X10 Community Forum

💬General Category => Mac/Linux & Open Source and the X10 Home => Raspberry Pi, Arduino & other SBC => Topic started by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 12:41:27 AM

Title: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 12:41:27 AM
I apparently.... misunderstood.

I had seen the Phillips Hue selection in the HG software (a dropdown). And I guess I assumed the IFTTT was built in. So... what am I getting into. I followed a link in the direction. And although there was a error... I found my way. And registered. I've also viewed a YouTube video. And... I've found you post at the Homegenie Club Tuicemen
https://homegenie.club/t/ha-bridge-addition/322/2

Still I am not sure where this is going. Anyone got any info?


Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 16, 2018, 07:30:29 AM
I'm not sure how the Phillips Hue program works in HG I believe it talks to a Hue Hub. I don't own any hue stuff but noticed the program could be modified to work with Ha-Bridge which also talked to hue devices among others.
IFTTT is a cloud based macro tool and it is possible to use it with anything that will accept web hooks you need to expose HG to the net in order to use IFTTT.
Still I am not sure where this is going. Anyone got any info?
What info are you looking for? There are several ways to do things knowing exactly what your looking for will narrow down the options.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 09:21:17 AM
I'm not sure how the Phillips Hue program works in HG I believe it talks to a Hue Hub.

Crap. I thought the IFTTTT would emulate whatever was needed... and act AS a Hue Hub. So much for that. Cree [brand] WiFi bulbs work fine with my old Wink Hub which works well with Alexa. I don't need another Hub. I'll live without the Hue IFTTT.

IFTTT is a cloud based macro tool and it is possible to use it with anything that will accept web hooks you need to expose HG to the net in order to use IFTTT......
………... What info are you looking for? There are several ways to do things knowing exactly what your looking for will narrow down the options.

I want to control my X10 devices, via my Pi running Homegenie (using the CM15A), [and] by Alexa voice command (and routines).


There we go... I think that was clear. I can be as guilty as anyone else... when it comes to being too general in my posts.

I have HG running on my Pi
My HG uses a [USB connected] CM15A
With HG displayed on a monitor (actually a small TV)… I can mouse click devices On/Off and everything works fine. (these are devices with previously un-used names and X10 addresses).
However running "discover devices with Alexa".... Alexa doesn't discover the devices I have working on HG
I've read many of the posts at the Homegenie Club (YOURS included) and I understand I need to use IFTTT to commutate between the HG/Pi and Alexa
Is there step-by-step directions somewhere?.... like the one you posted here that got me running HG

Is there a Alexa skill?

Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 10:46:56 AM
I read the instructions included in the link provided below (Tuicemen). They are a bit over-my-head.

My searching has turned up this: https://github.com/armzilla/amazon-echo-ha-bridge (https://github.com/armzilla/amazon-echo-ha-bridge)

But I don't speak/read this stuff yet.... so I don't know how to implement. Or maybe it's all just over my head.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 16, 2018, 10:50:18 AM
I'm not sure how the Phillips Hue program works in HG I believe it talks to a Hue Hub.

Crap. I thought the IFTTTT would emulate whatever was needed... and act AS a Hue Hub. So much for that. Cree [brand] WiFi bulbs work fine with my old Wink Hub which works well with Alexa. I don't need another Hub. I'll live without the Hue IFTTT.

IFTTT is a cloud based macro tool and it is possible to use it with anything that will accept web hooks you need to expose HG to the net in order to use IFTTT......
………... What info are you looking for? There are several ways to do things knowing exactly what your looking for will narrow down the options.

I want to control my X10 devices, via my Pi running Homegenie (using the CM15A), [and] by Alexa voice command (and routines).


There we go... I think that was clear. I can be as guilty as anyone else... when it comes to being too general in my posts.

I have HG running on my Pi
My HG uses a [USB connected] CM15A
With HG displayed on a monitor (actually a small TV)… I can mouse click devices On/Off and everything works fine. (these are devices with previously un-used names and X10 addresses).
However running "discover devices with Alexa".... Alexa doesn't discover the devices I have working on HG
I've read many of the posts at the Homegenie Club (YOURS included) and I understand I need to use IFTTT to commutate between the HG/Pi and Alexa
Is there step-by-step directions somewhere?.... like the one you posted here that got me running HG

Is there a Alexa skill?

As Tuicemen suggested make a complete list of what you want a particular technology to do for you. It's easier in the long run as it will save you being sent down many different roads to get from point A to point B.

