English - Plugins

Re: Plug-in list

ChuckSchutt — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:12:46 +0000

I just got my Optimus Mini Three. I am impressed with the engineering for the hardware and the ease with which existing plug-ins can be accessed. Dozens of years ago I was a programmer working in standard Kernigan and Ritchie C, but sadly I have moved into management and my technical proficiency with programming languages has not kept paced with advances. I can see a use-case for people who are proficient with the computer but have no programming experience. To be able to script commands for existing tools on the computer and combine them in a structured order with appropriate "sleep" intervals, etc. would be of huge benefit. There are already tools on the market for mapping a macro to a key on the standard keyboard I realize, but having this separate set of keys, with JPG, GIF or AVI uniqueness, plus the context sensitive way the layout changes dependent on the active program, would really address a very different set of the market to increase revenue for the OM3 ( and address my needs more directly as well ;))

Are there any plans for a mechanism to do scripted plug-ins in addition to the programmed plug-ins?

Thanks,
chuck

graphics and ASAM configs / "how to" (samples for Outlook, IE)

Cornan — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:59:50 +0000

:)-DBig thanks to Optimus Support and the author of ASAM for making a few important fixes / enhancements that allow me to use the mini-3 as a productivity tool focused on running programs on my local system in addition to the built in functionality.

In the attached ASAM configuration files you will find icon or sound file paths that you will need to adjust to match your own system (unless you want to duplicate a tiny corner of my system's folder structure 8-))

First a few words on my setup. I've used Velcro to attach my OM3 to the bottom bezel of my "left" monitor (of two) . Thus I use my mouse with my right hand and the OM3 with my left hand (as well as my Griffin "PowerMate").

Overall I'm using the "Global" layout with ASAM and have started using the "Hotkey" plug-in for program-specific layouts (I deleted the Outlook and Word layouts so that my Global layout would stay in place). I'll start with a description of how I use ASAM, from simplest to most complex.

My left OM3 button runs MS Outlook. In the attached file you will find a 96x96 Outlook icon as well as a file you can "Load" directly into ASAM. If you have a different version of Outlook you may need to adjust the file path.

In a nutshell, MS Outlook has a command-line paramter, "/Recycle", which will prevent your OM3 button from running multiple copies of Outlook. As a nice side-effect, when Outlook is already running, /Recycle will take you to your Inbox (at least it does for Outlook 2003).
===
On my middle button I have Internet Explorer, which I have ASAM activate by window title. I basically always have IE open on my desktop but if no window containing "Windows Internet Explorer" in the title is found, I use a second ASAM "state" to run IE from disc.

The ASAM "states" feature is interesting and powerful once you understand how it works. You can move from state to state with separate button presses, or you can have one button "chain" [my word] directly from one state to another.

After you load the "ASAM for IE.ini" file from the attachment, look at the "default state" tab. Here are the imporant items for this discussion:
"Action mode:" --> "on button press" (the "Action Type" will be executed when the OM3 button is pressed)
"Action type:" --> "show window [title or classname]"
"Window title or class:" --> *Windows Internet Explorer*

and under "State consitions and even action settings"
"if" -- "action failed"
then -- "-> active state" (if we can't load the window, proceed to the second state)

Now look at the "active state" tab. (It's important to note that just proceeding to the Active state won't trigger any action by itself.)

"Action mode:" --> "on button press + state entered" (this tells the active state to execute this action when the active state is entered [I think only when it was entered because of a button press]).

This is what lets us "chain" two states together to do more than one action per button press. If you only have "on button press" set then the "then" clause from the default state won't actually "do anything" in the "active state".

Finally (for the Internet Explorer button), if we are successful in running "iexplore.exe", then we return to the default state in the expectation that the next button will find the window already open, or we play a sound (wave file) to indicate failure.

I also added the word "active" to the "Additional Information:" area so that the button will display "active" if we get stuck in the active state.
===
Now on to the third button. On this button I use all three ASAM states to implement a "Go back" capability. In other words, when I push the button the program of my choice is run and then when I'm ready to return to the previous program I push the same OM3 button again. (Two of the three states remain visible on the screen to receive a button press, while one state is passed through automatically. ) Here's how it works:

"default state"
The job of the "default state" is to display the icon of my program (which happens to be PersonalBrain [check it out], but is whatever program you want to "jump in and out of"), and when the button is pressed, to capture the foreground window and move to the "active state".

"active state"
The active state activates the window of my choice (I keep PersonalBrain running 24/7) and then (if successful) move to the "signalled" state.

"signalled state"
The signalled state stays displayed (basically, the program icon with the words "Go Back" added) until I press the button. Then ASAM executes the "recover captured window" action to bring back the program I was running when I pressed the button.

Finally, the "signalled state" returns to the "default state" to await the next time I want to "jump in and out of" that program.
===

Unless I'm mistaken, it's not quite possible to combine what I do with my IE and PersonalBrain buttons, because that would require a fourth state ( 1: capture window, 2: try to run new window, 3: execute program file if window not present and 4: restore the captured window), but in practice this doesn't seem to be a problem, as the program I want to jump in and out of is almost by definition the program I leave up all day.

