PC Companion (Voice Control, E-mail, Weather, Memos + more)

[HA Dave]

[li]Added ability to trigger weather forcast or current temperature read on a X10 event [/color][/b] This one is for you Dave_x10_L! [/li]
......
[li] Updated the manual to reflect changes[/li]
[/list]

Woo Hoo! Thank-you Tuice[/b]. Not only will that allow me to replace MY WeatherAloud program... but I will be able to recommend it to others. Calling for a weather report [or forecast] on demand... is a very cool thing. I like your idea of getting the report on request instead of WeatherAlouds way of constance downloading and saving the information.

[Tuicemen]

I use to use just the main FloorPlan for viewing my modules but since adding the SecurityInformer Plug-in I found my Floor plan was getting cluttered!
I've since started to use all 3 floors to get a less cluttered look this allows for bigger room displays and allows one to use bigger graphics for devices.
I've spent much time creating graphics for different devices and since the program now lets you specify which ones to use for each device the possibilities have become endless.

Some of you have put forth some good Ideas.
I had thought more of you would be sending me some samples via e-mail but I've only received 2 so far of which I had to convert to Gifs!
Here is a list of what is included so far:

• Lightbulb
• Ceilingfan
• Door
• Door2(a Supplied sample)
• Window(a supplied sample)
• Windowfan
• FloodLights
• Security
• ChristmasTree
• TV
• Receiver
• Camera
• MailBox
• LightSwitch
• Microphone

Some of you may be working on or have other versions of those listed.   Please share them with the rest of us!
Take a look at what your controlling with X10 then see if you can find or create ON & OFF gif pics for that!
E-mail them to me and I'll add them in the next release.
Thanks everyone for add ideas don't stop them coming!
Note: If you don't see all of the listed graphics in the FloorPlan folder of PC Companion then you don't have the latest version

[HA Dave]

...  I had thought more of you would be sending me some samples via e-mail but I've only received 2 so far....

What size image(s) would you like?

[Tuicemen]

...  I had thought more of you would be sending me some samples via e-mail but I've only received 2 so far....

What size image(s) would you like?

Keeping them similar in size to those already in the program would be best for distribution but PC Companion will auto size and I can resize for ditribution.
The thing to keep in mind is these are usually displayed small so test them out in your copy of companion to see how they look! 
Since you can change the display size of the graphics in the floorplan options test at a small size and at the larger size.
The main problem is getting enough of a difference in the ON from the OFF to distinguish them!
Some things to keep in mind for testing:

• you must have an on & off graphic
• the graphic name must end with "On" for the ON graphic and "Off" for the OFF graphic
• don't have any spaces in the graphic name
• try to create pics with no background else a squared off image appears

[Tuicemen]

***New version released***
I hesitated releasing this as I wanted to add Sensor triggering Video capture!
For some reason program won't see RF until video capture is stopped so that had to be done manually (not Good)!
I'll continue to work on this and it may appear as an add later!
In any case this is mostly a Camera enhancement release with a few bug fixes introduced with the code for the SecurityInformer add:
3.0.3.5 Added features:

• Fixed error on AllLightsOn press introduced with security plug-in
• Fixed error on AllunitsOff press introduced with security plug-in
• Fixed wrong graphic loads after a device was edited with new picture
• Fixed program hang if camera screen was opened before a camera was displaying
• Added camera display for additional 8 cameras 12 in total
• Increased Camera display window size
• Added small preview screens for each cam showing previous image if not the active cam
• Added option to name Cameras name displays under preview screens
• Added ninja preset start/stop scan button
• Added ability to locate and view captured content from find button
• Added snapshot image saves to Video folder
• Added multi cam scan
• Added possible scan interval of 5 seconds to 5 mins
• Added option for motion sensor to start auto stills every 1-30 seconds until motion sensor sends OFF code

Note:
The Down load location is still the same !
PC Companion

[hawk1]

  Nice Addition Tuicemen!!!  I can't wait for the video recording!  Anything I can do to help let me know!

[Tuicemen]

***Update: PC Companion Version 3.0.3.8***
Fixed weather trigger address (also now displays correctly after saving)
Fixed issue with camera 8
Fixed issue if no sensor trigger address for cams was specified
Added option to specify for adding date to captured image file name or not(this fixed issue with long file names some users were experiencing)
Added Logs folder for log files

[JulesK]

I want to try this nice program before making a donation.

I downloaded and installed the trial version.