Philips Hue will work fine in Home Genie via the Philips hub and the bridge. This link will give you an idea what is needed to achieve this. http://old.homegenie.club:8080/www.homegenie.it/forum/index82e3.html?topic=498.0

A lot of what you need to know about Home Genie is on this forum and a google search prefixed with Home Genie should throw up what you need to know.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 16, 2018, 11:06:13 AM
Another post on the old forum from Jens outlines installing the bridge from a jar file. Again it's a little dated and probably needs updating. Handy to read through just for info purposes. http://old.homegenie.club:8080/www.homegenie.it/forum/indexa34b.html?topic=1715.30

David Wallis reckons he has an integrated solution that will install the bridge from within Home Genie rather than externally on the same Raspberry Pi server as Jens solution does.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 16, 2018, 11:09:36 AM
I created the HA-Bridge linking program for HG more for the added features of the Broadlink RM.
Using it you can control Hue and other devices as well as get Alexa control.
There also is an other program similar to HA-Bridge a HG user created special for HG but I never tried it, both will give you Alexa control without a hub.
IFTTT is just another way to get Alexa control.
The link you provided Dave is just another software bridge for Alexa control just like HA-Bridge is.
The HA-bridge developer seems to be the most actively updating.
https://github.com/bwssytems/ha-bridge
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 11:16:52 AM
….. make a complete list of what you want a particular technology to do for you. It's easier in the long run as it will save you being sent down many different roads to get from point A to point B.

Simple. Home Genie already plays well with X10 devices via a CM15A (or CM11A). Tuicemen's step-by-step (post #1 this thread) was perfect and easy!  However..... all modern Home Automation also includes some sort cloud-based voice control as well (Amazon or Google). I like Amazons Alexa myself. I'd like to be able to control my X10 devices using Alexa.

Alexa control... also means global control... and bunches of other advantages that would no longer be a requirement to do with the Pi or homeGenie. This ONE single addition to the HG setup would/could put X10 inline with all other advanced automation devices. Essentially it would give X10 a HUB.

I want to control my X10 devices using Alexa..... and I'd guess tens of thousands of other X10 users might want to also.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 16, 2018, 11:28:21 AM

I want to control my X10 devices using Alexa..... and I'd guess tens of thousands of other X10 user might want to also.
HA-Bridge or simular software will turn your Pi into a universal Alexa Hub to control X10 or virtualy any IOT device you have.

Install is simple and you don't need to use my HA-Bridge HG program.
https://github.com/bwssytems/ha-bridge#manual-installation-of-ha-bridge-and-setup-of-systemd-service
Probably as simple as installing HG though setup is a bit tricky for X10. till you get the hang of it then it is simple to add more devices



Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 11:32:02 AM
I created the HA-Bridge linking program for HG more for the added features of the Broadlink RM.

Yeah. I read about that at the Homegenie Club (I believe). I have/own a Broadlink which controls (limited functions) my living room TV and cable box. It's a fine device. But I'd prefer a simpler setup for my HG setup.

 
There also is an other program similar to HA-Bridge a HG user created special for HG but I never tried it, both will give you Alexa control without a hub.

Great. But a link to the github files (and I do understand who/what GitHub is) doesn't help me. Until someone includes a HA-Bridge in the HG install... I still need to find a non-programs step-by-step (like your included in the beginning of this thread). I am not  programmer. I can copy-paste... but I don't know the were/whys/hows of any of this.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 11:34:29 AM

HA-Bridge or simular software will turn your Pi into a universal Alexa Hub to control X10 or virtualy any IOT device you have.

Install is simple and you don't need to use my HA-Bridge HG program.
https://github.com/bwssytems/ha-bridge#manual-installation-of-ha-bridge-and-setup-of-systemd-service
Probably as simple as installing HG though setup is a bit tricky for X10. till you get the hang of it then it is simple to add more devices

And.... I got lost at:   Create the directory and make sure that ha-bridge-5.2.1.jar is in your /home/pi/ha-bridge directory.

As long as it remains this complicated.... the Pi solution will be relegated to just a handful of guys... and unfortunately I likely won't be one of them. It has to be made simplifier and easier to understand.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 16, 2018, 11:55:22 AM
And.... I got lost at:   Create the directory and make sure that ha-bridge-5.2.1.jar is in your /home/pi/ha-bridge directory.

As long as it remains this complicated.... the Pi solution will be relegated to just a handful of guys... and unfortunately I likely won't be one of them. It has to be made simplifier and easier to understand.
I had created a how to setup HA-Bridge thread on my forum as well as how to setup X10 devices found in HG.
http://forums.tuicemen.net/index.php?topic=1287.msg7943#msg7943
However after looking over it I see I simply pointed to the setup instructions found on the GitHub pages. B:(
I'll rewrite this so it is more a step by step for Pi beginners. >!
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 12:26:29 PM
.... I had created a how to setup HA-Bridge thread on my forum as well as how to setup X10 devices found in HG.
http://forums.tuicemen.net/index.php?topic=1287.msg7943#msg7943
However after looking over it I see I simply pointed to the setup instructions found on the GitHub pages. B:(
I'll rewrite this so it is more a step by step for Pi beginners. >!

Thanks Tuicemen. There is nothing wrong with your presentation.... for Pi hobbyists. But I am not a programmer. But I swear I am doing my best here to understand.