===

I'm finding that my left hand is good for "zoom in and out" for program-specific layouts, for example for an icon editor. For these programs I create the OM3 layout and then use the "Hotkey" plug-in. For these I've included a basic "plus" and "minus" graphic at 96x96.

===

It took some real commitment to get my OM3 to this level of functionality (and I'm not done yet), but I'm a great believer in devices other than a two-button mouse and keyboard. Now if there only were an OM-6 or maybe an OM-8 or maybe I could connect multiple OM3s to the same computer...

Re: AnimatedGIF plugin

Hannilein — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:57:00 +0000

Hello,
a new version of ASAM is available.

Changes:
- new actions: Capture, Restore (as suggested by Wayne)
- Bugfix: correct sparation of commandline and parameter

Download and info here:
http://disc.freshsite.de

Regards,
Dirk

Re: AnimatedGIF plugin

Hannilein — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:00:57 +0000

I have the same problem here at the working place. Because ASAM itself has no proxy access features, I think the only solution is a socks proxy at the host system.
At my working place is works as follows:
After starting the machine, when ASAM accesses an external address (internet) the first time, a socks proxy login box appears and I type in the login data, then ASAM has granted access for the whole session.
This "socks proxy" stuff needs no settings for ASAM, this is a host system feature. If there is no possibility for either unlimited access or a socks proxy, ASAM cannot access the external world.

Regards,
Dirk

Re: AnimatedGIF plugin

olivier — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:28:07 +0000

Hello Dirk,

as you said, there is a proxy ! do you think we can go though it ? maybe by changing the internet adress ?

regards

Re: AnimatedGIF plugin

Hannilein — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:04:42 +0000

ASAM has no ability to access (through) a proxy, only direct access is possible.

Regards,
Dirk

Re: AnimatedGIF plugin

olivier — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:58:16 +0000

I don't know... What is the problem with the proxy, if any ?

Re: AnimatedGIF plugin

Hannilein — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:24:47 +0000

Maybe there is a proxy in between?

Re: blanck screen !

olivier — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:31:49 +0000

the screen either on OM3 and on configurator remains black. the link is ok, it is viewable with firefox or IE, and the size is the good one. Curiously, the same ASAM and configurator software and the same link work on a computer and not on another one (other location, other IP adress)...?????!! Can the rest of the configuration hardware, other soft, ...can disable the display ? by the way, there is no error detected, and the screen press fonctionality is ok. Another info, the other plugins work well, even to display a rss feed based on art lebedev plugin. Any idea ?

Re: blanck screen !

Hannilein — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:04:27 +0000

What exactly do you mean with "inefficient"?
What is the link to the image?

Please note that ASAM does not scale the image, it can show a 96x96 clipping only.

Regards,
Dirk

blanck screen !

olivier — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:34:45 +0000

Hello Hannilien,

for some reason, on aertain configurations, the ASAM plugin seems to be inneficient to show the gif file, even if the link to the image is ok. Do you have an idea of what could happen ?what kind of further informations do you need to help me solve the problem ?
Thanks

Olivier

Re: Looking for PageUP and PageDown Plugin

Hannilein — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:47:36 +0000

Yes, ASAM can also send hotkeys: use the action "send key to active window" and one of the key codes written in the file "keycodes.txt" (which is in the ASAM archive). For example to send "Page Down" use the code '0x22'.

Kind Regards,
Dirk

Re: Looking for PageUP and PageDown Plugin

Sushimeister — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:52:46 +0000

Did you try ASAM plugin?
>>> http://asam.freshsite.de/ <<<

Looking for PageUP and PageDown Plugin

dunkman — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:19:36 +0000

I have a delima right now. I have been using the hotkeys plugin for my optimus mini but for some reason can't get the Page Up and Page Down key to work with hotkeys. Every other key works except Home end Page UP Page Down and the number key pad Page Up and Page Down keys don't work. I have tried all the key combinations and they dont work. Does anyone know of a plug-in, batch file or anything to make this possible. Please advise. Thanks again.

Chad

Re: Plug-in list

Hannilein — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:57:34 +0000

Apart from playing a macro, ASAM is able to do this (display an animation, send keystrokes). Maybe I could implement a macro function, but I cannot promise.

Regards,
Dirk

Re: Plug-in list

Sushimeister — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:50:42 +0000

Could the ASAM plugin (http://asam.freshsite.de/) do this job?
I guess, it's quite powerful, and the developer could also implement this feature...

Re: Plug-in list

gamekill — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:56:23 +0000

I would love to be able to display whatever animated image I want in a button and have it input a keystrokes sequence (a macro) when pressed... That would be a very very useful plugin.

I could create my own command sequence for a lot of apps, and the correct buttons layout would load up whenever I had the focus on the app. This would be much more useful than the existing "single command" function, and I really do believe this should not be complicated to develop. An additional option would be to set the time pause in between the commands. A standard time for all commands (keystroke or combination), or custom times for different commands.

