Stream Deck and Homekit update.

I mentioned previously using HomeBridge to help control a fan with the Elgato Stream Deck. It felt like overkill and I later found a much more stable solution for this that I'll talk about below. However, Robert Hawdon sent me an update to the original code I was using that saves the current state of the switch so that it can restore the state through a HomeBridge restart or crash.

const port = 3000;

const express = require('express');
const bodyParser = require('body-parser');
const stateFile = './state.json';
var fs = require('fs');
let app = express();
app.use(bodyParser.text({ type: 'text/*' }))

var switches = {};

function saveState() {

	var data = JSON.stringify(switches);

	fs.writeFile(stateFile, data, function (err) {
		if (err) {
			console.log('There has been an error saving the switch state.');
			console.log(err.message);
			return;
		}
		console.log('State saved successfully.')
	});
}

function loadState() {

	if (fs.existsSync(stateFile)) {

		var data = fs.readFileSync(stateFile);

		try {
			switches = JSON.parse(data);
		}
		catch (err) {
			console.log('There has been an error reading the switch state.');
			console.log(err);
		}

	}
}

function getSwitchValue(switchName, trueValue, falseValue) {

	let value = switches[switchName];

	if (trueValue === undefined) {

		trueValue = true;
	} 

	if (falseValue == undefined) {

		falseValue = false;
	}

	if (value === undefined || value == false) {

		return falseValue;

	} else {
		
		return trueValue;
	}
}

function setSwitchValue(switchName, valueAsBoolean) {

	// Don't care about current state of switch - or if it exists or not at this point.
	switches[switchName] = valueAsBoolean;
	saveState();
}

// ==================
// General purpose getter to show the state of all switches in the browser.

app.get('/', (request, response) => {
	
	// return current state of all known switches
	response.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/json');
	response.send(JSON.stringify(switches, null, 4));	
});


// HomeBridge http switch end points.
app.get('/switches/:switchName/on', (request, response) => {

	let switchName = request.params.switchName;

	//console.log("switchOn called for switch: ", switchName);
	setSwitchValue(switchName, true);

	let switchValue = getSwitchValue(switchName, "1", "0");
	response.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
	response.send(switchValue);	
});

app.get('/switches/:switchName/off', (request, response) => {

	let switchName = request.params.switchName;

	//console.log("switchOff called for switch: ", switchName);

	setSwitchValue(switchName, false);

	let switchValue = getSwitchValue(switchName, "1", "0");
	response.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
	response.send(switchValue);	
});

app.get('/switches/:switchName/status', (request, response) => {

	let switchName = request.params.switchName;

	//console.log("switchStatus called for switch: ", switchName);

	let switchValue = getSwitchValue(switchName, "1", "0");
	response.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
	response.send(switchValue);	
});


// ==================
// Stream Deck MCControl endpoints.

app.get('/switches/:switchName', (request, response) => {

	let switchName = request.params.switchName;

	//console.log("got status request for switch: ", switchName);

	let switchValue = getSwitchValue(switchName, "ON", "OFF");

	response.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/json');
	response.send(JSON.stringify({ state: switchValue }));
});


app.post('/switches/:switchName', (request, response) => {
	
	let switchName = request.params.switchName;

	//console.log("switch set post called for switch: ", switchName);

	var data = request.body;
	console.log("Data: ", data);

	if (data == "ON") {

		switchState = true;

	} else if (data == "OFF") {

		switchState = false;
	}

	setSwitchValue(switchName, switchState);

	let switchValue = getSwitchValue(switchName, "ON", "OFF");
	response.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/json');
	response.send(JSON.stringify({ state: switchValue }));
});



app.listen(port, (err) => {
	if (err) {
		return console.log('something bad happened', err)
	}

	loadState();
	console.log(`server is listening on ${port}`)
});

These days I'm not using HomeBridge at all. But, I still use the fan and turn it on and off with the StreamDeck. I do this with HomeControl for the Mac. This app lets you control all of your home kit devices and scenes with a menu on your mac. It also lets you use control devices with callback urls via the command line. You can create a script and execute that script with a button on the StreamDeck. However, It doesn't show the current state of the devine on the StreamDeck button with this technique.

#!/bin/bash

open -g "homecontrol://x-callback-url/run-action?action-type=switch-device-status&item-type=device&item-name=Fan&home-name=Home&activation-mode=toggle&authentication-token=1234"

You need to get the url to use here with the HomeControl app. There is an auth token that will be unique to your computer. I hope this update helps anyone trying to do something simmilar.

Fun with Midjourney

Midjourney is an AI art generation tool that, along with other simmilar tools, has been all over social media. It's fun to experiment with. If nothing else you can create some really interesting backgrounds for your phone lock screen.

Better than I expected

I heard someone talking about these on a podcast. I've never liked the way PopSockets work with the sticky back. I use Qi charging every night with my phone, so I have to be able to have the back of my phone clear. This PopSocket uses the MagSafe magnets and it's amazing how well it holds on to the back of the phone. It only comes off when I want it to. I also did not realize that you could buy grips with an amazing variety of designs on them.