I know it's NOT your responsibility to pound-out all these step-by-steps. But you may be the only person in the on-line world that fully understands the needs/desires of Home Automation X10'ers AND understands the Pi programing requirements. I certainly appreciate your efforts and great contributions here (as well as at the HG Club). And I think... you might also help LOTS of other X10'ers and Pi hobbyists.

If your step-by-step for a HA Bridge is as effective as you HG set-up.... most X10 users (with a CM15A) will be able to use Alexa to control there setup for the few bucks of a PI unit.... and a Saturday morning for setup.

That would effectively be.... the X10 Hub. Which makes me wonder.... is there an IFTTT skill to activate?
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 16, 2018, 12:50:43 PM
….. make a complete list of what you want a particular technology to do for you. It's easier in the long run as it will save you being sent down many different roads to get from point A to point B.

Simple. Home Genie already plays well with X10 devices via a CM15A (or CM11A). Tuicemen's step-by-step (post #1 this thread) was perfect and easy!  However..... all modern Home Automation also includes some sort cloud-based voice control as well (Amazon or Google). I like Amazons Alexa myself. I'd like to be able to control my X10 devices using Alexa.

Alexa control... also means global control... and bunches of other advantages that would no longer be a requirement to do with the Pi or homeGenie. This ONE single addition to the HG setup would/could put X10 inline with all other advanced automation devices. Essentially it would give X10 a HUB.

I want to control my X10 devices using Alexa..... and I'd guess tens of thousands of other X10 user might want to also.

So you want Alexa at the heart of your home automation using Home Genie controlling your X10 devices. Your CM11/CM15 is your hub. Most of the more modern lighting technologies are purely wireless hubs like the Harmony, Logitech and Philips the one you expressed an interest in. They are all put into discovery mode and with the relevant skill enabled on the Echo they automatically discover your devices.

I'm sure you have done this in HomeSeer by enabling the HomeSeer skill on the Echo and the Echo discovers your X10 devices.

Using the bridge you are providing the WebHook manually so the Echo associates the web address with the relevant device.

If not already registered on the HomeGenie Club forum I recommend doing so. This is exactly the chat that is needed there.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 16, 2018, 01:05:14 PM
That would effectively be.... the X10 Hub. Which makes me wonder.... is there an IFTTT skill to activate?
Forget IFTTT! it isn't needed for this it is a separate cloud based tool allowing you to control IOT devices from a  trigger (basically creating macros). Focus on one thing at a time as a beginner to the world of Pis you'll get confused very quickly trying to set every thing up at once.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 16, 2018, 02:07:16 PM
Ok the thread on my forum for the HA-Bridge has been updated with the step by step setup.
http://forums.tuicemen.net/index.php?topic=1287.msg7943#msg7943
It should be noted that you should change your HG port to 8080 or something else other then 80 prior to starting the step by step for HA-Bridge.
To do that
1: open HG and click on Configure (top left)
2: scroll down and click on Maintenance
3: scroll down and click on http Settings and change port
4:with the port# changed scroll up to restart service and click to restart it.
Note: your HG address will now be localhost:8080 on your PI (if 8080 was the new port # you entered) so you need to change the address in the address bar to see HG reloaded


I'll also look at reposting this ha-bridge beginner setup on the X10 forums in the PI & Arduino section at some point.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 05:00:55 PM
Ok the thread on my forum for the HA-Bridge has been updated with the step by step setup.
http://forums.tuicemen.net/index.php?topic=1287.msg7943#msg7943
It should be noted that you should change your HG port to 8080 ...............…
........Note: your HG address will now be localhost:8080 on your PI (if 8080 was the new port # you entered) so you need to change the address in the address bar to see HG reloaded

OK... all seemed to go well. I performed all the copies and paste's. Did a reload and restart. I found Homegenie (again) hiding behind the 8080... so I would guess that means everything works there. But then... I got down to the first line of the last paragraph of the instruction on your site:

"Once you have ha-bridge installed and running open your browser to localhost click on the Bridge Control tab."

I don't even know what that means, or how to open a browser to local host. I tried a few things... but was unproductive. Did some on-line searching and found I should get something like the pic below.... but even after more trying (and the "localhost:8080") I didn't.

 
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 16, 2018, 05:12:40 PM
In your browser on your PI that HG is displaying type in the address bar localhost:80 or 127.0.0.1:80 (the :80 shouldn't be needed as that is the default port.)
this should open the HA bridge web interface, from there click on the Bridge Control tab.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 05:28:04 PM
….. So you want Alexa at the heart of your home automation using Home Genie controlling your X10 devices. Your CM11/CM15 is your hub. Most of the more modern lighting technologies are purely wireless hubs like the Harmony, Logitech and Philips the one you expressed an interest in. They are all put into discovery mode and with the relevant skill enabled on the Echo they automatically discover your devices.

