Difference between revisions of "WCmore's Tips"

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== Other Articles worth reading: ==
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== Articles worth reading: ==
  
[[WCmore's_DragAndDrop|Move or Copy code using drag & drop]]
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* [[WCmore's_LogAndTrace|Troubleshooting pistons using Logs & Trace]]
 
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* [[WCmore's_DragAndDrop|Move or Copy code using drag & drop]] -or- [[WCmore's_DragAndDrop#Copy_Code_to_another_piston|Copy code to another piston]]
== Simulated Switches ==
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* [[WCmore's_SimulatedSwitches|Simulated Switches]]
[[File:SimSwitchCreation.jpg|thumb|right]]
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* [[WCmore's_AddDevices|Adding devices to webCoRE]]
 
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* [[WCmore's_ExternalURL|External URLs - Execute a piston from elsewhere]]
Simulated Switches are an imaginary device, that can be real useful to achieve things not normally possible with SmartHomes.  They are free to create, and have many uses in advanced programming.
 
 
 
I often hear people talk about "Virtual Switches" and "Simulated Switches" interchangeably, but it's important to note that they use different Device Handlers, so they are definitely not the same.  Personally, I will only recommend using "Simulated Switches", since I have seen a lot of issues involving virtual switches.
 
 
 
To create a SimSwitch, we can use a web browser to:
 
 
 
* Log into [https://account.smartthings.com/ SmartThing's IDE]
 
* Choose “My Devices” at the top
 
* Click on “+ New Device” in the top right
 
 
 
Then use the image on the right as a guide -->
 
 
 
'''Side Note:'''
 
Sometimes I have to use an "Incognito" or "Private Browsing Window" to be able to save the new device.
 
 
 
Once the device is added, ST will see it within a few seconds, but you will also have to [[#Adding_devices_to_webCoRE|add the device to webCoRE]].
 
  
 
{{TipsTOC}}
 
{{TipsTOC}}
  
== Adding devices to webCoRE ==
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== Links for Reference ==
 
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We create & edit our pistons from the [https://dashboard.webcore.co/ Dashboard]. <br>
* Connect the device to SmartThings first
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Here are a few other links that I have found to be helpful:
* Test the device using the SmartThings app on your phone to make sure the new device is working thru the hub
 
* Add the device to webCoRE by going to: Automation > SmartApps > webCoRE > Settings > Available devices > Available devices
 
* Select a category, and place a check-mark next to any device that you want webCoRE to see and/or control
 
* Save multiple times until you are back in the SmartApps page
 
* You can now use this device in webCoRE.  If you still do not see it, try a hard refresh to your [https://dashboard.webcore.co/ Dashboard]. (''Ctrl-F5'')
 
 
 
{{TipsTOC}}
 
 
 
== External URLs - Execute a piston from elsewhere ==
 
 
 
[[File:ExternalURL.jpg|thumb|right]]
 
 
 
Any piston can be run from any place that you are online.  A few possibilities are:
 
* Clicking a link in a SMS message
 
* Clicking a link in an email or HTML document
 
* Opening a URL directly inside any browser
 
* HTTP GET request from any app with that capability
 
* HTTP GET request from any OS (''Windows, Android, RPi etc.'')
 
* HTTP GET request from another SmartThings hub (''IE: House to House'')
 
* Command prompt / batch file / macro tool etc.
 
 
 
Each piston has a unique URL, which can be found at the very top of any piston -->
 
<br> (''Anyone that knows this URL can trigger that one piston whenever they want to, so this URL should be kept private, or only shared with those whom you trust'')
 
 
 
So, for example, if you wanted a piston in your vacation house to trigger a piston in your main house, then the vacation house can make a web request like this:
 
 
 
[[File:UrlGetRequest.jpg|none]]
 
 
 
... and the piston in your main house would trigger a moment later.
 
 
 
Generally speaking, the piston that is getting triggered by the external call should have no triggers (''lightning bolts''). 
 
 
 
Once the piston is saved, you should see this up top:
 
 
 
[[File:NoSubscriptions.jpg|none]]
 
 
 
One of the benefits of having no triggers is that this piston can be triggered from multiple locations and different events.
 
 
 
{{TipsTOC}}
 
 
 
== Handy Links for Reference ==
 
Here are a few links that I have found to be helpful
 
  
 
=== webCoRE ===
 
=== webCoRE ===
* [https://dashboard.webcore.co/ Dashboard]  (where we create & edit our pistons)
 
 
* webCoRE Forum - [https://community.webcore.co/latest Latest Topics]  (great community for like-minded people)
 
* webCoRE Forum - [https://community.webcore.co/latest Latest Topics]  (great community for like-minded people)
 
* webCoRE Forum - [https://community.webcore.co/c/tutorials Tutorials]
 
* webCoRE Forum - [https://community.webcore.co/c/tutorials Tutorials]
 
* webCoRE Forum - [https://community.webcore.co/c/Examples Example Pistons]  (great place to get inspired!)
 
