sunset + Offset?

[bkenobi]

The cron style string is certainly not as simple as AHP.  But, once you have it set up, it does work as well as AHP's approach.  I hear your opinion and don't disagree that it's easier in other programs to build a scheduled event.

[kevinvinv]

   I have zero problem with the cron string....   my complaint is that the gui and the documentation doesn't guide the noob very well ...  BUT  who can complain  ?  The tool actually seems to work and the price is right!!!

[bkenobi]

Documentation is one thing that has dramatically improved in the last couple years since I started using HG.  It's not at the level of some HA software, but when combined with the forum, which is more active than others I looked at, I think getting started isn't too bad.  The interface is a little less refined than some others as well, though that is also much better than day 1 for me.  The biggest thing that makes HG the top on my list is the scripting.  You can do ANYTHING you are creative enough to code.  It may not work quite as simply as AHP's drag 'n drop programming, but there's very few things that can be done with AHP other than simple linear scripts (no real logic) without going outside it via the SDK.

[kevinvinv]

Thanks for that!  And thanks for your help!

I am curious,  what other HA programs would you say are more refined in this regard?   I like the idea of coding my own stuff up and was going to do that using the command line heyu type thing but I had trouble getting it running decent on Linux and the app seemed fairly old.

My needs are not great ...  except reliability...   One might wonder why I am using X10 if reliability is important but I find that with Volp's stuff,  is is pretty darn good now...

I just need a reliable software platform that is simple to use...  I am not intending this to be my new hobby ! 

[bkenobi]

With the XTB-IIR and a few filters, my X10 setup is very reliable.  HG is also very reliable once it's configured correctly.  There have been some versions that add new issues, but those tend to be fixed pretty quickly when Gene is aware of the issue and the cause is understood.

I don't think there is a better software that fits my needs which is why I use HG.  The ones I mentioned as more refined are basically the ones where you use your phone to set things up.  However, I didn't like the inflexibility nor lack of programming language on most of them.  Also, most don't allow for the X10 setup that I have or are RPi compatible.  I'm not interested in replacing all of my X10 equipment with RF (ZWave, ZigBee, InsteonRF, etc).  The cost is significantly more for most of that equipment and I'd just have to start over with figuring out how to construct a reliable system.  With HG, you can add other systems as you wish and keep your old stuff too.

[kevinvinv]

I hope I am not trying your patience 

My events that are entered in as actual times are working but not the @sunset type of stuff.

Do I just type @sunset (or whatever) into the scheduled on/off fields in the module or is there a different place to put that?

Is there a way to see what is ACTUALLY scheduled without waiting around for the next sunset    ?

Thanks again!