I wouldn't say I want Alexa at the heart of my home automation... but that's close enough to count (in horse shoes and hand grenades) I have a few such devices up and running now. They all seem happy enough playing together. Or at least... I haven't heard any arguments about who is "the heart' of my setup.

I'm sure you have done this in HomeSeer by enabling the HomeSeer skill on the Echo and the Echo discovers your X10 devices.

Using the bridge you are providing the WebHook manually so the Echo associates the web address with the relevant device.

Yep... with Homeseer, Wink, MyQ, iHome, Etekcity…. they all have their own apps, and commutates with and through Alexa. Alexa is an AI device. I can't imagine any "smart home".... without some flavor of AI. I am looking for X10 to AI solution that will be an X10 solution.... not one based on the desires of Homeseer.

If not already registered on the HomeGenie Club forum I recommend doing so. This is exactly the chat that is needed there.

I've joined the Homegenie Club! And I've read many of the very interesting posts there. But... I am not a programmer. And after all... the club is a programmers club. I merely want to exploit the Pi.... and force it to do my (home Automation) bidding.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 05:52:04 PM
In your browser on your PI that HG is displaying type in the address bar localhost:80 or 127.0.0.1:80 (the :80 shouldn't be needed as that is the default port.)
this should open the HA bridge web interface, from there click on the Bridge Control tab.


Yeah.... I am getting host can't be found... error page.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 16, 2018, 06:06:49 PM
I've joined the Homegenie Club! And I've read many of the very interesting posts there. But... I am not a programmer. And after all... the club is a programmers club. I merely want to exploit the Pi.... and force it to do my (home Automation) bidding.
The title for the forum maybe a bit miss leading the club is for anyone using HG not just programmers this may be what discourages newbies from joining. ::) :'
You can ask for addons to be created, share your Ideas, addons and setups, and ask for help with your setup.

Most users will likely reply in easy a to understand post if you state your new to HG and using a PI.
Yeah.... I am getting host can't be found... error page.
Sounds like HA-Bridge isn't running try a reboot or open a terminal window and type sudo systemctl start ha-bridge.service then hit enter then open your browser to the HA-Bridge address
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 16, 2018, 06:17:12 PM
….. So you want Alexa at the heart of your home automation using Home Genie controlling your X10 devices. Your CM11/CM15 is your hub. Most of the more modern lighting technologies are purely wireless hubs like the Harmony, Logitech and Philips the one you expressed an interest in. They are all put into discovery mode and with the relevant skill enabled on the Echo they automatically discover your devices.

I wouldn't say I want Alexa at the heart of my home automation... but that's close enough to count (in horse shoes and hand grenades) I have a few such devices up and running now. They all seem happy enough playing together. Or at least... I haven't heard any arguments about who is "the heart' of my setup.

I'm sure you have done this in HomeSeer by enabling the HomeSeer skill on the Echo and the Echo discovers your X10 devices.

Using the bridge you are providing the WebHook manually so the Echo associates the web address with the relevant device.

Yep... with Homeseer, Wink, MyQ, iHome, Etekcity…. they all have their own apps, and commutates with and through Alexa. Alexa is an AI device. I can't imagine any "smart home".... without some flavor of AI. I am looking for X10 to AI solution that will be an X10 solution.... not one based on the desires of Homeseer.

If not already registered on the HomeGenie Club forum I recommend doing so. This is exactly the chat that is needed there.

I've joined the Homegenie Club! And I've read many of the very interesting posts there. But... I am not a programmer. And after all... the club is a programmers club. I merely want to exploit the Pi.... and force it to do my (home Automation) bidding.

As Tuicemen suggested take small steps each time, accomplish one task before you move on to the next. Back up your work as you go so if you screw up you restore your last working configuration.

Speaking of configuration, that’s 95% of what you will be required to do in HomeGenie. The other 5% is done by others for yours and others benefit.

Introduce yourself to the forum and explain your level of experience. Don’t be afraid to ask questions no matter how basic or simple they may seem. Plenty of others were in the place you are now and will be only too willing to help.

One new crazy guy joined the forum recently demanding answers to his problems. I gave up helping him but Tuicemen stuck with him to the bitter end. Shortly after he posted back to state that HomeGenie was unstable and he was no longer going to use it. I still wonder who or what was unstable. :)%
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 16, 2018, 06:24:34 PM
They were running HG in Windows and I believe that was part of the instability.
I convinced them to try a Pi zero W for under $10 it was a small investment worth the try.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 09:08:27 PM
…….. Don’t be afraid to ask questions no matter how basic or simple they may seem. Plenty of others were in the place you are now and will be only too willing to help.

I really don't think that's correct. There are LOTS of various hobbies and different lifestyles. Tuicemen may be one of the very few Home Automation guys who has turned programmer. And although Tuice is a true automation guy.... he has certainly turned to the dark side.  rofl

I was a computer hobbyists long before I discovered Home Automation. I bought a Commodore Vic-20 in the early 80's. I wrote little programs in basic. I learned HTML and created Web Pages for fun. I retired from the Government as a network administrator about a decade ago. I've spent a good bit of my life.... alone with the computer(s) over the decades. I don't want to go back there. But I think the guys at the Homegenie Club... are enjoying what they're doing... and I think that's great.

