I have noticed that not many ProntoScript coders distribute their modules freely in the files section.
Being new to the Pronto world and this forum I find it difficult to know what ProntoScript modules exist, who has them for sale or where to find them.

So may I suggest a Sticky thread where this can be announced.

Something like:

Module Name: SlimPronto.
Free: No
Author/Contact: Barry Gordon.
What it does: WIFI control over Squeezecenter music server.

Please consider this in order to make the Pronto a pleasant experience for us "Non-programmers", "Non-Professional" users.

Best Regards.

Fishbones.

From my understanding the Pronto strategy for marketing is that mainly professionals should handle the Pronto hardware and programming. You will find some scripts for free at the Philips Pronto Web pages after passing a test for level one. Passing level 2 test you will find some more scripts.

Generall problem of all scripts: there is no copy protection.
There are two versions of scripts:

A) scripts programmed from companies (like Panasonic, Lutron...) to support their
(hardware) products. These scripts are mostly free.

B) scripts from (undependend) programmers to offer attractive functions like
wheather report, controlling Squeezebox ...

But it is difficult for programmers offering their work unprotected at one place without having the guarantee to collect some money for the work. Until Philips is not giving a good (secure) solution to protect programming work, I think the progress of Pronto is very slow actually. I think there is a MUST to protect programming work. If this is organized you will find many scripts from many people in the future, because the potential of Philips Pronto is big.
Excellent products (hardware), excellent programming software (PEP1 and PEP2), excellent forum (remote central). Fair pricing. Nice design.

Good comments blang2006.... Here's my story:
After acquiring my TSU9400 I did the level 1 and 2 certification tests so got access to those sections. But there wasn't anything useful for my needs so I thought I'd start learning ProntoScript until I decided to buy SlimPronto and a look into the code.... "Holy_shit" I thought ... I will NEVER be able to get to that level of programing in my lifetime. So I gave up the in-depth studying of JavaScript and limit myself to changing a line here and there in existing modules that I may find, beg, borrow (but never steal).

At the moment I have the weather module thanks to PS2 and the the original author (darshak40).
---A rotary wheel script found here on the forum and the ProntoScript manual.
---A tiny script to turn off my satellite receiver via http sockets done by myself with the help of the ProntoScript manual and user MVis on this forum.
---SlimPronto by Barry Gordon.

So for now that's it. My Pronto still has 90% of it's memory free and I have nothing else to play with. Therefore a thread where users can announce their modules/scripts, free or not, would be good.

Excellent comment. See my thread posted a week or so ago on Recent Endeavors. That was my intent.

I also think that a new ProntoScript forum may also be in order.

Lyndel

Slim Pronto 9400 is interesting and architecturally has many differences from the 9600 version. I like to experiment and try new things. A lot of the 9400 code for the user interface is table driven through arrays so that changing the array contents changes how the user interface operates. That is not the case on the 9600 version.

Both versions basically share the TCPIP engine which is extremely robust. They also have the same general architectuire that divorces user keyins from code activity by putting all user actions in a queue to be processed when not doing TCPIP. That way the unit is responsive, and no user entries are lost. There are even documents on my website that discuss this architecture for those interested.

One of these days I will make a clean up pass and carefully clean the code up which has started to grow a little long in the tooth. My initial goal was for easy modification 9feature additions) and bug detection. It is now getting to be time to put it into a more industrial model

I think it sounds like a good idea. But I think two stickies would be much better, one for free stuff and one for the rest. Then when someone creates a module they can just go to the appropriate thread and add name, some key words and what to do to get it.

I think this would be great idea as well.

Keith

So, Anthony or maybe Keith? Which of you is going to approach Daniel to start the sticky thread and maintain it? Would be an excellent opportunity for Keith provided he has the time. :)

Thanks Lyndel but I would not have the time to maintain something like this. I can however contact Daniel about this and will be more than happy to contribute any scripts that I may develope on my own in the future.

Keith

Keith,

I am respectful of your time and appreciate the fact that you have no free time. I kinda figured that would be the answer. No one has time to "give back". I simply don't have enough time on my hands. So hopefully, blang can pick this up as he's opened yet another thread. :)

Thanks again Lyndel.

If I could offer my 2 cents...my thinking would be to have two Stickies as mentioned above, that to some degree would be self managing.

One for free or non commercial scripts, snippets etc. where people could paste their code and such right into the post with the appropriate descriptions, restrictions and so on.

The second would be posts from people, programmers etc. describing what they have to offer. This may be a module, snippet or just an offer of their services along with a contact address. Interested parties could then get in touch for pricing, ordering etc.

I'm sure there could also be some type of introductory post at the top of each Sticky describing the rules etc. All this would eliminate any need for storage and script exposure issues. Perhaps there could be two or three volunteers to keep an eye on things in a casual manner. If there are others willing to do this, I would be willing to help as well.

Keith

The new prontos are great, the RS232 is a blessing, although a single port RS232 RFX would be useful.
It is my belief that Philips thought the pronto community would spend time producing open source PS modules and make them freely available. That has not worked. The fact that Philips have only produced a pitiful amount themselves has to say something. It it has always been their policy to drag their feet, remember the 9800i! I bought 10 for a client, all are gathering dust in my basement.
The cost of developing a decent script is prohibitive, probably the reason why most scripts have come from manufacturers. AV companies are now looking at the iTouch as an easier platform to develop. If philips want people to develop scipts they need to make available, more documentation, more working examples, lots of simple building blocks. Not just reccomendations to java script reference books that have very little relevance.

I have to say, a lot of the manufactures are starting to write scripts i now have a collection of over 30, some of which are beta versions and not for release so dont ask me for them.

But, i found out this week Re Quest have a script on there web site for there products, so my advice is contact the manufacture of the products and ask them if they are writing any scripts you may find they already are!

Another similar thread has been started so you may want to have a look at a solution provided by André du Fresne.

[Link: remotecentral.com]

I am still holding onto my old one, I don't even have one that can be used with script. So I would not be the right person.

On the other hand is maintenance required? Isn’t that the difference between a thread and a file section (or something similar). I was thinking of two threads (one for freeware and one for at a cost) where people could log in and either post the script or tell people where to find it. Obviously with a small description

For example mr.X would go to the non-free one and post

name:Prontocool

price:10$

where to buy this_is_not_real@fakesite.com

description script gets the temperature from weather network and then turns on the airconditioning at the temperature you pre program.


then someone either searches the thread for key words (if they get big and the person knows what he wants) or looks through them (after all how do you know what you want unless you know what is out there)...


the only issue is that you will sometimes get an idiot that will post "where do I get a script that ...."

The reason I think two threads would be better is that it would simplify it for the user and there is less chance of “mix ups” where (for example) someone forgets to post the price in the thread.