When i try to start te prog it crashes without an error, windows vista just says: program stopped working.

Any ideas?

In my event viewer i found this:

Fault bucket 477909395, type 5
Event Name: CLR20r3
Response: None
Cab Id: 0

Problem signature:
P1: pccompanion.exe
P2: 3.0.3.8
P3: 499c93d9
P4: PcCompanion
P5: 3.0.3.8
P6: 499c93d9
P7: 39
P8: c6
P9: System.InvalidOperationException
P10:

======================

477909395
   5
   CLR20r3
   None
   0
   pccompanion.exe
   3.0.3.8
   499c93d9
   PcCompanion
   3.0.3.8
   499c93d9
   39
   c6

[Tuicemen]

JulesK
That is wierd it crashes on trying to start or on installing?
Which Flavor of Vista you running?
I haven't tested the latest release on Vista but prior versions went without an issue! even for those machines without AHP installed!

[JulesK]

JulesK
That is wierd it crashes on trying to start or on installing?
Which Flavor of Vista you running?
I haven't tested the latest release on Vista but prior versions went without an issue! even for those machines without AHP installed!

It is vista ultimate x64 EN version. Installing is fine, just starting up produces this error.
Maybe 64 bit issues? I also set it to xp compitabilty mode.... Still no go.

[Tuicemen]

Maybe 64 bit issues?

That most likely is it!
I've installed and ran it on vista 32bit basic and Windows 7 32 bit without any issues!
I hadn't installed the newest version on windows 7 prior to your post but have now without any problems!
A lot of users test running the thirdparty software creations with vista 64 bit have reported issues but your the first that has stated they can't even get PC Companion to start! Did you download and save to your hard drive before you installed? You may have a corrupt install!
Try a fresh download and don't install from the net. My gut feeling is you'll always have some issues with 32bit programs running on a 64 bit OS!

[Tuicemen]

****New Release ver 3.0.3.9****

UX17A has only the IR Commander features in it. UX21A and UX23A are VCR Commander & VCR Commander II, respectively. They have the features used by IR Commander, but are mainly used to start and stop recording on a VCR (or DVDR or DVR) based on input from X10 motion sensors.

A special thanks to Billy and Charles Sullivan for initially getting me started on this
(many Moons ago)!   
And To Dave_x10_L for helping me realize, I didn't need the emitters stuck to my TV,VCR,DVD player if I used a PowerMid set. Otherwise this may still be on the back burner!
This release allows one to interface with the VCR Commander and Unlock it's hidden features turning it into a IR Commander Via a Commander Plug-in. Although not all features are coded yet the most popular ones are.

Version 3.0.3.9:
Added option to turn on/off paramaters notification for weather triggers
Added UX17 & UX23 initialization/setup screen for IR control
Added ability to send multiple IR commands on a single X10 received signal via VCR/IR commanders
Added link to plug-in pack (includes Commander) located in floorplan help page
Added quick link to special triggers page in options(weather,phone and VCR Commander triggers)
Added quick link to VCR Commander setup (although the plug-in is needed for everything other then initializing)
Added option to Backup Settings (XML)files
Added option to restore old backed up settings (XML files)

[hawk1]

You are the man!!!!  Been waiting for this one!!  Haven't even got it yet, but donated right away!  Can't wait to play!

[Tuicemen]

You are the man!!!!  Been waiting for this one!!  Haven't even got it yet, but donated right away!  Can't wait to play!

Thanks hawk1 I should have had this out last week but had to run to the cottage for a few days!
I know this one will get my wife on side with HA!
The WAF has already increased here and I haven't implemented the VCR Companion plug-in to its fullest yet!

[Tuicemen]

Just when I think I have something new to try someone beats me to it!
I was planing to give RealVNC a test run with PCC in hopes that it would save me a lot of finger wear  !
trol1374 beat me to it and went one step farther with his PDA using it!
However not using the VA11A and a Non Windows friendly Video card he was unable to test the video display! 
I should note here: "RealVNC doesn't need the internet for home network connection."
I can report that it does indeed work with PC Companions cam display although there is a bit of a lag with the free version.
I fired off a couple of emails to RealVNC Sales  asking about sound (free version doesn't have it) and video display!
I was informed that they are working on adding sound and video really depended on network conditions.
I asked about a discount for users of PCC and I'm still waiting for a responce so hold off on getting the personal addition just yet!
In anycase the personal version is only $30.
Also a workaround would be to use X10dispatcher in the mix as it will send sound triggers over the network!