I do however... have a passion for the technology. And I enjoy what my Home Automation  does for me. And I know it... the automation technology... can do even more to assist and enrich the lives of others who are less able-bodied than myself.

I very much would like to see a no-brainer, easy to understand, Pi download-and-go HomeGenie image.... that could be on a memory card... stuck in a RBPi, configured, set-up, paired with... and discovered by... an Amazon Alexa. I'd be happy if X10 sold it!

It would be good for X10
It would be good for those who need assistive technology
It would be good for the chronically lazy (like myself) and those of us who love Home Automation and a George Jetson lifestyle.

But we may not need another programmer hobbyist.... and we certainly don't need for it to be me.


Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 09:31:33 PM
…Sounds like HA-Bridge isn't running try a reboot or open a terminal window and type sudo systemctl start ha-bridge.service then hit enter then open your browser to the HA-Bridge address

You hit that nail on the head. I followed the directions and got this:  Service not found. Apparently my install didn't work.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 16, 2018, 09:41:21 PM
I am going to re-load and reinstall.... beginning with Raspbian... and getting back to the place just short of installing the ha-bridge. Maybe... we can find a better/easier ha-bridge install.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 17, 2018, 07:24:09 AM
I am going to re-load and reinstall.... beginning with Raspbian... and getting back to the place just short of installing the ha-bridge. Maybe... we can find a better/easier ha-bridge install.
A nice simple installer script would be nice I wish I knew how to create one. ::) :'
The new test installers for HGBE are just that, copy one line into the terminal and hit enter.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 17, 2018, 08:01:17 AM
I am going to re-load and reinstall.... beginning with Raspbian... and getting back to the place just short of installing the ha-bridge. Maybe... we can find a better/easier ha-bridge install.

Did you take an image of your SD card with the working version of Home Genie before you started loading the bridge software. If so all you need to do is reformat the SD card and reimage the SD card with that working version. No need to reinstall the Raspbian OS all over again.

I assume you enabled the bridge service before you tried running it.

At the terminal prompt type sudo systemctl status ha-bridge.service to check if the service is present.

The following commands are carried out in this order to create a service, enable it and check to see if it's running

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/ha-bridge.service (This creates the service)
sudo systemctl enable ha-bridge.service (This enables the service)
sudo systemctl start ha-bridge.service (This starts the service)
sudo systemctl status ha-bridge.service (This checks to see if the service is running)
sudo systemctl stop ha-bridge.service (This stops the service)
sudo systemctl disable ha-bridge.service (This disables the service)

Try these commands before you start all over again.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 17, 2018, 11:19:37 AM
I am getting nothing. Service not found.
got this when trying the creating the service

Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 17, 2018, 11:33:11 AM
that is the text editor you need to copy the following into it
Code: [Select]
[Unit]
Description=HA Bridge
Wants=network.target
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple

WorkingDirectory=/home/pi/ha-bridge
ExecStart=/usr/bin/java -jar -Dconfig.file=/home/pi/ha-bridge/data/habridge.config /home/pi/ha-bridge/ha-bridge.jar

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
then press ctrl X then Y to write and save
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 17, 2018, 11:53:29 AM
At this point.... I have to call the ha-bridge install a failure. It just didn't work.

I understand the idea of "fixing" the problem. But the "problem" is in the "fixing". As long as these installs require tweaking and such.... they exist only as a code writers hobby. I am not a code writer... or a "beginner code writer". I am a computer-competent Home Automation guy... just like almost all of the countless thousands of X10 users. And.... like a decent chunk of the 50 million Alexa users.

The easy setup instructions that Tuicemen created for getting Homegenie up and running... are awesome. But... when it came to the ha-bridge... it was like an after thought. And it just didn't work. Very few average people are going to forego time with family, friends, pets, ETC. and invest precious time into a new "programming hobby".... so they later... can enjoy their Home Automation hobby. I can't honestly say.... how many minutes, hours, or days...  in forums on a helpdesk phone calls the average person is willing to invest in this stuff. But after my 6,496 post (on this forum alone) and 115 days, 21 hours and 1 minutes spent here.... I'd say I am more persistent than most.

And without an AI connection... for the consumption of the general public... X10 doesn't cut it. I really believe this effort is worth it.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 17, 2018, 12:19:52 PM
I am (more than) willing to start over. Reload from the beginning... fresh install start to end. If we can include a workable simple ha-bridge that Alexa can see.... we'll be good to go. And so will lots of X10 users.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 17, 2018, 03:26:49 PM
I am getting nothing. Service not found.
got this when trying the creating the service

I thought Tuicemen’s install instructions included creating a service to launch the ha bridge.