* webCoRE Forum - [https://community.webcore.co/c/Examples Example Pistons]  (great place to get inspired!)
* [[Functions|webCoRE Functions]]  (data processing & conversions)
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* Wiki - [[Samples|Samples from 2017]]  (Thanks @c1arkbar)
* [[Expressions|webCoRE Expressions]]  (mathematical constructions)
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* Wiki - [[Functions|webCoRE Functions]]  (data processing & conversions)
* [[TWC_Weather|$twc.weather]]  (which replaces [[Weather|$weather]])
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* Wiki - [[Expressions|webCoRE Expressions]]  (mathematical constructions)
 +
* Wiki - [[TWC_Weather|$twcweather]]  (which replaces [[Weather|$weather]])
 +
* Wiki - [[$twcweather.alerts|$twcweather.alerts]]  (we're still gathering data on this one)
  
 
=== Other Resources ===
 
=== Other Resources ===
 
* [https://account.smartthings.com/ SmartThings IDE]  (where we can add new devices)
 
* [https://account.smartthings.com/ SmartThings IDE]  (where we can add new devices)
 
* [http://alexa.amazon.com/ Amazon Alexa Settings]
 
* [http://alexa.amazon.com/ Amazon Alexa Settings]
* [https://fontawesome.com/icons?d=gallery Font Awesome Icons]  (can be inserted in tiles, piston states etc)
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* [https://www.getfilecloud.com/blog/2015/03/tech-tip-how-to-do-hard-refresh-in-browsers Hard refresh browser]  (sometimes handy after an update)
 +
 
 +
=== Symbols, Emoji & Tiny Images ===
 +
* [https://community.webcore.co/t/inserting-emoji-symbols-or-images-into-a-piston/17371?u=wcmore How to get shapes into webCoRE]  (forum thread with examples)
 +
* [https://fontawesome.com/v5.0/icons?d=gallery Font Awesome Icons]  (over 3000 can be inserted in tiles, piston states etc)<br>We can also resize, layer and color, as seen in these [[Font_Awesome|code examples]].
 
* [https://hotemoji.com/copy-paste.html Emoji reference]  (can be inserted in SMS, notifications, tiles, piston states etc)
 
* [https://hotemoji.com/copy-paste.html Emoji reference]  (can be inserted in SMS, notifications, tiles, piston states etc)
  
=== Advanced Pistons ===
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=== Advanced Pistons - My gift to you ===
* [https://community.webcore.co/t/making-voice-announcements-controlling-amazon-alexa-echo/6286/ Making voice announcements & controlling Amazon Alexa Echo]
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* [https://community.webcore.co/t/making-voice-announcements-controlling-amazon-alexa-echo/6286?u=wcmore Making voice announcements & controlling Amazon Alexa Echo]
* [https://community.webcore.co/t/webcore-asks-a-question-my-voice-response-determines-the-action/9871/ WebCoRE asks a question, my voice response determines the action]
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* [https://community.webcore.co/t/webcore-asks-a-question-my-voice-response-determines-the-action/9871?u=wcmore WebCoRE asks a question, my voice response determines the action]
* [https://community.webcore.co/t/send-a-notification-to-only-one-device-without-a-sim-card/7829/ Send a notification to only ONE device without a SIM card]
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* [https://community.webcore.co/t/send-a-notification-to-only-one-device-without-a-sim-card/7829?u=wcmore Send a notification to only ONE device without a SIM card]
 +
* [https://community.webcore.co/t/gauge-for-length-of-day-showing-solstices-equinoxes/5633?u=wcmore Gauge for Length of Day (showing Solstices & Equinoxes)]
 +
* [https://community.webcore.co/t/twcweather-forecast-preserve-data-lost-at-3-oclock/20396?u=wcmore $twcweather.forecast - Preserve data beyond 3 o'clock] (when it is no longer available)
 
* [https://community.webcore.co/t/visual-countdown-to-a-special-event/12634?u=wcmore Visual Countdown to a Special Event]
 
* [https://community.webcore.co/t/visual-countdown-to-a-special-event/12634?u=wcmore Visual Countdown to a Special Event]
* [https://community.webcore.co/t/gauge-for-length-of-day-showing-solstices-equinoxes/5633/ Gauge for Length of Day (showing Solstices & Equinoxes)]
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* [https://community.webcore.co/t/making-a-24-hour-clock-with-webcore/11202?u=wcmore Making a 24 hour Clock with webCoRE]
* [https://community.webcore.co/t/making-a-24-hour-clock-with-webcore/11202/ Making a 24 hour Clock with webCoRE]
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* [https://community.webcore.co/t/when-where-is-the-next-rocket-launch-worldwide/16978?u=wcmore When & where is the next rocket launch worldwide?] (Parsing an API)
 +
* [https://community.webcore.co/t/word-games-with-webcore-create-your-own-story/17398?u=wcmore Word games with webCoRE] (create your own story)
 +
 
  
 
{{TipsTOC}}
 
{{TipsTOC}}

Latest revision as of 00:42, 15 January 2022

Hello and welcome!!

This is a collection of things that I have learned over the years. Stay tuned for more Tips & Tricks...

Articles worth reading:



Top





.

Links for Reference

We create & edit our pistons from the Dashboard.
Here are a few other links that I have found to be helpful:

webCoRE

Other Resources

Symbols, Emoji & Tiny Images

Advanced Pistons - My gift to you



Top





.

Coming Soon

  • Good Practices
  • Task Cancellation Policy
  • Triggering a piston by voice (Alexa & SimSwitch)
  • Installation Tips (GitHub)
  • Two Hub Communication
  • Passing Arguments
  • "Daisy-Chaining" Pistons
  • Tasker (Controlling & being controlled by an Android device)
  • EventGhost (Controlling & being controlled by a Windows PC)
  • Android Presence Sensor using Tasker



Top





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