "~" to "/home/pi/Downloads/2017-11-29-raspbian-stretch-lite/".
The second command will list all files in that location. Assuming "script.sh" is there, move on to the next line.
The last line executes the script using the program "sh".
Your command:
/home/pi/Downloads/2017-11-29-raspbian-stretch-lite/sh script.sh
Breaking that down, you have the first part:
/home/pi/Downloads/2017-11-29-raspbian-stretch-lite/sh
That command runs the program "sh" from the "/home/pi/Downloads/2017-11-29-raspbian-stretch-lite/" path. If it's located there, you should be fine. However, the error you see tells you that Linux could not locate a file or directory named "sh" in that location.
Second, you are asking that program to use "script.sh" as a command line argument. "sh" will run a script that is on the command line, so as long as it can locate the file. I think the command that you should have run without any other information would have been:
sh /home/pi/Downloads/2017-11-29-raspbian-stretch-lite/script.sh
There's lots of ways to do anything, so this command or my other recommendation should both do the same thing. The difference is where the script executes from. If you are in a protected location (e.g., "/" which is the root of the file system), you may have errors when you download files via the script. In any case, give it a try and report back!