So, I'm pretty happy with this. It makes it easier to hold on to the phone. It's easy to remove, and it stays attached all day. The only downside is that it makes the phone thicker, and if your pocket is already tight it might make it harder to get it out of your pocket.

Particle System Simulation

Decided to revive a program I liked in college.

Lava Lamp Toy

I was doing most things in Turbo Pascal then. I remember spending hours tweaking it and leaving it running like a screen saver.

A New Retro Computer

I just pre-ordered the Mega 65. It's a farily expensive modern FPGA based 8-bit computer. It can emulate multiple retro computers as well as the C64. Yeah its a little too expensive I think, but I really wanted to support the creation of this.

Some great streams discussing various aspects of the computer and programming on it.

I'm really looking forward to seeing progress on the Commander 16 as well. This is another modern retro computer that is taking a different aproach.

A Nearly New Commodore 64

Seriously thinking about trying to find a Commodore 64 case and keyboard in good condition to try this solution out. This would be much easier than recapping and fixing the original. So many of the original chips are hard to get these days. Would need to source a new power supply as well, but you can get those from multiple places.

Mac Studio Upgrade

I finally upgraded my iMac Pro to the new Mac Studio.

What I Got

• Apple M1 Max with 10-core CPU, 24-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
• 64GB unified memory
• 1TB SSD storage

I probably should have went ahead and got more internal storage. I was worried about spending too much, but that would have been a good upgrade.

I need to think about updating our network storage anyway.

Initial Impressions

I've only started using it, but so far its crazy fast and very very quiet. My older iMax Pro's fan could get loud at times. The few thigns I have tried with this new machine have all been silent.

I also ordred the new Apple Studio Display. Until it arrives I'm using an LG 4K display, which is pretty good, but not nearly as good as the 5K display on my older iMac. I'm a big fan of Apples displays. I still use the older Apple Thunderbolt Display.

Software Update V11

I was talking about the new Tesla update V11.0, and all the complaints people have with it. I still think its a great update that makes things mostly easier and more simple. I have seen several videos of people responding to some of the common complaints with mroe info and helpful ways of using the new changes. Here is one of the better ones I have seen.

Software Update

Tesla pushed a new software update over the holidays that changes a bunch of user interface behavior and adds a few great features. V11.0 became available for me on the 24th. I started the update, while reading about other people freaking out over the changes. Some unhappy people out there.

I understand some of the complaints, a few features have become an extra click away. But, for the most part the interface is simpler and should be less confusing to use while driving. There were so many cases where I hit the wrong button while driving. I'd turn my seat warmer on while trying to change the temp. They have added more space around the buttons, and allowed for you to put your favorite apps on the bottom bar.

Features

• Tesla Light Show - Silly feature that some people seem to love, but I'll never use.
• New User Interface - Simplification, easier to use, more consistent.
• Updated Navigation - Simplification.
• Games - Sonic might make me get a controller for the car, to play while supercharging, thought I never spend that much time in the car.
• Entertainment - Tiktok, I'd use that. I have used Youtube a few times.
• Audio - Separate Subwoofer level. Nice to have.
• Blind Spot Camera - WOOOT, I love this. turn signal can turn the blind spot camera on for you.
• For every Model 3 and Model Y, we’ve also added automatic seat heater functionality - also very nice.
• Waypoint improvements - very nice to be able to add additional waypoints in the navigation. Now if we could fully use this via the app or on the internet.

Overall

For the most part I think this was all a big improvement. I've seen people complain that the trip screen was easier to use while driving before, but I don't think thats so important for me. Making things easier to use while driving is good. Moving things that you probably shouldn't be using often while driving to a sub menu is fine. I think for a new user this will be easier to understand and learn how to use.

The blind spot camera activation feature is a great safety feature that should have been there all along.

A New Car!

We decided recently to go ahead and sell our pre-owned Tesla Model S and get a new Model Y. We happened to order during a very busy time for Tesla. It also happens to currently be their most popular car. Amazingly we only had to wait about 5 weeks for our car to arrive. The process was mostly smooth. Our initial delivery date was delayed a couple of days. I can't image the logistic complexity of shipping cars all over the country.

What we ordered

• Tesla Model Y
• Long Range All-Wheel Drive
• Red Multi-Coat
• 19" Gemini Wheels
• Basic Autopilot
• All Black Premium Interior

There were no major issues at all with the delivery. There might be a small door gap issue with the trunk, but it's barely noticeable and does not appear to be causing any issues. There might be an issue with the passenger side front door. It seems a little harder to close sometimes. We'll give it a week to see if it continues. Overall, we are super happy with this vehicle. It's better than the older Model S, and super fun to drive. I can't wait to take some longer trips in it. We will likely drive it to Walt Disney World later this year. We did make one trip in the Model S to Disney, and that went well but we will be able to stop fewer times in this long range Y.

Accessories we are getting

• 3D Max Spider floor mats
• Evannex screen protector
• Under seat storage drawer
• Extra Gen 2 Mobile Connector Bundle - one at the house, one in the car
• Nema Adapter Bundle

I'm still really not sure about doing paint protection wrap. It's very expensive. I might watch some videos on doing it yourself. Not so sure about that yet.