Re: Idratek Release Cortex V24

["Paul Bendall" <paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Must admit I normally assume "keys" are case sensitive so
didn't run
into this problem.

Another thumbs up to Vivian, Karam and the guys in that the install
downloaded from the server and ran successfully (after first
uninstalling version 23.1.x as noted in the readme). It immediately
picked up my existing database and all was working again on the new
version within 5 minutes. I know this is how it is supposed to happen
but so often with software / OS upgrades it doesn't and you are left
with a mess.

Already exploring and enjoying the additional features to the light
object. It means I can remove my custom script and use standard
interfaces within Cortex. One particuliar setup is complex although
not uncommon with an ensuite shower but with a light switch on the
outside of the room. Most of the time it just works:
- If prescence detected, plus low light level, plus time of day then
light comes on
- Prescence removed light goes off within 10 seconds
- Normal operation is from 06:00 through 00:15, so during the night
when your eyes are accustomed to light you aren't blasted with bright
light.

The concept of prescence is determined with PIR sensors in different
rooms, plus additional input from a door sensor (when the bl**dy door
doesn't stick!). I move from the bedroom to ensuite with door open
and I am assumed temporarily present in the ensuite. If the door were
closed and then opened, person goes through, door closed and finally
PIR detects in ensuite then I am permanently present in the ensuite.

The problem I have always had is in an override situation where I
want the light to come on in the middle of the night(outside normal
operating hours) or when it is light (ambient level normally wouldn't
require light). I always been able to override with the external
light switch to the ensuite room (it is a chrome momentary switch
from GET plc but is just wired as a digital input for a Idratek
module in the loft space). But reverting to normal behaviour has been
a problem (I could have used the switch again to over-ride the over-
ride, or been lazy and expected the prescence detection to turn the
light off) Getting all these situations just right is not easy.
However, with the additional functionallity in v24 I can do it all
through the GUI without having to resort to macros (have we mentioned
the ability of Cortex to simulate activity to check things work as
you expect?).

Paul

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Jon Wilkins" <jonpdwilkins@...>
wrote:
>
> No-one mentioned the new splash screen :-)
>
> More seriously, is it normal for licence keys to be case
sensitive?  Took me
> 15 minutes to figure out why the installer was bailing out after I
keyed in
> my Install Key as *lower* case!
>
> More stuff to tweak on the HVAC object -- Something to read up over
> Christmas, along with the Macro conditionals mentioned above.
>
> /jon
>
> 2008/12/22 Kevin Hawkins <yahoogroupskh@...>
>
> >   The thing that impresses me about Idratek's Cortex , and has
made me a
> > covert is their very different approach to automation.
> >
> > Instead of just monitoring state changes and allowing you to
control
> > things with your smarts implemented in macros inbetween (the
approach
> > most others take) they instead focus on functional tasks that an
> > automation system implements. Aspects like heating , security and
> > lighting are intelligently managed based on an intelligent house
> > structure that knows about houses, floors, rooms and the way they
> > interconnect as well as security modes , time settings , weather
sensors
> > and occupancy etc.
> >
> > It achieves some very sophisticated integration that would take
weeks of
> > programming in other systems - and with each (so far free) update
it
> > adds new algorithms and options for you to adopt. In a
traditional
> > system you would be constantly modifying your scripts yourslef.
It
> > also offers the traditional trigger/action model that other
systems use
> > as their basis and Idratek react very promptly to feature
suggestions
> > etc with many interim releases (the application can even
automatically
> > update itself whilst running).
> >
> > This along with a very extensive and attractively priced range of
> > hardware and now a very open option for integration with other
systems
> > and devices via xAP has made it a firm favourite for me. I'm
using
> > more and more Idranet devices - often behind my own faceplates..
and
> > loving it
> >
> > Kevin
> >
> >
> > Paul Bendall wrote:
> > > Just read through the release notes and again it looks as
though it is
> > > going from strnegth to strength. Some additional
functionallity
for
> > > lights which have always been very well though out.
Temporary
over-ride
> > > is now reset to normal operation automatically after a
period
of time
> > > (i.e a light is normally off but is switched on for a spefic
task, then
> > > the user leaves but doesn't turn the light off, after a
preset
time the
> > > light will turn off and future behaviour is reverted to
normal
> > > operation)
> > >
> > > The inbuilt macro-language now supports conditional
statements
If,
> > > Else, End If. Further support for the xAP protocol to
interface
Cortex
> > > and Idratek to a wider collection of objects, modules, units
and
> > > devices.
> > >
> > > More support for the newly released and very impressive
digital
> > > display, sensor and controlling module
> > >
> > > Paul
> > >
> > > --- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx <ukha_d%40yahoogroups.com>,
"Mark
McCall"
> > <lists@> wrote:
> > >
> > >> As well as the usual multitude of detailed enhancements
this
latest
> > >>
> > > version
> > >
> > >> of Cortex has been influenced by increasingly large and
complex
> > >> installations of the IDRATEK system. To this end this
version
includes
> > >> features to better support installers as well as to
improve
the user's
> > >> management and interface to these larger structures...
> > >>
> > >> http://bit.ly/LbNz
> > >>
> > >> M.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------------
> > >
> > > ********************************************
> > > Limited Time Offer - Free iPhone VAT Calculator
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> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>



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