Again as I mentioned before, when you have a working version of HomeGenie on your SD card take an image backup of it so you don’t need to keep installing from scratch again and again which can be very frustrating.

Maybe Tuicemen can explain this backup procedure a bit more to you as you are clearly comfortable with his instruction. The main thing to remember is to install the software and create a service so it runs and runs on each boot.

Whatever you do don’t give up. You’re nearly there.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 17, 2018, 04:16:54 PM
I thought Tuicemen’s install instructions included creating a service to launch the ha bridge.

Something went wrong... I don't know what. It could have very well been operator error.

Again as I mentioned before, when you have a working version of HomeGenie on your SD card take an image backup of it so you don’t need to keep installing from scratch again and again which can be very frustrating.

Of course as you know.... one of the great things about these little Pi's are how quick and easy they are to reformat. And Tuicemen's Home Genie Set-up... is fast and easy. I am waiting till I get a complete working [mini] setup then I will image the entire thing.

Whatever you do don’t give up. You’re nearly there.

I may run out of free time.... I had hoped to do this during the cold winter "Home Automation Season"…. but I haven't given up on the idea of this yet. Remember... Just a few feet from where I am working on this I have a fully (and flawlessly) functioning RBPi running the Homeseer software. Everything works... and it works well with BOTH my X10 and my Alexa devices. If Homeseer was to promise continued support for X10... I'd merely recommend every X10 users go with Homeseer. But these are very competitive times in Home Automation. And Homeseer wishes to sell Zwave….. and only allows X10's interface to continue through volunteer support. X10 deserves and NEEDS it's own AI integration. 
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 17, 2018, 04:18:35 PM
BTW. I am reconfigured setup and waiting for another stab at a ha-bridge.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 17, 2018, 04:45:03 PM
BTW. I am reconfigured setup and waiting for another stab at a ha-bridge.

Re X10 support in Homeseer. Mark Fisher does this on a voluntary adhoc basis. Official support was dropped a good while back. He's not in a position to respond to queries too quickly and that is totally understandable.

Yes I can't imagine Tuicemen leaving out instructions for creating and starting a service so it may well have been an omission somewhere at some stage.

I really do advise taking that imagine of a basic HomeGenie setup. You can then experiment to your hearts content, screw it up and then pop off have a coffee or whatever while you reimage your working copy. Saves on the eye strain and the headaches. B:(

There's always going to be a little bit of heavy lifting involved in the open source world but believe me it's worth it.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 17, 2018, 05:11:13 PM
By the way if you think you're having problems with your home automation projects have a read of this post. Quite lengthy but it does make you wonder what you can achieve outside of the commercial world. http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,102141.0.html

I picked up an old Vera Lite controller on eBay for a couple of bucks, wiped it clean and repurposed it as a ZWave controller. It was worth the purchase purely for the built in ZWave radio chip
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 17, 2018, 08:42:50 PM
no protocol is without issues.  :( I've seen so many users give up on X10and move to something else only to find out the grass wasn't any greener.
I hate having to type or cut and paste a dozen lines or more into a command prompt to install something. There are just to many things to go wrong and my fat fingers don't help ::) :'
I'm all for making installs as simple as possible it attracts more users. For this reason I'm going to attempt to create a ha-bridge installer script. Initial tests thus far look promising for this.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 17, 2018, 09:05:58 PM
X10 support in Homeseer. Mark Fisher does this on a voluntary adhoc basis. Official support was dropped a good while back.

Yes and Mark does a fantastic job! I've exchanged a post or two with him at the homeseer forum. I certainly didn't mean to suggest I have a problem with Homeseer products or Mark. And I have nothing against mixing Home Automation flavors in a setup. I use several different types/flavors/brands of products in my setup... and they all work well together.

I really do advise taking that imagine of a basic HomeGenie setup. You can then experiment.... screw it up and then... reimage your working copy. There's always going to be a little bit of heavy lifting involved in the open source world but believe me it's worth it.

Yeah..... all computer systems used to be a bit flakey at one time. But good procedures promote reliable results. The tiny effort invested in the front end... pays a big dividend in overall reliability. I remember and ENJOYED the old wild-west "heavy lifting" days.... back 25-30 years ago. But I think most people have developed a higher standard for quality now-a-days.


Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 17, 2018, 09:12:39 PM
no protocol is without issues.  :( I've seen so many users give up on X10and move to something else only to find out the grass wasn't any greener.
I hate having to type or cut and paste a dozen lines or more into a command prompt to install something. There are just to many things to go wrong and my fat fingers don't help ::) :'
I'm all for making installs as simple as possible it attracts more users. For this reason I'm going to attempt to create a ha-bridge installer script. Initial tests thus far look promising for this.


