I’m trying to work smarter and more efficiently, and returned to using a tool I found over 10 years ago called Remote Desktop Manager by Devolutions Inc, basically, it’s a System Administration tool, which has all your server/workstation connection stuff in, so that single pane of glass management, e.g. RDP and SSH connections all in one place for managing and connecting to servers, and much much more.
and if you are a vExpert, MVP you get it for FREE!
My little project has been completed which I blogged about here
The Problem
Now that Lindsey and I and both working from home, and in two different offices, and spend most days on Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, WebEx etc in meetings with work colleagues or vendors it is difficult to tell if we are “BUSY” engaged in a meeting, and microphone and webcam are on!
also to stop me walking into Lindsey’s office, semi-naked just wearing my pants!
The Solution
A Raspberry Pi Zero W, which is a small wireless computer running Linux, with a LED display, which can be programmed with an Available (green), Busy (red), Away (yellow), Party (rainbow) mode status light!
Lindsey just says – “I could have used a post-it!” – but where is the fun in that!
Busy Status Light it’s Party Time, and it’s POETS day!
Parts required below
We’ve now also, added the Christmas Tree lights outside, in the Magnolia Tree.
I also got a little bored, and decided rather than using a traditional plug-in 240v 24 hour timer, I would add them to the X10 Computer Controlled System, so I can turn them off via a VMware Virtual Server, running Windows 2008 Web Services!
Lindsey asked “Why?“ – I replied, because I can do stuff like that!
So in thoery I could grant access to this Website, on the Internet to turn them off remotely, or let other people turn them on or off!
The website is basic, but it functions, just need some graphics and CSS!
Update: I’d already written this blog, and submitted for publishing, before catching an Episode of “The Big Bang Theory” – The Cooper-Hofstadter Polarisation (s1e9) – at this very start of the episode, Howard Wolowitz also demonstrates a light and stereo being power-on via x10, and enabling public access to do the same thing, which Penny also states “Why?” – you can get a really cheap wireless remote from Radio Shack!
Okay, so I’m a nerd! But we all knew that!
I’ve been doing some fixing, the computer which controls, a few things in the fish house has been repaired. So I am able to remotely monitor Fish House Air temperatures, and also exterior temperatures again. Although the external temperature probe needs re-calibrating again!
[iframe https://andysworld.org.uk/pctemp1 480 514]
Update: 20 Nov 11 Probe B re-calibrated – it should be reading correct now.
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