User Tools

Site Tools


getting_started:index

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Next revision
Previous revision
getting_started:index [2016/02/29 16:16] – external edit 127.0.0.1getting_started:index [2023/07/30 16:36] (current) – changed the install recomendations James Sentman
Line 1: Line 1:
 ====Getting Started==== ====Getting Started====
  
-XTension provides "Units" that can correspond to any real [[:supported_modules|supported device]]. Units can also be a "pseudo" meaning that is has no connection to a real device but is a a place where you store other information. For example: "current temperature" might be a real [[oregon|Oregon Scientific]] temperature sensor, but "high temperature" might be a pseudo unit that you set the value of based on the incoming data from the temperature sensor.+To Install XTension copy the application to your Applications folder. When you run it for the first time it will create a folder called “XTension Support” in your Documents folder where the database and all support files will be kept. If the OS asks you for permission to write to the Documents folder the first time you run it please say yes so it can store your database there. 
 + 
 +If you’re upgrading to a new machine or an older OS version you may run into problems if you were using the old style setup where XTension was not in the Applications folder but in some other folder and the Database was kept alongside the app. This was the behavior in the Classic MacOS version and should not be used any longer. Run the new app once from the applications folder and it will startup in demo mode but create the necessary folders. Quit the app and replace the empty database it just created in the XTension Support folder with your existing one. Then run the app again and it will pick up on your current database. 
 + 
 +XTension provides "Units" that can correspond to any real end point, switch, sensor, etc. Units can also be a "pseudo" meaning that is has no connection to a real device but is a a place where you store other information. For example: "current temperature" might be a real [[oregon|Oregon Scientific]] temperature sensor, but "high temperature" might be a pseudo unit that you set the value of based on the incoming data from the temperature sensor.
  
 XTension provides a scripting interface for you to attach your own decisions to. The scripting language is [[http://apple.com/applescript|AppleScript]] and can control all your units in XTension as well as asking for data from and controlling other applications on your Mac. Do not fear the applescript! It can be very simple to start with, anybody can learn it and much help is available here on the wiki, the XTension mailing list members are eager to help you sort out more complicated ideas and lastly Apple maintains their own applescript specific scripting discussions and mailing lists for even more esoteric questions. XTension provides a scripting interface for you to attach your own decisions to. The scripting language is [[http://apple.com/applescript|AppleScript]] and can control all your units in XTension as well as asking for data from and controlling other applications on your Mac. Do not fear the applescript! It can be very simple to start with, anybody can learn it and much help is available here on the wiki, the XTension mailing list members are eager to help you sort out more complicated ideas and lastly Apple maintains their own applescript specific scripting discussions and mailing lists for even more esoteric questions.
Line 12: Line 16:
   *  [[The Unit]]   *  [[The Unit]]
   *  [[The Scheduled Event]]   *  [[The Scheduled Event]]
- 
-====More Info==== 
- 
-  * Do Read the [[What You Need]] page 
-  * Do look at some example scripts, and notice the dictionary. (Use the Script Editor to view it if you don't want to read it here) 
-  * Browse some of the [[Menus]] buttons and scripts of the [[DemoDatabase|Demo Database]] 
-  * Read the next chapter on [[JustTheFacts|Just The Facts]] Otherwise, study the manual and the tutorials and articles on the website http://www.shed.bz/ 
-  * PLEASE Note that XTension must be active at all times. If you shut down your Mac, XTension cannot function! 
-  * XTension does not download to the CM11A or Insteon interfaces. 
-  * Please do not use the [[DemoDatabase|Demo Database]] as the foundation of your system. Always start with a 'fresh' database: 
- 
-On startup, if XTension cannot find a file named XTension Database, it will create a new empty one. So just rename the Demo Database, or move it out of the XTension folder. The latest help for all sorts of problems is at: http://www.shed.com/ddt.html 
  
getting_started/index.1456762599.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/02/13 14:51 (external edit)