Yep. And the efforts you put into you HG setup and guide... paid off big time! EXCELLENT WORK. Once you can add a similar ha-bridge, step-by-step that ends with a seamless finish and lets Alexa run discovery and pick up the HG X10 device. X10 will have it all.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 17, 2018, 09:35:50 PM
X10 support in Homeseer. Mark Fisher does this on a voluntary adhoc basis. Official support was dropped a good while back.

Yes and Mark does a fantastic job! I've exchanged a post or two with him at the homeseer forum. I certainly didn't mean to suggest I have a problem with Homeseer products or Mark. And I have nothing against mixing Home Automation flavors in a setup. I use several different types/flavors/brands of products in my setup... and they all work well together.

I really do advise taking that imagine of a basic HomeGenie setup. You can then experiment.... screw it up and then... reimage your working copy. There's always going to be a little bit of heavy lifting involved in the open source world but believe me it's worth it.

Yeah..... all computer systems used to be a bit flakey at one time. But good procedures promote reliable results. The tiny effort invested in the front end... pays a big dividend in overall reliability. I remember and ENJOYED the old wild-west "heavy lifting" days.... back 25-30 years ago. But I think most people have developed a higher standard for quality now-a-days.

Stop using age as an excuse :) We grow wiser with age and use it to our advantage. Remember X10 users are all of a certain vintage so we know a thing or two.

This new technology is just a reworking of old ideas. This is coming from a DEC VAX operator using BSD UNIX back in the late '70s so Linux holds no barriers.

Believe it or not Microsoft was the elephant in the room. We've moved on and now we are using a subset of Unix, namely Linux or in this case a flavour of Linux, Raspbian and as you are seeing all these years later a very productive OS.

You will get there and wonder why you didn't try it before now.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 17, 2018, 10:36:08 PM
Stop using age as an excuse :) …..Believe it or not Microsoft was the elephant in the room. We've moved on ….You will get there and wonder why you didn't try it before now.

I am not making any excuses... for age or anything else.... I don't think  :' I pre-date the rise of Microsoft... which became what it became by bringing together most of the computer makers under the single umbrella of DOS. Only the one company (Apple) held out... and it almost bankrupted them.  rofl

I have almost no resistance to change. It just isn't in my nature. However I do have a direction... and it's OK if its not universally shared.

Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 17, 2018, 10:46:41 PM
I've found a YouTube Pi-bridge-Alexa setup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kob2IED4gPI&t=172s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kob2IED4gPI&t=172s)… is it really this complex?

Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 18, 2018, 06:22:54 AM
I've found a YouTube Pi-bridge-Alexa setup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kob2IED4gPI&t=172s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kob2IED4gPI&t=172s)… is it really this complex?

It's not complex at all. Most of what Tuicemen laid out for you was a cut and paste operation. If you've cut and pasted into the correct folders you should succeed.

In most cases I find those YouTube videos more of a hindrance than a help.

The important thing is to get the HA Bridge software installed and working. From there the next process will be configuring it which again I'm sure Tuicemen will provide a point and click solution.

Once you have one device configured the remaining devices will follow a similar configuration pattern with only minor changes which once again will follow the cut and paste routine.

Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 18, 2018, 07:10:49 AM
I split this off from my HG beginner step by step setup thread as it was getting off topic and more towards adds for HG & or Alexa and Ha-Bridge.
I'm not sure where my HA-Bridge step by step is giving you a problem Dave but it appears to be at the text editor nano which creates the "ha-bridge.service" file.
 ::) :'
Linux is very case sensitive for things and not as forgiving as Windows so if you typed in the code instead of cut and paste that could be the issue, or I messed up typing it out.
I'll go over my write up again while I fine tune my setup script in case I omitted something.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 18, 2018, 07:46:16 AM
I've found a YouTube Pi-bridge-Alexa setup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kob2IED4gPI&t=172s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kob2IED4gPI&t=172s)… is it really this complex?
This video was for Windows and was done using an earlier version of HA-Bridge and maybe even HG.
Ha-Bridge has evolved a lot from when I first started using it.
It took me a month to initially figure it out ::) :'Luckily things have gotten easier.
However anything can be made to look complicated or very simple depending on a number of factors.
I went over my HA-Bridge step by step this morning and made some small wording changes. Even thought the actual code to type or cut and paste were all correct this may help.
 It should be noted some of the code has words in brackets these must be included as must the brackets.
I'm going to load up a fresh Rasbian SD card and test my script today for HA-Bridge.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 18, 2018, 07:53:31 AM
I split this off from my HG beginner step by step setup thread as it was getting off topic and more towards adds for HG & or Alexa and Ha-Bridge.
I'm not sure where my HA-Bridge step by step is giving you a problem Dave but it appears to be at the text editor nano which creates the "ha-bridge.service" file.
 ::) :'
Linux is very case sensitive for things and not as forgiving as Windows so if you typed in the code instead of cut and paste that could be the issue, or I messed up typing it out.
I'll go over my write up again while I fine tune my setup script in case I omitted something.