For example, I could set "Shift+S, 1sec, Enter, 1sec, Shift+B, 1sec, Enter, 1sec, CTRL+F12, 1sec, Enter" and use it while working on Paint Shop Pro, to automate the sequence "resize image to last used size, adjust brightness to last used value, and save a copy to the last used work directory".

Also, I could even use it to play MMO, like in an automated chat message "Enter, 1sec, H-e-l-p-! I a-m b-e-i-n-g a-t-t-a-c-k-e-d-! H-e-a-l m-e-1!-, l-o-c-a-t-i-o-n-/-l-o-c-!, Enter"

Another approach: I could set a movie player to generate an exact 15 second A-B repeat loop if my video player used the A key to start the AB loop, and the B key to define it's end, and the L key to play the loop like "A, 5sec, B, L"

There are lots of other possibilities.

I really wish this application-dependent-macros plugin would be released!

Plug-in list

megalo — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:42:51 +0000

Hi there everybody!
I am new in the town, and first of all want to wish all of you a happy new year!!

So, yesterday i got my brand new Optimus mini 3, (thanks to my wife!) and today i was exploring it and mentioned a big lack of useful plugins which should have been taken into account.
The idea of the topic is to gather all the ideas about which plugins would be useful-cool-funny, and maybe it can be interesting for anybody to develope them.

I want also offer my help in this point. I would code them by myself if i were a programmist, coder or whatever, but i am not, But, i am designer, and i will be glad to help in the development of any plugin, designing icons, or whatever.
Really i just want to create some plugins which people can use.

For the first post, i tell you some of the ideas which could be interesting, at less for me.
[b]A layout for eMule[/b]
Which could also be reused for torrent based clients, and where would be shown the download and upload rate, any messages from other user and maybe a button for going directly to search.
[b]Layout for Firefox[/b]
In the base pack u have a layout for explorer, but people would also find useful another layout for opera and firefox. Not everybody uses explorer already.
[b]Design layout[/b]
Maybe a different set of layouts for programs like photoshop, illustrator, corel draw, flash. The main idea of this layouts would be to show info about the document in which u are working, more than tools.

Well, these are just three ideas, i am sure many more people will have their own ideas, and maybe even somebody would like to code the plugins. That would be AWESOME! and remember, i am ready to help in everything i can, at any moment!!

See u later pals!

Re: VS2005 plug-in released

Death9 — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:17:31 +0000

Hi all.
Ok, this problem is now resolved and everything is working.
If you have any ideas for improvements please email me. I'm open to suggestions.
Also please email me your experiences with it, especially languages other than C++ or unusual solutions.

Thanks,
Death9

Re: VS2005 plug-in released

Death9 — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:09:22 +0000

Doh, ok, looks like the VS2005 plugin is partly working.
Now, have a look for the file

c:\Optimus\!Maximus\Win\Maximus.log

This file should be created when you compile.

Email me the file.

When you say "static image without any info" do you have a blue icon of crossed hammer and spanner with the text "Maximus" at the top?

Could we continue this conversation over email to save my embarrassment?

Thanks,
Death9

Re: VS2005 plug-in released

Pretender — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 08:54:05 +0000

Now file creating and contain one line:
C:\Optimus\!Maximus\Win\Maximus.log

But plug show only static image without any info.

Re: VS2005 plug-in released

Death9 — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:00:10 +0000

Ok, all fixed and updated. Tell me how you get on.

Thanks,
Death9

Re: VS2005 plug-in released

Death9 — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:52:10 +0000

Ooops, looks like I forgot to create the file if it doesn't exist. You can fix it by creating an empty file called "Mini3VSNotify.txt" in your "My Documents" folder. Make sure you've not got a solution loaded when you do this. I will fix the plugin and update my site.

Sorry,
Death9.

Re: VS2005 plug-in released

Pretender — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:53:27 +0000

...and file "C:\Documents and Settings\\My Documents\Mini3VSNotify.txt" not exist in my system while building.

Re: VS2005 plug-in released

Pretender — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:20:45 +0000

Not work for me.

VS Addin seems instaled, but "No builds active" on screen.

VS2005 plug-in released

Death9 — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:34:11 +0000

Please visit my web site at http://www.death9.co.uk to download.
If you've no idea what VS2005 is then this plug in isn't for you, sorry.
Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,
Death9

Re: You may contact us in such cases

Sushimeister — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 09:06:30 +0000

thx @MoKo

You may contact us in such cases

MoKo — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 09:01:17 +0000

If future you may send the plug-in sources to support@artlebedev.com and ask us to compile the plug-in.

Re: AnimatedGIF plugin

olivier — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 09:20:35 +0000

Hi Hannilein,

Thanks a lot for your latest version :)

that's perfect !

Regards

Olivier

Re: AnimatedGIF plugin

Hannilein — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 16:43:28 +0000

Hello,
new version of ASAM (recompiled to work with OMC v1.0.33) is available her:

http://disc.freshsite.de/

Have fun :)

Regards,
Dirk

@Sushimeister: Problem solved, no help needed ;)