That's why I keep away from bold text, full stops brackets and any other special characters when posting cut and paste Linux commands. They usually end up in the editor or the Terminal session and create havoc. It doesn't look pretty grant it but it works. I prefer the nano editor others use vi but either way it must be a plain text editor.

Not sure if Dave is using Terminal locally or SSH but its vital that he notes what folder he is working in when carrying out the cut and paste routine. One simple missing cd command will mean vital files are located in the wrong folder and permissions will become an issue when running a service.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 18, 2018, 08:08:48 AM
Just a suggestion Dave if all else fails and if it sits well with you and Tuicemen. You could temporarily port forward your Raspberry Pi and allow Tuicemen a temporary SSH session on it if you really want to get HA-Bridge running. It would be just a one off requirement as you could image the working version, do what you want with it and always have the working version to fall back on. I've done similar for others in the past when things got "stubborn".

As I said its just a suggestion.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 18, 2018, 08:39:41 AM

That's why I keep away from bold text, full stops brackets and any other special characters when posting cut and paste Linux commands.
That may be the issue here. I didn't use the code option of the forum for posting as it doesn't display well in my forum.

I'll switch to that just in case.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 18, 2018, 12:46:21 PM
Just a suggestion Dave if all else fails and if it sits well with you and Tuicemen. You could temporarily port forward your Raspberry Pi and allow Tuicemen a temporary SSH session on it if you really want to get HA-Bridge running. ...….

But... where that would get me... isn't where I want to go. It isn't even the direction I am heading in.

We know for a fact that HG can run on a Pi, and we know that with a bridge HG can work with Alexa. One more person with such a setup isn't going to change anything. It certainly won't change anything in MY household as I already have Alexa controlling my X10 (and other devices).

But a simple setup that a non-Pi user can get up and running... just like the thousands of Homeseer users are paying big bucks for... could be a gamechanger for X10.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: HA Dave on August 18, 2018, 01:09:42 PM
I am also mulling the port 8080 choice over too. Don't forget... I am also running the Homeseer Hometroller (as SSH) and a few other devices here. I am considering using port 8090. Or is it even possible that the post number would make any difference? It's been since window 95 that I've had any consideration for ports.

BTW... I configure the HomesSeer on it's Pi (CAT5 connected to the router)... using SSH on a Chrome browser. I plan on using HG directly connected to a TV (I also have a long range mouse/keyboard) using a WiFi Internet connection. I like mixing things up.
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 18, 2018, 01:53:45 PM
Just a suggestion Dave if all else fails and if it sits well with you and Tuicemen. You could temporarily port forward your Raspberry Pi and allow Tuicemen a temporary SSH session on it if you really want to get HA-Bridge running. ...….

But... where that would get me... isn't where I want to go. It isn't even the direction I am heading in.

We know for a fact that HG can run on a Pi, and we know that with a bridge HG can work with Alexa. One more person with such a setup isn't going to change anything. It certainly won't change anything in MY household as I already have Alexa controlling my X10 (and other devices).

But a simple setup that a non-Pi user can get up and running... just like the thousands of Homeseer users are paying big bucks for... could be a gamechanger for X10.
Ok just to put it simply, allow someone like Tuicemen to access your Raspberry Pi remotely so he can perform all that cutting and pasting himself for you. Once the HA-Bridge is installed and talking to HomeGenie you can image the working copy yourself and have it forever without worrying about breaking it and having to start from scratch again.

Incidentally access for this type of operation will be setup by port forwarding port 22 on your LAN address that your Raspberry Pi occupies to your WAN address. Once completed you can disable that setting and everything is back to normal.

Again this was just a suggestion to get your HA-Bridge up and running as painlessly as possible.

edited by Tuicemen to fix Quote (fixed read ability)
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: Tuicemen on August 18, 2018, 02:34:55 PM
Ok I have a working script for the latest version of HA-Bridge for those that are interested in giving it a test run.
This is my first PI script creation so It may be a bit rough around the edges but it gets things done.

I understand user not wishing someone to logging in and doing the work for them many wish to see the steps being done.
a VNC login would be better as the end user could follow along.
In any case the new script means one line in the terminal window hit enter and your done.
I'll copy over my HA-Bridge StepByStep to this forum and also include the script in it.
 >!
Title: Re: HG and Alexa?
Post by: petera on August 18, 2018, 03:21:52 PM
Ok I have a working script for the latest version of HA-Bridge for those that are interested in giving it a test run.
This is my first PI script creation so It may be a bit rough around the edges but it gets things done.

I understand user not wishing someone to logging in and doing the work for them many wish to see the steps being done.
a VNC login would be better as the end user could follow along.
In any case the new script means one line in the terminal window hit enter and your done.
I'll copy over my HA-Bridge StepByStep to this forum and also include the script in it.
 >!

Possibly so. Most of the remote work I carry out is for people I know. All short of calling to Dave's home I think your days work is done now. :)%